Chasing kangaroos after a tastings-filled Yarra afternoon. This is a relaxed, small-group food and wine day that mixes serious stops (Chandon and Yering Station) with farm-style cheese, chocolate, and a sunset wildlife walk in the lower Yarra Valley. It’s also a smart way to enjoy Yarra without losing your whole day to travel, since you depart Melbourne at 11.30am.

I especially like the Chandon + views setup, where you get a complimentary sparkling wine and time to browse or grab lunch. And I really enjoy how the day ends with wild kangaroos at golden hour, turning the whole itinerary into more than just tasting.

One thing to plan for: lunch isn’t included, and while there’s time to order at Chandon, menus in regional spots can be more limited than you’re used to.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Max 11 guests means you’re not stuck fighting for attention at tastings or during photo stops.
• Domaine Chandon includes a complimentary sparkling wine and time for a table with a view.
• Generous tastings: soft cheese at a family-run dairy, plus private wine tasting at Yering Station and chocolate flights at the chocolaterie.
• Yarra Valley timing: you get a later Melbourne start, then slow down through the valley toward sunset.
• Golden-hour kangaroos: the tour aims for a known lower-Yarra spot when kangaroos are most active.

A late-start Yarra Valley day that still feels unhurried

The best thing about this tour is the timing. You roll out from central Melbourne at 11.30am, which means you can start your day the way you want—brunch, a museum, or just an easy morning shop walk—without feeling rushed to get out of town.

Once you’re on the road, the pace stays comfortable. It’s not the kind of itinerary that has you sprinting between stops. You get a real rhythm: scenic driving, then a tasting, then a break, then another tasting—ending at the best time for wildlife viewing. Guides such as Craig and Kurt (and others like Elliott, Tom, and Steve) are also praised for keeping the day relaxed, organized, and clearly planned stop-by-stop, with pacing that doesn’t bulldoze your schedule.

This is a half-day structure that still lets the Yarra Valley actually register as a place, not just a backdrop. If you want a classic “food and views” day with a memorable payoff at sunset, this hits that goal.

Small-group comfort from Federation Square pickup

You meet behind Federation Square at the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street (NGV rear entrance). Look for the white bus with Yarra Valley Touring on the side. It’s a straightforward pickup, and the van ride keeps the group tight.

That small-group limit (max 11 guests) matters more than it sounds. When a tour caps out at a larger number, tastings can feel rushed. Here, the flow tends to work better—tastings are set up so you’re not waiting forever, and the guide can keep track of people. In the feedback I saw, Kurt was singled out for remembering everyone’s name and making the day feel personal rather than generic.

You also get a nicer “in-between” experience: short scenic drives, quick photo pauses, and a chance to ask questions without feeling like you’re talking over everyone else.

Domaine Chandon: sparkling wine with a view, plus real browsing time

Domaine Chandon is the first big wow factor. You arrive for about an hour, with time to enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, learn about the history and production style, and soak up the view from the lounge area.

What makes this stop valuable isn’t only the wine. It’s the whole experience design: you get seated time, you get the story behind the method (including the champagne-linked heritage), and you get room to decide what you want for lunch.

Two practical tips if you’re planning your day:

• Lunch isn’t included. You’re allowed time to purchase from the lounge menu, but you should treat this as an add-on cost. Some people were glad they brought their own food for flexibility, since the Chandon menu can feel limited.
• If you like to snack strategically, bring a little backup. That way, even if your first meal turns into a choose-your-own-adventure, you won’t end up hungry during later tastings.

This stop is also a shopping moment. There’s time to visit the boutique for Chandon products. If you’re the kind of person who likes souvenirs that are edible (or at least giftable), this is one of the easiest places on the tour to do it.

And if you’re worried about feeling like you’re only there for the alcohol: the stop is built around the viewing and the production story, so it still works as a “valley highlight” even if you drink lightly.

Strawberry farm refresh: a quick local stop before the tastings

On the drive, the tour includes a bonus stop to buy fresh strawberries from a strawberry farm, with fruit available for everyone to share.

This is a shorter moment, and it’s not the main event. But I like it for two reasons. First, it breaks the ride into something fun and local. Second, it gives you a fresh palate reset right before the dairy and winery tastings.

If strawberries are not your thing, don’t panic—you still get the bigger experiences right after. Think of this stop as the light appetizer in the day’s flow.

Yarra Valley Dairy: cheese tasting at a family-run style producer

Next up is the Yarra Valley Dairy, where you’ll get about an hour total, including sightseeing time and a cheese tasting.

The standout here is how grounded it feels. It’s described as a small family-owned business and boutique producer of soft cheeses made onsite. That means the tasting isn’t just a walk-by-the-shelves moment. You sample a range of cheeses and get a sense of what’s actually being produced locally.

Practical angle: if cheese is your thing, you’ll probably end up wanting to buy something after the tasting. Even if you don’t, this stop adds variety to the day. Without it, the tour would be only wine and sweet stuff. With it, you get a proper balance: creamy, salty, tangy flavors that help you handle later chocolate tastings without everything blending together.

Also, because this tour is designed for small groups, the dairy stop doesn’t drag. You’re tasting while it’s fresh, and you’re not waiting around with a half-finished cup.

Yering Station Winery: a private-style cool-climate wine tasting

Then you head to Yering Station Winery, historic and linked to Victoria’s first vineyard. Expect about an hour here, including a private wine tasting and some winery time for scenery.

The kind of wines you’ll run into are framed around the valley’s cool-climate reputation, with mention of classics like Pinot Noir. There’s also an educational component: a good guide will connect the wine to the place—terrain, climate, and what that means in the glass.

What makes this stop work for most people is that it isn’t only for hardcore wine nerds. Yes, you sample wines. But the guide’s role is to translate the experience so you can understand what you’re tasting and why it differs from other regions.

If you don’t want to overdo alcohol, you still get plenty from the setting and the explanations. Just pace yourself between tastings. The van ride doesn’t feel like a party, but you will be tasting more than one venue’s offerings.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery: coverture chocolate and a big sweet menu

By the time you reach the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, your sweet tooth should be fully awake. This stop includes a break and private chocolate tastings, plus time to explore.

One detail I really like from the tour notes and feedback: the chocolate focus includes coverture chocolate, and you get tastings across flavors. There’s also mention that many ingredients are sourced from their own gardens, which makes the whole chocolate lineup feel more intentional than mass-produced sweets.

You also get shopping/free time. The shop has 200-plus products made onsite, including chocolate, truffles, and ice cream offerings. That matters because some tours give you five minutes and a nod. Here, you can actually wander and pick something that’s worth carrying back to your room.

If you’re traveling with a gift list, this is where you’ll likely do most of your edible souvenir shopping. It’s also the easiest place to tailor purchases to your preferences—dark versus milk, fruit versus nut, truffles versus ice cream.

Note for practical planning: this is the stop where you might want to pack a small bag. Even if you don’t buy much, it’s easy to end up with a few treats in your hands by the time kangaroo time arrives.

The sunset kangaroo safari: how the last hour feels in the lower Yarra

The final chapter is where the tour becomes something you’ll actually remember. As the afternoon sun drops, the group heads into the lower Yarra Valley, where kangaroos hide during the day and become active near golden hour.

The plan is a photo-and-walk style stop. You’ll go as close as you safely can, then pause for viewing as the light turns softer. This is the part that makes the whole itinerary feel like a mission, not just a checklist.

Two important realities you should keep in mind:

• Wildlife sightings are common, but nature doesn’t run on schedules.
• The tour is positioned with an assurance approach around kangaroo viewing (and it’s also noted that kangaroos are not 100% guaranteed).

In the feedback, people repeatedly said the kangaroos were everywhere—some ended up with photo after photo, and even saw something special like a baby kangaroo inside its mother’s pouch. Those moments are why this stop sits at the end of a food and wine day: it’s the emotional payoff.

Also, this is a good stretch break. After hours of tasting and sitting, you get to stand, walk a bit, and look up at open countryside while you wait for movement.

Price and value: why $123 can make sense here

At $123 per person for a 7-hour outing, the price looks like “not cheap,” but it’s also not priced like a bare sightseeing bus.

You’re paying for several built-in value drivers:

• A small-group van experience with a guide guiding you between multiple venues
• Multiple tastings across different producers: sparkling wine at Chandon, cheese at the dairy, wine at Yering Station, and chocolate tastings at the chocolaterie
• A structured end stop designed for wild kangaroo viewing at sunset
• Transportation from central Melbourne and back (Federation Square to the Yarra Valley and return)

If you tried to DIY this on your own, you’d spend time figuring out bookings and driving, plus you’d likely end up paying for fewer tasting experiences than you’d get in one guided day.

The main “cost surprise” to watch is lunch. It’s not included at Chandon, and the menu may be more limited than you’d expect. For value-minded travelers, that means budgeting for lunch (or planning a snack strategy). If you already know you’ll want a proper sit-down meal, treat it as a planned add-on, not a guess.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want another plan)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want tastings as the center of the day, not just scenery from a bus window
• Prefer a small group where the guide can actually interact and keep things on time
• Like a classic Yarra Valley mix: Chandon-style sparkling, cool-climate wine, soft cheese, then chocolate
• Want a memorable ending rather than returning to the city right after winery number one

It may feel less ideal if you:

• Need full wheelchair access (the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users)
• Are traveling with very young children (not suitable under 2 years)
• Dislike spending time around alcohol-focused venues (even though tastings are a big part, you must be 18+ to drink alcohol in licensed places)

If you’re coming for the “Aussie wildlife” part, go in with the right mindset: you’re increasing your chances at a well-chosen location and time, but you’re still in nature.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Foodies + Chandon + Kangaroo Safari?

I’d book it if you want a food-and-wildlife day that feels organized, relaxed, and payoff-heavy. The combo is strong: Chandon for sparkling views, Yering Station for cool-climate wine tasting, Yarra Valley Dairy for cheese that actually adds texture to the day, and chocolate that turns your last stops fun instead of rushed. Then you end with the kangaroos at sunset, which is the kind of experience you can tell friends about for weeks.

Skip it only if you already hate the idea of wine-centric stops, or if you’d rather build your own day with long lunch plans and lots of downtime. Here, the value comes from the tight sequence of tastings and the guided timing.

If you’re the type who likes a planned day that still leaves you with great photos, good flavors, and a story to bring home, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

What time does the tour depart Melbourne?

The tour departs Melbourne at 11.30am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 7 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet behind Federation Square at the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street (NGV rear entrance). Look for the white bus with Yarra Valley Touring on the side.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch is not included. You’ll have time to purchase lunch at Domaine Chandon or during another stop.

What tastings are included?

Included tastings are chocolate tastings, premium wine tasting, and gourmet cheese sampling.

Can I drink alcohol on the tour?

You must be 18 or older to buy alcohol or to drink alcohol in licensed venues in Australia. The tour includes wine and sparkling wine tastings.

Are kangaroos guaranteed?

Sightings are common, and the tour visits a known location during golden hour for the best chance. However, wildlife is never guaranteed.