This regional town sure knows how to pack a punch. Just north of the Great Dividing Range and only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Yea offers a relaxed country experience but with a progressive twist.
Boasting modern street art, award winning wineries, restaurants, historic buildings, a thriving main street and a strong arts culture, Yea Victoria is a key town on the Great Victorian Rail Trail.
HIGHLIGHTS
RAIL TRAIL
The Great Victorian Rail Trail winds through Yea, making it a great stop to wet the whistle, indulge the palate and inspire your inner creative, as cyclists can explore the fabulous range of welcoming country pubs, great eateries, local art galleries and quirky stores.
YEA WETLANDS DISCOVERY CENTRE
A trip to Yea, Victoria, isn’t complete without a wander through the Yea wetlands and the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre
Situated on a 32-hectare floodplain the wetlands are home to platypus, koalas and many native and migratory waterbirds that watch over the billabongs. While the YWDC is an environmental learning and accredited visitor information centre, where you can also learn about the traditional owners, the Taungurung people.
The Yea Wetlands may be small on a world scale, but they provide inspiration in spades, opening your eyes to an abundance of bird life and fauna throughout the seasons.
MURRINDINDI SCENIC RESERVE
Pack a picnic, throw a line in, or even pitch a tent at the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve. Situated at the northern end of Toolangi State Forest, this large green oasis is less than 2 hours from Melbourne.
It includes tumbling waterfalls, Mountain Ash, fern-filled gullies and is the perfect place for bushwalking, bird watching, fishing and paddling in the shallows of the Murrindindi River.
EAT & DRINK
Yea Peppercorn Hotel
The Yea Peppercorn Hotel caters to many travellers passing through to Lake Eildon in the Summer and Mt Buller during Winter.
It is also a welcome overnight venue for cyclists exploring the 134 kilometre Great Victorian Rail Trail which passes through Yea, just across the road from the hotel at the old railway station.
Being only 1.5 hours out of Melbourne it is the perfect distance for a day trip or overnight stop. Serving delicious Indian food from 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and more traditional pub fare from Thursday to Sunday, with lunch available on weekends only.
With boutique accommodation available as part of the premises, why not make the most of your visit and stay a night or two? With five queen rooms onsite and a two bedroom apartment nearby, Yea Peppercorn caters for couples and small groups.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Father’s Day Long Lunch at Flowerdale Estate
Good food. Good company. No one checking the time.
This Father’s Day, gather the people who matter most and escape to the country for an afternoon designed to be enjoyed together.
Set amongst the gardens and rolling hills of Flowerdale Estate, the Father’s Day Long Lunch is a celebration of family, great food and slowing down. Enjoy a generous country-style feast featuring slow-cooked meats, seasonal favourites, hearty sides and comforting desserts, all prepared by Flowerdale Estate’s talented kitchen team using fresh, locally inspired ingredients.
After lunch, there’s no need to rush home. Wander the gardens, challenge the family to a few lawn games, or capture a special keepsake together with the family photo station. Every little detail has been thoughtfully planned to create an afternoon you’ll remember long after Father’s Day has passed.
Reserve your spot today, as spaces are limited for the Father’s Day Long Lunch. Gather your family, leave the cooking to Flowerdale Estate, and spend the day making memories together. Whether you’re treating Dad, celebrating Grandpa, or simply looking for an excuse to bring everyone together, this is a day to linger a little longer.
STAY
House of Mi-Rin
House of Mi-Rin is a boutique farm-to-table retreat in Yea, where seasonal dining, wellness and slow living come together.
Guests can enjoy luxury accommodation, seasonal dining, farm experiences and spaces designed for rest, connection and stillness.
Each of their five spacious rooms have been thoughtfully designed with a zen-inspired aesthetic, blending minimalism, natural materials, and grounding tones to create an atmosphere of serene elegance.
Set on a working farm, the House of Mi-Rin experience is shaped by ingredients grown, harvested and fermented on-site, with Korean-inspired traditions influencing both the food and the guest experience.