From Melbourne: Yarra Valley Chandon Cheese & Kangaroos Tour

The best part of this Yarra Valley day is its change of pace: you move from a dairy platter and cool-climate wine to chocolate, then finish by watching for wild kangaroos at sunset. That mix gives you a taste of the region beyond its cellar doors.

I like the small group of up to 12, which should make the drive and stops feel more sociable than a large coach outing. I also like that cheese and chocolate tastings are included, so the day isn’t just a string of wine pours.

One thing to weigh up: seven hours covers several stops, and time at the popular chocolaterie is limited to 45 minutes. Chandon food and drinks beyond the included tasting are extra, and the route can change with seasonal conditions or venue closures.

• A sunset wildlife stop: Look for kangaroos in their natural bushland habitat, with sightings guaranteed or your money back.
• Cheese with a local feel: Sample Yarra Valley dairy produce at Coldstream Dairy, described as a paddock-to-plate café.
• Two different wine experiences: Visit Chandon Australia for sparkling wine and views, then taste cool-climate wines at a winery stop.
• Chocolate with a little context: The chocolaterie stop includes a private tasting and an introduction to couverture chocolate.
• A compact group: The minivan carries no more than 12 people, with an English-speaking driver-guide.
• Plan for extras: One premium wine tasting, cheese and chocolate tastings are included. Additional food and drinks are not.

From Federation Square to the Yarra Valley

The tour begins behind Federation Square at the Bus & Coach Terminal, near the corner of Russell Street Extension and Flinders Street. Arrive before departure time: the vehicle heads out of Melbourne for a roughly one-hour drive, and you do not want to start a food-and-wine day by sprinting after a minivan.

The drive is part of the outing, not just a transfer between tasting rooms. The route passes through the countryside toward the Yarra Valley, and the driver-guide provides local commentary along the way. With a maximum of 12 people in an air-conditioned minivan, you have a smaller setting for conversation and questions than you would on a big coach.

The advertised duration is seven hours, with a return to Federation Square around 7pm. Exact starting times depend on availability, so check your date before planning dinner or other evening plans. The outing is described as an afternoon tour, but the schedule includes several stops and a sunset wildlife visit.

Cheese first at Coldstream Dairy

The first stop is Coldstream Dairy, also identified as Yarra Valley Dairy in the route details. You have about an hour for a cheese tasting, a break, and time to take in the farm setting. The experience is framed around local produce and a paddock-to-plate café, giving you a savory start before the wine and chocolate.

Expect a tasting platter of locally made cheeses, with examples ranging from creamy brie to firmer, sharper styles. The point is not to turn lunch into a formal meal, but to sample the region’s dairy produce in a rural setting. Bring your appetite, though do not assume the included tasting is a full lunch.

That distinction matters. Some people on earlier versions of the tour found the lunch portion small, and one person wished it had included meat. The current inclusions promise cheese tasting, not a substantial meal, so eat breakfast and consider bringing money for extra food if you tend to get hungry.

Chandon’s sparkling stop and valley views

A short drive takes you to Chandon Australia, where the visit lasts about an hour. Chandon is known for sparkling wine, and the stop combines a tasting opportunity with views across the valley. It is a chance to pause, enjoy the setting, and see a different side of Yarra Valley wine production.

The tour includes one premium wine tasting overall, while additional food and drinks are not included. At Chandon, you can order from the lounge menu, including oysters or a cheese platter, at your own expense. If you want to keep the day within the $123 price, treat those as optional extras rather than part of the package.

This is also a useful place to pace yourself. There are more wine and chocolate stops ahead, and the day is more enjoyable if you sip slowly and drink water between tastings. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle are all on the suggested packing list.

Cool-climate wines at the winery

The next winery stop is described as Yering Station, Victoria’s first vineyard. You have about an hour for a guided visit and wine tasting, with the chance to sample cool-climate wines, including the winery’s Shiraz Viognier. The historic setting adds context to the tasting, while the surrounding scenery keeps the visit from feeling like a purely indoor stop.

The exact winery may change. Routes can be adjusted for seasonal conditions, road issues, or venue closures, so consider Yering Station the planned stop rather than a fixed promise. Past versions of the tour have used other wineries, and the amount of explanation or the choice of wines can vary by venue.

The contrast between Chandon and a still-wine winery is one of the day’s strengths. You get a taste of sparkling wine culture as well as the region’s cool-climate reds and whites, rather than spending the entire afternoon in one cellar. Still, this is a sampler, not a specialist wine tour with long tastings at several estates.

Chocolate, couverture and a busy shop

At the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, allow about 45 minutes. The stop includes a private chocolate tasting and an introduction to couverture chocolate, the type of chocolate used in fine confectionery. You will also have time to look around and buy sweets to take home.

The short visit keeps the day moving, but it can feel tight if the shop is crowded. A past visitor found queues took up much of the available time, leaving little room to browse. If you want a particular treat, get it early rather than assuming you will have a relaxed stretch at the counter.

This stop is a welcome change after the wineries, especially if you are traveling with someone who is less keen on wine. Chocolate tasting is included, but any purchases are yours to pay for. The same goes for extra food or drinks elsewhere during the day.

Kangaroos at sunset

The final stop takes you into bushland as dusk approaches, with about 35 minutes for wildlife viewing and photos. The aim is to spot kangaroos as they become active around sunset. The operator guarantees sightings or offers your money back, making this a more assured wildlife stop than a casual roadside search.

Keep expectations grounded: this is a chance to observe wild animals in their habitat, not a petting encounter. You are there to look, take photos, and enjoy the evening setting. Bring your camera, but also be ready to spend some of the short stop simply watching rather than trying to get the perfect shot.

The timing makes the wildlife visit a fitting end to a day of food and wine. Afterward, the drive back to Melbourne takes about an hour, with arrival at Federation Square around 7pm. Sunset timing and road conditions can affect the schedule, so the exact order or length of stops may vary.

What the $123 price includes

At $123 per person, this is a bundled day out rather than a series of separate bookings. The price covers transport in an air-conditioned minivan, an experienced driver-guide, a cheese tasting, a chocolate tasting, and one premium wine tasting. It also pays for the convenience of linking the dairy, wineries, chocolaterie, and wildlife stop in one trip.

The value is strongest if you want variety and do not want to drive after wine tasting. You get several regional flavors, a small group, and a wildlife stop in seven hours. If you mainly want to spend a long time at wineries, this itinerary may feel too busy; much of the day is spent moving between different kinds of stops.

Budget extra money for anything beyond the included tastings. Chandon lounge food and drinks are specifically at your own expense, as are other additional purchases. Since the tour is not described as including a full lunch, plan accordingly instead of counting on the tasting portions to replace a meal.

The social side can make a real difference. Past guides have included Chris, Peter, Amy, John, Leon, Maj, Troy, and Simon, and the guide’s humor, local commentary, and ability to put people at ease have been a recurring part of the experience. Your guide is not specified in advance, so treat those names as examples from earlier outings, not a promise for your date.

Is this tour a good fit for you?

I would consider this tour if you want a relaxed introduction to the Yarra Valley that balances wine with food and wildlife. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy tasting local products but do not need to spend hours at one winery. The small vehicle and mixed itinerary also make it a reasonable choice if not everyone in your party is equally devoted to wine.

It is less suitable if you need step-free access or want to bring a stroller, walker, wheelchair, or mobility scooter. The tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired participants, and the operator requires an easy to low level of fitness. Children under three are not allowed; children aged three to 17 must stay with an adult.

Pack a small day bag only. Vehicle storage is limited to one bag weighing about 5 to 7 kilograms per person, and oversize luggage, backpacks, strollers, and several types of wheelchairs or scooters are not allowed. The operator also asks for passenger details at booking, including date of birth, food allergies, and a contact number, and any known medical conditions must be disclosed.

Should you book it?

Book this one if you want a sociable, well-rounded day with cheese, sparkling wine, a winery tasting, chocolate, and a sunset kangaroo search. Its strongest value is the mix: you get more than a winery crawl, without having to plan the transport yourself.

Skip it if your priority is a long, in-depth wine tasting or a full sit-down lunch. The 45-minute chocolate stop and the extra cost of food and drinks at Chandon are worth factoring in. For a first taste of the Yarra Valley from Melbourne, though, the combination of local produce, scenic stops, and evening wildlife makes for a satisfying day out.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

Meet behind Federation Square at the Bus & Coach Terminal, at the corner of Russell Street Extension and Flinders Street. Arrive before the departure time.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts seven hours. It returns to Federation Square at about 7pm.

What food and drink tastings are included?

The tour includes one premium wine tasting, a cheese tasting, and a chocolate tasting. Extra food and drinks are not included.

Are food and drinks at Chandon included?

No. You can order items such as oysters or a cheese platter from the lounge menu, but these cost extra.

Will I see kangaroos?

Kangaroo sightings are guaranteed, or your money back. The wildlife stop takes place in bushland around sunset.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under three are not permitted. Children aged three to 17 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired participants, including people using wheelchairs, walkers, prams, or strollers.

What should I bring?

Bring photo ID, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, water, and a small day bag. Storage is limited to one bag weighing about 5 to 7 kilograms per person.