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
Sedona Estate
Nestled in the rolling hills of Murrindindi near Yea, Sedona Estate is a boutique winery producing fine cool-climate wines with true provenance. Established in 1998, owners Paul and Sonja focus on growing and crafting classic French and Italian varieties producing regionally distinctive wines. Their passion and dedication make each bottle of wine a true experience.
Sonja and Paul pride themselves in offering an authentic and welcoming cellar door experience at Sedona Estate. A visit to this boutique winery offers warm country hospitality, with the vignerons sharing the story and offering interesting and engaging wine tastings.
With stunning views over the Murrindindi Valley, it is easy to spend a leisurely afternoon grazing on Sedona’s artisan boards sipping the wines grown at the Estate.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Yea Garden Expo
The township of Yea is just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne. The Yea Rotary Club has organised a Garden Expo. This is just the time of year when interested gardeners are busy preparing their gardens for spring colour. The Expo provides an opportunity to view a host of garden-related products at the Yea Saleyards site (Flat Lead Road), just off the Yea – Whittlesea Road, a few kilometres on the south side of Yea. The site is flat, sealed and easily accessible for everyone. Dogs are permitted, provided on a leash.
The expo will feature a wide range of goods and services and a plentiful supply of food and drinks, much of it homemade. Over 70 vendors will be on site with exhibits ranging from bulbs, seeds, seedlings, flowering plants and trees to garden tools and equipment, garden art and ornaments, compost, fertilizers and more. Check out the quirky horseshoe garden sculptures, produced by local Darryl Callander and which can be made to order.
New this year will be the opportunity to visit two spring gardens for the added cost of $10 (includes both gardens).
STAY
Yea Riverside Caravan Park
Whether it is one of the brand new and comfortable cabins or well-groomed sites for campers, caravans or motor homes, Yea Riverside Caravan Park offers a range of accommodation types to be enjoyed along the banks of the picturesque Yea River.
Just under 100 kilometres from Melbourne at the junction of the Goulburn Valley Highway and the Melba Highway, Yea Riverside Caravan Park is ideally situated for ski trips to Mt Buller, fishing and water sports activities, visiting the region’s historic sites or simply relaxing and enjoying the environment.
Pet friendly options are available.