One of Australia’s premier wine growing regions, the Yarra Valley is situated just an hour’s drive north east of Melbourne. With over 80 wineries making some of Australia’s finest Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Sparkling ranges. When you combine world class wines, an exciting range of eateries that follow the paddock to plate philosophy, breathtaking scenery of rolling hills laced with vineyards and farms producing top class cheeses and produce you have a paradise that attracts millions of visitors each year.
In the morning visit Coombe Cottage, home to Dame Nellie Melba. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries she was one of Australia’s key cultural exports singing for crowds in London, Paris, and New York. Enjoy one of the loveliest landscaped gardens in Victoria while you have a morning tea, perhaps with a Peach Melba, named after the famous Dame. While Coombe is famous for the iconic soprano Dame Nellie Melba, it is also recognised for their stylish award winning wines.
Sample some of the wares of leading producers such as the Yarra Valley Dairy or Four Pillars Distillery (recently awarded world’s best gin maker).
Enjoy a leisurely 2 course gourmet lunch with paired wines at one of the beautiful wineries and visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art opened to the public in 2003. It is one of the cultural jewels in the Yarra Valley providing visitors with a relaxing and enjoyable experience with a wealth of modern and contemporary art.
In the afternoon we visit the award-winning Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. This internationally renowned bushland haven offers the chance to see iconic Australian wildlife including Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats and more.