Half Day Wine Tour Yarra Valley: 3 Wineries, No Early Start

Skip the early morning, then taste three wineries in one relaxed afternoon

You skip the predawn pickup and start at noon instead, visiting three Yarra Valley wineries with all tastings covered. Small groups mean you're not jostling for space at the bar, and the itinerary flexes slightly depending on what's available that day, which keeps it from feeling like a script. Cheese and charcuterie are optional purchases, and you're back in Melbourne by early evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour

• Meet at Arts Centre Melbourne Spire
• Depart at 12:00PM
• Taste wines at Yering Station
• Visit second winery with wine tasting
• Enjoy optional cheese or charcuterie platter
• Visit Yering Farm Winery for tasting
• Return to Melbourne at Federation Square

The experience

Picture this: you're standing on a sun-soaked deck overlooking the Yarra Ranges, a glass of aged wine in hand, and the only pressure on your schedule is deciding whether to linger another five minutes. That's the rhythm of this half-day Yarra Valley wine tasting tour. The bus leaves Arts Centre Melbourne at noon sharp (not 6am, not 8am), which means you can actually have breakfast, check your phone, maybe take a walk around the city before heading out. It's a small thing, but it changes the whole feel of the day.

You'll hit three wineries, and the itinerary shifts slightly depending on the day and what's available, which keeps things from feeling templated. Yering Station is usually first. It's the historic anchor, the one everyone knows, with signature wines that have been doing their thing for decades. After that, the second stop might be Yileena Park Estate, where you're literally sitting on a deck with the ranges in front of you, or Soumah Estate if the schedule swaps, surrounded by hills and their own piazza menu. The third stop lands at Yering Farm Winery, a bit more rustic, where the wines feel more developed and there's usually a cider to finish on. All the tastings are included in the price. You're not hunting for coins or doing the mental math on add-ons. If you want cheese or charcuterie to go with the wine, that's on you, but it's there if you want it.

The group stays small: maximum 20 people, which is half the size of what some other operators run. That matters when you're trying to actually talk to the winemakers or the hosts, or just stand quietly and look at the view without feeling like you're in a crowd. The hosts are personable types who know the region and aren't trying to turn it into theater. You're back in front of ACMI by 5:15pm, which gives you the evening to either rest or head out to dinner without feeling like you've been on a bus all day.

What’s included

• Friendly, personable hosts.
• Relaxed midday departure from Arts Centre Melbourne at noon.
• Wine tastings at three handpicked wineries (both iconic and boutique producers).
• Comfortable transport to and from central Melbourne.
• Small group size of up to 20 guests.
• Optional cheese platters and charcuterie available for purchase at the wineries.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Dancing Kangaroo Tours

Is this one for you?Right for wine drinkers who'd rather skip the 6am pickup and prefer a leisurely afternoon pace. Plan for about five hours out of the city. That's what gives you three wineries, proper time at each, and a return by early evening.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the tour start and where do I meet?

Meet at 11:45am in front of Arts Centre Melbourne Spire (near the Protagonist café). The bus departs at 12:00pm sharp.

How many wineries do we visit?

Three wineries. Yering Station is usually the first stop. The second winery rotates between Yileena Park Estate and Soumah Estate depending on availability. Yering Farm Winery is typically the third and final stop.

Are the wine tastings included in the price?

Yes, all tastings at the three wineries are included. Cheese platters and charcuterie are available for purchase at your own expense.

What time do we return to Melbourne?

The tour usually returns to ACMI (Federation Square) by 5:15pm.

How many people are in the group?

Groups are kept to a maximum of 20 guests, smaller than many other operators.

Is transport from my hotel included?

Transport is included to and from Arts Centre Melbourne. If you're staying elsewhere, you'll need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, though public transport is available nearby.

Can I confirm which wineries we'll visit before booking?

The second winery sometimes changes based on availability. Contact the operator before booking if it's important to you to visit a specific winery.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers or those with back problems?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries. It's also not suitable for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.