How’s that annual leave balance looking? Take a long weekend or plan a mid-week getaway to reconnect with nature and unwind in the Yarra Valley. It’s just a short drive from Melbourne and the perfect destination for food, wine and nature lovers alike. We’ve compiled the ultimate 3-day Yarra Valley self-drive itinerary for your next getaway in Victoria.
3-day Yarra Valley self-drive itinerary
Day 1: Cheese and wine-d your way to the heart of the Yarra Valley
Location: Melbourne to Dixons Creek via Yering and Healesville
Distance: 85 kilometres
Google Maps: Link
Ready to set off on our Yarra Valley self-drive itinerary? A 9.30am start is the perfect way to skip morning congestion and arrive at our first destination for a mid-morning coffee-and-cheese stop. It’s a roughly 1 hour journey straight up the M3 through Yering to the Yarra Valley Dairy. Showcasing the best of the region’s range of specialist produce, from cheese (of course!) to award-winning james and relishes, Yarra Valley Dairy’s cheese shop is as easy on the eyes as it is on the taste buds. Take a seat at one of the large shared tables in the farm’s lovingly-restored 100 year-old milking shed and enjoy sweeping views while you refuel on locally baked-breads, a cheese platter and the best coffee in the region. Make sure you’ve got room in the boot for all the delicious goodies you’ll be taking with you!
Next up, a short 10 minute drive through dairy country into the heartland of Victoria’s first wine region, where you’ve booked a ‘wine flight’ at the Rochford cellar door. Master the art of wine tasting under the tutelage of one of Rochford’s Sommeliers and explore the different iconic wine styles of the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley’s cool climate produces classic varietals and specialises in some of Australia’s best sparkling wine, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet-blends.
Another 10 minute sweeping drive through the luscious green countryside takes you to our lunch destination: TarraWarra Estate. Be sure to book well ahead of time to secure a table for Head Chef Joel Alerdice’s famed 4-course set menu inspired by the Estate’s sprawling kitchen garden and seasonal specialities from local suppliers. If you’re running ahead of schedule, be sure to drop in at the Four Pillars Gin Distillery to stock up on the way to your lunch booking at TarraWarra!
On to the Old Healesville Road now for 15 minutes of rolling green hills as you arrive at your base for the next two nights: Glenlowren at Dixons Creek. This centrally-located – yet privately nestled away – haven is the kind of place where time stands still. Located on a working farm that covers over 100 acres, Glenlowren features beautiful private landscaped gardens, wetlands, veggie patches, fruit orchards, friendly cows, beehives, and an inquisitive goat or two. Our pick of your accommodation options is the Glenlowren Nissen Hut, which features a vaulted ceiling and warm interior for that cosy, restorative escape we all need.
Day 2: Fly, drive, walk
Location: Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Healesville, Marysville
Distance: 111 kilometre round-trip
Google Maps: Link
Pack a picnic lunch from the goodies you picked up on Day 1, because we’re up and at ‘em nice and early on Day 2 to meet with pilots and crew 1.5 hours before sunrise at Balgownie Estate just outside Yarra Glen for a Hot Air Balloon Flight over the Yarra Valley. You’ll take in stunning views across the wine region as the sun rises on a 1 hour flight across one of the most picturesque spots for ballooning in the world, before enjoying a sparkling breakfast sets you up for the day ahead.
Now it’s time to hit the tarmac for one of the best driving roads in Victoria: the Black Spur. The hour-long drive across the Black Spur and through Marysville to the spectacular Steavenson Falls offers the kinds of hairpin turns we car-enthusiasts dream of, and the occasional (though short) straight stretch to momentarily open the throttle on. The road surface is in great condition, with a smooth feel and well-designed surface camber for excellent handling. Be careful of black ice in the winter months – we recommend taking this one at a slow pace year-round so you can enjoy the scenery and dappled sunlight in all its glory.
Enjoy your picnic and stretch those legs on a gentle 700-metre return stroll to take in the viewing platform that looks out over Steavenson Falls. The falls plummet 122 metres into the Steavenson River, making them one of Victoria’s highest. It’s also worth coming back another time to enjoy the falls in their full flood-lit glory, as power supplied by a hydroelectric generator downstream illuminates the falls each night from dusk until 11pm.
Take in the beautiful natural surroundings to your heart’s content before the return-drive back across the Black Spur and home to Glenlowren for a quiet night after a big day of adventure.
Day 3: The Yarra art trail
Location: Dixons Creek to Melbourne via Healesville and Coldstream
Distance: 76 kilometres
Google Maps: Link
Let’s take it easy on Day 3 as we head for home while taking in some of the vibrant arts scene and history on offer in the Yarra Valley. Our first stop today is the TarraWarra Museum of Art near Healesville. The museum holds a nationally significant collection of modern and contemporary Australian Art and presents an engaging range of exhibitions throughout the year. The building itself was awarded the 2004 Victorian Premier’s Design Award – with its sweeping, rammed-earth façade and voluminous spaces neatly connecting the collection with the landscape beyond.
A gentle 15 minute drive takes us to Coombe Yarra Valley, once the home of world famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Now a gourmet and cultural destination, Coombe boasts seven acres of stunning manicured gardens. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you enjoy a 1 hour guided walking tour of Dame Nellie Melba’s Garden, established over 100 years ago and designed by William Guilfoyle, the architect of the Victorian Royal Botanic Gardens. Make a reservation ahead of time to secure a table for lunch in the restaurant, featuring an inspiring selection of seasonal and predominantly estate-grown produce.
Then it’s onward on the M3 to return to Melbourne, reinvigorated after the ultimate Yarra Valley self-drive getaway!
Before you go
Before you hit the road, plan ahead and book your car in for a service with us. We’ll give your car a thorough safety-check in line with the VACC’s accredited Critical Safety Check program and keep you on the move with our premium service experience. Ask about our complimentary loan cars and flexible prepayment options and rest assured that we’ll go that extra mile to keep you on the road.
We recommend running through five simple ‘roadtrip-readiness’ checks in the week leading up to tackling the ultimate Yarra Valley self-drive itinerary to avoid any last-minute stress. If your simple checks turn up anything unexpected, give us a call and we’ll help you on your way.
- Tyre pressure – handling and performance will be particularly important when tackling the Black Spur on Day 2. Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure before you hit the road, and give them a once-over for wear and tear.
- Lights – check that your head, parking, indicator, brake, reversing and numberplate lights are in good working order. The safest way to do so is with two people: one to operate the lights, the other to observe.
- Windscreen wipers – rainforest conditions guarantee that you’ll need to use the wipers on your Yarra Valley self-drive getaway. Fill the washer reservoir, and check wiper blades for deterioration or debris.
- Coolant – check your owner’s manual for specific advice about how to check your vehicle’s coolant level. Most vehicles will have a transparent coolant reservoir so you can check the level without touching the cap, but we still recommend you do this when the engine is cool.
- Engine oil – again, check your owner’s manual for detailed instructions on checking your oil levels. Remember to check the oil when the engine is cool, and be sure to park on a flat surface!
Want some more travel inspiration? Explore some more of the best weekend road trips from Melbourne. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you at Cox Auto soon and wish you a safe and enjoyable journey!
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