Luxury tailormade touring holiday of Victoria's Melbourne and Yarra Valley wine region
Highlights
Melbourne • St Kilda • Williamstown • Mornington Peninsula • Phillip Island • Yarra Valley • Dandenong Ranges
Day by day
Arrive in Melbourne. You a met upon arrival and transferred to your accommodation by private chauffeur. Settle into the time zone and your luxury accommodation.
Having settled into the charm and character of Australia’s most fashionable city, it’s time to explore. Candidly multicultural, it is characterised by a mix of Victorian architecture and a spectacular modern skyline, a vibrant café scene, fantastic food and wine, great beaches, and sophisticated leafy boulevards. Enjoy a day of leisure as you explore the sights and sounds of Australia’s cultural and sporting capital. Of particular interest here might be shopping in the high-end precinct of Collins Street, visiting Melbourne’s glamorous fashion district, or perhaps venturing to Federation Square or the home of cricket at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground).
Today you could spend your time exploring some of Melbourne’s chic and elegant suburbs. The bay side St Kilda, for example, is an excellent place to head in search of great cafes, delectable restaurants, sublime bay side views and a refreshing coastline. Others may opt to head to the rediscovered and historic Williamstown, enjoying the seaside, the history of Melbourne, and again, spectacular bay side views. Further afield, the Mornington Peninsula or even Phillip Island are accessible, and allow for some spectacular scenery and wildlife encounters. Phillip Island for example is home to the ‘Penguin Parade’, a privileged spot from which to watch Little Penguins return to their beachside colonies.
Pick up your 4x4 hire car and drive North East into the charming countryside of rural Victoria. The Yarra Valley is located less than hour away from downtown Melbourne, however it is well recommended that today you take a longer detour through the scenic Dandenong Ranges. This ancient mountain range can be seen from Melbourne city centre on a clear day, and comprises a patchwork quilt of exotic trees, national parks, scenic winding roads and quaint hilltop villages. Stop at a number of artist studios, craft stores and gardens, or embark on a hike in one of the excellent National Park trails. Continue onto the Yarra Valley in the evening and settle into your luxury accommodation with your first taste of the local Pinot noir, and an excellent dinner to match.
After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to explore the wineries of the Yarra Valley. The first vines were planted here in 1838, and since that time, the Yarra Valley has become recognised as one of Australia’s foremost cool climate wine producing regions. A diverse range of varieties are now found in this area, reflecting the dynamic climate, elevation and soil types. It is this variety that now make it such an exciting region to explore for the wine aficionado. From sparkling wines to chardonnay to complex Pinot noirs, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, there are now in excess of 80 wineries producing high quality wine in the Yarra Valley. Spend your day visiting the welcoming cellar doors, and taste and learn about the local wine-making. The main highways of Maroondah, Melba and Warburton are a great way to discover the Yarra Valley. Many of these wineries incorporate great food to match, so you can be sure of a truly gastronomic experience.
Today you could enjoy more wine exploration by visiting some of the most renowned of the Yarra Valley wineries. Key names here include Yering Station, Domaine Chandon, and TarraWarra Estate, but exciting finds can be gleaned from focusing your exploration on more boutique-styled producers. Alternatively, the Yarra Valley has a wealth of natural assets that you could explore for a day that was less wine-centric. For example, there are a number of state and national parks in the area that provide excellent bush walking and cycling. The Centenary Trail for example follows a disused railway line between Warburton and Lilydale, and at 38km it provides an excellent journey for the adventurous. Elsewhere, there are some achingly pretty scenic drives available, particularly through the Warburton, Healesville and Marysville triangle, and for those interested in Australian wildlife, the Healesville Sanctuary is an excellent wildlife sanctuary for Australian fauna.
Wake to sample the last of the scenery and climate before driving back to Melbourne to drop off your hire car and return home. Of course, this tour could form a smaller component in a larger touring holiday of Australia. In which case join the next chapter of your tour today.
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide From about £2,400 per person based on two people sharing a double room and including for economy flights per person.
Holiday Code AUSG09
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury tailormade touring holiday of Victoria's Melbourne and Yarra Valley wine region
Arrive in Melbourne. You a met upon arrival and transferred to your accommodation by private chauffeur. Settle into the time zone and your luxury accommodation.
Having settled into the charm and character of Australia’s most fashionable city, it’s time to explore. Candidly multicultural, it is characterised by a mix of Victorian architecture and a spectacular modern skyline, a vibrant café scene, fantastic food and wine, great beaches, and sophisticated leafy boulevards. Enjoy a day of leisure as you explore the sights and sounds of Australia’s cultural and sporting capital. Of particular interest here might be shopping in the high-end precinct of Collins Street, visiting Melbourne’s glamorous fashion district, or perhaps venturing to Federation Square or the home of cricket at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground).
Today you could spend your time exploring some of Melbourne’s chic and elegant suburbs. The bay side St Kilda, for example, is an excellent place to head in search of great cafes, delectable restaurants, sublime bay side views and a refreshing coastline. Others may opt to head to the rediscovered and historic Williamstown, enjoying the seaside, the history of Melbourne, and again, spectacular bay side views. Further afield, the Mornington Peninsula or even Phillip Island are accessible, and allow for some spectacular scenery and wildlife encounters. Phillip Island for example is home to the ‘Penguin Parade’, a privileged spot from which to watch Little Penguins return to their beachside colonies.
Pick up your 4x4 hire car and drive North East into the charming countryside of rural Victoria. The Yarra Valley is located less than hour away from downtown Melbourne, however it is well recommended that today you take a longer detour through the scenic Dandenong Ranges. This ancient mountain range can be seen from Melbourne city centre on a clear day, and comprises a patchwork quilt of exotic trees, national parks, scenic winding roads and quaint hilltop villages. Stop at a number of artist studios, craft stores and gardens, or embark on a hike in one of the excellent National Park trails. Continue onto the Yarra Valley in the evening and settle into your luxury accommodation with your first taste of the local Pinot noir, and an excellent dinner to match.
After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to explore the wineries of the Yarra Valley. The first vines were planted here in 1838, and since that time, the Yarra Valley has become recognised as one of Australia’s foremost cool climate wine producing regions. A diverse range of varieties are now found in this area, reflecting the dynamic climate, elevation and soil types. It is this variety that now make it such an exciting region to explore for the wine aficionado. From sparkling wines to chardonnay to complex Pinot noirs, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, there are now in excess of 80 wineries producing high quality wine in the Yarra Valley. Spend your day visiting the welcoming cellar doors, and taste and learn about the local wine-making. The main highways of Maroondah, Melba and Warburton are a great way to discover the Yarra Valley. Many of these wineries incorporate great food to match, so you can be sure of a truly gastronomic experience.
Today you could enjoy more wine exploration by visiting some of the most renowned of the Yarra Valley wineries. Key names here include Yering Station, Domaine Chandon, and TarraWarra Estate, but exciting finds can be gleaned from focusing your exploration on more boutique-styled producers. Alternatively, the Yarra Valley has a wealth of natural assets that you could explore for a day that was less wine-centric. For example, there are a number of state and national parks in the area that provide excellent bush walking and cycling. The Centenary Trail for example follows a disused railway line between Warburton and Lilydale, and at 38km it provides an excellent journey for the adventurous. Elsewhere, there are some achingly pretty scenic drives available, particularly through the Warburton, Healesville and Marysville triangle, and for those interested in Australian wildlife, the Healesville Sanctuary is an excellent wildlife sanctuary for Australian fauna.
Wake to sample the last of the scenery and climate before driving back to Melbourne to drop off your hire car and return home. Of course, this tour could form a smaller component in a larger touring holiday of Australia. In which case join the next chapter of your tour today.
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide From about £2,400 per person based on two people sharing a double room and including for economy flights per person.
Holiday Code AUSG09
Our prices include
● Return scheduled flights with British Airways, Qantas or Emirates from London to Melbourne in economy class
● Transfers and car hire where specified in our itinerary
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in Melbourne
● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in Yarra Valley
● The meals included with your tour will vary by chosen accommodation. Please see our hotel suggestions for included board basis.
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except as specified in our hotel suggestions
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, payable locally to the hotel
● Optional tours and activities within each location, except where explicitly specified as included in our itinerary, or by hotels in our hotel lists
● Visa and Passport. You will need a full British passport with at least six months validity, and a Visa for travel to Australia. Visas requirements should be checked with the Australian authorities. More details are available from www.eta.immi.gov.au
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury tailormade touring holiday of Victoria's Melbourne and Yarra Valley wine region
The Lyall Hotel is an exclusive and elegant luxury hotel that boasts good facilities and a highly sought-after location. Excellent spa facilities and supremely comfortable accommodation make this an unbeatable spot from which to enjoy the delights of Melbourne.
Deluxe One Bedroom Suite
Park Hyatt Melbourne is a 5-star hotel offering luxurious style in an excellent central location. Award winning cuisine, comfortable accommodation and stylish interiors make it an ideal spot to recuperate after a day enjoying the delights of Melbourne.
King room
Chateau Yering is a luxury 5-star boutique hotel, full of historic charm and character in the Yarra Valley wine region. The award winning dining, opulent design and beautiful grounds afford guests a truly indulgent and relaxing experience.
Melba suite
I enjoyed every minute of the tour. Cindy-Marie was simply fantastic and her knowledge, kindness and humour was all that I could have asked for. This was a first class experience. Thank you for making it all happen.Customer on Tuscan wine tour, June 2022
Holiday price guide From about £2,400 per person based on two people sharing a double room and including for economy flights per person.
Holiday Code AUSG09
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury tailormade touring holiday of Victoria's Melbourne and Yarra Valley wine region
About Victoria and Melbourne
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Victoria and Melbourne offers travellers the chance to glimpse just some of the country’s post-colonial history. Australia’s smallest mainland state can be divided into two distinct regions – east and west. East Victoria’s cooler climate provides the ideal conditions for vineyards, and so it is no surprise that the region is home to the world-class wines of the Yarra Valley and Rutherglen. The legacy of Australia’s gold rush can still be seen in the ornate buildings of west Victoria, which is also known for the striking landforms and the magnificent shoreline of the Great Ocean Road. Undoubtedly Australia’s cultural and sporting capital, Melbourne is a multi-cultural city, characterised by its vibrant café scene, grand Victorian buildings and leafy boulevards.
