If you want to explore the best that Australia has to offer, then Yarra Valley is worth visiting. Just an hour's drive from Melbourne, this region is home to some of the best cool climate wine in the whole country. With world-class wine tasting and wineries, five-star eateries, and plenty of scenic sights to see, it's the perfect spot to spend a day and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Victoria.
Your one-day visit to Yarra Valley could look as follows:
- Breakfast at Balgownie Estate
- Healesville Sanctuary Tour
- Wine Tasting and Lunch at De Bortoli Wines
- Visit to Four Pillars Gin Distillery
- Dinner at Quarters Restaurant at Hubert Estate
Your Yarra Valley One Day Itinerary
1. Breakfast at Balgownie Estate
Let's start your trip to Yarra Valley with a delicious breakfast at the lovely Balgownie Estate, which also happens to double as a great scenic lookout!
Your day in the Yarra Valley starts at Balgownie Estate, one of the region’s most iconic vineyard destinations. Surrounded by vines and hills, it’s the perfect first stop, and not just for the views, but for a proper breakfast at Restaurant 1309. The space is open, relaxed, and run by a team that knows the value of local produce and simple presentation.
Breakfast is served daily and offers both hot and cold buffet and à la carte options. If you’re looking for something hearty, “Rae’s Balgownie Big Brekky” is hard to go past: eggs your way, sausage, bacon, tomato, mushrooms, hash browns and grilled ciabatta.
If you’re looking for something lighter, the Breakfast Bruschetta, with poached eggs, tomatoes, caramelised onion and Swiss cheese on sourdough – is satisfying without being too heavy.
If you’re after classic café fare go for the Eggs Benedict or Atlantic Eggs with smoked salmon and hollandaise. There’s even a “Bubble & Squeak” – a nostalgic dish with potato, cabbage, Swiss cheese, cured meats, and fried eggs. Vegetarians will love the Balgownie Bean Cassoulet served with Persian feta and sunflower sourdough.
Coffee is included with breakfast and you can add espresso for a small charge. The staff are friendly, the timing is easy (especially for early risers) and there’s no rush.
Balgownie sets the tone for a day of indulgence, views and relaxed pace. You’ll leave full, caffeinated and ready to take on the best of the Yarra Valley. Keep in mind that this is an award winning winery with a fantastic cellar door where you and your group can do a wine tasting of Pinot Noir and so much more, all while enjoying the views of rolling hills.
2. A Healesville Sanctuary Tour
After breakfast, head to Healesville Sanctuary, one of the best ways to get up close and personal with Australia’s native and unique wildlife while soaking up the Yarra Valley. Just outside the town of Healesville, the sanctuary is nestled in bushland that feels a million miles from the city.
It’s not a zoo in the traditional sense. This is a conservation focused space where you can see animals in habitats that mimic their natural environments.
The sanctuary is home to some of Australia’s most well-known species. You’ll see kangaroos lounging under trees, koalas dozing in eucalyptus branches, and emus roaming open enclosures. One of the highlights is the platypus exhibit.
Visitors can also enjoy “Spirits of the Sky”, a free-flight bird show featuring wedge-tailed eagles, owls, and colourful parrots flying over an outdoor amphitheater. Throughout the sanctuary keepers are on hand to answer questions, share animal facts, and explain the work being done to protect endangered species.
For families, couples, or anyone who loves nature and conservation, Healesville Sanctuary is a thoughtful and engaging stop. It adds a different beat to your day, something peaceful and immersive, and helps you appreciate the environment that surrounds the vines and valleys of the region.
You’ll leave with a better understanding of Australia’s wildlife and plenty of photos to match. From here the Yarra Valley opens up again – whether you’re heading to a winery for lunch or continuing on for a supercar driving experience drive, Healesville is a must do part of your itinerary.
3. Enjoy Food and Wine at the De Bortoli Wines Cellar Door
De Bortoli Wines is the perfect mix of tradition, flavour, and laid back hospitality, a fantastic early-afternoon stop for your Yarra Valley itinerary. This fourth generation family winery is one of the region’s most respected names and is known for its approachable atmosphere and wide range of wine experiences. This is where you'll find excellent regional food with matched wines.
At the Yarra Valley Cellar Door, you’ll be greeted into a bright and friendly space where tastings are guided by staff who love wine. De Bortoli’s portfolio is impressive, from crisp Pinot Gris and elegant Chardonnay to full bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. You can also try their famous Noble One, Australia’s most awarded dessert wine.
Tastings here are flexible. Whether you like a casual seated tasting or something more involved, like a wine and cheese pairing or even a wine blending session, there’s an option to suit your style. The cellar door team will tailor the experience to your needs and make sure you leave with new favourites.
After your tasting, sit down to lunch at Locale, the on-site restaurant. The menu is Italian inspired comfort food using seasonal Yarra Valley produce. Think house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, fresh local vegetables, and premium cuts of meat, all designed to pair with De Bortoli’s wines.
Everything here is easy, warm and welcoming. There’s no rush, just time to enjoy the wine, the food and the vineyard views. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a big morning and a long drive and sets you up nicely for the rest of your Yarra Valley adventure.
4. A Stop at the Four Pillars Gin Distillery
No trip to the Yarra Valley is complete without a visit to Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville. Known for its modern approach to gin and a bold, creative spirit, Four Pillars is one of Australia’s most respected names in craft distilling.
The main attraction is the guided gin tasting in the mezzanine above the distillery floor. For 55 minutes, you’ll be taken through a tasting of five award winning gins, starting with a G&T on arrival.
From their iconic Rare Dry Gin to the Navy Strength and the fan favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin, each pour comes with info on the ingredients and how they’re made. You’ll get a real sense of how they build flavour and why Four Pillars has won global recognition for their range.
If you’re not up for the full tasting, you can still have a paddle of G&Ts in the outdoor Gin Garden or grab a seasonal cocktail at the bar. It’s a chill space with an industrial vibe, natural light, and the hum of small batch distilling in the background.
If you already have a Four Pillars bottle at home, the distillery offers a refill service. Just bring in your empty bottle and save a few bucks and reduce waste.
5. Dinner at Quarters Restaurant at Hubert Estate
Your final stop in the Yarra Valley wraps up the day in style, dinner at Quarters, the modern restaurant at Hubert Estate in Coldstream. This is where comfort food meets quality ingredients, all served in a relaxed setting with vineyard views and a menu that celebrates woodfire cooking and big flavours.
Everything on the menu is to be shared, from small plates of whitebait or grilled corn with chipotle aioli, to big mains like saffron prawn campanelle, roast chicken with caramelised yogurt, or a big Southern Rangers scotch fillet with charred onion and truffle mustard.
Their pizzas are also a highlight, woodfired and with just the right amount of char. The Korean beef cheek, prawn and fermented chilli, or the classic Hungarian salami are all popular and deliver on flavour and texture as well.
If you’re not in a hurry, finish with a sweet treat like the burnt butter cookie with chocolate ice cream, or soft serve in a waffle cone. The drinks list is long, with house wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options that complement the menu without complicating the experience.
Dinner at Quarters is easy but thoughtful, a chance to slow down, eat good food and reflect on a big day in the Yarra Valley. Whether you’re coming off a gin tasting or a supercar drive, it’s the kind of place to end the day.
Types of Attractions for Your Yarra Valley Day Trip
The fact of the matter is that the Yarra Valley is one of the most popular getaway regions in all of Australia, and for good reason, because there are plenty of sights and activities for wine lovers, food enthusiasts, nature lovers, and so much more.
Vineyards and Wine Tastings
One of the most popular things to do in the Yarra Valley is to go for wine tastings at some of the most reputable cellar doors in the region.
Hubert Estate, Levantine Hill, Tokar Estate, and Rochford Wines all come to mind. If you're looking to experience some of the most flavorful and well thought out wines in Australia, Yarra Valley is certainly the place be.
Local Food at Amazing Restaurants
Also worth considering is that the Yarra Valley is home to some of the best restaurants in the country. Whether we're talking about Quarters, Balgownie Estate, Oakridge Wines, or anywhere in between, here you will find five-star dining experiences complete with local ingredients, seasonal produce, and chefs that know how to put together menus that match perfectly with their estate wines.
Adventures and Experiences
The Yarra Valley is well known for its wide variety of experiences and adventures. This is a place where you can go horse riding, hot air ballooning, super car driving, and wine tasting, all in a single day.
Keep in mind that this area is also home to some of the best chocolate producers in the southern hemisphere. It's also an excellent area if you're planning to see some local Australian wildlife.
Best Ways to Get Around the Yarra Valley
Luckily, there are many good ways to get around the Yarra Valley, and which one you choose depends on your personal preferences.
Helicopter Tours With Rotor One
One of the best ways to get around the Yarra Valley is in a helicopter. The simple fact the matter is that while it takes about an hour to drive from Melbourne, it only takes about 20 minutes to fly by helicopter.
Moreover, a helicopter flight is luxurious, exclusive, private, and the absolute epitome of traveling in style. Rotor One, one of the main helicopter tour providers in the area, has flights and tours that land directly at distilleries, top wineries, restaurants, wildlife parks, and more.
It's all about skipping the traffic and getting to see the world from a whole different perspective, from a bird's eye view that most just don't get to see.
Car
If you're looking for a flexible way to travel around the Yarra Valley, driving your own or a rented car is the way to go.
It's a one hour drive from Melbourne, and if you have your own vehicle, it means that you can stay at the cellar doors as long as you want and visit as many equations as you like. Most wineries also offer free parking.
Bike
If you're a fitness enthusiast and you want to experience the great outdoors, and all of the natural beauty that the Yarra Valley has to offer, then cycling is always a good way to go.
The Yarra Valley features many scenic cycling trails, with roads that pass by cafes, vineyards, and many other attractions. There are even certain wineries that offer bikes for hire. There are also E bikes available for hire at certain locations, making the trip just a little easier.
Tour Buses
If you don't want to drive yourself, a tour bus is always a good option. Tour buses generally are guided experiences that include pick up and drop off from Melbourne or other major locations.
These are usually curated itineraries that will take you to top restaurants, wineries, and scenic areas in the Yarra Valley.
Private Tour Groups
Similar to tour buses, private tour groups also have someone else driving for you, but here, you're with your own private group instead of on a tour bus that will likely have many people you don't know. These are great for celebrations, small groups, and corporate events, as they are generally fully customizable.
An Alternative All-Day Tour - The Yarra Valley Beers, Burgers, and Gin Pub Crawl
For those who like their Yarra Valley experiences with a bit of cheek and a whole lot of flavour, Rotor One’s Beers, Burgers, & Gin Helicopter Pub Crawl is the most fun and laid back itinerary in the region. This four-hour tour is not your average winery crawl.
It's a curated adventure to three of Healesville’s most loved spots for handcrafted beer, stacked burgers, and world class gin, all accessed in style via private helicopter.
First up is Watts River Brewing, a small independent craft brewery run by two local families. Here you’ll enjoy a tasting paddle of their best beers, with bold IPAs, rich stouts, and crisp ales, all brewed on site using local ingredients. The relaxed atmosphere and behind the scenes insights from the brewers sets the tone for an authentic Yarra Valley experience.
Next is Monroe’s Burgers & Beers. Known for their weekly specials and comfort food, Monroe’s serves up perfect burgers, loaded fries, and a cheeky side of chicken tenders. Big portions, clever burger names, and a local crowd make this venue special.
Finally, you’ll head to Four Pillars Gin Distillery, a global icon in the world of craft spirits. The tasting here includes a G&T on arrival followed by five award winning gin varieties. From their citrus forward Rare Dry Gin to the wildly popular Bloody Shiraz, this last stop is the perfect finish to a fun afternoon.
Between stops you’ll stroll the charming streets of Healesville, work up just enough appetite (and thirst) for the next round. It’s casual, delicious, and cool – exactly what you’d expect from Melbourne’s number one helicopter experience. This is by far the best Australian wine tour company available at this time.
