Things to Do in the Yarra Valley & Surrounds

The Yarra Valley is a natural amphitheatre, which makes it the perfect location for a ballooning tour showcasing magnificent views, native fauna and flora, excellent food, beautiful wines and gentle weather. Let the breeze carry you along the grapevine corridors and over the Yarra River as you lose yourself in the breathtaking sight of the mountain range surrounding the valley.

The Yarra Valley Balloon Flight includes:

• Approximate 1 hour balloon flight over the Yarra Valley - one of the world’s most picturesque flying regions
• (Optional) champagne breakfast after the flight
• Free parking at Balgownie Estate
• Complete flight and ground insurance
• Launch and landing government fees
• Peace of mind that you have chosen to fly with Victoria's leading hot air ballooning operator offering the most professional service. You will be in the hands of the most experienced pilots and ground crew in the business
• A carbon neutral flight - Global Ballooning Australia is the only Victorian operator to offset our carbon emissions
• In-flight photography taken on most flights - opportunity to purchase photos at breakfast on a USB for $20
• A flight certificate, postcard and exclusive e-coupon booklet to prove it happened
• Flights departing 364 days of the year, weather permitting

Continue your adventure by booking the Global Ballooning Package at Yarra Valley Lodge, which includes:

• Overnight accommodation for 2 people in a Golf View room* 
• Bottle of sparkling on arrival
• $50 food and beverage credit
• Cheese board for 2 in the Lodge bar or Bella Restaurant
• Balloon flight for 2 people with champagne breakfast at Balgownie Estate

*excludes breakfast as this is provided at Balgownie Estate

Taste, watch, indulge and enjoy at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, only a short drive from Yarra Valley Lodge. Here, you can pamper yourself with all things sweet.

Passionate foodies Ian and Leanne Neeland have developed a destination where you can satisfy your love of chocolate and the creation of quality products.

Set amongst one of Australia’s premium wine regions and surrounded by picturesque Yarra Valley vistas, an emerging orchard and sweeping lawns, our architect-designed Chocolaterie is an experience the whole family can enjoy.

There’s plenty of free chocolate and ice cream tastings to enjoy, the chance to watch our team of talented European chocolatiers at work and an amazing showroom filled with over 250 different chocolate products to tempt you.

Situated next door to Yarra Valley Lodge, the Heritage Golf and Country Club is founded on a philosophy of elegant simplicity – the living of life, rather than its mere service. It is a vision realised in every detail at The Heritage – each graceful curve of the fairway, in the swatches of colour that flush the landscape with beauty and in the exquisite natural finishes of its architecture. All contribute to the vitality that defines The Heritage.

Boasting two championship courses yet far beyond a golf club in both style and substance, The Heritage constitutes one of the nation’s finest golf and country clubs.

What do cardamom, cassia bark, juniper, coriander, finger limes, lemon myrtle and Tasmanian pepperberry all have in common? Four Pillars Gin, that's what. Based in our hometown of Healeseville, these guys are distilling freaks. Like, this place really knows its stuff. Of course, we stock Four Pillars Gin in our lodge bar, but if you’re touristing around the Yarra Valley, a pit stop is definitely required to check out its home base.  

The name 'Four Pillars' is derived from the way the guys craft their gins - Stills, water, botanicals and love go into the mix.  This company offers Gin Masterclasses (which get booked out regularly so get in quick) and it also provides cellar door tastings and group tours. 

The qualified events team Time Out Adventures Yarra Valley will personally tailor your conference, meeting or event, big or small. Be it strictly business or purely leisure or a balance of both.

From Segway, laser clay, OzBobbles, splash golf and more, this popular attraction knows how to put together fantastic team building, leisure and entertainment activities for business or for pleasure!

The Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world's premier cool climate, wine growing regions with over 80 sensational cellar doors. There are also several artisanal craft beer breweries and spirits distilleries. 

Recommended nearby wineries and breweries include:

• Oakridge
• Soumah
• Dominique Portet
• Rochford
• DeBortoli
• Payten & Jones
• Four Pillars
• Napoleone Beer & Cider
• Innocent Bystander
• Levantine Hill

A beautiful art gallery only a short drive from Yarra Valley Lodge, TarraWarra Museum of Art can provide inspiration for tourists and locals alike. The gallery hosts a range of changing exhibitions, focusing on displaying Australian art from the second half of the twentieth century to the present day. The architecturally designed gallery is complemented by a cellar door and restaurants located nearby.

The Yarra Valley Dairy produces its own soft cheeses using the freshest cows’ milk provided by neighbouring dairy farms and goats’ milk delivered regularly from the Gippsland region. This is a natural environment where pastures are more favourable for farming goats.

The Cheese Shop is open 10.30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day (except Christmas Day) where they and their instead of we and our  offer a sampling of our famous cheeses. This shop is located in the 100-year-old milking shed with beautiful views of the Yarra Valley. Thousands of visitors arrive each year to taste their delicious artisan cheeses.

Approximately four acres in size, Allowyn Gardens offer five distinctive spaces to relax, unwind and enjoy the exquisite beauty of these natural designs. From a lovely border of perennials to a silver birch forest to numerous display gardens, the variety of magnificent blooms will delight you. Be sure to take a look at the gorgeous fountain, a beautiful centre piece at this renowned attraction.

Wander through the tranquil tracks and meet some iconic Australian animals like Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus, Dingoes, Wombats and Emus. Healesville Sanctuary is also home to the Australian Wildlife Centre, a hospital which treats more than 2000 sick and injured native animals every year and is an important training centre for wildlife veterinarians.

Kids are free every weekend, on public holidays and every day of Victorian school