Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Choc, Farm Fresh, Gin Tour

The appeal here is variety: in one day, you move from vineyard tastings to fresh fruit, a guided chocolate sampling and, if you choose, a paddle of local gin. Three winery stops give the Yarra Valley more than a quick look, while the extra food stops keep the day from becoming a wine-only marathon.

I like the combination of included tastings at two estates and time for lunch at Hubert Estate, where you can choose what to eat and whether to pay for another tasting. I also like the small-group size, usually 10 to 20 people, which gives the day a more sociable feel than a large coach outing.

The trade-off is a packed schedule and a long day, with about 75 minutes of driving each way. Lunch, snacks and the gin tasting are not automatically covered by the $92 fare, so plan your spending before you go.

• Three winery estates: Tastings are included at Yering Station and Yering Farm; Hubert Estate is the lunch stop, with optional tastings at extra cost.
• Fruit before wine: Yarra Farm Fresh offers seasonal fruit tastings and local jams. A strawberry punnet per booking is available through February 28, 2026.
• A generous chocolate stop: At the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, expect a guided tasting of 10 to 12 chocolates.
• Gin depends on the day: Tuesday and Wednesday visits go to Four Pillars; Monday and Thursday through Sunday go to Stag Lane.
• Melbourne pickup and drop-off: Meet at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am; the return drop-off is at ACMI, near Federation Square.

A full Yarra Valley sampler, not just a wine run

This is a good fit if you want a broad introduction to the Yarra Valley without arranging a rental car, booking separate tastings or deciding who will drive. In roughly eight and a half hours, the tour links three winery estates with fruit, chocolate and an optional distillery. You get a taste of the region’s food and drink culture, plus changing views from the road.

The format matters. A dedicated winery tour might devote more time to each cellar door, but this trip deliberately ranges wider. You trade some depth at each stop for a fuller day of different flavours and settings. That balance suits couples, friends, solo visitors and families with older children who want a relaxed group outing rather than a specialist wine lesson.

The group usually has 10 to 20 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the day and help people feel included, while still offering the easy social atmosphere of a shared tour. Guides named on recent departures include Danny, Posi, Sean, Stefan and Mike. The particular host varies, but the job is more than driving: expect commentary on the region, help keeping stops on schedule and a cheerful tone. Music on the bus is part of the day’s character, too.

Starting at Arts Centre Melbourne

Be at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire by 8:45am, close to Protagonist Cafe, for a 9:00am departure. The meeting point is on St Kilda Road in Southbank, not in the suburb of St Kilda. That distinction is worth checking before you set off, especially if you are using a rideshare or mapping app.

There are public restrooms at the Arts Centre, and it is sensible to use them before boarding. The drive to the valley takes about an hour to 75 minutes, depending on the route and conditions. There is no hotel pickup, so factor in the journey to the central meeting point. The return is scheduled for about 5:30pm, with drop-off at ACMI by Federation Square.

You travel in a modern, air-conditioned bus. The transport has earned strong marks for comfort, but it may feel snug on the road, particularly if you are tall. Bring only what you need for the day: large bags and luggage are not allowed. A light layer and clothing suited to the weather are practical, since you will be getting on and off the bus at several outdoor stops.

Fruit and farm flavours at Yarra Farm Fresh

The first stop is Yarra Farm Fresh, around 10:00am. It is a pleasant opener: seasonal fruit tastings and local jams give you a sense of the valley beyond its vineyards, and the fresh flavours make a welcome change from the drive. If available, one complimentary punnet of strawberries is provided per booking, not per person. The offer runs through February 28, 2026, so do not count on it after that date.

The timing also helps pace the day. Rather than beginning immediately with alcohol, you start with produce and have a chance to get acquainted with the group. The stop is short, around 30 minutes, so think of it as a tasting visit rather than a chance to browse at length.

Yering Station: an early cellar-door introduction

At about 10:45am, the tour reaches Yering Station, described as the region’s oldest winery and one of its most scenic estates. The planned visit lasts around 50 minutes, with a premium wine tasting included. This is the first of the two included estate tastings and a chance to sample local wines in a setting that gives the valley’s wine reputation some context.

The tasting is a guided introduction, not an extended private session. The amount of time and attention at the cellar door can vary, and one tasting may feel brisker than another. If you are especially keen on a particular wine or style, ask questions while you are there, but keep an eye on the group’s departure time.

Lunch at Hubert Estate, with choices at your own cost

Around 11:45am, you stop at St Hubert Estate for lunch at Quarters Restaurant. The lunch break is about 75 minutes, and the meal is not included in the tour price. You can order food at the restaurant, and there is time to look around the estate or choose an optional wine, whisky or gin tasting. Those tastings are also extra.

This is one of the day’s more useful pauses. A full schedule of tastings can be tiring on an empty stomach, so budget for a proper lunch rather than treating the fruit and chocolate as a meal. If you are watching costs, check the menu or tasting prices before ordering. The extra spend is optional, but lunch itself is something to plan for.

Hubert Estate is also the third winery stop, which explains the difference between visiting three estates and receiving two included winery tastings. The visit adds variety, but it is not a third complimentary wine flight.

Yering Farm for wine, cider and views

After lunch, the next winery is Yering Farm, scheduled for about 12:45pm. This stop brings another included tasting, with wine and apple cider on offer and panoramic vineyard views. It adds a different note to the day: you are not sampling wine alone, and the setting offers a good reason to slow down between tastings.

The visit is around 50 minutes. For anyone who does not drink wine, the cider provides another option, though the tour remains built around alcohol tastings overall. Take your time with the views, but do not wander so far that you miss the bus.

Chocolate tasting at the Chocolaterie

At around 2:15pm, you arrive at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie for a guided tasting of 10 to 12 chocolates. This is a crowd-pleasing change of pace after the vineyards, and the generous sample count makes it one of the day’s most substantial food tastings.

The factory is large and can be busy. If you are hoping for a small, intimate artisan workshop, this may feel more commercial than the winery visits. Still, the tasting is a fun stop, especially for anyone who would rather sample chocolate than spend the afternoon at another cellar door. Leave room for it: between lunch, wine and fruit, the day’s food adds up.

Optional gin, with a different distillery by weekday

The final planned tasting stop is a local gin distillery at about 3:15pm. The venue depends on the day. Tuesday and Wednesday visits go to Four Pillars Gin Distillery; Monday and Thursday through Sunday visits go to Stag Lane Gin Distillery, a boutique, family-operated producer. The Full-Tasting option includes a gin paddle with a mixer. Without that option, the gin tasting is not included.

This is worth considering if you enjoy spirits or want one more change of flavour before the drive back. The distillery visit is optional, and the exact setting changes during the week, so check which venue applies to your date. If nobody in the group chooses the gin experience, the tour extends its final stop by 15 minutes and heads back earlier.

What $92 buys, and what it does not

At $92 per person, the value comes from the number of stops and the transport between them. You get a full day out of Melbourne, a guided route, three winery visits, tastings at two estates, fruit and jam sampling, a chocolate tasting, and central pickup and drop-off. The bus also removes the need to drive after wine tastings, which is a practical benefit, not a small one.

The price is less all-inclusive than the phrase gourmet day trip might suggest. Lunch is extra, as are snacks and any optional tastings at Hubert Estate. Gin is included only with the Full-Tasting option. The strawberry punnet is one per booking, and only through February 28, 2026. Add up those extras when comparing prices, especially if you plan to buy lunch and try the gin.

The tour’s value is strongest if you want variety and convenience. If your main goal is to spend a long time discussing wine at a few estates, a more focused wine tour may suit you better. Here, the wineries share the day with fruit, chocolate, lunch and spirits.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to first-time Yarra Valley visitors who want a broad sampler, and to groups with mixed tastes. A person who loves wine can enjoy the estate tastings, while a companion more interested in chocolate, fruit or gin still has plenty to look forward to. The small-group format also makes it easy to meet people, without making the day feel like a large coach excursion.

It is a long, social day, and the emphasis is on eating and drinking. You should be comfortable with alcohol-focused stops even if you choose not to taste at every one. Children aged 2 to 17 are listed as welcome, with reduced prices and no alcohol service, but the tour is also marked unsuitable for children under 4. If you are considering bringing a child under 4, confirm suitability before booking.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users or people with mobility issues, particularly anyone unable to climb stairs. You will be boarding and leaving the bus repeatedly, so it is important to be comfortable moving around at the stops.

Should you book the Yarra Valley day trip?

Book it if you want a convenient, lively overview of the region with wine, fruit, chocolate and optional gin all in one day. The strongest reasons to go are the range of stops, the included tastings at two estates, the small-group size and the chance to relax while someone else handles the driving.

Choose another option if you want a slow, wine-focused day, need a roomy vehicle, or prefer a tour that includes lunch and every tasting in one fixed price. For this trip, arrive early, budget for lunch and decide in advance whether the Full-Tasting gin option is worth it to you. With those expectations set, it offers a satisfying way to sample several sides of the Yarra Valley before dinner back in Melbourne.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $92 per person. Lunch, snacks and gin tastings are not included unless you select the Full-Tasting option for the gin.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet in front of the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire, near Protagonist Cafe, at 8:45am. The address is 6/2 St Kilda Road, Southbank, Victoria 3006. Do not go to the suburb of St Kilda.

What time does the tour return to Melbourne?

The tour is scheduled to return at about 5:30pm, with drop-off at ACMI near Federation Square.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available for purchase at Quarters Restaurant at Hubert Estate. Optional tastings there also cost extra.

Which gin distillery does the tour visit?

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the tour visits Four Pillars Gin Distillery. On Monday and Thursday through Sunday, it visits Stag Lane Distillery.

Is the gin tasting included?

A gin paddle with a mixer is included only if you select the Full-Tasting option. Otherwise, the tasting costs extra.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children aged 2 to 17 are listed as welcome and will not be served alcohol, with reduced prices. The tour is also marked unsuitable for children under 4, so confirm before booking if your child is younger than 4.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.