Yarra Valley Foodies Tour with Chandon and Kangaroo Safari!

Kangaroos make a fine dessert. This seven-hour Yarra Valley outing mixes small-group touring with sparkling wine, local cheese, strawberries, chocolate, and a sunset search for wild kangaroos. It is a smart choice if you want countryside, food, and wine without giving up your Melbourne morning.

I especially like the late 11:30 a.m. departure and the relaxed pace. You can have brunch or shop in Melbourne first, then ride out in a comfortable minivan with no need to plan a designated driver. The other big plus is the variety: Domaine Chandon, Yarra Valley Dairy, Yering Station, the Chocolaterie, and a wildlife stop all fit into one day.

The main drawback is that lunch is not included, and the food options at Chandon may feel limited. The tour also covers a lot of ground in seven hours, so you get a good taste of the valley rather than a long, quiet visit at any one winery.

Key points at a glance

• Late start: Leave Federation Square at 11:30 a.m., leaving your morning free in Melbourne.
• Food and wine variety: Taste sparkling wine, cool-climate wines, local cheese, strawberries, chocolate, and ice cream.
• Small-group feel: The minivan carries a maximum of about 11 guests, with booking information describing the group as limited to 12 participants.
• Strong guides: Guides including Craig, Kurt, Elliot, Tom, and Steve have been praised for friendly service, local facts, safe driving, and good timing.
• Wildlife finish: The tour visits a known kangaroo area around sunset, when the animals are more likely to be active.
• Price and value: At $123 per person, the package is good value if you want several tastings, transport, guiding, and wildlife viewing in one outing.

Why the 11:30 a.m. departure works so well

Many Yarra Valley wine tours leave Melbourne early. This one takes a different approach. You meet behind Federation Square, near the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street by the NGV rear entrance, then board a white Yarra Valley Touring Co bus or minivan.

The departure time is useful for anyone staying in central Melbourne. You can visit a museum, have breakfast, browse the shops, or simply sleep in before heading to the meeting point. For a seven-hour tour, the timing also keeps the day from feeling like a dawn-to-dusk production.

The drive to the valley takes about an hour. Your guide provides commentary along the way, with the focus varying by guide. Past guides such as Steve and Stephen have been praised for their regional, wine, geography, Australian culture, and history knowledge, while Craig, Kurt, Elliot, and Tom have earned strong marks for warmth and humor.

The small vehicle matters. With only a handful of people aboard, it is easier to ask questions, chat with your guide, and get to know the rest of the group. Kurt has been praised for remembering every person’s name, while Craig has been noted for creating a friendly group mood. Those details can make a long day in a van feel personal rather than packaged.

A sweet first taste at the strawberry farm

The first food-related stop is a bonus purchase of fresh strawberries at a strawberry farm. The fruit is shared among the group, so this is more of a quick regional treat than a full farm visit.

One person found this opening stop a little slow compared with the later activities. That is fair. If you have limited patience for short produce stops, do not expect a major attraction here. Still, the strawberries add a local touch and help break up the drive before the main tasting venues.

The stop also sets the tone. This is not only a wine tour. The day is built around small tastes from several Yarra Valley producers, with each stop offering a different flavor rather than repeating the same winery routine.

Domaine Chandon brings the best views and sparkling wine

Domaine Chandon is the first major stop, and it is one of the tour’s strongest moments. You receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and learn about Chandon’s connection to Moët et Chandon, along with the basic history and production of Champagne and sparkling wine.

The setting is a major part of the appeal. Your table has a view across the vineyard area, giving you time to sip and enjoy the Yarra Valley scenery. Several people have singled out Chandon as their favorite stop, and it is easy to understand why: the combination of polished surroundings, wine, and open views feels like a proper country escape from Melbourne.

You also have time to buy lunch from the lounge menu and visit the boutique. Lunch costs extra, and the menu can be limited, so plan carefully. One useful tip is to bring a small snack if you have dietary needs or prefer more choice. The tour information notes that regional food options may be limited, and one visitor was glad to have brought food along.

Chandon is not a full cellar-door education session with unlimited time. You get an introduction, a glass, a view, and the option to purchase food and products. For many people, that balance works well. If you are mainly interested in spending hours tasting premium wine, you may wish for a longer stay here.

Yarra Valley Dairy shows the region’s softer side

A short drive leads to Yarra Valley Dairy, a small family-owned producer specializing in soft cheeses made onsite. The tasting gives you a chance to sample a range of cheeses rather than simply buying one wedge from a shop counter.

This is one of the most consistently praised stops. The cheese tasting is generous, and it adds substance to a day that could otherwise become a parade of tiny samples. I like the change of pace here: after sparkling wine and scenic views, you get a closer look at a local food producer.

The stop lasts about an hour, including the visit and tasting. That gives you enough time to try the cheeses without feeling hurried. If cheese is your main interest, you may want more time to browse or buy, but the schedule gives you a fair introduction.

Families can also enjoy this part of the day. Adults get a serious food tasting, while children can take part in the broader food theme, even if the wine stops are less relevant to them.

Yering Station adds serious wine interest

At historic Yering Station, you enjoy a private wine tasting and learn about the winery’s place as Victoria’s first vineyard. The tasting focuses on classic cool-climate wines, including Pinot Noir, a variety for which the Yarra Valley is well known.

This is the tour’s more traditional wine stop. Chandon supplies the sparkling wine and scenic setting, while Yering Station gives you a broader sample of still wines. The contrast keeps the tasting program from feeling repetitive.

The wines have received plenty of attention, particularly Pinot Noir and a Shiraz and Viognier blend that one visitor recommended. Your exact tasting lineup can vary, so do not book expecting a specific bottle. The value here comes from trying a range and listening to your guide and the winery host explain the styles.

Steve and Stephen have been praised for their wine knowledge, while other guides have kept the session light and easygoing. If you are new to Australian wine, this is a useful stop because you get context along with the samples. If you already know the region well, you may prefer a longer tasting or more time at Chandon instead.

One small planning point: the tour includes alcohol, but you do not need to be a dedicated wine enthusiast to enjoy it. The cheese, chocolate, scenery, and wildlife keep the day varied.

Chocolate comes late, with plenty of choice

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery supplies the final major food stop before the kangaroos. You receive private chocolate tastings, learn about couverture chocolate production, and sample a wide selection of flavors. Ingredients from the venue’s gardens are also used in some products.

The shop offers more than 200 chocolate, truffle, and ice cream products made onsite. You get free time to browse and buy treats, which is useful if you want a souvenir that will not take up much room in your luggage.

This stop works especially well for families and anyone with a strong sweet tooth. Several children have enjoyed the chocolate sampling, and adults can choose ice cream or boxed chocolates. The tasting is generous enough to feel like a real part of the tour, not just a token sample.

Expect mixed reactions if chocolate is not your priority. One person found the Chocolaterie fairly average, and the experience is more commercial than the dairy or vineyard visits. I would treat it as a cheerful final tasting and shopping stop rather than the most intimate food encounter of the day.

The kangaroo safari is the payoff

As the afternoon light softens, the minivan heads into the lower Yarra Valley. Kangaroos tend to shelter during the hotter part of the day, so the sunset timing improves your chance of seeing them out in the open.

The tour stops at a known location and lets you walk as close as conditions allow for photographs. This is not a zoo visit or a staged animal encounter. You are looking for wild kangaroos in their natural setting, and the animals decide how close you get.

The operator advertises an exclusive money-back guarantee for seeing wild kangaroos, but the practical information also correctly notes that wildlife is never fully predictable. The usual plan is to visit a reliable location during golden hour, giving you the best available chance rather than absolute control over nature.

In practice, the wildlife portion has been a major highlight. Groups have seen large numbers of kangaroos, including a baby in its mother’s pouch. Guides such as Kurt and Steve have been praised for making this stop a priority and for adjusting their search to find a good viewing area.

This final walk is also a welcome chance to stretch your legs after the tastings and minivan rides. Bring a camera, keep a respectful distance, and do not expect to touch or feed the animals. The magic comes from seeing them behave naturally as the light fades.

What the $123 price really covers

At $123 per person, this is not simply a transfer to the Yarra Valley. The price includes minivan transport from central Melbourne, a live English-speaking guide, sparkling wine at Chandon, cheese tasting, wine tasting at Yering Station, chocolate tastings, and the kangaroo search.

Lunch and personal purchases are extra. You may also want to budget for wine, chocolates, cheese, strawberries, or ice cream to take home. Those extras can add up, but they are optional.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book separate winery transport, pay tasting fees, and arrange a wildlife outing. You get five food and drink themes in one day, along with local commentary and a driver. The small group is another part of the value, especially compared with a large coach tour where stops can feel less personal.

The value is weaker if you want a serious wine education or a leisurely afternoon at one estate. You will spend roughly an hour at each main stop, with driving between them. This tour is designed for variety and convenience, not deep specialization.

Who should book this Yarra Valley day out?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors to the Yarra Valley, couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who wants an easy outing from Melbourne without renting a car.

It suits you particularly well if you like combining food and drink with scenery. You do not need to choose between a winery tour and a wildlife experience because the itinerary includes both.

The late departure is ideal for visitors who want a slower morning. The relaxed pace has been praised repeatedly, and the guides generally keep the schedule moving without making you feel hurried.

You should think twice if you use a wheelchair, as the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Children under two are not accepted, while children aged three and above are welcome. Anyone drinking alcohol must be at least 18 in licensed Australian venues.

Bring photo identification, a camera, cash, and a reusable water bottle. Wear something comfortable for the short walk during the kangaroo viewing, and keep room in your bag for purchases.

Final verdict: book it for variety and wildlife

Book this tour if you want a well-paced introduction to the Yarra Valley with food, wine, and wild animals in one day. The guides are a major strength, the small vehicle keeps the atmosphere friendly, and the kangaroo stop gives the outing a memorable finish.

I would not choose it for an all-day winery marathon or a long gourmet lunch. You will spend less time at each venue than on a specialist wine tour, and lunch planning requires a little thought.

For most visitors to Melbourne, though, $123 is a fair price for the range included. Chandon supplies the best setting, the dairy offers the most satisfying food stop, Yering Station adds proper wine interest, and the kangaroos bring the day home. If you want a simple, varied way to see the countryside, this is an easy one to recommend.

FAQ

Where does the Yarra Valley Foodies Tour depart from?

The meeting point is behind Federation Square, near the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street by the NGV rear entrance. Look for the white vehicle marked Yarra Valley Touring.

What time does the tour leave Melbourne?

The tour departs at 11:30 a.m. from central Melbourne.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours and returns to the Federation Square pickup and drop-off area in the early evening.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is operated as a small-group experience, with a maximum of about 11 guests. Booking information also describes the group as limited to 12 participants, so check the exact capacity when reserving.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have time to buy food at Domaine Chandon, and dietary choices may be limited in regional areas.

What tastings are included?

The tour includes sparkling wine at Domaine Chandon, cheese at Yarra Valley Dairy, a wine tasting at Yering Station, and chocolate tastings at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. A shared strawberry stop is also included.

Will I definitely see kangaroos?

The tour visits a known kangaroo area around sunset, when sightings are common. Wildlife cannot be fully guaranteed, although the operator offers a money-back guarantee for seeing wild kangaroos.

Are children allowed?

Children aged three and above are welcome. Children under two are not suitable for the experience.

Do I need to be 18 to join?

You must be at least 18 to buy or drink alcohol at a licensed venue in Australia. Children can join the tour but cannot take part in the alcohol tastings.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.