One day. Four kinds of local treats. This Yarra Valley tour is a smart way to sample wine, gin, chocolate, and fresh strawberries without renting a car or playing logistics roulette. I like that it keeps the group small (10 to 20) and focuses on producers you can’t easily line up on your own.

The day has a clear rhythm: tastings in between a couple longer stops, plus lunch at St Hubert Estate where you pay for what you want. One thing to think about first: lunch isn’t included, and alcohol tastings beyond the included ones can add up if you opt in at St Hubert.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group size (10–20) so you actually hear the guide and move together
• Included tasting fees at the wineries and chocolate stop, so you’re not counting costs all day
• Gin is optional but available as a guided flight depending on the day
• Lunch is on your own budget at St Hubert Estate’s Quarters bistro
• Hot weather can hit hard in summer when you’re also tasting alcohol
• Not ideal for mobility limits due to stairs at some experiences

Why this Yarra Valley day trip feels like a tasting sampler

Yarra Valley can be tricky if you don’t drive. Distances are real, cellar doors aren’t always close together, and you lose time figuring out who’s open and how long a tasting will take. This tour removes most of that stress with point-to-point transfers between Melbourne and the valley.

What makes it different from the usual wine-only bus day is the mix. You’ll get a fruit start at Yarra Farm Fresh, classic winery stops with hosted tastings at iconic estates, a guided hand-craft chocolate tasting with up to 12 creations, and then a gin distillery option. It’s a full day, but it’s also varied enough that you’re not stuck watching one theme the whole time.

You’re also paying for convenience. At $93.24 per person, the value is in what’s included: tasting fees (at the stops where tastings are part of the program), transport, and time at producers where you’re guided rather than wandering.

Melbourne pickup at Arts Centre Spire, and back before dinner

This is a real day trip, not a slow afternoon cruise. You meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am, near the cafe stand called Protagonist. They aim to depart at 9:00am sharp, so eat something before you go.

You finish back in central Melbourne around 5:30pm or earlier at ACMI in Federation Square. That matters if you’re planning dinner near the city afterward. It also helps you avoid the late-night letdown where you’re still stuck on the road when everyone else is already eating.

The ticket is mobile, and service animals are allowed. If you’re comfortable with a morning start, good—this one is built for it.

Yarra Farm Fresh strawberries: sweet, simple, and actually useful

Your morning starts at Yarra Farm Fresh for about 40 minutes. This is the fruit stop, and it’s more than a photo op. You can expect fresh strawberries, plus seasonal fruits and local jams on the tastings.

On top of that, there’s a limited-time perk: a complimentary punnet of strawberries per booking (until February 28, 2026, subject to availability). If you’re going in that window, it’s a nice bonus and a good way to bring a little valley sweetness back home.

One practical note: this stop is early and bright. If you’re the kind of person who gets hangry before 10am, eat breakfast anyway—lunch comes later around 11:45am at St Hubert, and it’s not included.

Yering Station and Yering Farm Wines: two cellar door vibes

The tour uses winery stops in a way that makes sense for first-timers. You get one iconic estate and then a more rustic-feeling option.

Yering Station Winery (about 50 minutes)

Yering Station is described as the oldest winery in Yarra Valley and one of its most iconic estates. You’ll spend around 50 minutes here with a tasting.

A big win with this type of stop: you get hosted attention. You’re not just tasting and leaving; you can ask questions and get context about what the winery is known for.

Yering Farm Wines (about 45 minutes)

Later, you’ll reach Yering Farm Wines for about 45 minutes. This stop is often a good change of pace from the big names because it feels charming and rustic, with a more relaxed tone.

You’ll do wine tastings plus a built-in non-wine finish: apple cider. The tour also flags a contingency—on rare occasions Yering Farm may be unavailable due to private events or closures. If that happens and a substitute winery is used, the apple cider tasting may not be included. So if cider is a key reason you’re booking, keep that in mind.

St Hubert Estate after lunch: pay-for-what-you-feel like

Lunch is scheduled at St Hubert Estate, at Quarters, and it’s about 11:45am. The important bit: lunch isn’t included. You’ll purchase mains and drinks on-site to match your appetite and budget.

Why this still works: you get a proper break at a valley estate, and you can choose what you want rather than being locked into a set menu. St Hubert Estate also gives you time to look around, including areas like a wine shop and an indigenous art gallery.

Optional tastings after lunch cost extra

If you want more alcohol tastings at St Hubert—wine, gin, or whisky—there’s an additional fee (often around A$15 per person). That can be worth it if you’re a serious sampler and you’re not already maxed out on tastings from earlier stops.

Chocolate at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

If you like sweet breaks between alcohol tastings, this stop is a highlight. You’ll visit Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for around 45 minutes for a guided tasting.

The program includes up to 12 hand-craft chocolate creations. That range is the point. You’re not just doing one generic truffle and calling it a day—you’ll taste across styles, which makes the tasting more meaningful and easier to compare later.

One caution: this type of chocolatier stop can be busy and loud, especially in peak seasons. If you prefer quiet, plan to focus on the guide and tasting table rather than expecting a calm, slow experience.

Gin distillery stop: optional flights, different venues by day

The gin part is where you can tune the tour to your taste level. The program lets you pick the full tasting experience upgrade, which includes a gin tasting flight. If you don’t choose the gin distillery experience, they adjust the schedule: the final stop runs 15 minutes longer, and the day returns earlier for a smooth Melbourne transfer.

Which distillery you might visit

Depending on the day, the gin stop changes:

• Stag Lane Farm Distillery is used on most days (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). You get a guided gin flight tasting served with a mixer.
• Four Pillars Distillery is used on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can opt in for a guided gin flight with a mixer.

Either way, this is more than a sip session. A distillery flight gives you the chance to learn how botanicals shape flavor, and you get to taste with a mixer pairing rather than guessing at what works.

If you’re picky about tonics, you’ll likely enjoy the flight format; guides on this trip have been praised for using guests’ preferred tonic water in the gin experience.

The pace: a full day of stops, not one long deep-dive

This is a tasting tour, so expect a steady pace. You’ll move between producers and spend a set block of time at each one. That’s great if your goal is sampling a bunch of Yarra Valley flavors in one day.

The trade-off is time depth. If you’re the type who wants to linger at one winery for photos, vineyard views, and a long conversation, you might feel the schedule is tight. The upside is that you still get a range of experiences that fit into a single day, and you don’t have to drive between locations.

Also note the weather warning they give: it can be hot and sunny in summer, and alcohol tastings combined with heat means you should plan for hydration and sun protection.

Price and value: where the money goes

Let’s break down the value logic behind $93.24 per person.

You’re paying for:

• Transport between Melbourne and Yarra Valley
• Small-group service (10–20)
• All-inclusive tasting fees for the parts that are built into the tour (like winery tastings and the chocolate tasting)
• A full-day structure that saves you time and planning

You’re not paying for:

• Lunch at St Hubert (Quarters bistro)
• Any extra tastings at St Hubert after lunch (often an additional fee)
• The gin distillery upgrade if you don’t select the full tasting experience

The best way to think about it: if you would normally buy tastings one at a time and also pay for rides, this tour often feels like you’re paying for a “bundle of guided tastings” plus the driver service. If you only want one or two wines and you dislike alcohol, the add-ons can make it less cost-effective.

Who should book this tour (and who might want a different plan)

This tour fits you well if:

• You want a one-day introduction to Yarra Valley without driving
• You like variety: wine + fruit + chocolate + optional gin
• You prefer a small group rather than a big bus
• You’re okay with fixed time blocks at each stop

You might reconsider if:

• You have mobility challenges, since the tour notes it’s not suitable for people with mobility issues, including climbing stairs
• You want a slow, single-winery day
• Heat and alcohol make you nervous (they warn summer can be hot/sunny)

Families can join too. Children aged 4–17 are welcome, but they won’t be served alcohol tastings.

Practical tips to make the day smoother

A few small moves can make this tour feel effortless:

• Eat breakfast before you go. Lunch is around 11:45am, and it’s not included.
• Bring water and sun protection. The heat note is real, especially if you’re visiting in warmer months.
• Use the guide’s suggestions for tasting order. Start with lighter flavors if you’re trying to compare styles later.
• If gin matters to you, choose the full tasting option. The flight is the payoff at the distillery.
• If you’re not doing gin, don’t worry about missing out on time. The schedule adjusts with an extra 15 minutes at the final stop.

Guides named in past departures include Shauny, Danny, Posi, Stefan, and Sean, and they’ve been praised for being engaging and keeping the day fun while still explaining what you’re tasting.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Wine Tour + Chocolate, Farm Fresh, Gin?

Book it if you want an easy, guided way to taste a lot of Yarra Valley flavors in one day—especially if you care about chocolate and fruit as much as wine. The small-group size, the included tasting fees, and the structured mix of producers make the day feel efficient without feeling like you’re rushing blindly.

Skip or rethink it if you’re chasing one specific winery experience in depth, you’re very sensitive to heat, or you know you’ll likely add extra paid tastings at St Hubert. And if mobility is a concern, take the tour’s warning seriously.

FAQ

FAQ

What time do I need to meet in Melbourne?

You meet at 8:45am at the Arts Centre Melbourne Spire area, near the cafe stand called Protagonist. Departure aims for 9:00am sharp.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to ACMI at Federation Square in Melbourne. They aim to get you back by 5:30pm or earlier.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at St Hubert Estate (Quarters) is not included, and you purchase what you want.

What tastings are included in the standard price?

The tour includes tasting fees for the stops built into the experience, including hosted winery tastings at selected estates and a guided chocolate tasting with up to 12 creations. It also includes the fruit visit at Yarra Farm Fresh.

Do I have to do the gin tasting?

No. Gin is optional. If you choose the full tasting experience upgrade, you’ll do a gin flight at the distillery stop.

Which gin distillery do I visit?

It depends on the day. Stag Lane Farm Distillery is used on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Four Pillars Distillery is used on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both can include a guided gin flight with a mixer if you opt in.

Is there an extra fee for tastings at St Hubert Estate?

Yes, additional tastings at St Hubert Estate after lunch (including wine, gin, or whisky) require an extra fee, usually around A$15 per person.

What happens if weather is extreme?

If the tour is cancelled due to extreme weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

It is not suitable for people with mobility issues, particularly because some experiences involve climbing stairs.

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