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
Marmalades Yea
Nestled in the heart of Yea, Marmalades is a warm and welcoming café built on good food, genuine hospitality, and community connection. A place where locals gather, travellers pause, and everyone feels at home.
From slow breakfasts and hearty lunches to fresh coffee and house-made favourites, Marmalades celebrates simple moments done well. With a focus on quality ingredients, friendly service, and a relaxed country atmosphere, it’s more than just a café — it’s part of the fabric of Yea.
Whether you’re stopping in for your morning coffee, meeting friends for lunch, or discovering the region, Marmalades is a place to settle in, connect, and enjoy.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
A Story Club Special – Only Fans – with the one and ONLY Fanny Lums – Flowerdale
Join only Fanny Lumsden for her solo story club show where she shares wholesome stories from the road.
From growing up on a sheep farm to performing at Glastonbury Festival, Fanny sure has some stories to tell. The multi-award winning artist is touring this July and August with an intimate show full of stories and surprises. So whether you are a fan yet or not, join Only Fans, as Fanny is known, as she brings her songs in the form of Story Club, a book club for songs.
STAY
Tartan Motel
Tartan Motel is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Yea, offering a budget friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer air conditioning, bringing comfort and convenience to your visit.
During your visit, be sure to check out a popular historic site like Cheviot Tunnel, which is a short distance from the motel. Yea is a scenic township known for the confluence of the Goulburn and Yea Rivers, the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre, and family-friendly cycling on the Great Victorian Rail Trail. Historically, it served as a service center for goldmining and timber, a legacy reflected in some of its 19th-century buildings. It is located 112 kilometres north-east of Melbourne in the Shire of Murrindindi.
Enjoy your stay in Yea at the Tartan Motel.