AAT Kings Yarra Valley Wineries and Puffing Billy (Full Day)

Tour Details

Operator

AAT Kings

Destinations

Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

Departs From

Melbourne

Tour Description

Take an unforgettable trip into Victoria’s wine country aboard Puffing Billy, a beautifully restored steam train. This romantic, stylish trip will see you cruise through the stunning Dandenong Ranges and enjoy morning tea while getting close to local wildlife. You’ll then sample some of Australia’s best wines during visits to three iconic Yarra Valley vineyards, with the chance to make purchases at the cellar door.

Australia’s new world wines are known for their bold flavours, innovative style and increasingly high quality. Victoria’s Yarra Valley is one of the nation’s leading wine regions with scores of world-class vintners and vineyards producing crisp whites and earthy reds. The unique natural environment of Australia gives its wines a distinctive taste, feel and character. So what better way is there to sample the best of the best than to travel directly to the source with the Yarra Valley wineries tour?

Starting in Melbourne, you’ll be transported to the stunning Dandenong Ranges aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned coach. The Dandenong Ranges are just 35km east of Melbourne and are home to spectacular views, rainforests, waterfalls and valleys.

We stop at a popular rest stop called Grants Reserve and enjoy a delicious Devonshire Tea in the Grants On Sherbrooke cafe. In Grants Reserve, you'll have the opportunity to spot the local birds such as Crimson Rosellas, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, and pink-chested Galahs. You may be lucky enough to hear the distinctive songs of the lyrebirds and kookaburras that also inhabit the area.

We’ll stop in the heart of the ranges and board the famous Puffing Billy - a beautifully restored steam train - for a ride through the scenic Sherbrooke Forest from Belgrave to Menzies Creek. Your 30-minute journey on this century-old steam train will take you through the heart of the rainforest and over old trestle bridges.

Now it’s time for the tour’s main event, a visit to the wine country of the Yarra Valley. Each stop will include a tasting of delicious wine.

Our first stop will be at Rochford Winery, a vineyard that holds a five-star rating from Australia’s top wine writer, James Halliday. This vineyard has breathtaking views of the Great Dividing Range and a stunning range of wines to sample.

We'll then travel over to the Dominique Portet Winery, which traces its history all the way back to 18th century Bordeaux - a true mix of old and new world winemaking. With ten generations of family history in every bottle, Dominique Portet is perhaps best known for its Brut Rosé and award-winning 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our final stop will be at the rustic Yering Farm Wines, which offers the chance to taste wines as well as a delicious range of ciders made from orchard-grown Pink Lady apples.
(*Passengers travelling from 1 April 2020, will visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery for a private group chocolate tasting instead of Yering Farm)

At the end of the day, you'll have experienced the perfect blend of natural beauty and exquisite wine - and you may even be tempted to bring a few bottles home!


*Wineries included may change at the tour operators discretion due to seasonal availability.