Wine, gin, whisky, and chocolate, in one day. This Melbourne to Yarra Valley day trip is built for big flavor hits, starting with Soumah and finishing with wine tastings with views. I love how the tour also includes a guided set-piece at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, so you get more than just a quick sweet bite.

One thing to plan for: this is a public group tour, so you need to be early. The bus meets at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at 8:35am and leaves promptly around 9:00am, and they do not wait if you’re late. On past runs, guides such as David, Matt, Gilberto, and Tom have been singled out for keeping the day fun and moving.

Quick hits I’d bookmark

• Five venues with tastings: wine, beer (or cider), chocolate, plus optional spirits at St Huberts
• Soumah first stop, where the cool-climate style connection makes tastings easier to understand
• St Huberts tasting options, with an upcharge option for gin or whisky if you want to go deeper
• Guided chocolate tasting of 10 chocolates, then gelato if you want a sweet finish before the next winery
• Two lunch pathways, either Quarters at Hubert Estate or a separate Chandon lunch booking if you want something a bit more formal
• Music on the drive home, with Spotify sharing and coolers and water onboard to keep the long day comfortable

Getting to the Yarra Valley, without wasting your day

The tour starts right in Melbourne at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, on Flinders Street, directly opposite 154 Flinders Street. You’re asked to meet at 8:35am, and the vehicle departs promptly at 9:00am (they also note they sometimes leave at 9:01am with or without everyone). If you’re using public transport, plan extra time. CBD trips can get messy, and taxis can be unreliable.

One practical upside of this setup is that you’re not stuck figuring out transfers or booking separate transport to the wineries. You also get a short scenic detour through Warrandyte on the way out to the valley, which helps break up the drive.

Soumah of Yarra Valley: a first taste that sets the mood

Your first winery stop is Soumah of Yarra Valley, with about 45 minutes for a guided tasting of red and white wines. This is a great opener because it gives you a tasting framework before the day gets more intense.

Soumah is known for cool-climate wines, and the tasting is structured around the idea that the region’s weather helps them make styles you might associate with northern Italy and southeastern France. In plain terms, that means if you like crisp whites and Pinot Noir style reds, you’re likely to find your footing quickly.

The pace here matters. You’re not yet hungry, and you’re still fresh enough to compare flavors across the day. If you love to take notes, this is the easiest moment to start.

St Huberts Cellar Door: wine and a spirits detour

Next comes St Huberts Cellar Door for about an hour. You get four of their well-known wines, and the tour also offers alternatives so not everyone is locked into wine all day.

The tour notes that if you do not feel like wine, you can switch to a can of beer or cider. Even better, if you want to go beyond wine, there’s an optional spirits tasting available for a small fee, with gin or whisky offered at St Huberts.

This stop is also where the day becomes more than just tasting, it becomes story time. You’ll likely hear how local creativity shapes what lands in your glass. And because it’s a cellar door setting, you can ask questions and get practical explanations, not just marketing lines.

A quick consideration: if you want to add the gin or whisky tasting, you’re doing it on top of the standard wine tasting. That is a good thing if you’re a spirits fan, but pace yourself so you can still enjoy lunch without feeling rushed.

Lunch choices at Hubert Estate or Domaine Chandon

Lunch is where the tour gives you the most freedom, but it comes with one trade-off. At Hubert Estate, lunch is at Quarters Restaurant. You all sit together in one or two tables, and you order and pay for your own lunch and drinks.

If you want a different lunch experience, there is also the Domaine Chandon option. You can book it yourself for a separate, slightly more fine dining style. But there’s an important timing consequence: choosing Chandon lunch means you will miss the 11:30am wine tasting at St Huberts with the rest of the group. If you’re the type who wants the complete tasting rhythm, Quarters at Hubert Estate is the simpler call.

A helpful detail here: dietary requirements are catered for at the lunch stop. And there’s a surcharge on lunch bills on weekends. The tour also notes you can bring your own food, but it cannot be consumed on Hubert Estate grounds. No matter which lunch path you choose, the key is planning around your appetite and your alcohol pace.

Chocolates at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery

After lunch, you shift gears hard toward dessert. The tour includes a guided tasting of 10 different chocolates at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, lasting about 45 minutes.

This stop is valuable because it slows down your palate. Wine and spirits can start blending together in your head if you’re not careful. Chocolate tastings help you recalibrate, and the variety across 10 options is enough to notice texture, sweetness level, and how cocoa flavors change from one selection to the next.

After the tasting, you’re free to buy gelato. It’s a smart move if you still want a sweet finish, and it also gives you a quick way to cool down before the last winery.

If chocolate is your priority, aim to actually pay attention during the guided portion. It’s easy to treat it like a free-for-all, but the structure is what makes it feel like part of the day, not a random detour.

Final wine tastings with valley views, Yarrawood or Balgownie

Your last winery stop is either Yarrawood Estate (if the chocolate stop is not your thing) or Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa. On many days, you keep the chocolate stop, then head to Balgownie for wine tastings with a view.

Balgownie ends the day with a classic winemaker setting, and this is where you can start thinking about what you want to bring home. If you liked the earlier wines, you can use this final tasting to confirm your favorites. If you didn’t love everything, this is still your last chance to find one or two bottles that match your taste.

The tour also mentions another option: they can take you to Balgownie early so you can buy a drink before arriving with the rest of the group, and then Balgownie becomes part of the flow rather than a last-minute rush. Ask your guide what order makes sense for your preferences.

The pacing, the bus, and why the day feels easy

This is an 8-hour day trip, and it works because the stops are short enough to keep momentum. You’re not spending half the day waiting around at one venue. The timing is built around keeping you tasting, eating, and seeing enough of the valley without turning it into a marathon.

Transportation is an air-conditioned vehicle, and the tour provides chilled coolers and waters onboard. That sounds small, but for a day that involves multiple tastings, hydration helps you feel better and stay focused.

The bus vibe can also be part of the attraction. The tour shares the music, so you can pitch in with the Spotify playlist during the drive. That turns commuting time into a social reset, instead of a time sink.

Price and value: is $92 worth it?

At $92 per person, the biggest value argument is that you’re paying for guided access to multiple tasting venues in one day, without driving yourself. You also get a mix that goes beyond a typical wine-only outing.

You’re sampling wine at multiple stops, there’s chocolate tasting with structure, and there’s at least some beer or cider offered as an alternative. Plus, the spirit option at St Huberts lets you add gin or whisky if you want a deeper range. Lunch is on you, but you’re not paying extra for transport between stops, or paying separately for each tasting experience.

In other words, you’re buying convenience and a curated tasting flow. If you’d otherwise try to DIY it from Melbourne, you’d likely spend time and money on transport planning, plus the day would still be slower and more stressful.

Who should book this Yarra Valley wine and chocolate tour

I think this tour is a strong fit if you want a classic Yarra Valley day trip with variety. It works especially well if you like structure but still want flexibility. You can tell your guide what you’d like to do, and the tour notes options such as beer or cider alternatives, optional gin or whisky tasting at St Huberts, and switching the final stop depending on whether you want the chocolate stop.

It also suits first-timers to the Yarra Valley who do not want to choose between multiple wineries. Soumah gives you an easy first entry point, St Huberts adds variety, and the chocolaterie makes the day feel complete.

One more match detail: the tour is not suitable for children under 7, and it also does not accommodate pets or oversized luggage. If you’re traveling light, you’ll find it easier. If you rely on mobility scooters or need non-folding wheelchair access, check your needs carefully because those specific items are listed as not allowed.

Final verdict: should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a single, well-run day trip that includes wine tastings, beer or cider options, a guided chocolate tasting of 10 varieties, and optional spirits. The pacing is practical, the transport is comfortable, and the menu of choices lets you shape the day a bit.

Skip it or look for another option if you hate early mornings or you’re the kind of person who needs lots of buffer time in the city. Because the tour leaves promptly and cannot wait, this is not the day trip for late starts.

If you’re after a fun, flavor-first Yarra Valley intro, this one is a solid bet.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point in Melbourne?

Meet your guide and vehicle at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia on Flinders Street. It is directly opposite 154 Flinders Street.

What time does the tour leave and when will I get back?

You meet at 8:35am and the tour departs promptly around 9:00am. You return to the Melbourne CBD between about 4:55pm and 5:20pm.

How long is the day trip?

The duration is 8 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle is included. Tastings are included at wine and chocolate venues, and you also get tastings at least 4 venues for wine, beer, and chocolate.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the price. Lunch is available for purchase at Hubert Estate or Chandon.

Can I do a gin or whisky tasting?

Yes, at St Huberts Cellar Door you can pay a small fee for a gin or whisky tasting if you want it.

Is this tour a good option if it is raining?

Yes. The tour is described as a great thing to do if you are in Melbourne and it is raining all day.

Do they provide hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 7 years.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.