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
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 lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday, the restaurant seating up to 50 guests is regularly booked out on Friday and Saturday nights – bookings are highly recommended. With a focus on showcasing great local produce and a variety of delicious wine, the menu reflects traditional pub meals with a touch of class.
To ensure there is a variety to the menu, seasonal Chef Specials are available for those who dine regularly or prefer a more seasonal choice.
The Yea Peppercorn Hotel was delighted to win a Silver in the 2017 Victorian Tourism awards under the category of Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services and through this appeared on the National Television show Postcards.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Yea Railway Market
Bringing the community together, the Yea Railway Market offers fresh produce, music, laughter and friends. Held at the Yea Railway Reserve on the first Saturday of the month, come along and enjoy the community environment.
Optional gold coin donation for entry – all donations raised go towards a different local charity each month.
STAY
Yea Springs
Yea Springs has two brand new luxury holiday homes set on four beautiful acres in a peaceful rural area, only five minutes drive from the Yea town centre.
The property has direct access to the Great Victorian Rail Trail for cycling and wonderful views of the Goulburn River Valley and Strathbogie Ranges.
The two homes are of the same size and layout, comfortably accommodating up to four persons each.
Both have two well-appointed bedrooms with full wardrobes, ceiling fans and quality linen and bedding. Wattleseed has one queen bed and two king singles, while Ironbark has queen beds in both bedrooms.
Fully equipped kitchen and exceptionally spacious lounge and dining areas are fully air conditioned, have large digital televisions (satellite transmission) and open onto outdoor covered decks.
Yea Springs is perfectly suitable for couples (or a family of three or four) sharing a single residence, or groups of up to eight people taking both.
And it’s especially great for cyclists wanting to ride Australia’s longest rail trail, which runs from Tallarook all the way to Mansfield.
