Just north of the Great Dividing Range the township of Yea is nestled in a beautiful valley at the meeting of the Yea and Goulburn Rivers. Only a 90 minute drive from Melbourne, Yea offers a relaxed country experience.
The Yea township boasts historic buildings, a thriving main street and a strong arts culture. It's also a key town on the Great Victorian Rail Trail. With a range of award-winning wineries, restaurants and accommodation options on offer, Yea is the perfect base to explore the area’s surrounding scenic and historic sites.
HIGHLIGHTS
RAIL TRAIL
The Great Victorian Rail Trail winds through much of this area making these townships a great stopping off point for cyclists wishing to explore the fabulous range of welcoming country pubs, great eateries, local art galleries and quirky stores.
YEA WETLANDS DISCOVERY CENTRE
Drop into the Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum for a ride on one of the historic locomotives and learn more about the early history of rail in the area.
MURRINDINDI SCENIC RESERVE
One of the lesser known gems of our region, the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, is a great spot offering a bit of everything. There's a range of bushwalking, multiple camping areas, waterfalls, a picturesque river for water play as well as bird watching and fishing opportunities.
EAT & DRINK
Sedona Estate
From Sedona Estate’s humble beginnings in 1998, Paul and Sonja’s vision has been to produce fine cool-climate wines from their vineyard north of the Great Divide in the Yea Valley. Their passion and dedication is reflected in the Sedona Estate range. Varietal purity makes each bottle of wine a true experience.
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Murrindindi, Sedona Estate offers a true country experience with stunning views and plenty of Australian wildlife around. The stylish cellar door and hillside terrace is a great place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with fine wines and delicious artisan platters to share.
Winemaker Paul Evans employs a very hands-on approach to capture the essence of this emerging wine region. It is cool climate viticulture, but plenty of sunshine at the right times provides the perfect conditions for producing complex Shiraz and delightful Sangiovese. Their outstanding quality is reflected in many national and international awards at esteemed wine shows.
Paul and Sonja pride themselves in offering friendly country hospitality and authentic wine tasting experiences. Looking behind the scenes and experiencing the real winemaking world is one of many offerings at Sedona Estate.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Brunch Among the Blooms
Brunch Among the Blooms is an exclusive seasonal experience at Bloom Into You Flower Farm in Flowerdale, Victoria. Just over one hour from Melbourne, this immersive gathering invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and celebrate the beauty of nature surrounded by vibrant seasonal blooms.
This curated event blends creativity, dining, and connection. Guests begin with a hands-on floral session led by guest designers, crafting a wild garden bouquet, a delicate flower crown, or a rustic table arrangement to take home. No experience is needed — just a love of blooms and a desire to create.
A thoughtfully curated menu is then served at a beautifully styled long table set among the flowers. Fresh flavours, seasonal produce, and elegant presentation create a feast for the senses. A glass of the season — sparkling, botanical, or still — adds the perfect finishing touch.
Guests can also wander the flower fields with snips in hand, gathering fresh blooms to incorporate into their creations and to take home as a memory of the day.
As part of A Summer in Bloom, visitors may also enjoy Gather and Bloom: Twilight Pick or extend their stay at Villa Minto luxury accommodation overlooking the farm.
Early bookings are recommended.
STAY
Villa Minto at Bloom Into You Flower Farm
Immerse yourself in the rolling hills of Flowerdale at Villa Minto. Set within the renowned Bloom Into You Flower Farm, this architecturally designed, off-grid villa offers floor-to-ceiling views, a moody designer bathroom, and complete privacy. Just a scenic 80-minute drive from Melbourne, it’s your space to disconnect, ground yourself, and breathe.
Villa Minto redefines off-grid luxury. Carefully positioned to capture sweeping views from every angle, the villa features floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the lines between the landscape and your living space, a dark, moody designer bathroom featuring a generous double shower, and a luxurious king-sized bed dressed in premium linens.
Every Saturday from January to April, as part of the ‘A Summer In Bloom’ event series, enjoy Gather and Bloom Twilight Pick. While these events sell out to the public, Villa Minto guests receive complimentary access (valued at $185pp). Step out of your private villa to enjoy the food, and the sunset atmosphere. (Note event booking-dependent.)
Complimentary gourmet breakfast provisions with gluten-free options are available. The villa boasts a sweeping deck perfect for stargazing and enjoying the sunset over the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
Located near the Yarra Valley, Villa Minto is the perfect luxury base for guests attending weddings at Flowerdale Estate and Trawool Estate.
Check their Social pages to see exactly what’s blooming on the farm for seasonal updates.