Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Day Tour with Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary in the morning, two Yarra Valley wineries in the afternoon: this 10-hour trip brings together Australian wildlife, vineyard scenery, a proper lunch, and wine tastings without asking you to plan the transport between them. At the sanctuary, you can see kangaroos, koalas, emus, and other native animals, then finish the day with wine and cheese at De Bortoli.

I like the well-balanced mix of wildlife and food, and the small group size, capped at 11, gives the day a more personal feel than a large coach outing. One consideration: with a full day split between the sanctuary and wineries, you have set time at each stop rather than the freedom to linger as long as you like.

At a glance: wildlife first, wine later

• Healesville Sanctuary gets 2.5 hours: Enough time to see a good range of native animals, with the bird or raptor show and wildlife hospital worth keeping in mind.
• Yering Station includes more than a tasting: Expect estate and reserve wines, an à la carte main course, a glass of wine, and coffee.
• De Bortoli finishes the day with pairings: Taste estate and premium wines alongside cheeses, with the winery’s dessert wine also included.
• The group is capped at 11: A smaller vehicle means less of a crowd and more room for guide commentary.
• The listed price is $236.69 per person: It covers sanctuary entry, transport, lunch, a glass of wine, and tastings at both wineries.
• Some experiences cost extra: A Koala Encounter is listed at AUD $30 per animal, and places for animal encounters are limited.

Healesville Sanctuary: a substantial morning with native animals

The day starts at 8:30 am in Melbourne, with pickup offered at select hotels. From there, the drive leads to Healesville Sanctuary, set in bushland and home to more than 200 species of Australian native animals. Entry is included, so you can start exploring without buying a separate ticket.

You have about 2 hours and 30 minutes here. That is a useful stretch of time for seeing familiar Australian animals such as kangaroos, koalas, and emus, as well as other native species. It is not an unlimited visit, though, so you will want to make choices rather than try to see every enclosure at a leisurely pace.

The bird or raptor show is a smart priority. Guides Paul and others have advised guests not to miss it, and it has been a highlight for people on this trip. Check the day’s schedule when you arrive, then plan your walk around the show if the timing allows.

The wildlife hospital and its operating area are also worth looking for. They offer a look at the sanctuary’s work caring for animals, adding a conservation angle to what might otherwise be a simple animal-spotting stop. You can also ask your guide for help deciding what to see first; guides Paul, Rob, and Cam have been praised for sharing useful context about the animals and helping people make the most of their time.

If you want a closer animal encounter, ask about the available options before the day. Koala encounters currently cost AUD $30 per animal, and other encounters with kangaroos, wombats, or dingoes may also be available at extra cost. Places are limited, so treat these as optional add-ons, not part of the standard ticket.

The drive to the Yarra Valley: a change of pace

After the sanctuary, the tour heads into the Yarra Valley. The shift from bushland and animal habitats to vineyard-covered hills gives the day a clear second chapter. You do not need to arrange a designated driver or navigate between cellar doors yourself; the driver-guide handles the route and offers live commentary along the way.

That commentary is part of the value, especially if you like a little context with the scenery. Guides such as Paul and Rob have been singled out for sharing local history and information about the valley, while Cam has been praised for explaining both wildlife and wine. The precise guide depends on the departure, but the group size, up to 11 people, can make it easier to ask questions than on a large coach tour.

The schedule is structured. The stated stops account for about 5.5 hours, while the full tour lasts roughly 10 hours, leaving the rest of the day for the drive and transitions. That means you get several distinct experiences in one outing, but this is not a free-form wine-country day with spare hours for extra stops.

Yering Station: a tasting followed by a full lunch

Yering Station is the longer winery stop, at about two hours. You begin in the historic cellar door with a tasting of estate and reserve wines, then move to the restaurant for an à la carte main course. A glass of wine and coffee are included with lunch.

This is a welcome change from the rushed sandwich lunch that can come with some day trips. The meal is a central part of the experience, not an afterthought, and the restaurant’s setting among the vineyards adds to the sense of being in wine country. The menu is à la carte, so there is a meal choice rather than one fixed dish.

The included glass of wine also makes the lunch feel like part of the tasting day rather than a pause between activities. Do remember that the minimum drinking age is 18. If you have dietary requirements, tell the operator when booking so they can be advised in advance.

The two-hour stop gives you time for the tasting and the meal, but it does not mean you can settle in for a long, leisurely restaurant visit. The tour has another winery to reach, so keep an eye on the group’s timing and follow your guide’s directions.

De Bortoli: cheese, wine, and a measured finish

The final stop is De Bortoli, a winery set among more than 450 acres of vineyard-covered hills. The visit lasts about an hour and includes a tasting of estate and premium wines, paired with cheeses. The tasting also features the winery’s dessert wine.

The cheese pairing gives this stop a different feel from the earlier tasting at Yering Station. Rather than repeating the same format, it offers another way to sample the region’s wine and food. If you enjoy tasting several styles in a guided setting, this makes a satisfying final stop; if you are not keen on cheese or wine, it will naturally be less of a draw.

Keep in mind that this is a tasting, not a full winery tour with an extended visit. The hour is a compact end to a full day, and after it the vehicle returns to the Melbourne meeting point.

What the $236.69 price covers

At $236.69 per person, the tour bundles several costs that would otherwise need separate planning: Healesville Sanctuary entry, an air-conditioned vehicle, a driver-guide, bottled water, lunch with a glass of wine, and tastings at two wineries. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered at select Melbourne hotels.

The strongest value is in the combination. You can see native wildlife in the morning, enjoy a vineyard meal, and sample wines at two producers, all in one day without arranging a rental car or choosing a driver. The price makes most sense if you plan to enjoy both the animal visit and the winery stops, rather than treating one as a brief extra on the way to the other.

It is not an all-inclusive day in the sense that every possible extra is covered. Personal purchases are not included, and animal encounters cost extra. The listed Koala Encounter price is AUD $30 per animal; ask about other encounters and availability if getting closer to an animal is important to you.

Small group, full day: who will enjoy this trip

The maximum group size is 11, which is a good fit if you prefer a more intimate outing and like hearing commentary from your guide. The guide’s role is central: you are relying on one person to manage timing, transport, and the transitions between wildlife and wine. Names mentioned by people on past departures include Rob, Paul, Cam, Simon, Adrian, and Garth, but your guide is not guaranteed to be any particular person.

This trip suits adults who want an easy way to combine Australian animals with wine-country dining. It can also work for families, since children may join when accompanied by an adult, though the wine tastings are for those aged 18 and over. The sanctuary is a strong draw for children, while the two winery stops are more appealing to adults who enjoy food and wine.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. The tour operates rain or shine, so bring clothing suited to the forecast. The supplied information does not specify how much walking is involved at each stop, so if you have concerns about walking, ask the operator before booking.

Practical details to know before you go

The tour starts at 8:30 am in Melbourne, and the experience lasts about 10 hours before returning to the meeting point. Pickup is available from select Melbourne hotels; confirm your exact pickup arrangements when booking, rather than assuming every hotel is included.

The tour requires at least two people to operate. If the minimum is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Tell the operator about dietary requirements when booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Since the tour runs in all weather, a light rain jacket or other suitable layers are sensible if the forecast calls for rain.

Should you book the Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Day Tour?

Book it if you want a varied day out from Melbourne and would rather have transport, sanctuary entry, lunch, and two winery tastings arranged together. The combination is the main strength: Healesville adds wildlife and conservation, Yering Station supplies a proper sit-down meal, and De Bortoli closes with wine and cheese.

Think twice if you want a slow day with long stretches at one winery, or if you would rather choose your own cellar doors and spend as long as you like at each. The schedule is full, and the sanctuary’s 2.5-hour visit calls for a little prioritising. For a first Yarra Valley outing, though, this is a practical way to see wildlife and sample local food and wine without having to drive yourself.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. It starts at 8:30 am and ends back at the Melbourne meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at select Melbourne hotels. Confirm whether your hotel is included when booking.

How much time is spent at Healesville Sanctuary?

The visit lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Admission is included.

What animals can I see at the sanctuary?

Healesville Sanctuary is home to more than 200 species of native Australian animals. Kangaroos, koalas, and emus are among the animals you may see.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Yering Station includes an à la carte main course, a glass of wine, and coffee.

Which wineries does the tour visit?

The tour visits Yering Station and De Bortoli Winery. Yering Station includes an estate and reserve wine tasting, while De Bortoli includes estate and premium wines with cheese.

Are animal encounters included in the price?

No. Encounters cost extra. A Koala Encounter is currently listed at AUD $30 per animal, and places are limited.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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.