Destination guides > Australia > Victoria > Around Melbourne > Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley
Over the Dandenong Ranges is the Yarra Valley, which is one of Australia’s best wine
producing regions. If you’re in the area pop into some of the wineries to sample the
locally produced wines, some of the best include: Fergusson, St Hubert, Domaine Chandon
and Yarra Ridge.
Wandin, Silvan and Healesville supply Melbourne with many of its vegetables and there is
often work available picking vegetables. Ask around at the market gardens or check the
employment listings at the Lilydale Centrelink office.
Practical information
Yarra Valley Visitor Information Centre
Harker Street, Healesville
Tel (03) 5962 2600
Website www.visityarravalley.com.au
Open 9am-5pm daily
Coming & going
Take the train from any central Melbourne station to Lilydale and then transfer to
McKenzies Tourist Service (tel (03) 5962 5088) bus 685, which goes to Healesville.
Sights & activities
Healesville Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is home to over 200 species of Australian wildlife including
kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, platypus and Tasmanian devils. A visit is an
excellent opportunity to get up close with a wide variety of native Australian animals.
Badger Creek Road, Healesville
Train Lilydale, then bus 685, 686
Tel (03) 5957 2800
Website www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctuary
Admission $23
Open 9am-5pm daily
Wine tasting
Wine tasting is the main reason most backpackers visit the Yarra Valley. Without your own
car and a driver who isn’t drinking it can be difficult to get around unless you take a
tour. Backpacker Winery Tours (tel (03) 9877 8333) run winery tours for $95 that visit Domaine Chandon, Eyton on Yarra, St Hubert’s and Yarra Ridge with pick-ups from hostels in Melbourne.
