Tour Description
The Yarra Valley
(Combined Departure)
Seven Days: 21st – 27th September 2024
Twin Share: $3259 per person. Sole Use: $3849 per person.
- Home pick-ups & set downs (most metro areas – please contact us for details)
- Picnic-style morning teas & all meals
- All accommodation & admissions to all attractions
- Experienced & informative tour driver/guide.
Explore the stunning Yarra Valley on our seven day journey. Discover lush vineyards, historic towns, and majestic landscapes. Delight in local flavors at charming eateries and visit cultural highlights including heritage gardens and diverse farms. Experience the scenic beauty from a wildlife sanctuary to rugged mountain vistas. This tour blends cultural richness with natural splendour, offering a memorable journey filled with new experiences.
Day One – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2024
Our Our journey begins as we embark from Adelaide, comfortably aboard our Endeavour Tours coach, venturing towards the scenic Yarra Valley.
We journey through the Mount Lofty Ranges, pausing for morning tea at Tailem Bend, perched on the cliffs above the Murray River.
As we continue, our route passes through the Tatiara district, touching the charming towns of Coonalpyn and Tintinara, before a delightful lunch at Henry & Rose Café in Keith.
Our afternoon unfolds across the plains of Victoria’s Wimmera region, passing through Kaniva, Nhill, and Horsham, with the majestic Grampians looming in the distance.
Upon arrival in Stawell, a town rich with Gold Rush heritage, we’ll check into the Magdala Motor Lodge (Ph: 03 5358 3877), where Victorian era architecture adds charm to our surroundings.
The evening concludes with a welcome dinner, where we share the excitement of the adventure ahead with our fellow travellers.
Day Two – SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2024
After enjoying breakfast at our accommodation, we will journey through the historic town of Ararat before continuing to Beaufort. Nestled in a fertile pastoral district, Beaufort is renowned for its fine merino wool.
Following a refreshing morning break in the rustic charm of Beaufort, our scenic drive takes us past Ballarat towards Melton. Here, in the Melton Botanical Gardens, we relish a picnic lunch surrounded by a blend of urban development and rural landscapes, a testament to Melton’s rapid growth.
In the late afternoon, we approach the bustling edges of Melbourne, eventually reaching our peaceful Yarra Valley accommodation. Our home for the next four nights is Oscars’ on the Yarra (Ph: 03 5966 9166), where we’ll have time to settle in and relax before dinner.
Nestled in the heart of wine country, this charming accommodation provides a perfect base to explore the lush landscapes and exquisite wineries and eateries that define the region. Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant caps off a day of travel and discovery.
Day Three – MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2024
Our exploration today takes us first to Yarra Glen, a picturesque town nestled among rolling vineyards. Here, we indulge in the sweet delights of the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, where we’re treated to tastings of exquisite milk, white, and dark chocolates. Savouring the rich flavours, we take some time to browse their array of chocolate treats.
Rejuvenated, our journey continues to Healesville, home to the renowned Healesville Sanctuary. This sanctuary serves as a bushland haven for native Australian wildlife, offering close encounters with koalas, platypuses, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. It’s also the site of the Australian Wildlife Centre, a vital facility that treats over 2,000 sick and injured native animals annually and serves as a training ground for wildlife veterinarians.
After enjoying a leisurely lunch at one of the sanctuary’s cafes, our afternoon is crowned with a visit to Rochford Wines. This family-owned winery is set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Dividing Ranges, offering panoramic views that enhance our wine tasting experience. It’s a perfect conclusion to a day filled with natural wonders and culinary indulgence.
As the evening draws near, we return to our accommodation to relax and reminisce about the day’s adventures over dinner.
Day Four – TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2024
Today, we revisit Healesville, immersing ourselves once more in the captivating landscapes that define the region. Our first stop is the impressive Maroondah Reservoir, where we admire the expansive views from atop the dam’s wall.
We then embark on a journey along Black Spur Drive, one of Australia’s most scenic routes. This stretch of road connects the Yarra Valley with the mountainous areas around Marysville, winding through the Great Dividing Range beneath towering mountain ash trees. Their lofty canopies allow sunlight to sprinkle down to the lush ferns below, creating a magical ambiance. We pause for a morning break at a picnic ground nestled at the base of Black Spur, soaking in the serene beauty.
Upon arriving in Marysville, a town tragically reshaped by the 2009 bushfires, we explore its revitalized streets and visit the Marysville and District Historical Society Museum. The museum showcases the local heritage through various exhibits, including Pioneers, Timber, Tourism, and the RSL, each narrating the story of over 150 years of community resilience and history.
In the afternoon, we delve into the enchanting world of Bruno Torfs. His Art and Sculpture Garden, a verdant rainforest setting, is dotted with life-sized sculptures and artworks, each piece a reflection of his global travels and vibrant imagination. Bruno’s personal tale of loss and rebirth following the bushfires adds a poignant layer to our visit, making it not just a visual delight but also a deeply moving experience.
After a day filled with natural splendour and artistic discovery, we return to our accommodation for dinner.
Day Five – WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2024
We set off for Coldstream today, where the historic Melba Estate, once the residence of the world-renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, awaits us. After enjoying morning tea upon arrival, we embark on a guided tour of the Melba Estate Gardens. These expansive seven-acre gardens were meticulously landscaped over a century ago, featuring a grand cypress hedge that has shrouded the estate in mystery until its public opening in 2014.
Next, we visit the Warratina Lavender Farm in Wandin North, nestled at the serene foothills of Mt. Dandenong. What began as a hobby in 1991 with a small lavender plot in an old cherry orchard has blossomed into a sprawling lavender haven with over 10,000 plants. We’ll have the opportunity to wander among the various species and explore the shop.
A delightful later lunch awaits us at Rayners Orchard, a unique farm in Woori Yallock that cultivates over 450 varieties of fruit. Here, Farmer Len or one of his sons will guide us on a tractor tour, providing an insightful look into the sustainable practices of the orchard while we sample an assortment of fresh, in-season fruits. Our enriching day concludes back at our accommodation, where we’ll gather for dinner and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Day Six – THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2024
As we bid farewell to the Yarra Valley, our journey continues through picturesque townships, pausing en-route for a morning break amidst quaint and scenic settings. The drive today offers a relaxing backdrop as we transition through diverse landscapes.
Our next major stop is Ballarat, a city steeped in history, where we enjoy lunch. This city, rich with heritage from the gold rush era, provides a perfect midday respite.
Post-lunch, we journey west to Ararat, another town famed for its gold mining past. Here, we explore the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre. This world-class facility dives deep into the stories of miners from Southern China, vividly depicting the social, environmental, and political dynamics faced by these immigrant miners during the mid-1800s.
We arrive in the Grampians in the late afternoon, a region renowned for its majestic peaks and lush forests.
Here, we check into the Grampians Motel, Halls Gap (Ph: 03 5356 4248) to settle in for the evening. The night concludes with a last dinner together on tour.
Day Seven – FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2024
Our final day begins with a hearty breakfast before we depart the Grampians.
We drive through Horsham heading to Natimuk, a charming spot perfect for our morning break. As we continue, we savour our last glimpses of the stunning mountain landscapes, passing the impressive Mount Arapiles.
Crossing back into South Australia, we reach Keith by lunchtime, where we’ll enjoy our final meal together at the Keith Hotel.
As we make our way home in the afternoon, we reflect on a journey filled with delightful discoveries, from the serene beauty of the Yarra Valley to the rugged splendour of the Grampians, all shared with good company.
