A popular area for day trips and its many natural sights, Yarra Valley is home to many vineyards and orchards. Perfect for a day outdoors with your family, this area offers a plethora of activities and sights to check out.

From wine tastings for the working adult, a chocolate paradise with free tastings for the children, and numerous spots to surround yourself in the wonders of nature; Yarra Valley is great for those looking for a short get away from their hectic lives in the city.

WINE TASTINGS

Yarra Valley is home to a temperate climate that makes it a perfect location for winemaking. Proving this, the area has several award-winning vineyards and wineries, particularly specialising in chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wine.

Check out the many vineyards located at Yarra Valley, try a few of their wines, pair them with a scrumptious cheese platter and kick back while taking in the picturesque view of the lush greenery surrounding you.

Photo Credit: Four Pillars Gin

FOUR PILLARS GIN

Four Pillars Gin is highly decorated by numerous prestigious international competitions for their gin. Incredibly passionate about the products they offer, their spirit’s purity holds at 93.5% alcohol body volume.

Head over to their distillery in Healesville for a tasting to try their botanically flavoured gin at just A$10 per person.

2a Lilydale Road, Healesville
VIC 3777, Australia
Sun to Thu: 10.30am – 5.30pm
Fri & Sat: 10.30am – 9pm
Tasting Bench closes at 5.15pm daily.

Photo Credit: Instagram

WARBURTON RAINFOREST GALLERY

Take a relaxing hike at the Warburton Rainforest Gallery, where the towering trees exude an enchanting mysticism due to their ancient old age. This stunning habitat has an elevated platform for visitors to admire just how tall the magnificent trees are.

A short and breezy walk through this majestic rainforest will cleanse your mind and soul with their minty fresh eucalyptus scent and green-filled treetops.

Acheron Way
Warburton VIC 3799, Australia
Daily: Open 24 Hours

Photo Credit: Instagram

MAROONDAH RESERVOIR PARK

Featuring vibrantly coloured gardens filled with beautiful native flora and fauna, Maroondah Reservoir Park is a serene getaway that is a popular picnic spot; particularly during the warmer seasons.

Overlooking the peaceful reservoir and the numerous tree-covered mountains, Maroondah Reservoir Park is a charming and scenic location to check out if you simply want an easy stroll while being surrounded by nature.

Maroondah Hwy
Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
Daily: 8am – 6pm

Photo Credit: Cherryhill Orchards

SEASONAL FRUIT PICKING

Yarra Valley is also home to countless orchards with sweet peaches, plump cherries, huge strawberries and many more. Take the golden opportunity to pick your own fruit, fill your basket to the brim and eat it right under the tree that it grew on.

Since fruit picking is seasonal, do take note that only certain fruits in Yarra Valley are available for picking during the period of your visit. Check out what’s in season with this guide.

Photo Credit: Instagram

YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE AND ICE CREAMERY

Indulge yourself with sinfully fudgy brownies, decadent truffled chocolates and velvety ice creams at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. Watch as the chocolate is tempered and handled by skilled hands at their chocolaterie, and stock up on their addictive cocoa treats.

This chocolate heaven offers free tastings and even has a stunning view that makes for great pictures in their backyard.

35 Old Healesville Rd
Yarra Glen VIC 3775, Australia
Daily: 9am – 5pm

Photo Credit: Instagram

KINGLAKE NATIONAL PARK

A natural paradise with plenty of greenery for a relaxing day surrounded by Australia’s native flora, Kinglake National Park boasts well-maintained walking tracks and numerous scenic picnic spots.

Do not miss out on viewing the waterfall located within this national park as well for its breathtaking beauty.

Kinglake West
VIC 3757, Australia
Daily: Open 24 Hours

Photo Credit: Instagram

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

The best way to take in all of Yarra Valley’s breathtaking views, book a hot air balloon ride! Lose yourself in the magnificent bird’s eye view of the incredible winery region’s vineyards and lovely orchards.

You’ll also be able to take in the awe-inspiring mountainous views and the scenic Yarra River!

YERING STATION FARMERS MARKET

Held on every third Sunday of each month, the Yering Station Farmers Market features a wide selection of locally grown and sourced products. Check out the organic loaves of bread, handmade jams, rich bars of fudge, and many more!

38 Melba Hwy
Yarra Glen VIC 3775, Australia
Sun: 9am – 2pm
Every third Sunday of the month.

PAMPER YOURSELF AT A DAY SPA

Treat yourself to a day of ultimate relaxation with a massage and facial spa. Hidden away in amongst the vineyards is Natskin Day Spa Yarra Valley, which offers a retreat away from the buzz of the city with a serene spot that is perfect for unwinding amongst nature.

1309 Melba Hwy
Yarra Valley VIC 3775, Australia
Tel: +61 3 9730 2866
Mon to Thu: 10am – 6pm
Fri: 10am – 7pm
Sat: 9am – 7pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm

Photo Credit: Instagram

HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

Healesville Sanctuary is home to numerous native Australian wildlife animals including koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, platypus and dingos.

With a countless number of highlights planned throughout the day, visitors will have endless opportunities to get up close to the animals and learn about how they are taken care of at the sanctuary!

Badger Creek Rd
Badger Creek VIC 3777, Australia
Tel: +61 1300 966 784
Daily: 9am – 5pm

For those who are travelling around South Australia, a trip to Kangaroo Island is a must for animal lovers, for the place is home to many native wildlife that are able to roam freely and visitors get to go up close and personal with the majestic creatures.

The vast island spans over 4,000 square kilometres in area (that is six times the size of Singapore, mind you) and you are more likely to bump into animals than humans. Rest assured that most of the wild animals are usually docile and the endangered species that live on the island are well taken care of by Kangaroo Islanders.

Take a break from mayhem and hustle of the city life; Kangaroo Island is a captivating place where you can get in touch with nature and admire breathtaking rock formations that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in the world!

If you are ready to plan your next adventure there, let’s get you started on our guide to Kangaroo Island.

HOW TO GET TO KANGAROO ISLAND

The most convenient way to get to Kangaroo Island is to take a 30-minute aeroplane ride via Regional Express Airlines from Adelaide Airport.

If you are looking for a more cost-effective option, purchase return ferry tickets from Cape Jervis, which is a 90-minute drive (by private car or shuttle bus) from Adelaide city.

For those who are not confident of self-driving around the island, we highly recommend booking a guided tour before making your way to Kangaroo Island. Most one day tours bring you to many scenic destinations at the island and include lunch as well.

WHAT TO SEE ON KANGAROO ISLAND – SEAL BAY CONSERVATION PARK

Seal Bay Conservation Park is is where you get to watch sea lions frolic in the sea or sunbathing on the sandy beach. Each group is led by a Parks Interpretive Officer who will bring you down to the beach, where you will be about 10 meters away from the sea creatures.

There will be times when visitors get to walk past a sleeping seal that has made its way to the beach path, which can be an exhilarating moment but remember not to provoke or get too near so it does not feel threatened!

WHAT TO SEE ON KANGAROO ISLAND – HANSON BAY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Another pit stop to make at Kangaroo Island is Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a place that is known to be one of the most biodiverse and pristine eco-systems in Australia.

Get your cameras ready as you walk down the road as you will find plenty of curious koalas peeking at you from the tall Eucalyptus trees they are resting on.

WHAT TO SEE ON KANGAROO ISLAND- REMARKABLE ROCKS

Remarkable Rocks is a cluster of gigantic granite boulders which were sculpted by strong weather forces and crashing waves of the ocean.

Trek up this scenic spot to take pictures against the unique rock formations that will definitely level up your OOTD pictures. The best time to visit the Remarkable Rocks is either early morning or early evening where you get to view the gorgeous sunrise or sunset orange hues.

WHAT TO SEE ON KANGAROO ISLAND – ADMIRALS ARCH

You haven’t seen the best of Kangaroo Island until you get to Admirals Arch, a natural landmark near to the iconic Cape du Couedic Lighthouse. What you see today is a natural rock bridge that took thousands of years of erosion to create.

The elevated boardwalk is an ideal position for observing the fur seal colony where families of dark brown seals laze and play around with each other in the rock pools below the Admirals Arch.

If you need more recommendations on what to see, do and eat in Adelaide, read our travel guide here.