Father's Day Gift & Event Guide

This September, as fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers and father figures are celebrated, we’ve rounded up some unique gifts and experiences to say thanks on Father’s Day.

Enjoy Father's Day in the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges this year. Find fantastic events and treat him to something special.

See Father's Day Events Calendar

If he has a sweet tooth:

For those in search of a truly memorable experience, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery delivers in every sweet way. If Dad is the sort who considers dessert an essential food group, take him somewhere the treats are considerably more exciting than a supermarket box of chocolates.

Here, more than 450 varieties of chocolate make choosing a favourite a deliciously difficult assignment. There are handcrafted chocolates and truffles, brownies, hot chocolates and freshly churned ice cream, plus free chocolate tastings and large viewing windows where you can watch the chocolatiers at work.

Make a little more of the visit with breakfast, lunch or something suitably decadent at the all-day café, then wander the sprawling grounds, orchards and wetlands afterwards. It’s a particularly good option if Father’s Day involves the whole family, with plenty of outdoor space and resident farm animals to keep younger visitors entertained while Dad gets down to the serious business of deciding what to take home.

For dads who prefer their gifts edible, skip the socks altogether and let him choose a box of chocolates to take home. Just don’t expect it to survive the drive.

Is Dad an animal lover?

If Dad is happiest in the company of creatures great, small and occasionally feathered, make Father’s Day a wildlife day out at Healesville Sanctuary.

Set among bushland in the Yarra Valley, the sanctuary is home to some of Australia’s best-known native animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, platypuses and Tasmanian devils. It’s the kind of place where a gentle wander can quickly turn into several hours of animal spotting, keeper talks and discovering species you’d forgotten were quite so fascinating.

For something a little more memorable, look out for the sanctuary’s wildlife presentations and close-up animal experiences, which can turn a family outing into a proper Father’s Day treat.

When you’ve finished saying hello to the locals, Healesville itself makes it easy to extend the day with lunch, a winery visit or a stop at one of the town’s cafés. It’s a Father’s Day option that works just as well for dads with young children in tow as it does for those who simply never grew out of wanting to see the wombats.

Does Dad love great food and wine?

If Dad’s idea of a good day involves something delicious on the plate and a decent glass in hand, our region makes Father’s Day very easy to plan. There's a wide variety of places for you and Dad to eat and drink.

Start with breakfast at one of the region’s cafés, where a leisurely morning might mean great coffee, local produce and the sort of breakfast that deserves more attention than something grabbed on the run. From there, you can keep things casual with a relaxed pub lunch, wood-fired pizza or a long table overlooking the vines, or turn the occasion into something special with a multi-course meal at one of the region’s acclaimed restaurants.

Wine-loving dads are equally well catered for. Spend the afternoon hopping between cellar doors, sampling the cool-climate wines the Yarra Valley is famous for, from pinot noir and chardonnay to sparkling and lesser-known varieties. Many wineries also offer restaurants, grazing plates or beautiful outdoor spaces, so there’s no need to rush between stops.

You’ll also find breweries, distilleries, farm gates, providores and artisan producers, making it easy to build a Father’s Day around whatever Dad likes best.

Keep it simple with breakfast and a tasting, settle in for a long lunch, or make a full day of eating and drinking your way around the region. No novelty tie required.

Are spirits, beer or cider more his thing?

If he’s a spirits man, hugely popular and rightly so, Four Pillars Distillery is a favourite place to visit for locals and tourists alike. Since opening their doors in 2013, Four Pillars Distillery offers a range of experiences that showcase their love for craft distilling. Think intimate tastings that'll expand his palate to hands-on workshops where he can create his very own botanical masterpiece. We guarantee you’ll be planning your return visit before you've even left the car park.

Likewise, the region is packed with great pubs and breweries, ideal for a classic pub lunch in honour of Dad. Great spots include the independent and family-owned Watts River Brewing or the iconic Coldstream Brewery where he'll enjoy the fantastic beers and ciders, short-run seasonal limited-release beers and delicious casual meals. St Ronan's Cider is well worth a visit. Their cider is crafted from apples and pears grown in the Yarra Valley.

If he's a gin guy, visit Imbue Distillery in Research to taste and shop their full range of delicious spirits rich with flavour. Could these be his new favourite?

Make the day extra special by booking a tour and let one of our fantastic guides do the driving and help plan the day.

Is he an event guy?

This time of year is always busy with loads of festivals and events guaranteed to be a great day (or night) out. No matter what he's into, grab him a ticket to an exciting upcoming event.

There are film fests, food events, floral festivals, comedy festivals, live music, exhibitions, and oh-so much more.

Click here for upcoming events and make it a date.

Want to send him on an adventure?

If he’s adventurous, (even soft adventure counts!) Warburton Adventure Company offers gift vouchers for experiences like abseiling, caving, mountain biking, and more. Or try Yarra Valley X for an e-bike adventure.

Ditch giving socks and jocks this year and consider a ballooning and breakfast experience with Go Wild Ballooning, Liberty Balloon Flights or Global Ballooning this Father's Day. A balloon flight over the Yarra Valley is an unforgettable experience that'll last a lifetime. Pair it with a breakfast package and you're on the fast track to being the favourite child.

Is he a rev-head?

If Dad would rather spend Father’s Day behind the wheel than sitting still, give him an excuse to put the pedal down and explore the region from the driver’s seat.

For dads who prefer mud to polished chrome, PNL 4WDriving takes the adventure off-road. Their four-wheel-drive experiences are a chance to tackle challenging terrain, build driving skills and spend the day doing something considerably more memorable than circling a shopping centre car park.

You could even turn the drive itself into part of the celebration. With winding mountain roads, forest scenery and plenty of good places to stop for lunch, coffee or a cellar-door visit along the way, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are made for a Father’s Day road trip.

The Black Spur Drive on the way to Marysville (as well as so many other great drives) are ideal for this.

Just be warned: handing Dad the keys may mean you’re relegated to passenger for the rest of the day.

Keen for chilling on the green?

If Dad’s ideal Father’s Day involves fairways, fresh air and the occasional ambitious putt, there are plenty of ways to tee up a day around golf in the Yarra Valley.

For a relaxed round surrounded by beautiful scenery, RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort is an easy choice, combining golf with the option to stay for lunch, drinks or even make a weekend of it. Heritage Golf and Country Club also offers an impressive setting for keen golfers, with championship courses framed by the rolling Yarra Valley landscape.

For something a little more casual, Chirnside Park Country Club is a great option for a social round, while Maroondah Golf Park is ideal if Dad likes his golf with fewer formalities. Head for the driving range, practise the swing or challenge the family to a round of mini golf for a Father’s Day activity everyone can join in on.

Whether he’s chasing a personal best, working on his short game or simply enjoying an afternoon on the course, it’s an easy way to give golf-loving dads exactly what they want for Father’s Day: a few uninterrupted hours with a club in hand.

For the big kid at heart:

Some dads never really grow out of rollercoasters, steam trains and the chance to turn a day out into an adventure.

At Gumbuya World, Father’s Day can mean thrill rides, family attractions, wildlife encounters and plenty of opportunities for Dad to insist he’s only going on 'for the kids'. It’s an easy option for families with children of different ages, with enough variety to keep everyone busy for the day.

For something a little more nostalgic, climb aboard Puffing Billy Railway and take a steam-powered journey through the Dandenong Ranges. With forest views, historic carriages and that unmistakable whistle echoing through the hills, it has all the charm of a childhood favourite without feeling remotely childish.

Whether Dad prefers rollercoasters or railways, both offer a Father’s Day built around simply having fun. And really, isn’t that the point?