Recently booked a private tour with friends to celebrate getting out of Melbourne lockdown. Stephen was our guide for the day. We visited 5 wineries that varied from the well known to hidden gems. Stephen also arranged for us to try some special wines that are usually not on offer to most. Our group had an amazing time and will definitely use them again in 2021. Thank you!
See Kangaroos And Koalas and Visit Spectacular Vineyards
Delight in an up-close encounter with Australia’s captivating wildlife and enjoy a perfect introduction to the best wine and food of the Yarra Valley. On this unique tour, you will see kangaroos and koalas among other species in the world-famous Healesville Sanctuary and enjoy lunch while overlooking farmland and the Great Dividing Mountain Range.
For the first time visitor, this tour offers the perfect introduction to the best of Victoria as you’ll see Australian wildlife and get a taste of the Yarra Valley’s quality wine and food.
If you would like to get close to a kangaroo or a koala (no feeding, patting or holding) the Sanctuary offers these encounters. Please advise us if you wish to include this as part of your Sanctuary experience.
Note: Indicative times of 8:30 am to 6:30 pm apply but will be confirmed the evening prior to the date of travel. Pick up is from your city hotel or from another agreed point. If you are staying out of the city, The Athenaeum Theatre, which is located at 188 Collins St in the city could be a meeting point.
The new koala enclosure at Healesville Sanctuary.
Tour Details
Everything You Need To Know
Price
Per Adult: $300
Per Child (4-15 yo): $240
*On Sundays and Public Holidays, the rate will be $320 per adult and $260 per child.
Start time
8:30 am
Finish time
6:30 pm
Meeting place
Pick-up from your city hotel or at another agreed point. If outside the city, meet at The Athenaeum Theatre which is located at 188 Collins St in the city.
Inclusions
Transport, entry to Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary to see Kangaroos, Koalas and more, wine tasting, main course a la carte lunch, a glass of wine and coffee at Yering Station, wine and cheese flight at De Bortoli, bottled water, guide and GST
Note
Want to do this tour privately? No problem! Contact us for options
Itinerary
Let’s Go To The Valley
We’ll collect you at your hotel or at another agreed point. If staying outside of the city centre, The Athenaeum Theatre (188 Collins St) is a central meeting point. At this point, you will meet your friendly guide who’s ready to impart knowledge and help you have the most enjoyable experience.
Our small team of guides are local experts with deep knowledge of the Yarra Valley, local wines and also local wildlife. Excitement then begins to grow as you pass through the bush-laden suburbs of the north-east.
Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary
Our first stop is the world-famous Healesville Sanctuary, one of Australia’s most recognized and acclaimed wildlife sanctuaries.
With 30 hectares of bushland, it showcases more than 200 species of Australian wildlife in a distinctly Australian setting. Here, visitors can experience close-up encounters with some of Australia’s most unique and captivating wildlife in their natural habitat, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus.
Yering Station Vineyard Lunch & Tasting
Yering Station’s stunning Wine Bar Restaurant is the perfect lunch venue. With its world-class views and cuisine, you’ll enjoy an a la carte main course meal. After lunch, visit the original winery (circa 1859) that features local artworks and produce as well as estate and reserve wines to taste.
De Bortoli Vineyard Wine & Cheese Flight
Our final stop for the day is the family-owned De Bortoli Winery at Dixons Creek. Part of Australian wine folklore for 3 generations, the De Bortoli represent the Italian heritage at the root of so much of Melbourne’s cuisine. Here, you will enjoy a pairing of selected wines and cheeses
Journey Home
Our pleasant journey home winds back through Steels Creek and the Christmas Hills which afford glorious views across the Valley. It’s a great final Valley view to take in before the inland return to Melbourne.
The itinerary is subject to change and may be reversed on occasions.
What Our Guests Have Said
Our morning visit to the Healesville Sanctuary exceeded our expectation to see Australian native animals since we had a free guided tour with some recent graduates from a local university who knew everything about the flora and fauna. The afternoon lunch and wine tasting, made the day completely superb. The Yarra Valley is not to be missed.
What can I say other than it was The Perfect Day!
From the moment Paul picked us up till the moment he dropped us off we had the most fantastic time and learnt so so much about wine and the region. All the local businesses and vineyards had amazing staff and all excellent easy going personalities[…]. We will definitely do this tour again and with Paul as he was a huge part as to why we enjoyed the day so much.
