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
Visit the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre - an environmental learning and accredited visitor information centre. Explore the Yea Wetlands and learn about the traditional owners, the Taungurung people.
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
Marmalades of Yea Cafe and Produce Store
Located in the historic Purcell General Store (est 1887), Marmalades of Yea Cafe offers the best of local produce and wares coupled with a variety of their ‘favourite things’ from around their travels.
Their food is inspired by what they love to eat and they have the most amazing setting for their guests to enjoy, whether it’s winter by the fire or spring and summer in their courtyard oasis.
Yea is a fabulous place to visit, and no stop in Yea is complete without a visit to Marmalades for coffee and cake or lunch with a glass of local wine!
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Flowerdale Market
A country market featuring stalls, arts, crafts, veggies, plants, bric-a-brac and lots more. There will also be hot food, Devonshire tea and cold drinks available.
The Flowerdale Market is held at Flowerdale Community Hall from August – March (not in January) on the third Sunday of each month.
STAY
Cheviot Glen Cottages
At the gateway to beautiful north-east Victoria, Cheviot Glen Cottages sit in a hillside on a rural working farm just east of the Yea township, 110 kilometres or 1.5 hours from Melbourne and 400 metres from the Great Victorian Rail Trail.
Side-by-side the cottages are ideal for a relaxing escape from the city, a base for cycling, horse riding, walking the Trail or just exploring the beautiful rolling hills to the Dividing Range.
Each cottage offers one queen-size bedroom, a generous ensuite bathroom with double spa, separate shower, a fully-equipped kitchen. The living area includes a sofa bed for an extra two guests and a slow combustion wood heater.
Accommodation: Stays of two nights upwards and extended stays, includes a choice of breakfast provisions (Cheviot Glen Cottages aim to be sensitive to guests dietary preferences) and welcoming little touches such as freshly baked bread and a home-baked ‘welcome’ jar of goodies.