Yarra Valley Foodies Tour with Chandon & Kangaroo Safari!

The best twist on this Yarra Valley outing comes at the end: after a full afternoon of wine, cheese and chocolate, you head to a quiet spot near Kangaroo Ground to look for wild kangaroos. It is a welcome change of pace from cellar doors, and a memorable way to finish a day out of Melbourne.

I like two things in particular: the small group of no more than 12 makes the stops feel more personal, and the mix of food, wine and wildlife gives non-drinkers a reason to come along, too. The late morning departure also leaves you time to start the day at an easy pace.

One consideration: Chandon tastings and lunch are at your own expense, and wine is only one part of the day. If you are after a long, wine-focused cellar-door tour, this is a broader tasting trip, with cheese, chocolate and kangaroos sharing the bill.

The day’s best bits

• A small group, capped at 12: You travel between stops with a guide rather than managing rural roads and tasting-room schedules yourself.
• A Chandon lounge with valley views: You can buy lunch and sparkling wine here, but budget extra for both.
• Cheese made at Yarra Valley Dairy: The tasting includes a generous range of cow’s and goat’s cheeses.
• A classic Yering Station tasting: Sample cool-climate wines such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz.
• Chocolate, then kangaroos: The final two stops switch from a private chocolate tasting to a half-hour search for wild kangaroos.

A food-and-wine afternoon, not a winery marathon

The Yarra Valley is close enough to Melbourne for a day trip, yet far enough out that having a driver is a real advantage. This tour gathers several different tastes of the region into one outing, with round-trip transport from Federation Square and a guide handling the route and timing.

That mix is the point. You get two winery stops, but also a strawberry farm, a dairy, a chocolate maker and a wildlife stop. If your ideal wine tour means tasting at cellar door after cellar door, you may want another format. If you like sampling local produce and seeing a range of places without arranging transport yourself, this one makes good use of an afternoon.

The tour lasts about seven hours and starts at 11:30 am. It is a useful schedule if you do not want an early departure, though the day is still a substantial outing. Bring enough room in your plans for the ride back to Melbourne, and do not treat the stated duration as a promise that you will be free at an exact minute.

Strawberries to start the valley visit

The first stop is Farm Fresh Yarra Valley Produce, where the group makes a quick visit to try fresh strawberries. At about 15 minutes, this is a short taste rather than a farm tour, but it gives the day an easy opening before the longer stops.

Think of this as a small seasonal introduction, not a major attraction in its own right. The stop also breaks up the journey from Melbourne. If strawberries are a favorite, you may want to ask whether there is produce available to take away, but the tour details only promise a tasting.

Chandon is about the view, with tasting on your tab

At Domaine Chandon, you have about an hour in the lounge, with a table reserved and broad views over the Yarra Valley. The setting is part of the appeal: take a breath, look out over the vineyards, and decide whether you want lunch, sparkling wine, or both.

Be clear about the cost before you go. The visit is part of the tour, but lunch and Chandon tastings are not included in the price. This is a chance to buy a flight or a glass rather than a prepaid tasting. If you plan to order, bring money for the extra, and remember that you have another winery tasting later in the day.

Chandon can be a highlight for anyone drawn to sparkling wine or a relaxed lounge with a view. It may be less compelling if you expect a guided cellar-door lesson or a tasting included in the tour price. The stop is deliberately flexible: you can purchase what appeals to you, or simply enjoy the setting.

Yarra Valley Dairy makes cheese the main event

The dairy stop gives you a generous tasting of cow’s and goat’s cheeses made on site. This is one of the most substantial food-focused breaks of the afternoon, and it helps make the tour worthwhile even if not everyone in your group drinks wine.

You will have about an hour here, so there is time to taste at a calmer pace and look at the dairy’s offerings. The cheeses are a strong contrast to the winery stops: instead of comparing grape varieties, you get to notice how different milk types and styles change the flavor and texture.

If something catches your attention, you may be able to buy it to take home. Just keep in mind that the tour continues through more tastings, so you might not want to fill up too early. The stop is also a good reason to bring a small bag if you expect to shop, though no storage arrangements are specified.

Yering Station brings the classic wine tasting

At Yering Station, the tour includes wine tastings. You can expect a range of cool-climate wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz, along with other varieties. The winery is described as the historic home of Victoria’s first vineyard, which adds a sense of place to this stop beyond the tasting itself.

For a visitor trying Australian regional wine, this is the clearest included opportunity to compare several styles. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are often associated with cooler growing conditions, while the Shiraz offers a different expression. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy the contrast; it is enough to notice what you like and ask the staff about the wines you are tasting.

This is the winery stop to focus on if your main goal is sampling wine without extra charges. Chandon offers the option to purchase tastings, but Yering Station’s tasting is included. Still, keep expectations in proportion: the tour includes one set winery tasting here, not an extended wine itinerary.

Chocolate and ice cream make a sweet final tasting

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery brings the day back to food. You get an exclusive private chocolate tasting, then free time to browse the shop and cafe. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you more than a quick sample at the counter.

This is an easy crowd-pleaser, especially for families or anyone in the group who is less interested in wine. The shop and cafe also make this the most tempting place to buy something extra. If you want to save room for chocolate, pace yourself at the earlier tastings.

The stop is not just a quick add-on. It gives the afternoon a change of mood after the winery and dairy visits, and the free time lets you decide whether you want to browse, sit down, or simply enjoy the tasting. Ice cream is part of the venue, though the tour specifically includes the chocolate tasting, not a separate ice cream serving.

Kangaroo Ground closes the day with wildlife

The final stop is a 30-minute kangaroo safari at a secret spot near Kangaroo Ground. The aim is to see wild kangaroos, and this gives the outing a distinctly Australian finish after a day of regional produce.

Treat it as a wildlife search, rather than a zoo visit. The stop is outdoors and focused on spotting animals in their natural setting, so sightings depend on the conditions on the day. The tour description does not promise a particular number of kangaroos. Bring a camera if you enjoy wildlife photography, and be ready to watch quietly rather than expect a staged encounter.

This final change of scene is one of the tour’s most unusual strengths. You leave the tasting rooms behind and spend time looking across the area for animals. For many people, that is a more memorable end than one more glass of wine.

What the $125.52 price covers

At $125.52 per person, the value comes from combining transport, a guide, several tasting stops and a small group in one booking. The included elements are the Yering Station wine tasting, cheese tastings at the dairy and chocolate tasting at the chocolaterie. The strawberry farm visit and kangaroo stop are also part of the route.

The main extra to plan for is Chandon: lunch and tastings there are at your own expense. You may also choose to buy cheese, chocolate, wine or other products at the stops. Those purchases are optional, but they can add up, so decide in advance whether you want to treat the day as a tasting tour only or as a chance to bring home a few local goods.

The price looks strongest if you value the variety and want transport sorted. It is less compelling if you mainly want several included wine tastings, since the Chandon tasting costs extra and Yering Station is the included winery tasting. For a group with mixed interests, the range of food and wildlife stops makes the ticket easier to justify.

Small-group transport and guide style

The tour begins at the Federation Square Bus and Coach Pickup Drop-off Zone on Russell Court, Melbourne, and returns to the same meeting point. Round-trip transport matters here: the stops are spread across the valley, and a driver lets you take part in tastings without arranging your own route.

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough for a more conversational outing than a large coach trip, while still bringing together people with different interests. Guides associated with the tour include Craig, Kurt, Curt, Steven, Stephen and Aliot. The guide’s role is not just to drive: expect commentary about the area and help keeping the schedule moving.

The day’s pacing is another practical strength. Each major venue gets roughly an hour, while the strawberry stop is brief and the kangaroo search is about 30 minutes. That balance leaves time to taste and look around without making every stop a rushed photo break.

Who should book this outing

I would put this tour on the shortlist for couples, solo visitors and small groups who want a taste of the Yarra Valley without hiring a car. It also suits families and mixed-age groups, since cheese, chocolate and wildlife offer plenty beyond wine.

It is a particularly good fit if you enjoy variety more than deep specialization. You can taste regional food, sample wine, enjoy the Chandon view and finish with kangaroos, all in one afternoon. The tour is also a sensible choice for people who want to visit Chandon but would rather leave the driving to someone else.

Wine enthusiasts should book with the right expectations. You will get wine at Yering Station, and you can spend more at Chandon, but the day is not built around a long sequence of tastings. If you want a more intensive wine program, compare other options before paying.

Booking confirmation is normally received at the time of booking, though bookings made within four hours of departure are subject to availability and may be confirmed later. Most people can participate, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book?

Book it if you want a well-paced afternoon with cheese, chocolate, wine and a chance to see wild kangaroos, and if you value small-group transport from Melbourne. The range of stops is the best reason to choose it, especially when your group has different tastes.

Skip it if your priority is a long, wine-only itinerary or if you do not want to pay extra for Chandon tastings and lunch. For a varied day in the valley, though, the combination is hard to replicate on a casual trip without a car.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about seven hours. It starts at 11:30 am and returns to the meeting point in Melbourne.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Federation Square Bus and Coach Pickup Drop-off Zone on Russell Court, Melbourne. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Are Chandon tastings included in the price?

No. Lunch and tastings at Chandon are at your own expense. The tour includes a visit to the lounge, where you can purchase them.

Which tastings are included?

The included tastings are wine at Yering Station, cheese at Yarra Valley Dairy and chocolate at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can purchase lunch at Chandon during the stop.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.