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
Yea Racing – Picnic Horse Racing
Join in for their picnic horse racing events for the Season 2026/2027.
You can expect free kid activities such face painting, pony rides, Kelly Sports on cup day, live music and barbeque. Catering is available or bring your own picnic basket. Drinks are also available at the bar or bring your own drinks.
Marquees, umbrellas, shaded sites or public areas available.
Come and see the Picnic Club of the Year 2024/2025 and join in on the fun.
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.