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.

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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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Makers, good food and the great outdoors: your guide to a long weekend in the Moorabool Valley

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa

    A true hidden gem, the picturesque Moorabool Valley makes for a relaxing and rewarding long weekend escape.

    With its undulating hills and vineyards, the Moorabool Valley is both a beautiful sight and a generous mix of things to do and discover. Expect boutique wineries, farm-to-table eateries, charming accommodation and stunning natural scenery.

    The best part? Despite its many drawcards, the region is peaceful and uncrowded, allowing you to truly switch off. It’s also only 90 minutes from Melbourne and just west of Geelong, making it an easy and accessible getaway when you’ve only got a few days to spare.

    If you’re after a ready-made long weekend itinerary, the Moorabool Valley and Geelong make an ideal pairing.

    Day 1

    Morning

    Blend your own signature scent from a table of fragrances.
    Create your own signature scent. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Start your day in central Geelong, in one of the city’s most cosmopolitan locales. The inner suburb of Newtown is leafy and vibrant, with a host of cafes, boutiques, galleries and specialty stores.

    Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances is a must-visit if you’re a fragrance enthusiast. The artisan perfumer hosts hands-on workshops on weekends, when you can create your own signature scent from a selection of botanical and exotic essences. Beyond being a unique experience, the perfume is a personalised memento of your escape.

    Afternoon

    A stroll through Austin’s Wines, lined with bottles and warm dining spaces.
    Head to Austin’s Wines for a relaxed, seasonal lunch.

    Now it’s time to head to the Moorabool Valley for a weekend of tasting, wandering and unwinding.

    Stop into Austin’s Wines for a light and seasonal lunch. The family-run winery offers a casual menu filled with locally sourced foods for snacking and pairing with their cool-climate wines – think grazing and cheese boards, flatbreads and small plates. Make sure to pick up a bottle of Austin’s signature pinot noir to take home.

    While boutique accommodation abounds, Blame Mabel is a favourite – and for good reason. Check in after lunch for sweeping views over the surrounding hills, a collection of thoughtfully designed accommodation and a distinctly rustic charm. It offers a genuine country stay that allows you to really slow down. If you’re not sampling at the onsite cellar door, you’ll be spending your downtime exploring the property and your evenings warming up around a crackling open fire.

    Night

    A scrumptious plate of food and a beer.
    Settle in for a memorable dinner. (Image: Batesford Hotel)

    Dinner at the historic Batesford Hotel is a must. This welcoming venue offers country character and refined elegance in equal measure, and the food is a standout.

    Order a round of share plates or pizzas with creative toppings, or go for hearty mains like slow-cooked lamb rump with ancient grains and ricotta gnocchi that melts in your mouth. If you’re travelling with little ones, the kids’ menu is surprisingly considered, with options to suit even the pickiest eaters.

    Day 2

    Morning

    A person slicing food from a plate at the Meredith Farm Store.
    Dig into a homestyle feast. (Image: Meredith Farm Store)

    It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll wake up at Blame Mabel feeling rested and recharged – and very ready for a proper breakfast.

    The Meredith Farm Store is a go-to for a homestyle feast. The morning menu is simple but seriously delicious, with classics like smashed avo, Turkish eggs and breakfast muffins given a Meredith twist. Many of the dishes incorporate the farm’s famed dairy products (including the iconic goat cheese) and seasonal produce.

    Pick up some sweet and savoury treats and a few drinks from the shop to fuel the rest of your day – you’re about to explore on foot.

    Afternoon

    Hikers exploring the scenic trails of Brisbane Ranges National Park.
    Hit the trails and explore rugged beauty.

    Your afternoon is best spent in the rugged Brisbane Ranges National Park, a sprawling bushland reserve with Victoria’s most significant habitat for wildflowers. Choose from a network of walks and hikes that range from relatively flat trails to more challenging terrain.

    You can expect plenty of gorgeous scenery whichever path you opt for, with eucalypt forests, rocky outcrops and panoramic lookouts throughout the park. There are also several scenic picnic spots where you can savour your Meredith Farm bounty.

    Night

    A cosy charcuterie spread by the fireplace.
    Cosy up by the fireplace with a charcuterie board. (Image: Sarah Miles)

    A busy day of exploring calls for a relaxed evening in, and Blame Mabel delivers. Whether you’re staying in the restored farmhouse, the cosy self-contained cabin or the communal lodge, you’ll have access to ample cooking facilities and plenty of cosy corners to unwind in after dark.

    Finish the evening with a round of board games, cosying up with a good book from the well-stocked bookshelf or a soak in the outdoor tub under a sky thick with stars.

    Day 3

    Morning

    On your third and final day, you’ll want to soak up the quiet beauty of your surrounds. After being woken by the soft glow of morning sunlight, enjoy a lazy breakfast of freshly collected and cooked eggs or build-your-own muesli and creamy yoghurt, paired with seasonal produce from the garden.

    Once you’ve packed, ease back towards Geelong for a relaxed afternoon.

    Afternoon

    Paddock Bakery glowing on a bright, sunny day.
    Take home freshly baked treats. (Image: Paddock Bakery)

    Pop by the Geelong Vintage Market to wander rows upon rows of collectable retro treasures, from furniture and home decor to books and vinyl.

    To wrap up your long weekend adventure, wander through the surrounding Federal Mills precinct, which houses a mix of businesses, retailers and eateries. The precinct itself is a historic and character-filled space with large-scale hand-painted murals, making it a great spot for a leisurely stroll. Grab some freshly baked pastries from Paddock Bakery for the drive home.

    Plan your Moorabool Valley adventure now at visitgeelongbellarine.com.au.