Sparkling wine, gin, and kangaroos in one day. I love how this Yarra Valley day trip lets you enjoy the region’s top stops without renting a car or worrying about sober-driving. You start with a Champagne brunch at Domaine Chandon, then move through a mix of wine and gin tastings at a handful of well-chosen cellar doors.

Two things I especially like: the pick-up and return from Melbourne makes the whole day feel easy, and the itinerary mixes styles so your palate stays interested (sparkling, bold wines plus cider, Pinot Noir, then small-batch gin). One possible drawback: the tastings are set times—so if you want to linger forever at one cellar, you may feel a bit on the clock.

What you’ll remember most (quick hits)

• Chandon Champagne brunch with sparkling tastings and h’ordeuvres
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 11 travelers for a more personal pace
• Real variety: sparkling wine, wine + apple cider, Pinot Noir, then gin
• Yarra Valley Dairy and chocolate stops for extra tasting breaks (sweet and creamy)
• Kangaroo Ground safari stop with a quick chance to spot kangaroos on the return

Getting on board in Melbourne: start time, pick-up, and mobile tickets

This tour starts at 11:30 am and returns to the same pickup/drop-off spot: the Federation Square Bus & Coach Pickup Drop-off Zone on Russell Ct. That matters because you don’t have to drag your plans around the suburbs. You can park yourself near a transit-friendly landmark and let the day run on schedule.

The tour uses mobile tickets, not paper. You download your ticket and you’re done. That’s one less thing to keep track of before you head out for wine tastings and lunch.

Group size is kept small (max 11), and that’s a big part of why this experience feels relaxed rather than rushed. You’re not shouting across a bus full of people. You can ask questions, pour times stay sensible, and you’re more likely to actually get time to taste and talk instead of just move along.

Chandon Champagne brunch: the sparkling-wine centerpiece you’ll plan around

Domaine Chandon is the headline stop, and it’s easy to see why. You spend about 2 hours here, centered on sparkling wine tastings and a Champagne lunch with h’ordeuvres. This isn’t a quick sip-and-go. It’s enough time to taste several styles and get a feel for how Chandon approaches sparkling production.

What I like about starting with Chandon: it sets the mood for the whole day. You’re not just drinking because it’s available. You’re tasting with purpose. You also get context on the history and production approach (so the bubbles feel like more than a fun party drink).

Practical tip: pace yourself early. With sparkling wine at the front, you can still enjoy later tastings—wine, cider, and gin—without turning the day into one long blur. If you tend to drink fast, slow down at Chandon and save your curiosity for the next venues.

A consideration before you lock in your dates

Chandon’s tastings can be affected by operations on particular dates. In at least one past departure, tastings were closed at Chandon during December. It sounds rare, but it’s worth checking if that matters to your schedule—especially if Chandon is your must-do.

Yering Farm Wines: rustic charm, apple cider, and views that slow you down

After the Chandon sparkle, the tour shifts to Yering Farm Wines for about 1 hour. This stop leans into a more rustic, country feel. It also includes tastings that go beyond just wine, including apple cider—a standout if you like something crisp and refreshing between richer flavors.

Yering Farm also has the kind of setting that makes tasting outdoors feel more like a break than a formal event. If you’ve been stuck in tasting-room lines in big groups, this one usually hits better. The goal is not to rush you through. It’s to give you time to enjoy the flavors and the scenery while your taste buds reset.

What to expect: a straightforward tasting format, plus a shift in flavor profile from sparkling to something bolder and more orchard-friendly thanks to the cider. That contrast helps later when you taste Pinot Noir and then return to spirits with gin.

Yering Station: historic vines and Pinot Noir with time to compare

Next comes Yering Station, around 45 minutes. This place has heritage tied to Victoria’s early wine story, and it’s known for Pinot Noir. If your idea of a great Yarra Valley day involves tasting Pinot Noir in the context of where the region started, this is one of the best ways to do it—short, but purposeful.

The tasting range here is broader than just Pinot. You’ll get to sample multiple wines, which is where the time limit can feel good instead of bad. In 45 minutes, you don’t overthink it. You taste, compare, and move on.

My advice: pick two or three wines you’re genuinely interested in and focus on those. Ask questions about what makes their Pinot Noir different (climate, style, or approach—your guide can steer you). You don’t need to be a wine expert. You just need a few comparisons in your head, and you’ll remember the day later.

Stag Lane Farm Distillery gin tasting: the palate reset that keeps it fun

Then it’s Stag Lane Farm Distillery for about 1 hour, where the focus shifts to gin. This is a small-batch operation, and it uses produce grown on site. That detail matters because it hints at how the flavors are built—less generic, more tied to what’s grown locally.

This stop gives you a palate reset after wine and cider. Gin tasting tends to bring brightness and botanical complexity back into the picture, so it doesn’t feel like you’re repeating the same tasting motion all day.

One of my favorite details from past days was the overall vibe. After the gin tasting, the energy in the van can turn into full-on fun—singing and laughing included. It’s a good reminder that a day like this should feel like a vacation, not a lecture.

A practical note: if you’re sensitive to spirits, take smaller pours and keep water handy. The tour is built for tastings, not for turning into a heavy night out.

Kangaroo Ground stop: a guaranteed 30-minute wildlife moment

On the way back to Melbourne, you’ll have a 30-minute Kangaroo Ground stop, and it’s described as a Kangaroo Safari with a guarantee that you’ll see kangaroos hopping about while they search for evening feed.

This is short by design. You’re getting a wildlife hit without turning the day into a nature safari marathon. Use the time for quick photos and a calm look. Then you’re back on schedule, heading home with wine, gin, and a story you’ll actually brag about.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who loves animals, this stop tends to be the perfect bridge between adult tastings and something everyone can enjoy.

Price and value: what $191.61 really buys you

At $191.61 per person, the price looks steep until you break it down the right way. You’re not just paying for transportation. You’re paying for:

• Guided tastings at multiple stops
• Admission included for Chandon, Yering Farm, Yering Station, and Stag Lane Farm Distillery
• Champagne lunch at Chandon with sparkling wine and h’ordeuvres
• A small-group format (max 11)
• The planning work: routing, timing, and keeping the day moving

If you tried to DIY it—booking tastings, tracking locations, arranging a designated driver—you’d spend time and money that you don’t get back. Here, the biggest “hidden value” is that the day feels organized. You can focus on tasting and talking, not on logistics.

Also, this is roughly an 8-hour day. You’re getting a lot into one block, which is exactly what makes it good value for people who only have a day to spare in Melbourne.

Your guide matters: small group hosting, friendly banter, and flexibility

This is run by The Yarra Valley Touring Co, and the guiding style shows up strongly in real departures. Names that have come up in past days include Craig, Mark, Kurt, and Stephen—and the common theme is that the host doesn’t just rattle off facts. They set a comfortable rhythm.

I like tours where the guide can adapt. In one past tour, the host adjusted the plan to incorporate Four Pillars Distillery while still fitting the main winery stops. That’s not something you should expect every time, but it signals that the operator values keeping the day aligned with what the group wants.

You’ll also hear small, practical touches that make the day easier—like guides providing water and chocolate to keep energy steady for consecutive tastings. That kind of care matters when you’re switching from sparkling to wine to spirits.

If you care about meeting other people, small groups are usually better for that. It’s friendly without being chaotic, and it makes the day feel more like a shared outing than a bus tour.

Who this Yarra Valley tour is best for (and who should pass)

This tour fits best if you want a well-paced Yarra Valley day without the stress of driving. It’s ideal for:

• Couples and small friend groups who like wine but don’t want to spend their day coordinating
• Anyone who enjoys variety: sparkling wine, wine plus cider, Pinot Noir, then gin
• People who appreciate a more intimate group size (max 11)

It might not be your perfect match if you’re the type who wants to stay at one winery for hours and go deep with no schedule pressure. The stops are timed. You’ll taste and learn, but you won’t linger all day in one place.

Also, if you’re traveling during a period where a specific venue may not run tastings, you’ll want to confirm that the experience you want—especially Chandon—is operating normally.

Should you book this Yarra Valley wine and gin day trip with Chandon?

I’d book it if you want a classic Yarra Valley hits day: Chandon for Champagne-style tasting and lunch, two distinct wine stops (including Pinot Noir at Yering Station), a cider-friendly moment at Yering Farm, and then a gin distillery finish. The Kangaroo Ground stop is also a nice bonus that breaks up the day.

Skip it only if your top priority is long, slow time at a single winery. This tour is designed for variety and momentum, not for staying put. If that sounds like your kind of day, you’ll likely love the mix—and the fact that the driving is handled for you.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and how long is it?

The tour starts at 11:30 am and runs for about 8 hours.

Where does pick-up and drop-off happen in Melbourne?

Pick-up and drop-off are at the Federation Square Bus & Coach Pickup Drop-off Zone, Russell Ct, Melbourne VIC 3000. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 11 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

Admission tickets are included for Domaine Chandon, Yering Farm Wines, Yering Station, and Stag Lane Farm Distillery. Chandon includes a Champagne brunch with sparkling wine and h’ordeuvres. The Kangaroo Safari stop at Kangaroo Ground is listed as free.

Do I get a mobile ticket or paper ticket?

You’ll have mobile tickets with downloadable tickets provided.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.