The 6 Best Things to Do in Yarra Valley on the Weekend

With its incredible food and wine scene, Yarra Valley is the best place to go if you want an escape from the city but still want to enjoy yourself and have the best of everything - food, wine, and the outdoors!

Aside from the food scene and the rolling vineyards though, Yarra also has many others to offer. Cute little quaint towns, lush greenery for hiking, biking, skydiving, but also bars, breweries, cellar doors, and cafes for lunch? Sounds like the perfect mixed bag we’d want to explore. 

Whatever you’re into, here are some of the best things to do in Yarra Valley that you can fit into your weekend plans:

1. Healesville Sanctuary

2. Yarra Valley Horse Trail Ride with Wine Tasting

3. Yarra Valley Hot Air Ballooning

4. Yarra Valley Skydiving

5. Coldstream Brewery

6. Yarra River White Water Kayaking or Canoeing in Yambuna

Go in deep into Aussie bushland as you step into the magical Healesville Sanctuary. Meet Aussie native animals, spot koalas up some gum trees, meet and greet some platypuses, cockatoos, and cute wombats! 

Their wildlife center treats thousands of injured and sick animals every year, which is incredible, and you’ll get to see vets tending to them. 

Pro tip: Kids Go Free here! Children age 4-15 can visit Melbourne Zoo for free on weekends, VIC School Holiday & Public Holiday dates, so take note!

For regular days, here are the best-priced entry tickets for general entry and the VIP Sanctuary tour for a more private experience. 

If it’s time for some relaxing and unwinding, and the perfect way to do that in Yarra Valley is to start sipping on some of Australia’s finest wines with a unique adventure on the side - horse riding! 

Just a short 12-minute drive away from Healesville Sanctuary is Chum Creek Horseriding & Huts which will be your drop off point. From there you’ll be on horseback as you see the majestic views of Australia’s Great Dividing Range and Yarra Valley. 

At the end of your trail ride, you can finally indulge yourself with some great wine in a wine tasting at Tokar Estate Yarra Valley, while looking out to the rolling hills, vineyards, and mountain ranges all around you. Sounds like an epic plan, doesn't it? 

If you don't mind an early start to your day (between 04:00 and 6:00), Yarra Valley Hot Air Ballooning should definitely be on your things to do in Yarra Valley list. Hear us out - we assure you that you won’t ever regret nor forget your Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon experience. It’s definitely worth the early call time! You’ll be flying over hundreds of feet up in the air in your hot air balloon over the vast green landscapes and grapevines of Yarra Valley. 

The Yarra Valley Hot Air Balloon experience is a winner and is definitely one for the books.

Pro tip #1: Upgrade your ticket to the flight + breakfast experience because we’re sure you will be starving after that exhilarating morning. Just imagine a warm, hearty meal waiting for you as you descend from your hot air balloon. Sounds perfect, right?

Pro-tip #2: There is a free pick-up included in the experience so make sure that if you’re staying in an urban area of Yarra Valley to book this for the most hassle-free experience!

If hot air ballooning is not your cup of tea, you can take it up a notch and go skydiving in Yarra Valley instead! If what you’re after is to feel like flying and you’d like to see incredible birds eye views of the valley, skydiving should definitely be in your itinerary. 

Be 15,000 feet up in the air and experience the most exhilarating 60 seconds of your life.

After an adrenaline-filled morning, take a more relaxed afternoon sipping not wine, but maybe some beer and cider to change it up.

Aside from Yarra Valley wineries, another popular destination would be the Yarra Valley Breweries. 

Make a stop at the Coldstream Brewery which is a crowd-favourite because of its relaxed vibe, great staff, and fresh locally-sourced food for lunch and dinner, perfect to be washed down by a glass of Coldstream beer & cider! 

Start your day on an action-packed white water kayak adventure in Yarra River!  You’ll paddle through 5 kilometers of grade 2 rocky rapids and flat waters. It’s the best way to end your trip on a bang if you’re still down for some outdoor adventure. 

If white water kayaking is a bit intense and you’d rather do a more chilled day outdoors, head to the Goulburn River and comfortably paddle across the Goulburn River towards Murray River on this Yarra Valley self-guided safari! Bring some snacks along with you and go on a picnic on a sandbar along the river. You can choose between a whole or half day canoeing adventure. 

Both adventures start at 10am and end at 2pm (half-day) and 4pm (whole day) so there’s plenty of time to relax and take your time on a relaxed paddle. 

After an action-packed weekend in the Yarra Valley, it’s time to head home, hopefully feeling reenergized for the week ahead!