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Image via Yarra Valley Lodge

A Romantic Winter Weekend Away – 48 Hours in Yarra Valley

Whether it’s a honeymoon destination, lover’s weekend getaway or perhaps a reconnoitre trip to plan your dream wedding, the Yarra Valley – and Yarra Valley Lodge provide the best backdrop to explore, eat and drink your way around! 

Friday Afternoon:   Check into the Yarra Valley Lodge

Check into your accommodation in the luxurious Yarra Valley Lodge, perfectly situated within the picturesque Yarra Valley wine region. Snuggle up with your partner and relax taking in the stunning views and watching the sunset over the rolling hills from your balcony with a wine in hand.

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Image via Yarra Valley Lodge

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Image via Innocent Bystander

Friday 6pm: An early dinner at the Innocent Bystander

Enjoy an early dinner in the cozy ambience of the Innocent Bystander with attentive staff and exceptional service. You will enjoy the paella and pizza options, tasting the local beers, wine and delicious cider made on site. The live music creates a great atmosphere and it will be difficult to drag yourself away, however with an early start planned for tomorrow it’s best to make it an early night.

Saturday 6am: Hot Air Ballooning

An early wakeup call is worth it to experience the breathtaking views of the Yarra Valley in a hot air balloon. Watch the landscape awaken as the sun rises over rolling hills, farms and vineyards and even take home an inflight photo of the two of you flying high in this truly memorable and unforgettable experience.

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Image via Yarra Valley Lodge 

Saturday 8:00am: Yarra Valley Permaculture Organic Market

Enjoy a tasty breakfast washed down with an aromatic coffee using organic coffee beans when you arrive. Then explore the local stalls and fresh seasonal produce – try picking up organic breads, meats, fruits, chocolates and more at the Yarra Valley Permaculture Organic Market. These will all come in handy for your adventures tomorrow!

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Image via Yarra Valley Permaculture Organic Market

Saturday 10:00am: Enjoy a private Yarra Valley winery tour

It’s a romantic escape, so drop off your goodies from the market, leave the car keys behind and enjoy a private tour with an experienced tour guide from Wild Wombat Winery Tours and spend the day exploring the incredible Yarra Valley.

Saturday 10:30am: First stop – Domaine Chandon!

Domaine Chandon offers the closest experience you will have to experience true French Champagne-making in Australia.   Chandon is the only Australian sparking with genuine French heritage which began over 30 years ago when a team of Chandon’s wine experts in France struck gold in finding the perfect home in the Yarra Valley. Chandon has the same blood line as the Moet & Chandon, Domaine Chandon and combines its French heritage with Australian expertise to create one of Australia’s best bubbles. The well-manicured vineyards and gardens are also worth exploring. If you are not a fan of bubbles, then there are some lovely reds to enjoy as well.

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Image via Chandon Winery

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Image via Chandon Winery

Saturday 11:30am: Wine tasting and Lunch at De Bortoli

After tasting incredible wine at the DeBortoli cellar door, it’s time to enjoy a seasonal tasting plate followed by something a little more filling from their Italian influenced menu as you continue to enjoy the wine you enjoyed the most taking in the ambience and the breathtaking views. Enjoy a coffee but hold off on dessert there is more to explore this afternoon.

Saturday 2pm: Discover hand-made farmhouse cheese at the Yarra Valley Dairy

While you have had a long leisurely lunch, there is always room to taste the incredible offering of fresh cheeses at the Yarra Valley Dairy. The cheese factory uses locally sourced milk from the Yarra Valley Dairy farms and goats milk form the neighbouring Victorian region of Gippsland and if you like something a little spicier you cannot go past the ‘Firey’ marinated cheese, if chilli isn’t your thing, the Persian Fetta is delish and the ashed pyramid is mouthwatering. Make certain you stock up on a few items before you leave!

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Image via Yarra Valley Dairy

Saturday 3:00pm: Round off your tour with a Gin Tasting

Finish your tour with a visit to the Four Pillars Gin distillery. At the distillery cellar door, you will learn how to taste gin properly and really feel the flavours appear. The flavours on offer are distinctively Australian, with Eucalyptus, lemon myrtle and Tasmanian bush peppercorn being only some of the ingredients you will be able to recognise in the four varieties of gin. While you are there you can look through the glass windows at the three copper stills in the distillery itself.

Saturday 7.00pm: Dinner at The Stables

Dinner at The Stables at Stones is the perfect location for an intimate and romantic dinner. Originally built in the 1800’s as stable hand quarters and beautifully restored and converted into a stunning restaurant retaining its historic feel with red brick walls, manicured gardens and a quaint outdoor terrace area with the most incredible views.   Here you can enjoy an exquisite five or seven course degustation tasting menu with matching wines from the region making this a night to remember.

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Image via The Stables at Stones

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Image via The Stables at Stones

Sunday 9am: The Perfect Buffet Breakfast at Bella Restaurant

Enjoy a Sunday sleep in followed by a leisurely buffet breakfast at Bella Restaurant at the Yarra Valley Lodge. Here, you can enjoy an abundance of fresh regional produce and continue to take in the stunning views as you watch kangaroos, birds and other wildlife that call this area home.

Sunday 10:30am: Check out of the hotel and Check into nature

It’s time to check out of the hotel – but the romantic weekend is far from over! So, lace up your walking shoes and gather up your locally sourced cheese and goodies you purchased yesterday (and your favourite wine purchase) and its time to set off and explore a different side of the Yarra Valley.

Sunday 11:30am: Redwood Forest Tree Art

Where else in Australia can you walk around a California Redwood Forest?? Yarra Valley that’s where! Some of these trees stand nearly 180 feet tall. The forest is filled with art installations made from nature and plenty of walking tracks and wildlife.

Image via Visit Yarra Valley

Sunday 1:30pm: Picnic Lunch at Coldstream Winery

Coldstream Hills winery allows you to BYO a picnic on their balcony and land (you only need to purchase a glass or two from them!) … so fold out the picnic blanket, unpack all of your gourmet locally sourced goodies, open up that nice bottle of wine, and after all that exercise its time to enjoy a relaxed and romantic picnic together enjoying the surrounds and watching the wildlife.

Sunday 3:00pm: Homeward Bound … After a stop at Yarra Valley Farm

These guys source fresh produce from around the Yarra Valley region, so you won’t go home empty handed! Plus they have not only produce, but homewares, handmade jewellery, freshly pressed Yarra Valley olive oils, cordials and more. It’s right next door to Yarra Valley Lodge so easy swing by en route home!

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Ms Zebra Says: Talk about a heap of amazing activities?! I’m literally booking this right now! What an amazing weekend getaway – so much glorious food, wine and exploring!!! 

About Yarra Valley Lodge: Beautifully appointed and set at the foothills of the stunning Yarra Ranges, Yarra Valley Lodge is positioned in an area of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by superb manicured gardens and rolling green hills. Yarra Valley Lodge is a perfect destination for your wedding  – whether it be boutique and intimate or large cocktail celebrations – featuring magnificent reception venues with an idyllic natural backdrop all within a comfortable drive from Melbourne.