Yarra Valley Traipsing and Tasting

• Experience the very best of the Yarra Valley with a local guide who knows all the premium wineries, breweries, and restaurants in the area
• Support local tourism and hospitality businesses whilst indulging in delicious food and wine
• A wine lover’s dream comes true with an exclusive wine tasting experience with the Giant Steps winemaker amongst the vineyards
• Enjoy a behind the scenes tour of Matilda Bay Brewery that is inaccessible to the general public
• An in-depth walking tour with a local historian who will provide you with insider knowledge of the local area
• The perfect private trip for you and your friends if you would prefer not to travel with other people

Are you dreaming about a long weekend away in the Yarra Valley? Not just any weekend away, but one where you don’t have to organise or plan a single thing? All you need to do is make your way to Healesville, then sit back and relax and leave the rest of it to us.

There is no need to rush on this long weekend, we aren’t going to be shuffling you from one place to another as quickly as possible. This Yarra Valley long weekend is about taking the time to slow down, appreciate the pristine environment, enjoy delicious food and wine, and make some like-minded friends along the way.

The Yarra Valley, just an hour's drive east of Melbourne, is home to some of the best winemakers in Australia as well as incredible craft beer and cider producers. Most recently the best Gin maker on the planet, Four Pillars moved into the neighborhood, now officially making the Yarra Valley the connoisseur's dream. There are so many things to do in the Yarra Valley.

At the heart of the region is the charming country town of Healesville, which has in recent years become the epicentre of culinary delights in southeast Australia as well as our home base for this great active weekend.

You will discover this vast region both by bike and on foot, exploring its natural wonders as well as enjoying the local produce and the hospitable locals who call it home. Come join us for this unique Yarra Valley experience and discover this region like a local. This is not your everyday Yarra Valley wine tour.

Who is this trip for?

Those who desire a short weekend getaway that is a balance of fine dining, downtime, and physical activities

You love supporting great local businesses by sampling their delectable food and wine

Food and wine connoisseurs who want an in-depth Yarra Valley experience

Wine lovers who appreciate experiences such as wine tasting with the winemaker in the vineyards of Giant Steps

If staying at nice accommodation is part of what makes a holiday special to you

Other Australian Trips We Offer

Grampians Sip and Scramble: Four Day Hiking and Dining Experience

Grampians Peak Trail: Three Day Camping Adventure

High Country Pedal and Prosecco: Four Day Cycling, Hiking and Dining Experience

Epic Victorian Traverse: Seven Day Trekking Adventure (not for the faint-hearted!)

As part of our risk mitigation plan, all domestic Australian group sizes have been capped at 8 guests, and New Zealand at 10.  

If you'd prefer a private group with family or friends, don't hesitate to contact us to discuss

Surrounded by wild mountainous terrain, the Yarra Valley spills out into a glorious temperate landscape. This is the perfect environment to make sublime wine, and a little adventure.

Throughout this region is some of the countries best grape growers and winemakers and now some of the best produce and chefs. The once sleepy country town of Healesville has been transformed into "the" place to be, to sample all these delights and even appreciate contemporary art. Weaving throughout the hills surrounding the Valley is a network of wonderful walking trails that beckon to be explored. These tracks will take us through Victorian Mountain Ash forests (the world's tallest flowering plant), gullies of lush tree ferns and trails with panoramic vistas of rolling mountains and vineyards. In a bygone era, trains would service this regional area. The forgotten tracks have been replaced with bike trails that wander through the valley, giving us access to quaint vineyards and country trails.

Meanwhile back in Healesville we will dine in private rooms of the Healesville Hotel and Grace Burn as well as special access to the Matilda Bay brewery. We will immerse ourselves in some local history as we wander the village and on Friday afternoon we will gain special access to the Giant Steps vineyard at Sexton for a wine tasting and explanation of viticulture.

Our unique Yarra Valley experience combines a morning of activity both through the Valley itself and the surrounding mountainous terrain and in the afternoon we will explore the region and its' culinary creations. This is the perfect weekend for couples and friends to experience this wonderful part of Victoria in a way that will leave you feeling happy and refreshed.

Day 1 Thursday: Arrive at Healesville (D)
Day 2 Friday: Trek along O'Shannassy Aquaduct and then vineyard tour of Giant Steps. (B,L,D) (4 hours trekking)
Day 3 Saturday: Morning bike ride followed by afternoon historical tasting tour of Healesville (B,L,D) (4 hours riding)
Day 4 Sunday: Enjoy a delicious brunch before heading home. (B)

Please note itinerary and night stays may change without notice due to availability of accommodation.

Day 1 Thursday: Healesville is a 1-hour drive from Melbourne. We expect most people will arrive at around 5 pm. Pre dinner we will sample some of the finest local wines and cheeses before dining in our Private Room at the Healesville Hotel. During dinner, we will brief you on the following day's activities. (D)

Day 2 Friday: After a delicious breakfast we will be driven to the incredible Red Wood Forest in East Warburton. From there we will hike along the O'Shannassy Aquaduct, which has a gentle incline through a wonderful temperate rain forest and affording grand views down into the valley and through the Yarra Valley Ranges. We expect the walk to take between 3.5 to 4 hours. At the end of the trail we will have our picnic lunch and then be driven to Sexton and a Giant Steps vineyard.

Giant Steps is a producer of premium wines. The vineyard is planted on steep terrain with both red and white varieties grown, depending on their aspect. After a short sharp walk to the top of the vineyard, we will sample wines from this land, all the while taking in the splendid view of the Upper Yarra and the techniques used by the vineyard to produce these incredible wines. This is a special access experience and one that all lovers of wine will appreciate.We will have privileged access to this vineyard.

From Giant Steps, we will travel back to Healesville for a freshen up before dinner at Matilda Bay brewery. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Saturday: Today is a wonderful combination of bike riding, history and sampling local produce including the famed Four Pillars Gin. We will start a little later though, to savour a fresh breakfast and maybe a coffee or tea. 

We will be picked up from our accommodation and driven to the start of our bike ride along the Lilydale Healesville rail trail. The trail is very civilised with a very low gradient throughout. We will stop along the way to sample some wine and finish with an Italian lunch at a nearby Trattoria.

After lunch, we head back to Healesville to freshen up and relax a little before heading off on the second half of our daily adventure. We will start at Four Pillars sampling some of their world-class Gin. From there we will walk through Healesville with a local historian who will explain the history of this fascinating town before arriving at the Mac Forbes Wine Room for a Private dinner.

Today is a complex combination of the outdoors, local produce and local history. Our mind, body and spirit will be nourished and we are sure to have a wonderfully restful nights sleep.(B, L, D)

Day 4 Sunday: There is no rush today (after all it is Sunday). Some may want to have a small breakfast or just a coffee before we head down to No.7. No.7 serves up delicious food and wine throughout the day, but we have organised a Brunch before we head home or further into the Valley for even more exploration. (B)

Note: Accommodation is in the renovated and charming Healesville Hotel. This is a beautiful hotel with very nice rooms. However, bathrooms are on a share basis. There are 2 showers and 3 toilets servicing 7 rooms. Upgrades to Furmston House are available for an extra cost.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES

• Healesville Hotel
• Giant Steps Wines
• Grace Burn Restuarant
• Matilda Bay Brewery
• Four Pillars Gin
• Yarra Valley A2B
• Yarra Valley Vine Tours
• Yarra Valley Harvest
• Habitual Bakers and Coffee Brewers

• Two days guided trek and bike ride with an experienced guide
• Three nights accommodation at the Healesville Hotel (upgrade available)
• All breakfast, lunches and dinners as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Bike hire and helmets
• All transfers within the Valley

• Beverages
• Transport to and from Yarra Valley