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
The General Strath Creek
Set within a restored barn, The General Strath Creek is a country corner shop with a condensed curation of everyday items. From hot coffee, to home made sausage rolls, each item conveys a sense of support and community. Built to supply locals and welcome visitors, The General Strath Creek is a place for everything and everyone. Open everyday (except Tuesday) with evening meals served Friday and Saturday night.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Gather and Bloom Twilight Pick
Gather and Bloom Twilight Pick is a unique seasonal event at Bloom Into You Flower Farm in Flowerdale, Victoria. Just over one hour from Melbourne, this immersive twilight experience invites visitors to explore a boutique flower farm as the sun sets, gather their own blooms, and enjoy an evening of food, music, and connection in a serene country setting.
Stroll along grassy pathways lined with dahlias, zinnias, and cosmos glowing in the golden hour light. Breathe in the scent of fresh blooms and listen as gentle acoustic music drifts across the fields. Guests can savour wood-fired pizza served under summer’s twilight while relaxing into the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Perfect for Melbourne day trips and weekend getaways, this seasonal event offers stunning photography opportunities, hands-on floral activities, and a memorable connection to Victoria’s rural beauty. Visitors are encouraged to linger, soak up the peaceful surroundings, and leave with a hand-picked bouquet as a memento of their evening.
As part of A Summer in Bloom, guests may also enjoy Brunch Among the Blooms, a premium long-table dining experience, or stay overnight at Villa Minto, luxury accommodation overlooking the flower farm, to complete their country escape.
Numbers are limited to maintain an intimate feel. Early bookings are essential.
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.