Yarra Valley Chandon Cheese & Sunset Kangaroos from Melbourne

Wild kangaroos at dusk are the surprise finale to an afternoon of Yarra Valley wine, cheese and chocolate. This small-group trip pairs three very different tastes of the region with a walk through bushland, all in one day out of Melbourne.

I like the mix of recognizable stops and local produce: sparkling wine at Domaine Chandon, cool-climate wines at Yering Station, cheese made at the Yarra Valley Dairy, and samples at the Chocolaterie. I also like the small group of no more than 12, which gives the guide room to keep the day sociable and adapt the conversation to the group.

The main trade-off is time. The stops are roughly an hour each, and you are fitting several tastings, travel and a sunset walk into about seven hours. If you want a long winery lunch or unhurried time at Chandon, this may feel brisk.

What to know before you book

• The afternoon starts at 11:30am in central Melbourne. Meet at 14 Russell St, then travel by air-conditioned minicoach into the Yarra Valley.
• Cheese, wine and chocolate are built into the outing. Tastings are included at the dairy, the wineries and the Chocolaterie, but extra drinks and purchases cost more.
• Chandon and Yering Station offer different wine experiences. One focuses on sparkling wine and views; the other is Victoria’s first vineyard, with cool-climate wines including Shiraz Viognier.
• The kangaroo walk is timed for dusk. The operator guarantees sightings or offers your money back, making this a strong choice if wildlife is as important to you as the tastings.
• You travel with no more than 12 people. That small cap can make it easier to ask questions and get to know the group, though it does not mean every stop will be leisurely.
• Bring room in your budget for lunch and extras. Main meals, additional drinks and produce you choose to buy are not included in the $125.52 price.

A late start leaves room for a full afternoon

The tour leaves Melbourne at about 11:30am and lasts roughly seven hours. That late-morning start means you do not need to give up the whole morning, while still leaving time for several stops and the sunset wildlife walk.

Meet at 14 Russell St in Melbourne. From there, the minicoach carries the group into the Yarra Valley, with a local driver-guide providing commentary along the way. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the small group limit is 12. Those details matter: wine country is spread out, so transport lets you sample without needing to drive, while a small vehicle tends to feel more personal than a large coach.

Guides on past outings have included Curt, Craig, Shane and Pete. Their role is more than getting everyone from one venue to the next. Local context and a warm, easy group dynamic can make a packed day feel less like a checklist. The guide may vary on your date, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. The dress code is smart casual. Since the final stop involves walking through bushland, choose footwear and clothing that are comfortable for an outdoor walk rather than dressing only for a winery.

Fresh cheese at the Yarra Valley Dairy

The first tasting stop is the historic Yarra Valley Dairy, where the cheese is made on-site from cow and goat milk. You can sample a variety of cheeses and, if you like, buy a glass of wine. This is a useful opening because it introduces the region through a producer rather than beginning with a formal winery tasting.

An hour gives you time to sample and look around, but it may not satisfy anyone who wants an extended food stop. The cheese is part of the included experience; a glass of wine or anything else you purchase is extra. If you have a favourite style of cheese, this is a good place to ask what is made locally and what pairs well with the wines later in the day.

There is a scheduling consideration here. Some people would rather spend more of the day at Chandon than at the dairy, especially if sparkling wine is their main reason for booking. If that sounds like you, go in expecting a tasting-focused stop, not a long winery visit or a full meal.

Sparkling wine and views at Domaine Chandon

Domaine Chandon brings a change of pace. The winery is known for sparkling wines, and the stop gives you a chance to taste them while taking in panoramic views of the Yarra Valley. Oysters or cheese may be available to purchase, but they are not included in the tour price.

This is the stop where your own priorities matter. If you are keen to explore Chandon’s sparkling wines, an hour can feel short once you factor in arrival, tasting and looking around. One useful way to approach it is to decide before you arrive whether you want to focus on the tasting, the view or a food purchase, rather than trying to fit everything in.

The overall itinerary includes tastings at both Chandon and Yering Station, so this is not a single-winery visit with lots of time to linger. Instead, you get a sampler of the region. That variety is a good value if you enjoy comparing stops, but a drawback if your ideal afternoon involves settling in at one winery.

Yering Station and its cool-climate wines

Yering Station is described as Victoria’s first vineyard, giving this stop a connection to the early history of wine production in the state. Here, the tasting focuses on cool-climate wines, including the winery’s signature Shiraz Viognier. The setting is also part of the appeal, with historic character and views across the surrounding hills.

The two winery visits complement each other. Chandon gives you sparkling wine; Yering Station broadens the tasting to other styles. You do not need to know much about wine to enjoy the contrast, but it helps to pay attention to what you prefer: the bubbles, a cooler-climate white or a red blend.

Wine preferences are personal, and a selection of wineries will not suit every palate. The tour gives you a chance to sample the range, not a guarantee that every glass will be your favourite. Pace yourself, especially if you plan to buy anything at later stops.

Chocolate samples at the Chocolaterie

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery adds a sweeter stop to the afternoon. Chocolate samples are included, and you can buy locally infused ice cream and other treats. It is a welcome change after the wine tastings, and the shop gives you an easy chance to browse for something to take away.

The tasting is described as a small-group session, but purchases are separate. Keep that distinction in mind if you are watching your spending. The $125.52 fare covers the listed tastings and transport, not every tempting extra along the route.

Time can feel tight here, too. Some people would like longer to browse or enjoy ice cream, so decide whether you want to sample quickly or spend your time choosing a treat. This stop is best seen as a focused taste of the Chocolaterie rather than an open-ended visit.

Kangaroos at sunset make the day distinctive

At dusk, the group walks through bushland to look for wild kangaroos. This is the outing’s most unusual element: the day moves from food and wine venues to a natural setting, with the light changing as the animals become active.

The operator guarantees kangaroo sightings or your money back. That promise gives this stop real weight for anyone hoping to see Australian wildlife, although the setting remains a wild one, not a staged animal encounter. Bring your camera, follow the guide’s instructions and be ready to enjoy the walk as well as the chance to see kangaroos.

The timing also shapes the rest of the outing. You are not simply finishing with one more tasting room; you are heading outdoors as daylight fades. That transition is part of what makes this tour different from a standard winery circuit. If you would rather spend the whole afternoon indoors or avoid walking on natural ground, the final stop may not suit you.

What the $125.52 price includes

The price covers the minicoach, driver-guide, premium wine and champagne tastings, local goat and cow cheese samples, and a small-group chocolate tasting. You are paying for a sequence of experiences and the transport between them, not just for admission to one winery.

That makes the fare attractive if you want to sample several sides of the valley without arranging a car or choosing venues yourself. The small group also helps keep the outing personal, and the wildlife walk adds something that a wine-only day trip would not provide. For a visitor with one free afternoon in Melbourne, the variety is a strong part of the value.

The extras can add up. Main meals are at your own expense, as are additional drinks and any cheese, oysters, ice cream or other produce you buy. The tour information does not list a lunch stop as part of this itinerary, so do not assume a meal is included. Have a plan for eating before or after the tour, and budget for purchases if you know you will want more than the samples.

How the pace and group size affect the day

The group limit of 12 is one of the most practical advantages. A minicoach is easier to manage at multiple stops than a large bus, and a compact group can make the day feel more like a shared outing. It also gives the guide a better chance to keep people together and offer commentary that connects the stops.

Still, small group does not mean slow schedule. The day includes the dairy, two wineries, the Chocolaterie, the kangaroo walk and the return drive, all within about seven hours. Allowing roughly an hour at each named stop leaves limited room for lingering, and traffic or delays can put pressure on the timetable.

That is worth keeping in mind if your priorities are specific. A chocolate fan may wish for more browsing time; a sparkling-wine enthusiast may want a longer visit at Chandon. If you are happy to sample a little at each place and keep moving, the variety is a better fit.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would consider this tour if you want a broad introduction to the Yarra Valley in one afternoon. It suits couples, solo visitors and small groups who enjoy food and wine but also want time outdoors. The kangaroo walk makes it especially appealing if wildlife is a must-have, rather than an optional bonus.

It is also a practical choice if you do not want to plan transport between venues or drive after wine tasting. You get a local guide, an air-conditioned minicoach and a small group, with tastings arranged across several stops.

I would look elsewhere if you want a long lunch, an in-depth winery visit or extensive free time at each venue. This is a sampler, not a slow day at one estate. You will get more from it if you arrive ready to taste, listen, take a few photos and move on when it is time.

Booking is flexible up to a point: you can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations and changes made later are not accepted for a refund or adjustment.

Should you book the Yarra Valley Chandon and kangaroo tour?

Book it if you want one well-rounded afternoon with wine, local cheese, chocolate and a real chance to see kangaroos in the wild. At $125.52, the combination of tastings, transport, guiding and a small group offers solid value, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange several stops yourself.

Skip it if you want to settle in for a long tasting or have a full meal in the valley. The schedule trades depth for variety, and the best reason to choose this outing is that it combines cellar doors with a sunset wildlife walk. If that mix sounds more appealing than spending the day at one winery, it is a sensible Melbourne day trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 14 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000, and returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the tour leave?

The scheduled start time is 11:30am.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12.

Are wine, cheese and chocolate tastings included?

Yes. Premium wine and champagne tastings, local goat and cow cheese samples, and a small-group chocolate tasting are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Main meals are at your own expense.

Are kangaroo sightings guaranteed?

The tour states that kangaroo sightings are guaranteed, or your money back.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.