Amazing Yarra Valley Wine Tour + Chocolate, Farm Fresh, Gin

The best thing about this Yarra Valley day tour is its variety. In one long day, you move from fresh strawberries and local jams to historic wineries, handmade chocolate, and a gin flight. It is a smart choice if you want a taste of the region without renting a car or planning a route.

I especially like the small group size, capped at 20, and the mix of polished estates with more casual farm stops. Guides such as Shaun, Danny, Posi, and Stefan are known for keeping the van friendly, funny, and easygoing. The main drawback is the pace: several stops are short, and lunch is not included.

Key points at a glance

• A full day from central Melbourne: Meet at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am and return near ACMI by about 5:30pm.
• More than a wine tour: Expect strawberries, fruit, jams, chocolate, wine, cider, and optional gin.
• Two main winery tastings: Yering Station and Yering Farm are usually included, with a third winery visit at St Hubert Estate.
• Gin depends on the day and booking choice: Stag Lane usually operates Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Four Pillars is generally used Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Lunch is your own expense: Quarters at St Hubert Estate gives you a choice of mains and drinks, but you pay separately.
• A social small-group outing: The maximum is 20 people, which makes it more personal than a large coach tour.

Why this Yarra Valley tour works well

At $93.24 per person, this is priced as an easy, all-day introduction to the Yarra Valley rather than a slow, specialist wine seminar. Your transport, most tasting fees, and several food stops are covered, so you can leave Melbourne without worrying about driving, parking, or adding up lots of small charges.

The value comes from the range. A dedicated wine tour might give you more time at each cellar door, but this outing adds a farm, chocolate, and gin. If your group has mixed interests, that matters. One person can enjoy wine, another can focus on gin, and someone else can happily spend time with chocolate and fruit.

The group is limited to 20 people. That is still large enough for a sociable day, but smaller than many standard coach excursions. Guides are a big part of the experience. Shaun is frequently praised for his humor and warm manner, while Danny is known for good music, local tips, and keeping the day moving. Posi and Stefan also bring plenty of energy.

Starting at the Arts Centre and heading east

You meet at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire, near the Protagonist cafe stand, at 8:45am for a 9:00am departure. The return point is ACMI at Federation Square, usually by 5:30pm or earlier.

This central pickup makes the tour practical if you are staying in inner Melbourne. There are no hotel pickups or drop-offs, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. I would arrive early, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Arts Centre area.

The drive is part of the day, but the focus is on the stops rather than a formal sightseeing tour of every suburb or road. Some guides point out local sights, kangaroos, eagles, and places of interest along the way. If you want a detailed commentary about every part of the Yarra Valley, ask your guide questions rather than expecting a nonstop lecture.

Yarra Farm Fresh and the first taste of the region

The first stop is usually Yarra Farm Fresh, where you get fresh strawberries and seasonal fruit. Local jams and other small samples may also be part of the visit, and a complimentary punnet of strawberries is offered per booking for a limited time, subject to availability, until February 28, 2026.

This is a pleasant way to begin because it is lighter than starting with wine. You can walk around, try the fruit, and get a sense of the region’s farm produce before the tastings begin.

Do not book this tour expecting a long farm visit. You have about 40 minutes, and the stop is mainly a produce tasting. Some people may find it less exciting than a cheese visit, particularly if they were expecting the Coldstream dairy stop. The farm can replace other venues, and the exact first stop may vary by date.

Yering Station, an important winery stop

Yering Station is usually the first major winery. It is described as the Yarra Valley’s oldest winery and is one of the best-known estates in the region. The tasting lasts about 50 minutes.

This is where the tour begins to feel like a proper wine outing. You can expect a hosted tasting and time to take in the cellar door setting. The cool-climate character of Yarra Valley wine is part of the appeal, with the region particularly associated with elegant styles and aromatic varieties.

The limitation is time. Fifty minutes is enough for an introduction, but not enough for a leisurely tasting, a long shop visit, and a relaxed wander. If you already know Yering Station and want a detailed look at its wines, this schedule may feel brisk.

Lunch at St Hubert Estate and Quarters

St Hubert Estate is usually the lunch stop, arriving around 11:45am. You eat at Quarters, the estate’s bistro restaurant, where you can buy a main meal and drinks according to your appetite and budget.

I like the fact that lunch is not locked into the tour price. You can choose what suits you instead of paying for a fixed meal you may not want. The tradeoff is that you need to budget for it separately. Eat breakfast before departure because the day starts early and lunch may not arrive until nearly three hours after pickup.

St Hubert Estate also has a wine shop, cellar door, and Indigenous art gallery, giving you something to explore while your group handles lunch. Wine, gin, and whisky tastings at the estate are optional and usually cost an additional A$15 per person.

That extra tasting can be worthwhile if you want to compare St Hubert with the other wineries. Still, it is not part of the main included tasting program, so check the price before ordering.

Yering Farm Wines and the bonus cider

Yering Farm Wines usually follows lunch. This is a smaller, rustic-style winery with classic Yarra Valley wines and an apple cider tasting at the end.

The cider is a useful detail because it breaks up the wine lineup. It also gives non-wine drinkers something different to try. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, which is enough for a hosted tasting but not a long estate visit.

Yering Farm may occasionally be unavailable because of private events or closures. If it is replaced, the apple cider may not be included. You should also understand that wineries can change, so the exact mix of venues is not guaranteed for every date.

Chocolate and ice cream at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is usually the fifth stop, with about 45 minutes for a guided tasting. Up to 12 chocolate creations may be included.

This is one of the most reliable crowd-pleasers on the day. It gives your palate a break from wine and adds a family-friendly element for children aged 4 to 17, who may join the tour but will not receive alcoholic tastings.

The atmosphere here can feel more commercial and noisy than the wineries. That is not necessarily a problem, but you should know what to expect. This is a production and retail stop, not a quiet artisan workshop. If you want chocolate, variety, and a sweet pause in the afternoon, it fits well. If you prefer small, intimate producers, it may feel less personal.

The optional gin finish

The final stop depends on the day and the full tasting option you select. On most Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures, the tour usually visits Stag Lane Farm Distillery. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it may visit Four Pillars Distillery instead.

The gin experience is optional and includes a guided flight served with a mixer when you choose the full tasting experience. Four Pillars is a particular highlight for many people because it offers a different feel from the winery visits and gives the day a strong finish.

Stag Lane provides the same general change of pace, with a local distillery setting and gin samples. If nobody in the group chooses the gin experience, the tour may extend another stop by about 15 minutes and leave earlier for Melbourne.

Remember that gin is not automatically included in every booking choice. Check that you have selected the full tasting option if this is important to you.

What the guides add to the day

The guide can make or break a group tasting tour, and this experience puts a lot of weight on personality. Shaun has been praised for making solo participants feel welcome and keeping everyone laughing. Danny is often described as friendly, funny, and helpful with recommendations, with a good playlist adding to the ride.

Posi brings plenty of humor and energy, while Stefan is known for being entertaining and attentive to the group. These guides also help with practical details, from keeping stops on time to making sure people are comfortable.

You may not get a formal wine education at every stop. The guide’s role is more about setting the mood, explaining the day, and helping the group enjoy a broad selection of producers. If you want technical detail about soil, grape varieties, and winemaking, ask direct questions at the cellar doors.

The pace, weather, and practical limits

The tour lasts about eight and a half hours. That sounds generous, but the day contains many stops, transport between venues, lunch, and return travel. Some people find the schedule exciting; others find the winery visits rushed and wish they had more time at their favorite stop.

Summer can be hot and sunny. You are combining alcohol with time outdoors, so bring water, wear sun protection, and think carefully about your tolerance for heat. The operator can cancel for extreme weather and offer another date or a full refund.

This is not a good choice if stairs or walking are difficult. The experience is specifically not suitable for people with mobility issues, particularly those who have trouble climbing stairs. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the physical demands still matter.

Who should book it?

I would choose this tour if you want a broad Yarra Valley sampler in one day. It works especially well for first-time visitors to Melbourne, couples with different drink preferences, solo visitors who want a sociable outing, and families with older children.

It is less suitable if your main goal is a serious wine study. You may prefer a smaller specialist tour with longer tastings at fewer estates. The same applies if you dislike commercial stops or want a quiet, slow day in the vineyards.

The tour also suits people who do not want to drive after drinking. The included transfers remove the hardest part of planning a wine region visit, while the central pickup and return keep the day simple.

Should you book this Yarra Valley day out?

Book it if you want variety, friendly guides, and an easy escape from Melbourne. The combination of wine, fruit, chocolate, lunch, and optional gin gives you a fuller taste of the region than a wine-only route.

Skip it if you need long, unhurried winery visits or if you expected lunch and every tasting to be included. Before booking, confirm the likely venues for your date, select the full tasting option if you want gin, and set aside money for lunch and any extra tasting at St Hubert Estate.

For most first-time visitors, the $93.24 price is reasonable because transport and most main tastings are covered. The best value comes when you treat the day as a lively regional sampler, not as an in-depth wine course.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire, at 6/2 St Kilda Road, Southbank. Meet near the Protagonist cafe stand at 8:45am for a planned 9:00am departure.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at ACMI in Federation Square, Melbourne. The usual arrival time is about 5:30pm or earlier.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense at Quarters restaurant at St Hubert Estate. You can choose mains and drinks to suit your budget.

Is gin tasting included?

Gin tasting is included when you select the full tasting experience option. The tour usually visits Stag Lane Farm Distillery on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Four Pillars Distillery on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Which wineries are usually visited?

The usual winery stops are Yering Station, St Hubert Estate, and Yering Farm Wines. Venue schedules can change, and Yering Farm may be replaced on some dates.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children aged 4 to 17 may join, but they will not be served alcoholic tastings.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility issues, especially those who have difficulty climbing stairs.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or a failure to meet the minimum number of participants cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.