Yarra Valley Balloon, Wildlife & Wine Day Tour

A busy and full day, yet relaxing that highlights the very best of the Valley - an early morning balloon flight, Australian native animals, high quality wines, superb food and stunning scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS
Hot air balloon ride with breakfast
Healesville Sanctuary
Yering Station Wine Bar & Restaurant
Yering Station Cellar Door & Produce Store
De Bortoli (producers of Noble One, Australia's most awarded dessert wine)

Your day starts very early, pre-dawn when you depart your accommodation for the Yarra Valley. Arrive at the designated site where you'll be briefed before travelling out to the launch site. Here, you can assist with the balloon launch or stand back and take pictures. And then you'll be air-bound, drifting above Yarra Glen, the vineyards and the meandering Yarra River. After flying for approximately 1 hour, you'll descend to pack up the balloon before travelling through to Balgownie Estate Winery for a hearty champagne breakfast.

It's then on the Healesville Sanctuary, home to more than 200 species of native animals amidst 75 acres of bushland. It showcases Australian wildlife in a distinctly Australian setting and visitors can experience close-up encounters with some of Australia’s most unique and captivating wildlife in their natural habitat, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, birds of prey and platypus.

Early afternoon, it's a short ride to the Yering Station Winery for lunch. Established as Victoria's first vineyard in 1838, the current owners have restored the property to its former glory and it is now one of the must visit vineyards in the valley. Adjourn to the stunning and contemporary Wine Bar Restaurant with world-class views and cuisine. Post-lunch, enjoy a tasting of estate and reserve wines in an historic 1859 building surrounded by local artworks and produce

The day concludes at the De Bortoli Winery at Dixons Creek. As the largest producer in the Valley, it's a great finish to the day with superbly flavoured cheeses that compliment the sparkling, table and dessert wines

Our journey home can take us through Steels Creek and the rolling Christmas Hills. Expect to be back to your accommodation by around 6.30pm.