The Yarra Valley wine region begins at Lilydale, about 40 kilometres east of Melbourne, and extends up into the Great Dividing Range foothills around Healesville. The valley produces some of Australia's best cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine: the major estates of Domaine Chandon, De Bortoli, and Yering Station all have cellar doors with restaurants or cafes that make for a comfortable half-day circuit.
Healesville is the valley's main town and the base for visiting Healesville Sanctuary, the excellent native wildlife park. The drive from Melbourne through Warrandyte and Yering is itself pleasant, following the Yarra River into increasingly green and hilly country. The valley is good in most seasons but is particularly appealing in autumn when the vineyards turn and the days are crisp. A car is necessary — there is no practical public transport to the winery circuit, though a heritage steam train runs on the Yarra Valley Railway from Belgrave on some weekends.