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
40th Yea Rotary Art Show
The 40th Yea Rotary Art Show will feature varied displays by many talented artists from Yea, The Murrindindi Shire, Victoria and interstate.
Generous prizes encourage outstanding entries, and the exhibits are available for purchase during the course of the Show. The Art Show is held in the beautifully restored Yea Shire Hall in the centre of the lovely township of Yea.
Attend opening night to have first opportunity to purchase paintings, enjoy a drink, view some outstanding art and also hear first-hand from the Judge as to who won the prizes and why. If you are attending opening night, the theme is Floral, so find something to wear with a floral theme in mind, to help make the night more fun.
STAY
Murrindindi Scenic Reserve Camping
Whether you’re into camping, bushwalking, waterfalls, birdwatching, picnicking, fishing, or paddling in the gentle waters of the Murrindindi River, the reserve caters to all kinds of outdoor adventures. Just 1.5 hours drive from Melbourne, it’s perfect for a day trip or a weekend retreat.
There are six riverside camping areas along the river in the reserve, some of which are suitable for small caravans.
Flushing toilets are located at Ferns Camp and Bull Creek Camp and pit toilets are located at all other campgrounds. Flushing toilets can also be found at the Suspension Bridge day area at the start of the reserve near Wilhelmina Falls Road.
Most camping areas have fireplaces and picnic tables and some have wood-fired barbecues, however you will need to bring your own wood and check fire bans before use.
Camping fees apply but you cannot book or reserve your site. Sites are available on a first come first served basis. In peak periods, camping sites may be unavailable, so have contingency plans in place for these busy times.
The river is great for fishing and paddling but is generally not deep enough for swimming or canoeing.
Dogs are not permitted in the reserve.
The reserve is part of the traditional land of the Kulin Nation.