Food, wine, and kangaroos in one afternoon. This late-afternoon Yarra Valley small-group tour packs Chandon, cheese, wine, and sweet tastings into a comfy van ride, then ends with a sunset walk where you’re chasing wild kangaroos.

I especially like the food stops—you get real variety (soft cheeses, coverture-style chocolate, plus wine tastings) without it feeling like a checklist. And the pacing feels smart: each stop is scheduled so you’re not rushed, and the tastings are set up quickly once you arrive, which matters when you’re driving between producers.

One drawback to plan for: lunch isn’t included, and the Domaine Chandon lounge menu may feel limited, with dietary options possibly constrained in the regional stops. If you have strict dietary needs, you’ll want to think ahead.

Key points to know before you go

• Late 11:30am start means you can use your Melbourne morning for brunch or shopping.
• Domaine Chandon includes a complimentary glass of sparkling wine plus time to browse and buy.
• Yarra Valley Dairy cheese tasting focuses on soft cheeses made onsite.
• Yering Station private wine tasting includes cool-climate styles, including Pinot Noir.
• Golden-hour kangaroo safari uses a known area for the best chance at sightings, with a money-back guarantee promise.

A late start that makes Yarra Valley feel less like a chore

This tour is built around the simple idea that your time matters. You meet in central Melbourne and depart at 11:30am, which is perfect if you want to wake up slow, wander the city, and avoid the all-out early start that ruins your morning. The pickup is behind Federation Square (near the NGV rear entrance), and you’re looking for the white bus marked Yarra Valley Touring.

The day stays relaxed thanks to the small group size. The cap is max 11 guests (listed as limited to 12 participants), so you’re not squeezed with a big crowd during tastings or on the van. That also makes it easier for the guide to remember names and keep the energy friendly—names like Craig and Kurt show up often in the tour’s guide lineup.

The other quiet win: transport is rated highly, so the trip between stops feels stable rather than chaotic. You’re in a minivan, and the drive to the valley is about an hour, which keeps the schedule realistic.

The ride out of Melbourne and a strawberry farm stop

You’ll spend roughly one hour in the van heading toward the Yarra Valley. During that drive, there’s a bonus stop for fresh strawberries from a strawberry farm, with enough for everyone to share.

This part of the day works better than it sounds. It’s not a full detour—it’s a quick, low-pressure start that puts you in the countryside mood. And it helps break up the travel so you arrive at Domaine Chandon ready to taste and not just hungry from the road.

If you’re the type who likes to snack between wineries (fair), this stop is handy. Just remember the tour is still a tasting-heavy day—so keep your appetite flexible for cheese and chocolate later.

Domaine Chandon: sparkling wine, views, and shopping time

Domaine Chandon (part of Moët et Chandon) is a major highlight because it’s both scenic and hands-on. You’ll arrive for about one hour, including a champagne history and production introduction, plus a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.

This is the part of the tour that gives you two different kinds of value:

1. Taste value: you get a proper first pour and guided context for what you’re drinking.
2. Experience value: you also get time to soak in the setting and then choose your own pacing for lunch and the boutique.

Lunch is the catch. You’ll have time to purchase it from the lounge menu, but it’s not included in the tour price. One practical tip: the lounge menu may feel narrow, so if you know your preferences or you need a specific dietary option, bring a plan. Even something simple like a snack or a backup option can save you if the menu doesn’t match your needs.

You also get boutique shopping time for Chandon products. If you’re the souvenir type, this is where you’ll actually have time to browse.

Yarra Valley Dairy: the best “pause” stop for cheese lovers

After Chandon, you move on to the Yarra Valley Dairy for about one hour. This is a small family-owned business and boutique producer focused on soft cheeses made onsite. You’ll do a cheese tasting that’s meant to show you a range of styles rather than one sample and done.

Why this stop matters: it balances out the day’s alcohol-forward rhythm. You switch from sparkling wine to dairy flavors, and it gives your palate a different kind of texture and salt/sweet balance. It also tends to be a more relaxed setting compared with winery-heavy tours, so it’s a good break before you move into more wine.

Look at this stop as more than “free samples.” It’s your chance to learn how the valley’s cheesemakers think about craft. If you’re even casually into charcuterie boards or cheese nights at home, this tasting can give you ideas for what to buy later.

Yering Station Winery: private wine tasting with cool-climate focus

The next stop is Yering Station, described as historic and home to Victoria’s first vineyard. You’ll have about one hour here, and the tasting is private, with a range of classic cool-climate wines.

Pinot Noir is specifically mentioned as one of the styles you may sample, and that matters if you’ve mostly had Australian reds that lean jammy or heavy. Cool-climate wines usually feel more structured and food-friendly, and this stop gives you a chance to taste that side of the region.

This is also where the guide’s role becomes useful. Strong guides will connect the dots between vineyard choices, grape style, and what you’re tasting, without turning it into a lecture. Names like Steven, Steve, and Kyle show up as guides people remember for adding extra context and keeping things enjoyable.

If you’re planning to buy wine, keep in mind you’re also heading to chocolate later—so you might not want to overdo it at the tasting table. Taste first, then decide.

Chocolates and ice cream: coverture-style and shop time

Your sweet tooth gets center stage at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. You’ll have about one hour here for tasting and a longer break to explore the shop.

What’s included here:

• Private chocolate tastings
• Time to sample a variety of flavours
• Plus free time to pick up treats

The tasting includes learning about coverture chocolate and sampling flavours with ingredients that are sourced from their own gardens. That detail is more than marketing—it helps explain why the flavours can feel distinct compared with mass-produced chocolate.

One more practical note: this shop can run away with your shopping budget if you’re not careful. Use the tasting to decide what you actually like, then buy with a plan. If you’re traveling home with gifts, check packaging and transport options so your treats survive the trip.

Sunset kangaroo safari: golden hour, photos, and that guaranteed promise

The final act is the kangaroo safari in the lower Yarra Valley. You’ll travel to a known spot where kangaroos tend to be during daylight hours, and then you’ll watch them as the sun goes down. This portion uses a walk-and-photo style format, with the group stopping so you can get as close as possible for pictures when the animals are active.

Timing is the whole game. The tour specifically sets this up for golden hour, when wildlife activity is often better for viewing. You’re given about one hour for the sunset stop, which is enough time to catch multiple moments rather than a rushed 10-minute sighting.

Now, the important wording: wildlife is never fully guaranteed on any outing. But the operator includes an exclusive money-back guarantee you will see wild kangaroos, and the tour explains that you visit a known location to maximize your odds.

In other words, you’re not going to feel like you’re paying for a gamble with no upside. You’re going because the day is arranged for the best chance, and the guarantee adds real confidence.

If you want to photograph well:

• Bring your camera
• Give yourself time at the walking stop to adjust settings
• Stay still when someone spots movement (it helps everyone)

And yes, there’s a real possibility of memorable moments—like spotting a joey in a pouch—when you’re lucky and the timing clicks.

Price and value: why $123 feels fair for this specific mix

At $123 per person for about seven hours, this tour looks like “a lot of stops,” but the pricing makes sense once you count what’s actually included. You’re not just paying for transport. You’re paying for:

• Guided access and a curated tasting lineup
• Complimentary sparkling wine at Domaine Chandon
• Wine tasting at Yering Station
• Cheese tasting at a dairy producer
• Chocolate tastings at the chocolaterie and ice creamery
• Comfortable minivan transport and a guide who manages time tightly

A lot of vineyard tours focus on wine and call it a day. This one spreads the experience into cheese and chocolate, so your day doesn’t feel repetitive. That can be a genuine value win if you like variety and you don’t want a full-day wine-only routine.

Who gets the most out of it? People who want:

• A food-first Yarra Valley experience
• A schedule that still feels relaxed
• A real nature finale without needing to plan it yourself

Who might find it less perfect? If you want a long lunch with zero tasting pressure, or you need specific meal accommodations, the “lunch not included” setup means you’ll have to be more intentional.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

This tour is a strong match if you’re:

• In Melbourne for a short window and want Yarra Valley in one organized loop
• A fan of wine plus cheese plus chocolate
• Interested in wildlife viewing at sunset, not just “we’ll drive past a field”
• Traveling with friends or solo and want a small, friendly group vibe

It may not be the best fit if:

• You need wheelchair access (the tour is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users)
• You’re traveling with very young children (not suitable for children under 2)
• You’re sensitive to alcohol being part of the day (you must be 18 or older to buy or drink alcohol in licensed venues)

Before you go: what to pack and how to plan your day

You’ll be tasting and walking, so pack with comfort in mind:

• Camera for the sunset stop
• Passport or ID card
• Cash (handy for purchases and lunches)
• Reusable water bottle

And for the alcohol part: the tour involves licensed venues, so plan to follow the 18+ requirement for drinking.

Also, do yourself a favour with food strategy. Because lunch isn’t included and the schedule is tasting-heavy, have either:

• a small appetite plan for Chandon’s lounge menu, or
• a backup snack mindset so you don’t end up feeling stuck if the lunch options don’t fit you.

Should you book the Yarra Valley Foodies Tour with Chandon and Kangaroo Safari?

Yes, if you want a packed-but-not-rushed afternoon that mixes world-famous sparkling, hands-on cheese and chocolate tastings, and a genuine wildlife finale. The small group size helps it feel personal, and the guide-driven flow—often led by people like Craig or Kurt—is a big part of why this tour works.

Consider booking something else if you’re hoping for a long sit-down lunch, heavy meal customization, or fully accessible facilities. In that case, the structure (tastings first, lunch as an add-on) might feel limiting.

If you fit the “food plus scenery plus kangaroos” vibe, this tour is a smart way to spend one of your best Melbourne days.

FAQ

What time does the tour leave Melbourne?

The tour departs Melbourne at 11.30am from the Federation Square area.

How long is the Yarra Valley Foodies Tour?

The total duration is 7 hours.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group capped at a maximum of 11 guests (listed as limited to 12 participants).

What tastings are included in the tour price?

You’ll have chocolate tastings at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, a gourmet cheese sampling at the Yarra Valley Dairy, and premium wine tasting experiences (including sparkling wine at Domaine Chandon and wine tasting at Yering Station).

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You’ll have time to buy food at Domaine Chandon (or another stop during the tour).

Do I need to be 18 to drink alcohol?

Yes. You must be 18 or older to buy alcohol or to drink alcohol in licensed venues in Australia.

Do kangaroos sightings happen every time?

Sightings are common, and the tour states there is an exclusive money-back guarantee that you will see wild kangaroos, but wildlife is never guaranteed. The stop is set up for the best chance during golden hour.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet behind Federation Square corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street, near the NGV rear entrance. Look for the white bus with Yarra Valley Touring written on the side.