Kangaroos and vineyards, plus a gin option, make this a fun Yarra Valley hit. I like the small group vibe (10 to 20 people) and the fact that tasting fees are included, so you can focus on sampling instead of planning. One thing to watch: it’s a packed day, so wine pours and tastings can feel time-boxed, and Summer heat plus alcohol isn’t for everyone.

You’ll get a smooth, car-based day out of Melbourne with a clear start at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire and a return to Federation Square by late afternoon. The mix is part of the appeal: strawberries and seasonal fruit in the morning, hosted tastings at iconic estates, then chocolate and (if you opt in) a gin flight at a working distillery.

The downside is simple. Lunch at St Hubert Estate is on your own budget, and some extra tastings after lunch cost extra. If you want one winery to linger at for hours, this isn’t that kind of tour.

Quick hits

• 10–20 people keeps the day friendly, not crowded
• All tasting fees included (easy planning) with optional gin upgrade
• Chocolate tasting up to 12 creations plus ice creamery treats to follow
• St Hubert Estate lunch at Quarters, with optional paid add-on tastings
• Gin distillery depends on day: Stag Lane or Four Pillars

Entering Yarra Valley from Melbourne the easy way

This tour is built for people who want Yarra Valley without the stress of driving and juggling addresses. The timing is set up for a long day: meet early in Melbourne, then you spend the daylight hours moving between producers and tastings. By the end, you’re back around 5:30pm, which is the sweet spot for a day trip.

I also appreciate the “small group” approach. With 10 to 20 guests, there’s room for questions and conversation in the van, and you’re less likely to feel like one more number in a busload. In past departures, guides like Shauny, Danny, Posi, Stefan, and Sean have been praised for keeping the day upbeat and well-paced, with plenty of personality.

And yes, you’ll still be tasting. But it’s not only wine. This is a food-and-drink sampler day: strawberries, chocolate, and gin, with winery stops slotted in so you get variety without needing to book multiple tours.

The morning launch: Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am

Your day starts at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire. The meeting point is in front of the spire, near a café stand; the tour notes to look for a stand called Protagonist.

You’re told to be there at 8:45am, with a sharp 9:00am departure. That matters. If you’re even a few minutes late, you can throw off the whole rhythm of a multi-stop schedule. I’d recommend grabbing breakfast beforehand, since lunch isn’t included later.

The tour also uses a mobile ticket, which is handy if you don’t want paper clutter. And the return ends at ACMI near Federation Square, so you land back in a central spot for an easy transit connection.

Yarra Farm Fresh: strawberries and seasonal fruit as your opener

One of my favorite ways to start a tasting day is with something that isn’t alcohol. The tour typically begins at Yarra Farm Fresh for a fruit-focused stop, where strawberries are front and center.

You’ll have about 40 minutes here, and it’s not only about eating berries. Expect seasonal fruit and local jams alongside your strawberries. There’s even a limited-time bonus noted by the operator: a complimentary punnet of strawberries per booking is included until 28 February 2026, subject to availability.

This first stop does two smart things. It gives you a palate-friendly head start before wine and gin, and it helps you feel like you’re actually in Yarra Valley, not just visiting cellars in a blur. If you’re the kind of person who likes breakfast food and fresh produce, you’ll be glad you started here.

Yering Station: hosted tastings at a classic Yarra estate

Next up is Yering Station, described as the oldest winery in Yarra Valley and one of the region’s most iconic properties. You’ll have around 50 minutes for this stop, including wine tastings with a host.

What makes this stop worth your time is the pairing of atmosphere and structure. You’re not wandering around on your own, hoping someone hands you a tasting flight. Instead, you’re guided through tastings, which makes it easier to compare styles across the day.

A practical note: because the schedule includes multiple tastings across several locations, you should expect pours to be “tasting size,” not a long session. If you’re chasing a very specific grape or vintage, you may want to buy a bottle at the end of the day from the place that hits best for you.

St Hubert Estate and lunch at Quarters (what’s included and what’s not)

About mid-day, the tour shifts to St Hubert Estate for lunch. The stop runs about 1 hour, and you’ll eat at Quarters, St Hubert’s bistro.

Here’s the key thing: lunch is not included. You’ll purchase mains and drinks on your own budget. Lunch time is roughly 11:45am, so plan to eat breakfast and don’t arrive hungry.

The value of St Hubert is that it’s more than just a meal. You’ll also have time to explore the cellar door area and there’s an indigenous art gallery on site, giving you something cultural to do between tastings. And if you want more alcohol after lunch, the tour notes optional tastings may be available, usually an additional fee (often around A$15 per person) for whisky, gin, or wine.

If your goal is to keep costs predictable, treat lunch as your main extra expense and decide later if you want those add-on tastings.

Yering Farm Wines: wine tastings plus apple cider

After lunch, the tour typically moves to Yering Farm Wines for about 45 minutes. This is a more rustic-feeling stop, with classic Yarra Valley wines and a refreshing finish.

One of the most useful details here: the tour notes that at Yering Farm Estate, the tastings include an apple cider sample (on most days). That’s a smart change of pace. When the day includes multiple wine tastings, cider gives your palate a breather.

There’s also a contingency you should know. On rare occasions, this winery may be unavailable due to private events or closures. If there’s a substitute winery, the cider tasting may not be included. So if the cider is a must for you, double-check your date closer to departure when the operator confirms the day’s itinerary.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery: a guided chocolate tasting

If you want a break from wine and a moment of pure pleasure, the chocolate stop is it. The tour visits Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for a guided tasting.

You’ll get about 45 minutes here, and the guided experience can include up to 12 hand-crafted chocolate creations. It’s one of the more structured food stops on the day, which helps if you don’t want to guess what to buy.

One balanced take: chocolate tastings are fun, but they can also feel a bit commercial depending on the day. So if you’re after a quiet, artisanal vibe only, you might want to buy your favorites here and save the deeper indulgence for later.

Gin time: Stag Lane Distillery or Four Pillars (optional flight)

Now for the part that makes this tour different from a standard wine day: gin.

The tour supports a gin tasting flight upgrade. If you choose the full tasting experience, you’ll sample a gin paddle at a local distillery, served with a mixer. If you don’t pick the gin option, the tour notes they may extend the final stop by about 15 minutes and adjust departure earlier for a smooth return.

The distillery choice 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

This matters because both distilleries have distinct personalities. If gin is the main reason you booked, I’d treat this as a decision point and check your calendar day before assuming which brand you’ll visit.

Also, if you’re sensitive to alcohol, remember the tour is intentionally paired with tastings throughout the day. It’s not a “one sip and you’re done” experience unless you plan your pace.

How the schedule affects your taste buds (and your photos)

The itinerary is built around many stops in one day, which is great for variety but explains the biggest trade-off: time at each place is limited.

At the wineries, you’ll spend enough time to do the tasting, ask questions, and take a few photos—then you move on. That can feel efficient, or it can feel rushed, depending on what you want.

Two tips that help:

• Pace your alcohol early. Your morning strawberry and fruit stop helps, but you still taste later.
• Take photos right after you taste, not before. That way you’re not rushing to capture a shot while your hands are sticky from chocolate or your brain is focused on what you just tasted.

If your top priority is deep study of one cellar, you’d probably be happier with a half-day winery tour. If your top priority is a wide spread of Yarra flavors—wine, chocolate, fruit, and gin—this format does the job.

Is the price worth it for the right kind of day?

The tour price is $93.24 per person, and the big value angle is that the tour is all-inclusive for tasting fees. You’re not paying separately for each guided tasting, which usually becomes the hidden cost of DIY plans.

You do have extra expenses:

• Lunch at St Hubert Estate is not included, so budget for your meal.
• Optional tastings after lunch (like whisky, gin, or wine) at St Hubert can cost extra, often around A$15 per person.
• If you want the gin flight, you’ll likely need to choose the full tasting experience option.

So here’s the practical way to judge value. If you want wine tastings plus chocolate and you’re interested in gin, you’re probably getting your money’s worth by not having to coordinate multiple stops. If you only care about one category, like wine only, you may find a simpler wine-focused tour is a better match.

Who should book this Yarra Valley day, and who should skip it

This tour fits best when you want one-day variety. It’s especially good if:

• You like multiple producers in a single visit
• You want chocolate and fruit as real stops, not side notes
• You’d rather drink without driving

It may not be ideal if:

• You can’t handle stairs or mobility challenges. The operator notes it isn’t suitable for people with mobility issues because some experiences can involve climbing stairs.
• Summer heat is a concern. The tour warns it can be hot and sunny and that it’s not a great match if you can’t tolerate heat alongside alcohol.
• You want a slow, linger-at-one-winery pace. The day is structured for movement.

Families with kids can join. Children aged 4 to 17 are welcome, but they won’t be served alcoholic tastings.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your dream Yarra Valley day looks like: tasting several places, eating chocolate on purpose, starting with fruit, and adding gin if the day’s flight matches your taste. The small group size and included tasting fees are a big part of why it works.

Skip or consider alternatives if you’re chasing a quieter, slower winery experience or if you know you’ll struggle with heat, walking, or stairs. Also, if you’re extremely picky about wines and only want big pours from a top favorite estate, know that this format trades depth for range.

If you’re flexible and you want an efficient, flavorful day without driving, this is the kind of tour that turns Yarra Valley into something easy and fun.

FAQ

Where do I meet, and what time does the tour start?

You meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire at 8:45am. The recommended landmark is the café stand in front of the spire called Protagonist. The tour aims to depart at 9:00am sharp.

What time will I be back in Melbourne?

The tour notes you’ll usually return to the drop-off point by 5:30pm or earlier.

How many people are on this tour?

This experience has a maximum group size of 20 travelers and is described as a small-group format of about 10 to 20.

Is lunch included at St Hubert Estate?

No. Lunch at St Hubert Estate at Quarters is not included. You purchase your own meal and drinks.

Does the price cover tasting fees?

The tour is described as all-inclusive for tasting fees, so tasting costs are included for the stops on the schedule. However, optional tastings at St Hubert Estate after lunch (like wine, gin, or whisky) are typically an additional fee.

How do I add gin to the tour?

You can upgrade to the full tasting experience to include a gin tasting flight (gin paddle) at the distillery, served with a mixer. If you skip the gin option, the tour adjusts timing for a smoother return.

Which distillery do we visit for gin flights on different days?

Stag Lane Farm Distillery is visited on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Four Pillars Distillery is visited on Tuesday and Wednesday.

What happens if the tour is cancelled due to extreme weather, or if I need to cancel?

If the tour is cancelled due to extreme weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund. For cancellations by you, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; cancellations within 24 hours of the start time are not refunded.

Are kids allowed, and do they taste alcohol?

Children aged 4 to 17 are welcome, but they won’t be served alcoholic tastings.