Four tastings, then wild kangaroos. This small-group Yarra Valley food-and-wine day pairs Chandon views with a real wildlife finish, all with round-trip transfers from Melbourne.

I love how the schedule mixes cheese, wine, and chocolate instead of turning into one long tasting room sprint. I also like that the group stays small (up to 12), so guides like Craig, Kurt, Aliot, Tom, and Steven can actually talk to you by name.

The main thing to consider: it is not a pure wine immersion day. You get wine tastings, but lunch at Chandon is extra and the day is built around food plus kangaroos.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Small group size (max 12) for a more personal, chat-friendly day
• Chandon + Yarra Valley views with sparkling wine tasting options and paid add-ons
• Yarra Valley Dairy cheese tasting with both cow and goat cheeses made onsite
• Yering Station cool-climate wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz
• Private chocolate tasting followed by time to browse a shop and cafe
• Kangaroo safari at Kangaroo Ground at the end of the tour for great photo chances

Yarra Valley from Melbourne: how the timing feels

This tour starts in Melbourne at Federation Square, with pickup/drop-off at the bus and coach zone on Russell Ct. Your start time is 11:30am, and the whole day runs about 7 hours (give or take depending on traffic and timing between stops). There’s a mobile ticket, which is handy if you like to travel light and skip paper.

What I like about the timing is that it’s late enough to avoid the early-morning scramble, but not so late that you lose the best daylight for views and photos. Once you leave the city, you get that classic Yarra Valley rhythm: quick breaks, short tastings that actually matter, then a big wildlife payoff at the end.

Stop 1: Farm Fresh produce stop for strawberries

Before you even hit the wineries, you get a quick hit of local farming at Farm Fresh Yarra Valley Produce. The plan is a short stop (about 15 minutes) to try strawberries from the strawberry farm, with the ticket included.

This is a smart warm-up. It gets you thinking about the ingredients you’ll taste later, and it breaks up the drive from Melbourne. If you’re the kind of person who likes to snack between long sits on the road, this early stop helps. It’s short, though, so don’t count on it for a full meal.

Chandon at Yarra Valley: sparkling wine, big views, and paid add-ons

Domaine Chandon is usually the star of the day for many people, and it’s easy to see why. You arrive for about an hour with a lounge setup and stunning Yarra Valley views. This is also where you sample Chandon sparkling wine.

One practical note: the tour includes the structured tasting experience, but things like lunch and extra pours can cost extra. The schedule makes room for you to purchase lunch from the lounge, so you’re not forced to eat before you arrive, but you should expect to pay if you want a sit-down meal here.

If you care about photos, this is one of your best bets. Reviews highlight that the winery setting is a great place to shoot pictures, and even if you’re not buying anything, the view plus tasting makes it feel like you’re getting value for the travel time.

Yarra Valley Dairy cheese tasting: cow and goat, not just one quick bite

Next comes Yarra Valley Dairy, where you get about an hour for cheese tasting at a boutique operation in the valley. The standout here is the variety: you sample a generous range of cows and goats cheeses made onsite.

This is the stop that often convinces people who are not strict wine fans that the tour still makes sense. Cheese tastings give you a different pace. You can slow down, compare flavors, ask questions, and not feel like you’re racing to the next place the minute you leave your seat.

Also, because cheese is the kind of thing you can actually buy and take home, this is a very practical tasting. If you’re planning on a cheese board for later, this is the moment to decide what you want to bring back.

Yering Station winery tasting: Pinot, Chardonnay, Shiraz

After dairy, you head to Yering Station for another hour (about). This is one of the winery stops built around classic cool-climate varieties. Expect tastings that include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, plus more.

If your idea of wine is more than just one pour, this stop fits well. You’re not stuck doing the same flavor profile over and over, and you get a chance to learn the style differences between the grapes. The tour includes the wine tasting here, which matters for value: you’re not paying extra on top of the base price just to taste.

One more point I’d keep in mind: since the day is packed with cheese and chocolate too, pace yourself. It’s easy to overdo it when everyone around you is buying a few bottles to bring home. Plan to taste, enjoy, and keep room for the sweeter stuff later.

Chocolate and ice cream stop: private tasting, then time to browse

The final food stop before wildlife is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. You’ll have about an hour here, starting with an exclusive private chocolate tasting, and then you get free time to visit the shop and cafe.

This is where the experience leans playful. People describe the chocolate factory setup as a fun, candy-like dream, and the private tasting is the part that makes it feel more than just a drive-by shop stop. The sampling format gives you the chance to compare flavors instead of just buying the first thing that looks good.

If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t drink wine, this stop does a lot of the heavy lifting. It also works well for families and mixed groups because chocolate and ice cream are the universal language of I want that.

Kangaroo Ground safari: the best ending to the day

The day closes with Kangaroo Safari time at Kangaroo Ground. You get about 30 minutes to join the safari to a secret spot to see wild kangaroos.

This is a key part of why this tour is different from a standard Yarra Valley wine route. The driving takes you through rural areas, and the guide brings you to a specific viewing spot for the wildlife portion. Many people mention seeing large numbers of kangaroos and getting close enough for strong photos.

A realistic tip: it can be easier to get great shots when you’re ready for quick movements and short bursts of viewing time. Keep your phone/camera charged, and don’t be shy about stepping a little closer when the group stops and the guide signals it’s okay. The whole point is to catch that moment while they’re out and active.

Price and value: what $125.52 really covers

At $125.52 per person, this tour is priced as a mid-range half-day-style excursion from Melbourne, even though the day runs about 7 hours. The best value comes from what’s included:

• Cheese tastings at Yarra Valley Dairy
• Wine tastings at Yering Station
• Chocolate tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
• Round-trip transfers from Melbourne (Federation Square pickup/drop-off)
• A strawberry tasting stop en route

Lunch at Chandon is the big item that is not included, and Chandon-related purchases (like additional drinks or meals) are also your call. But the core tasting content across four major stops is already built in.

When I think about value, I look at the mix. If you only want one type of experience, you might question the price. If you want a day that gives you multiple tastes—wine, cheese, chocolate—plus wildlife, the ticket price starts to make sense quickly. People rate this tour extremely high overall, and the consistent theme is that it packs a lot into a well-paced afternoon.

Group size and the guide factor (why it feels easy)

The tour is capped at 12 travelers, which is a big deal in the Yarra Valley. Small groups generally mean less waiting, more time for questions, and a smoother flow between places. You’ll also feel the difference in the way guides manage timing and keep everyone together.

Guides seen in recent experiences include Aliot, Craig, Kurt/Curtis, Tom, and Steve/Steven. The common thread is a friendly, organized approach, with explanations along the drive and at each stop. Even when you’re just there to sample and take photos, a good guide helps you get the most out of the time you have.

Also, because the day includes multiple tastings, the guide’s pacing matters. Too fast and you miss the flavor comparisons; too slow and you run out of time for the kangaroo stop. This itinerary is built to avoid both extremes.

What to do before you go (practical tips that help)

If you want the day to feel smooth, do these things:

• Eat something light before pickup. There are tastings, but lunch at Chandon is at your own expense.
• Wear shoes you’re comfortable standing in, especially for the kangaroo viewing portion.
• Bring a camera setup you can actually use quickly; the kangaroos can move, and the viewing window is short.
• If you don’t drink alcohol, you can still enjoy wine tastings. Just keep expectations realistic: tastings are part of the schedule, but the day also leans hard into cheese and chocolate.

If you’re sensitive to noise or crowds, the small-group cap will help. It still is a tour day, so you’ll move in a group between venues, but it’s not a huge bus scenario.

Who should book this tour

I’d put this on your shortlist if you want:

• A fun Yarra Valley food-and-wine day without driving
• A mix of cheese + wine + chocolate, not just winery hopping
• A memorable ending that isn’t another tasting room
• A small-group experience from Melbourne with transfers handled for you

I’d think twice if:

• You expect the day to be mostly wine-focused, with long winery time
• You’re not interested in chocolate or cheese at all
• You want an unstructured day for shopping only (this tour is scheduled with tastings and a set order)

Should you book this Yarra Valley Foodies Tour?

If you like variety, this is an easy yes. The itinerary is built around included tastings across Chandon, dairy cheese, classic cool-climate wine, and chocolate, then caps it with a kangaroo safari that gives the whole day a clear climax. At $125.52, you’re paying for transportation plus multiple tasting experiences, not just a single venue.

If you’re a wine-only person, you might feel it’s too balanced with food and wildlife. But if you want a day that tastes like the Yarra Valley and ends with something you can’t buy in a shop, this one fits the bill.

FAQ

Is lunch included on the tour?

Lunch is not included. At Chandon, you can purchase lunch from the lounge at your own expense.

What’s included in the tastings?

The tour includes cheese tastings at Yarra Valley Dairy and a private chocolate tasting at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. Wine tastings at Yering Station are included too.

Does the tour include Chandon sparkling wine?

You’ll visit Domaine Chandon for a tasting experience. The tour notes that trying Chandon sparkling wine can involve additional expense, so it’s smart to plan for optional purchases.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 7 hours.

Where does the tour start in Melbourne?

Pickup and drop-off are at Federation Square Bus & Coach Pickup Drop-off Zone, Russell Ct, Melbourne VIC 3000. The start time is 11:30am.

How many people are on the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Is there a kangaroo safari?

Yes. The final stop includes a Kangaroo Safari at Kangaroo Ground for about 30 minutes at a secret spot to see wild kangaroos.