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
Brunch Among the Blooms
Brunch Among the Blooms is an exclusive seasonal experience at Bloom Into You Flower Farm in Flowerdale, Victoria. Just over one hour from Melbourne, this immersive gathering invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and celebrate the beauty of nature surrounded by vibrant seasonal blooms.
This curated event blends creativity, dining, and connection. Guests begin with a hands-on floral session led by guest designers, crafting a wild garden bouquet, a delicate flower crown, or a rustic table arrangement to take home. No experience is needed — just a love of blooms and a desire to create.
A thoughtfully curated menu is then served at a beautifully styled long table set among the flowers. Fresh flavours, seasonal produce, and elegant presentation create a feast for the senses. A glass of the season — sparkling, botanical, or still — adds the perfect finishing touch.
Guests can also wander the flower fields with snips in hand, gathering fresh blooms to incorporate into their creations and to take home as a memory of the day.
As part of A Summer in Bloom, visitors may also enjoy Gather and Bloom: Twilight Pick or extend their stay at Villa Minto luxury accommodation overlooking the farm.
Early bookings are recommended.
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.