Wineries, Vineyards, Cider, Ales, Spirits and Restaurants

There are over 300 wineries in the Yarra Valley. These range from small, intimate concerns to major venues. All with their own charm and attractions. Many include restaurants and cafes. As well as wedding venues and special events. Rochford Wines hosts international artists providing world class concerts, all in a beautiful, relaxed environment. Acacia Ridge, Yarrawood, Balgownie, DeBortoli and Oakridge are a handful of the beautiful wineries close to Sunflower Cottage.

The Yarra Valley also includes the wonderful Four Pillars for lovers of gin. Napoleon Brewery and Ciderhouse and the Coldstream Brewery. Just to name a few more places to put on your must do list.

Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is for kids and adults alike. It is a zoo located in a bushland setting and inhabited by native Australian animals. Spirit of the Sky is a performance where you see many of Australia’s birds of Prey. This is spectacular. Watch the platypus in the general enclosure and discover more of our native animals including kangaroos, dingoes, koalas, wombats, birds and emus. Take a leisurely stroll along the paths and enjoy our native animals.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

Spoil yourself with mouth watering chocolates, pastries, desserts and ice cream. All made on the premises. There is an all day cafe. This is an incredibly popular venue with locals and visitors alike. The building and vista are jaw dropping.

Dame Nellie Melba’s/Coombe Cottage

Visit the former home of our own world famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Other attractions are Coombe Farm Wines, a fantastic Restaurant and a gallery. Book a Melba Tour - Garden Tour, as well as Glimpse of Melba House Tour (only available certain dates). Enthusiastic guides share entertaining glimpses of Melba’s fascinating life, events and colourful experiences.

Alowyn Gardens

Award winning gardens, ABC Garden of the Year 2008, plant nursery and cafe. Situated on four acres of beautiful gardens ranging from a formal parterre garden to a silver birch forest. A magnificent 100m wisteria walk leads to an impressive fountain. A truely breathtaking sight when displayed in all it’s Spring glory.

Dam, balloons etc.

There are way too many attractions in our area to list separately. We have galleries - Tarrawarra Museum of Art, a public visual arts museum and Archibald Prize venue. Art at Linden Gate featuring stainless steel outdoor sculptures and exhibitions by Victorian artists. Global Ballooning complete with champagne breakfast, skydiving at Lilydale Airport, Maroondah Reservoir Park, markets, antique stores, various tours, racecourses, golf courses, horse riding, walking paths...and a lot more.