Melbourne: Healesville Sanctuary & Yarra Valley Wine Tasting

Koalas, Redwoods & Wine: A Half-Day Loop from Melbourne Port

You're picked up at the cruise port and driven to Healesville Sanctuary to see koalas, kangaroos and wombats in an open native setting. You then cross Mt Donna Buang and walk among 1,450 Redwoods, stop for lunch and a river walk in Warburton, and finish with wine and cheese tasting at Saville Hill Estate before returning to the ship. The fixed schedule and included transport mean you don't have to arrange entry, timing or getting back to port on time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Healesville Sanctuary and Yarra Valley

• Travel to Healesville Sanctuary
• Explore Australian wildlife
• Drive over Mt Donna Buang Summit
• Visit Californian Redwood Forest
• Lunch at Warburton bakery
• Stroll along Upper Yarra River
• Wine and cheese tasting at Saville Hill Estate

The experience

The minivan picks you up at the cruise terminal and heads northeast toward Healesville Sanctuary. A 60-minute drive that takes you out of the city and into the kind of landscape where you actually see Australian wildlife moving around in something close to natural habitat. You'll spend roughly 90 minutes to two hours there, which is enough time to walk through the sanctuary without rushing, stop in front of the koalas and kangaroos, watch wombats do their slow, determined thing. The setting is open and green, not a concrete enclosure, so it doesn't feel like you're ticking a box.

After Healesville, the route climbs up and over Mt Donna Buang Summit (the views of the Yarra Valley open up from up there), and then drops into a Californian Redwood Forest planted in the 1930s. Over 1,450 of them now tower above you, which is an odd thing to find in Victoria but somehow it works. You stop for lunch in Warburton at a local bakery where the meat pies are the real deal, and there's time to walk along the Upper Yarra River if you want to stretch your legs. The water's clean, the banks are quiet, and it's the kind of pause that makes the day feel less like a checklist.

On the way back toward Melbourne, the tour stops at Saville Hill Estate for wine and cheese tasting. If wine isn't your thing, you can ask to do a small city tour of Melbourne instead (Parliament House, the laneways with street art, the arcades), so it's not locked in. The whole experience runs as a private group, capped at seven people, which means the minivan doesn't feel crowded and the driver can actually answer questions without shouting over a full coach.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• driver and guide for the full day.
• pickup and drop-off at Melbourne cruise port.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan for up to 7 passengers.
• entry to Healesville Sanctuary.
• access to Mt Donna Buang Summit and the Californian Redwood Forest.
• a lunch stop in Warburton (food cost separate).
• wine and cheese tasting at Saville Hill Estate.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 23 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Australian Coastal and Mountain Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docking in Melbourne and want to see Australian wildlife and the Yarra Valley without arranging your own transport or timing. The driver knows when your ship leaves and gets you back to port on schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Melbourne cruise port to Healesville Sanctuary?

Approximately 60 minutes each way.

How much time do you spend at Healesville Sanctuary?

Around 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how long you want to spend observing the wildlife.

What animals can you see at the sanctuary?

Koalas, kangaroos, wombats and many other native Australian species in a natural setting.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes, you stop for lunch at a bakery in Warburton where you can order a meat pie, lamington or other items. The cost of food is not included in the tour price.

What if I don't want to do the wine tasting?

You can request a small city tour of Melbourne instead, visiting landmarks like Parliament House and the city laneways.

What's included in the tour price?

Bottled water, driver/guide, port pickup and drop-off, and transport in an air-conditioned minivan.

What is the maximum group size?

A maximum of 7 people per booking.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, as the tour involves walking through the sanctuary and the Redwood Forest.

What happens if my cruise ship is late?

Refunds will not be issued if the tour is missed due to late or non-arrival of the cruise ship. You must provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at booking.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions. You should dress appropriately for the season.