Located less than an hour's drive from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is home to Victoria’s earliest vineyards and is Victoria’s premiere wine region bustling with cellar doors; winery tours; farmers markets; restaurants serving quality local produce; and boutique accommodation set in picture-perfect vineyard or mountain-top locations.

The region is perfect for a short break from Melbourne or a day-trip, which is best enjoyed aboard one of the many wine tours that leave the city daily including Victoria Winery Tours or the state tourism award winning Australia Winery Tour Co.

The wineries are world-class and include famous names like De Bortoli (with its Italian-inspired Restaurant), McWilliams Lilydale Estate (great for cooking your own gourmet barbeque), Ainsworth Estate (with vineyard accommodation); Fergusson Winery (with a restaurant popular on the day trip coach itineraries); Balgownie Estate (with beautiful valley views); TarraWarra (adjacent to a national museum of modern Australian art); Rochfords (popular for outdoor summer events); and Domaine Chandon (serving its famous sparkling wine from a spectacular cellar door).

For a different perspective of the region, hot-air balloon specialists like Global Ballooning take to the skies, providing stunning and peaceful views over the Yarra Valley, before gently descending into a vineyard and taking in breakfast at a winery with glass of sparkling Yarra Valley wine.

Parks, forests, wildlife, nature trails and flowering gardens define the adjacent Dandenong Ranges where Australia’s oldest steam train, Puffing Billy, winds its way through the thick forests and lush fern-filled gullies, stopping at historic towns in the hills.

The Dandenongs are a favorite romantic retreat and are also famous for the spring flowering Rhododendron Gardens and William Ricketts Sanctuary with its beautiful aboriginal sculptures in a hidden forest setting.

When it comes to accommodation in the Yarra Valley the choice is overwhelming - this is a romantic destination after all! From five star opulence to family friendly cottages, each bed and breakfast, self-contained cottage, farm stay and fine hotel is uniquely ‘Yarra Valley’ in charm, hospitality and attention to detail.

Chateau Yering Historic House, Susan’s in the Valley and Ainsworth Estate all offer world-class boutique accommodation, with the Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley providing over 100 rooms, a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course and day spa. Strathvea is new to the international markets but an institution in the Yarra Valley, offering budget home-style accommodation in the Yarra Valley bush land.

Right in the heart of the Yarra Valley is Healesville Sanctuary, where Australian Wildlife is showcased in a natural setting and where the new platypussery has just recently opened. The Sanctuary is also home to the very famous cousin of the 2006 Commonwealth Games mascot - Karak, a southeastern red-tailed black cockatoo.

Only a short drive from Melbourne yet a whole world away……..Melbourne’s Yarra Valley…..you’ll never want to leave.