How to get to the Yarra Valley (and how to get around once you’re there)

The Yarra Valley wine region is conveniently located just outside Melbourne, making it a perfect destination for a day trip or short getaway. So what are your options to get there? Good news: there are several possibilities, depending on your timeframe – and you won’t necessarily need someone to forgo the fun as your designated driver. Here’s a complete guide on how to get to the Yarra Valley (and how to get around to wineries and other sights once you’re there).

Getting to the Yarra Valley by car

The Yarra Valley is less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne, and the trip from the airport (if you’re heading straight to the valley upon arriving in Victoria) takes about the same time. From the CBD, you’ll take the M3 through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, while from the airport, you can cut across the north of the city via the M80.

Many Yarra Valley wineries are clustered around the Melba and Maroondah Highways, between towns like Coldstream, Yarra Glen and Healesville. You can drive from one cellar door to the next in a matter of minutes, making it easy to fit several stops into a day of wine tasting.

Going to the Yarra Valley by car is a great choice if:

• you want to plan your own schedule and have full flexibility over where you go and how long you spend at each location
• you’re going for multiple days
• you have someone in your travel party who’s willing to be the driver (and not drink)
• you’re planning on bringing back wines by the dozen!

Here are a few tips for a self-driving tour of the Yarra Valley:

• Pick up a map (widely available at wineries in the area, or from visitor info centres in Melbourne CBD) to draw out your planned route.
• The wineries and attractions generally have ample parking (although some popular locations may get a little crowded during weekends and school holidays).
• There are big penalties for driving while over the blood alcohol limit in Victoria (not to mention it’s extremely dangerous). So if you’re visiting some of the many wineries, breweries and distilleries in the Yarra Valley, make sure you have a designated driver who’s willing to abstain from tasting. 
• You can rent a car from several different companies within Melbourne or at the airport, with prices starting at less than $100 per day.

Visiting the Yarra Valley without a car

If you’ve travelled interstate or internationally to visit Victoria, you might not have access to a car. Or maybe no-one wants to be the designated driver and miss out on sampling the region’s finest drops! That’s okay: there are a few other ways you can get to and around the Yarra Valley.

Getting to and around the Yarra Valley by public transport

You can get to the Yarra Valley area via public transport from Melbourne CBD. It will take around 2 to 2.5 hours to reach Healesville (one of the main towns to stay in with several options for eating out). First, take a metro train to Lilydale from any station on the City Loop (about a 1 hour journey). Then catch the 685 bus for a 35- to 40-minute journey to Healesville. 

You could easily make this journey in the morning and arrive by 12pm. And the last bus back leaves Healesville after 9pm each day. That means it’s entirely possible to do a day trip and visit several cellar doors in Healesville without a car. 

You’ll need a Myki card (used for public transport throughout Melbourne and Victoria) preloaded with money to pay your fare. Fares are capped at rates that are very cheap for a longer journey like this. As of early 2025, it’s $11 a day for unlimited travel, or just $7.60 on weekends and public holidays!

From Healesville, there are a handful of wineries that you can walk to or access via the 685 bus route. The bus runs roughly every 40 minutes. With the daily Myki caps, this is the absolute cheapest way to get around the Yarra Valley. But you will be somewhat limited in destinations and timing. 

Yarra Valley private transfer and taxi services

For a direct ride to the Yarra Valley, there are several private transfer operators offering door-to-door service from your Melbourne accommodation or airport to your destination. Book ahead.

Once you’re in the region, taxis are available. This could be a handy way to get around on your own schedule, especially if you only need to take a couple of trips. While Uber does operate in the region, drivers are scarce and I wouldn’t rely on being able to get a ride through the app. Save the numbers for Healesville Taxis and Yarra Valley Taxi in your phone, and book ahead wherever possible.

Yarra Valley group tours

There are many half-day or full-day tours of the Yarra Valley on offer from a range of operators. Pick-ups are typically available from central Melbourne locations or in the Valley itself. Some are all about the wineries, while others may incorporate other attractions like breweries, distilleries, or gourmet food producers (like the famous Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and delightful Yarra Valley Dairy)! There are plenty of amazing attractions in the Yarra Valley, and an organised tour is a good way to hit up several highlights in a day.

Booking a group tour in the Yarra Valley is a great idea if:

• you want someone else to do all the planning
• you’re happy to be surprised with wineries on the itinerary 
• you don’t drive, don’t want to drive, don’t have someone willing to be your designated driver or don’t have a car
• you’re keen to meet new people
• you want to benefit from the knowledge of a local guide.

Hop-on, hop-off bus

Hop It offers a choose-your-own-adventure style option for exploring the Yarra Valley. Just buy a ticket for the hop-on, hop-off bus; choose one of their two routes; and pick your own stops from over a dozen options. You can start from Melbourne CBD or Lilydale Train Station and visit up to four locations during the day.

A hop-on, hop-off tour could be perfect for you if:

• you want the flexibility to choose your own stops or make it up as you go along
• you want convenient and affordable transport but don’t want to be stuck with a group of strangers all day
• you’re travelling with friends who can’t all agree – split up for one stop and catch up with each other at the next
• you’re budget conscious – tickets are less than $100 and then it’s up to you what you spend on tastings, lunch and goodies.

Private tours of the Yarra Valley

To enjoy the convenience of a tour without having to share your journey with strangers, there are also plenty of tour operators offering private tours in the Yarra Valley. You can travel by car, van, coach, limousine, Harley Davidson motorbike, or even fly in by helicopter from Melbourne CBD for lunch (if you have some serious cash to splash). But my personal dream day would have to be a Yarra Valley wine tour kicking off with a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

A private tour of the Yarra Valley could be the way to go if:

• you’re organising a trip for a large group (or are willing to splurge on a special experience as a couple or small group) 
• you really want to go to particular locations and prefer a customisable tour
• you want to be guided by a local expert 
• you want a private and personalised experience.

When it comes to private day trips to the Yarra Valley, options range from transport only (where you book the services of a vehicle and driver for the day, then plan your own itinerary and pay for tastings and lunch separately) or all-inclusive tours where you leave it to experts to plan and book everything. Want to pick your destinations, or just be surprised? You can have it your way.

Cycling in the Yarra Valley

The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail provides a way to cruise through the Yarra Valley on two wheels. Stretching 40km and passing through several charming little country towns, it’s a smooth ride along the relatively flat path of an old railroad. The downside? It doesn’t really get you close to most wineries. But there are plans to form a loop of trails connecting the existing one with towns like Coldstream, Yarra Glen, and Healesville in the next few years. Check out the Yarra Valley Trail project for updates.

If you’re planning to cycle the Yarra Valley, here are a few things to note:

• Wearing a helmet is required by law when cycling in Victoria.
• Take care if riding on roads: they are often narrow with high-speed traffic. Sticking to the rail trails is a safer choice if you’re not an experienced on-road cyclist.
• Carry a water bottle and wear plenty of sun protection.
• Also carry a good lock to secure your bike when you’re not on it.
• Don’t ride drunk! Cycling while intoxicated is dangerous, so monitor your consumption carefully if you’re tasting wine.

Vine Tours offer a guided Yarra Valley bike tour including bike and helmet hire, morning tea, lunch and wine tastings. They can pick you up from Lilydale Train Station (about an hour from the CBD) – handy if you’re visiting Melbourne and don’t have your own car or bike.

Plan your Yarra Valley wine trip!

Whether you drive yourself, book a tour, or get around by pedal power, the Yarra Valley is an enchanting region to explore. Now that you know how to get to and around the area, read more about the Yarra Valley wine region to prepare for your visit.