The best luxury accommodation in the Yarra Valley

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Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley isn’t just home to rows upon rows of cool-climate grapes – it has plenty of elegant accommodation options, too.

Wine regions like the gorgeous Yarra Valley are inherently indulgent. There’s something about sipping quality wine straight from the source and dining on local produce at a sprawling vineyard that feels both relaxing and regal. It’s therefore easy to justify splurging on where you sleep to round out the experience. Planning a visit to the region? Here’s a round-up of the Yarra Valley’s best luxury accommodation.

The Farmhouse at Meletos

Best for: Channelling a European holiday

The Tuscan-style Farmhouse  is a two-storey boutique hotel with views of sweeping vineyards and an apple orchard. The 23 luxury rooms are decorated simply and each has slightly different furnishings and touches, along with shuttered windows and vintage timber floors, so there’s not a whiff of a cookie-cutter hotel. The high-ceilinged lobby feels homely the moment you step in, with a fireplace encircled by leather couches, a high-strung chandelier and a spiral staircase.

the bedroom at Farmhouse at Meletos with scenic views from the window
Wake up to scenic vineyard views.

The Tuscan Suite is the star of the show, with exceptional views out to the distant Great Dividing Range, a bathroom that’s almost as big as the bedroom, and an ornate black chandelier hanging beside the bed.

the living area with fireplace and leather couches at Farmhouse at Meletos
The cosy lobby features rustic touches.

If you’re travelling with a group, you can book the self-contained five-bedroom villa on the north side of the property. The villa has a generous living area and an enclosed courtyard, so there’s plenty of space to kick back with friends or family with a few bottles of local vino.

The Meletos restaurant offers a refined menu with views of the gardens, and adjoins the elegant Ernie’s bar.

Address: 12 St Huberts Road, Coldstream

Chateau Yering Yarra Valley

Best for: Feeling like royalty

Despite its unassuming plain white exterior and underwhelming entrance, Chateau Yering , located in a Victorian mansion on a 250-acre estate, feels palatial the moment you step inside. Parts of the hotel look a little tired, but it’s undeniably steeped in history, given the historic homestead was built in 1854 on the site of Victoria’s first vineyard. The 32 suites—each with their own colour scheme and personality—channel the opulence of Versailles, with fine furnishings like heavy floral curtains, padded bedheads and antique furniture. Depending on what room you choose, you could enjoy soaking in a claw-foot bath or oversized spa in your marble ensuite.

The hotel’s lounge, Chinese room and library have maintained their original fittings to provide a glimpse into life in the 1800s, and Eleonore’s Restaurant includes elements of the original dining room. In the restaurant, you can dine on a two or three-course menu plus canapés, sitting on chairs embroidered with gold thread and under ornate ceiling roses, or opt for a meal in the casual Streetwater Cafe.

a look inside Chateau Yering Yarra Valley
Stay in a luxe suite at Chateau Yering. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Address: 42 Melba Highway, Yering

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Kangaroo Ridge Retreat

Best for: Getting away from it all

If you love a room with a view, book a luxury cabin at the adults-only Kangaroo Ridge  and wake up face-to-face with the Yarra’s misty mountains.

a scenic Yarra Valley landscape as seen from Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
Take in the view of the Yarra’s misty mountains. (Image: Gunvor E Jakobsen)

Enjoy a soak in your private spa bath, then wrap yourself in a plush robe, select a vinyl record to spin, and sit by the fire or on your balcony with a glass of wine from your personal bar.

the luxury cabin exterior at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, Yarra Valley
Enjoy a sweet escape to the Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. (Image: Gunvor E Jakobsen)

A range of gourmet snacks are complimentary in the larder, and you can hire a private chef for an intimate dining experience, or pre-arrange an in-room dining pack.

the living room at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, Yarra Valley
Stay in a luxury cabin with a view at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. (Image: Gunvor E Jakobsen)

Want to arrive like the VIP that you are? Book a helicopter transfer from Melbourne.

the bed at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, Yarra Valley
Get cosy at the luxe Kangaroo Ridge Retreat. (Image: Gunvor E Jakobsen)

Address: 38 Turners Lane, Healesville

Yarra Valley Lodge

Best for: Families and golf lovers

Yarra Valley Lodge offers hotel-style accommodation on the grounds of a golf and country club. The lodge has 102 rooms that have either a private balcony or access to a garden terrace. Visit the Heritage Retreat & Day Spa for a massage or facial, or to work off a few wines at the spacious gym. The lodge also has a tennis court, a 20-metre heated swimming pool and a children’s pool.

the dining at Yarra Valley Lodge
Each room has either a private balcony or access to a garden terrace.

Grab a pre-dinner drink in the Lodge Bar (which also offers all-day dining), then head to the pop-up restaurant for a three-course share menu on Friday and Saturday nights.

a fine dining setup at Yarra Valley Lodge
Head to the pop-up restaurant for a three-course share menu.

Address: 2 Heritage Ave, Chirnside Park

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Carl’s Hut at Solitude

Best for: A couple’s retreat

Carl’s Hut is secluded luxury at its best, tucked in amongst vineyards and a forest on Solitude Estate. The cosy, rustic cabin, which dates back to the 1940s, has been beautifully restored with great attention to detail—think exposed timber beams, fine linen, a crackling fire, heated polished concrete floors and quality kitchen appliances—to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.

the bedroom at Carl’s Hut at Solitude
Get comfy in this rustic and quaint cabin. (Image: Nick Skinner)

Prep yourself a charcuterie platter of local produce, crack a bottle of Yarra red (available to purchase) and sit on the balcony to hear nothing but birds and the quiet rustle of grazing wallabies. Come nightfall, it’s the perfect place to stare at the stars.

the kitchen at Carl’s Hut at Solitude
Carl’s Hut has been beautifully restored with modern amenities. (Image: Nick Skinner)

Address: 435 Beenak Road, Yellingbo

Re’em Yarra Valley

Best for: Modern luxury

Located on the 200-acre Helen and Joey Estate, Re’em  is a luxe boutique hotel in the Yarra Valley. The accommodation has the comforts of a hotel with a 24-hour reception, room service, and onsite restaurant and bar.

a scenic vineyard landscape at Re’em Yarra Valley
Re’em offers 16 thoughtfully appointed rooms. (Image: Hugh Davidson)

The 16 modern rooms are generously sized and have a private patio or balcony, depending on which type of suite you choose. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford exceptional views across the vineyard and lake.

a bathtub with views of the surrounding vineyard at Re’em Yarra Valley
Soak in a tub facing the vines at Re’em Yarra Valley. (Image: Hugh Davidson)

You can taste estate-grown wines at the cellar door (where you can also order snacks and picnic packs), then easily access other wineries in the surrounding Yarra Valley region. Come lunch or dinner time, you can eat out, or stay in, dining on an Asian-inspired menu at the classy Re’em restaurant.

the living room at Re’em Yarra Valley
Each suite has a private patio or balcony. (Image: Hugh Davidson)

Address: 12–14 Spring Lane, Gruyere

Discover the best restaurants in the Yarra Valley.

Emily McAuliffe
Emily McAuliffe is a Melbourne-based freelance travel writer. She is on the board of the Australian Society of Travel Writers and her writing and photography has featured in many titles in Australia and abroad. She loves nothing more than touching down in a new destination or approaching a familiar place with fresh eyes.
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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
    Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

    It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

    The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

    surfers at Bells Beach in Australia
    Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

    True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

    huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach
    Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

    an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach
    Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

    surfers out at Bells Beach
    Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

    Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

    Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay
    The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

    surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

    surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

    surfing at Bells Beach
    The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)