Kangaroos and tastings, all in one run. This small-group Yarra Valley outing packs Chandon sparkling views and multiple food tastings into a smooth, guided half-day plan. I like that the day has clear pacing, with time to actually enjoy each stop instead of sprinting between them.

One possible drawback: Chandon lunch is extra, so if you want a full meal there, you’ll need to budget beyond the tour price.

Quick Hits

• Small group size (max 12) keeps things friendly and makes tastings feel un-rushed
• Chandon at the right moment: a lounge table and valley views, plus optional purchases for lunch and wine
• Hands-on food stops: farm produce strawberries, onsite cheese tastings, and a private chocolate tasting
• Yering Station cool-climate wines with classic Aussie varietals on the menu
• Kangaroo Safari finish at Kangaroo Ground, often with lots of wildlife sightings

Entering the Yarra Valley from Melbourne, Without Doing the Driving

If you want a Yarra Valley day without the stress, this tour is built for you. You start in Melbourne at Federation Square, then ride out with round-trip transfers planned for a late-morning feel (the listed start is 11:30am, and you’ll be moving into the valley shortly after).

The biggest practical win is that your driver and guide handle the logistics. You just show up, get on the bus, and then follow along through a tight sequence of stops. That matters because Yarra Valley days can go two ways: either you have a plan and it flows, or you end up waiting around and guessing at what’s worth your time. This format aims for the first option.

And because the group is small (up to 12), you’re less likely to feel like you’re stuck in a long line. Guides also call out details about what you’re seeing, and the tour has a fun, story-based vibe. Names that come up repeatedly for guiding include Aliot, Craig, Kurt, Tom, Steven, and Curt. Even if you don’t get the same guide as someone else, it tells you what kind of hosting style this company is known for: personable and focused on making the day feel special, not just transactional.

Price and Value: What $125.52 Buys You (and What Costs Extra)

At about $125.52 per person, you’re paying for transportation, guided visits, and a set of included tastings. The included items are meaningful: wine tastings at Yering Station, cheese tastings at Yarra Valley Dairy, and a chocolate tasting at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. You also get the farm stop for fresh fruit sampling on the way in.

What’s not included is just as important. Lunch at Chandon is at your own expense. Also, while you can sample sparkling wine at Chandon, any additional purchases (beyond the tasting) can add up fast if you’re trying to take bottles home. The tour is still great value even with that in mind, but you should go in with the mindset that this is a tasting-and-snack experience first, not a fully included meal day.

The value equation improves if you compare what you’d pay for: getting out of Melbourne, arranging multiple stops, and paying for tastings separately. Here, most of the “hard part” (timing, transport, and getting you to the right places) is already solved.

Stop 1: The Quick Strawberry Farm Break That Sets the Tone

You’ll have a short, straight-to-the-point farm stop en route: 15 minutes at Farm Fresh Yarra Valley Produce. The highlight here is tasting fresh strawberries (with a ticket included).

This kind of stop is more than a snack pit stop. It helps you start tasting while the day is still fresh and your energy is high. It also makes the whole afternoon feel more “food focused” rather than “mostly wine, then maybe cheese.” If you’re someone who likes sweet, seasonal produce, this first taste gives you a reason to look forward to the next two hours.

Stop 2: Domaine Chandon Lounge Views and Sparkling Wine Sampling

Next comes Domaine Chandon, and this is one of the anchors of the whole tour. You’re there for about 1 hour, and you’ll get a table in a lounge setting with views over the Yarra Valley. The tour includes admission for your sparkling wine sampling.

What I like about this stop for you is the combination: it’s not only about tasting. You get an easy, comfortable base while you take in the scenery. That matters because tastings can start to feel repetitive if every stop is rushed. Here, you get a place to sit and reset.

One note before you fall in love with the wines: lunch at Chandon is extra. If you want to eat there (the lounge is where it’s referenced), plan for that. If you’d rather keep costs down, you can treat Chandon more like a tasting-and-views stop and let the rest of your budget go toward bottles or snacks later.

Stop 3: Yarra Valley Dairy Cheese Tastings That Actually Have Range

After Chandon, you head to Yarra Valley Dairy for 1 hour. This is the “cheese people, you’ll love it” stop. The tasting focuses on onsite-made cows and goats cheese, and it’s set in the heart of the valley.

Why this stop works: it’s not just one cheese plate and you’re done. The tour format is built around a generous tasting experience. It gives you enough time to compare styles and figure out what you actually enjoy. If you’ve ever tried cheese flights elsewhere and felt like you barely got a taste before moving on, this is the type of stop that gives you a more normal pace.

Also, it’s one of the easiest places for non-drinkers to feel included. The day naturally includes food stops beyond wine, so people who don’t want alcohol still get a lot out of it.

Stop 4: Yering Station Cool-Climate Wines and Familiar Favorites

Then it’s Yering Station for another 1 hour. This is where the tour leans into classic cool-climate varietals. You’ll sample a range that can include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz, plus more.

I like this pairing for you because Yarra Valley is all about the temperate climate influence on wine styles. Yering Station is historic in the context of Victoria’s early vineyard development, and the tasting stops are a good chance to compare what different grapes taste like in this region.

Keep expectations grounded: this is structured tasting time, not a long winery lunch scenario. But if you want a solid taste of Yarra wine culture without booking a full-day winery itinerary, this hour does the job.

Stop 5: Chocolaterie Tasting With a Private Feel and Free Time to Browse

Next up is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for 1 hour. The tour includes an exclusive private chocolate tasting, and you also get free time afterward to visit the shop and cafe.

This is the stop where the mood often shifts from “serious tasting” to “sweet treat time.” The private tasting format helps you slow down and focus on chocolate flavors instead of trying to do everything at once. If you’re a person who can’t resist buying a few gifts or snacks to bring home, the added free time is exactly what you want.

And yes, the place gives strong candy-factory vibes. One key thing I’d tell you: this stop is part tasting, part free exploration. So don’t treat it like only a quick sample counter. Budget a little time for tasting your way through the shop after the formal portion ends.

Stop 6: Kangaroo Safari at Kangaroo Ground, the Day’s Best Finish

The finale is the wildlife payoff: Kangaroo Safari at Kangaroo Ground. It’s listed as 30 minutes, and the ticket is free as part of the experience.

This is where the tour’s title earns its keep. Instead of ending back in town, you end with a drive to a secret spot for wild kangaroo sightings. People consistently describe seeing plenty of kangaroos at the end of the day, sometimes in large numbers. It’s also a very “Australia in the real world” kind of moment, because you’re watching animals in their natural setting rather than at an animal attraction.

Practical tip: bring your phone camera settings ready. If you have a camera mode for action or wildlife, use it. Even if your shots aren’t perfect, the experience itself is the point.

Pacing and Logistics: Why the Stops Feel Timed, Not Random

A big reason this tour earns such consistent praise is the pacing. You have enough time at each stop to sample and enjoy, but the day still stays tight enough to include six different experiences in one afternoon-to-evening stretch.

The structure looks like this:

• quick farm start for fresh produce
• a seated lounge tasting with sparkling wine views
• a focused cheese tasting slot
• a classic wine tasting at Yering Station
• a private chocolate tasting plus browsing time
• a wildlife finish with kangaroos

That flow matters because it keeps you from hitting the “tasting fatigue” wall. If you do wine tastings back-to-back with no food or sweets, everything can start to taste similar. This tour spreads flavors around: strawberries, sparkling wine, cheese, cool-climate wines, chocolate, then wildlife.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This is a great match if you want:

• a small-group day trip from Melbourne
• a mix of food tastings and regional wine
• a guide who adds context and keeps the rhythm smooth
• the kangaroo safari as a real end-of-day payoff

It’s also a good option if you’re not drinking heavily. The experience includes substantial non-alcohol moments (cheese and chocolate especially), so you’re not forced into a wine-centered day.

One caution: if you’re chasing a tour that is primarily about wine education and long winery time, this one may feel more balanced toward food and tastings overall. It includes wine tastings, but it’s not built as an all-day winery deep study.

What to Pack and How to Enjoy It More

The tour doesn’t list a dress code or special gear, so keep it simple. I’d plan like you’re doing a full afternoon outside around a series of rural stops.

If you want better comfort:

• wear comfy shoes for short walking segments
• have a layer ready in case the weather shifts near the end of the day
• think about how you’ll handle purchases, especially at Chandon where lunch is at your expense

Also, if you’re into photos, treat the Chandon lounge views and the kangaroo safari as your main “camera moments.”

Should You Book This Yarra Valley Foodies Tour With Chandon & Kangaroo Safari?

If you want a high-value tasting day that mixes sparkling wine, cheese, chocolate, and wildlife without driving yourself, I think you should book it. The small group size and consistent guide quality are a big part of why it feels good instead of hectic, and the included tastings are the heart of what you’re paying for.

Choose it especially if you like the idea of:

• getting multiple Yarra Valley flavors in one run
• ending with a real nature moment (kangaroos, wild)
• having a planned schedule that still leaves time to enjoy each stop

Skip it only if your goal is a long, wine-only itinerary with minimal food stops and minimal additional spending.

FAQ

How long is the Yarra Valley Foodies Tour with Chandon and Kangaroo Safari?

The tour runs for about 7 hours.

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

It starts at 11:30am. You’ll meet at the Federation Square Bus & Coach Pickup Drop-off Zone on Russell Ct in Melbourne.

How many stops are included?

There are six main stops: a strawberry produce stop, Domaine Chandon, Yarra Valley Dairy, Yering Station, the Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, and a Kangaroo Safari at Kangaroo Ground.

What tastings are included?

You’ll have wine tastings at Yering Station, cheese tastings at Yarra Valley Dairy, and a chocolate tasting at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. You also get wine sampling at Chandon.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Chandon is at your own expense.

Is the kangaroo safari included?

Yes. The stop at Kangaroo Ground is part of the tour, and the safari ticket is listed as free.

Is alcohol included?

Wine tastings are included, and the itinerary notes alcoholic beverages as part of the included wine tastings. Additional purchases beyond tastings may cost extra.

What is the group size?

The tour is a small group with a maximum of 12 travelers.

Do I need a printed ticket?

No. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

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.