A vineyard in Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen
Centre of the Yarra Valley wine industry
Yarra Glen is located in the heart of the fertile Yarra Valley which is noted, above all things, for its wineries. It is situated 52 km north-east of Melbourne on the Melba Highway and had a population, in 1996, of 1232.

This part of the Yarra Valley was known to the Aborigines as Billanook. European settlement began in the late 1830s after Robert Hoddle surveyed the area. The fertile land supported pastoral and agricultural enterprises and, a little later, dairy farms. The produce was then supplied to Melbourne (a relationship intensified when the railway arrived in 1889).

One of the first properties was Yering station which was established in 1837 by William Ryrie who started the area's first vineyard the following year. Noted Australian novelist Joseph Furphy (aka Tom Collins) commenced his life in a wattle-and-daub hut at Yering station (on the site of the present-day Yarra Glen State School) in 1843 while his father was the overseer. He may have been the first white child born in the district. The family then moved to nearby Kangaroo Ground where Joseph attended school until the Furphys left for Kyneton in 1852.

Paul de Castella, a native of Switzerland, purchased Yering in 1849. He expanded the vineyard from half a hectare to 40 ha (importing 10 000 vines from Bordeaux in France). His brother Hubert arrived in 1862, purchasing 12 000 ha at Yering and planting a vast vineyard which produced 120 000 gallons of wine annually. These wines were exported to Europe (and consumed locally) where they received numerous prestigious awards.

Another significant property was Gulf Station which was established as a 7000-ha grazing lease in 1847. William Bell appears to have taken over the property in 1857 in conjunction with his brother-in-law Thomas Armstrong. Like others in the valley, they supplied goods to travellers en route to the goldfields at Woods Point (see entry on Jamieson), particularly when a major road from Melbourne to Woods Point was carved through the Yarra Valley c.1860. Ayrshire cows, Clydesdales, sheep and pigs were all bred at Gulf Station which was largely self-supporting. The homestead and outbuildings are still standing today (see entry below). The property remained with the Bell family until after World War II.

The Grants Land Act enabled the resumption of land for closer settlement and, as a result, the postal town of Burgoyne and the village stop of Yarra Flats emerged. The Yarra Flats Hotel (also known as Bell's) was built on this road in 1865 and the Yarra Flats School was established in 1868.

At this time the main route through the town came from Eltham via Kangaroo Flat and Christmas Hill and it is from these the localities that many of the early settlers derived. This changed in 1889 when the railway line was extended to Yarra Flat from Lilydale, crossing the Yarra River near the township on a wooden bridge nearly 2.5 km in length. The railway station was named Yarra Glen and, later that year, the post office and Yarra Flats school also adopted the new name. In September 1889 Yarra Glen was officially adopted as the new name of the settlement which incorporated the old settlement of Burgoyne.

In 1893 David Syme, the owner and publisher of The Melbourne Age, bought View Hill estate, expanded it so that it covered the land between the Yarra Glen racecourse and the Healesville racecourse, and renamed it 'Tarrawarra'.

The Yarra Valley Expo is held at the Yarra Glen Racecourse on the third weekend in May from 9.00 a.m. Gourmet food, wine, jazz, organics, horticulture, woodchopping and sheep dogs are among the attractions, tel: (03) 9730 1722.

The Yarra Glen Craft Market is held at the same venue on the first Sunday of the month from October to June (in March it is on the third Sunday), tel: (03) 5988 4424. The Honda Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival unfolds at the end of February in many vineyards around the Yarra Valley.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
A good place to start, regarding local tourist information, is the Lilydale shire offices which can be reached on 1300 368 333. If they don't have the answers they will probably be able to recommend someone who can.

Grand Hotel and Yarra Glen Vineyard
One of Yarra Glen's more impressive buildings is the Grand Hotel, at 19 Bell St. Built in 1888, during the boom period, this two-storey stuccoed hotel has a four-storey tower at one end, a masonry arcade along the street frontage, a cast-iron verandah and a parapet. It functions as the cellar door of the Yarra Glen Vineyard which is open from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. It sells a chardonnay and a cabernet, tel: (03) 9730 1230.

Antiques
The Yarra Valley Antique Centre is located at 8 Bell St it is open from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: (03) 9730 1911.

The Den of Antiquities is at 25A Bell St and it is also open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9730 2111.

Gulf Station
Gulf Station was established as a 7000-ha grazing lease in 1847. William Bell appears to have taken over the property in 1857 in conjunction with his brother-in-law Thomas Armstrong. It remained in the family until after World War II when most of the land was sold off (it is now only 16 ha) and the original buildings are little changed. The prior experience of Bell and his three sons in the Melbourne building trade stood them in good stead for constructing the station buildings which are situated on land above the flood plain. .

In fact, the design, planning and constructional techniques utilised in the creation of this complex of ten slab-timber, ruggedly constructed, largely intact farm buildings are considered of great architectural interest. Although they are among the earliest surviving examples of their type in the area, they are in good condition and are classified by the National Trust for the strong insight they afford into 19th-century Australian vernacular architecture and farm life. They all date from the late 1850s and/or 1860s except for the shearing shed and some additions to the original homestead. All are made of either vertical or horizontal slabs deriving from local stringybark and other eucalyptus which have been cut and adzed on-site.

The original homestead has a deeply-recessed brick-paved verandah supported by tree trunks. It has been used, of late, as a bakehouse and kitchen and a covered walkway now connects it to a more recent homestead. There are stables to the east, a piggery and butcher's shop to the north, kennels to the south and a large building to the west which contains a milking shed, blacksmith's and hayshed. To its west are more stables, to its north is an old school building, to its west is a shearing shed and to its south is a sheep-dip and slaughterhouse. There is also a collection of 19th-century farming implements and a 19th-century cottage garden.

The complex is open Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and it is located 1 km north of Yarra Glen on the Melba Highway. Light refreshments are available on Sundays. The entry cost, as of 1 December, 1999, is $7 for adults, $5 for concessions and $4 for children. Group rates are available, tel: (03) 9730 1286.

Art at Linden
Art at Linden Gate Gallery, Tea Room and Guesthouse offer changing exhibitions of contemporary art, along with light lunches and afternoon teas. They are located just to the east of Yarra Glen on the Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, tel: (03) 9730 1861.

Wineries (West)
If you take King St west off the Melba Highway then turn left into Glenview Rd you will find Yarra Ridge Winery which is open for tastings and sales from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. Established in 1985, it produces cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, merlot, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and bortrytis semillon. There are fine views and a picnic area, tel: (03) 9730 1022.

Wineries (East)
East, on the Yarra Glen-Healesville Rd (a little over halfway to Healesville) is Tarrawarra Estate which is open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (coaches by appointment). Established in 1993, it produces chardonnay and pinot noir, tel: (03) 5962 3311.

Just north of Yarra Glen the Old Healesville Rd heads east off the Melba Highway. About half-way to Healesville, at no.518, is Yarra Track Winery which also specialises in pinot noir and chardonnay. It is open weekends and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. or by arrangement, tel: (03) 9730 1349.

Wineries (North)
Fergusson Winery and Restaurant, established in 1968, is located in Wills Rd which heads west off the Melba Highway a couple of kilometres north of Yarra Glen. The cellar door and Australiana shop are open daily from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Cottage accommodation is available and the restaurant is open daily for lunch and Saturday evenings for dinner. The cellar door supplies chardonnay, shiraz, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon. There is a children's playground, a picturesque garden, hot-air ballooning and helicopter access, tel: (03) 5965 2237.

Approximately opposite the Wills Rd turnoff, on the other side of the Melba Highway, at no. 1548 (6 km from Yarra Glen) is Lovey's Estate which was established in 1989. It produces chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and piont noir. The brewery manufactures wheat beer, a pilsener, porter and mid ale while the restaurant won the 1998 Excellence Award. It offers a French-influenced cuisine amidst a six-acre rose garden and a hedge maze. The complex is open from midday to 5.00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays (the restaurant is also open Friday and Saturday nights). Accommodation is also available in an 1890s guest house, tel: (03) 5965 2444.

Adjacent, at 1568 Melba Highway, is Hinkell Vineyard and Cafe. During the daylight savings period the cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily and, during the rest of the year, from Friday to Sunday, tel: (03) 5965 2016.

A short distance further north on the highway, Lorimers Lane heads off to the left. At no.119 is Allinda Winery which was established in 1990. It produces cabernet, riesling, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay and is open from 11.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. weekends and public holidays, tel: (03) 5965 2467.

Continue north along the Melba Highway a short distance to Pinnacle Lane which also heads off to the west. Along here is the award-winning De Bortoli Winery, established in 1987, which produces three ranges of table wines plus fortifieds. The cellar door is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.. The Northern Italian-style restaurant offers excellent views of the Yarra Valley and it is open for lunch every day and for dinners on Saturday evenings. Bookings are essential. There are also picnic and barbecue facilities, tel: (03) 5965 2271.

Peregrine Travel operates a hot-air balloon service from out of the winery. It takes in the Yarra Valley area and includes a gourmet champagne breakfast supplied by De Bortoli. They also run a return trip shuttle service from Melbourne. Ring (03) 9662 2800 for further details.

If you continue on to the end of Pinnacle Lane, turn right into Steels Creek Road, then right into Hargreaves Rd you will come to the corner of Hargreaves Rd and Sewell Rd where you will find Steels Creek Estate, established in 1981. The route is signposted from the end of Pinnacle Lane. Alternatively, when you head west off the highway at Yarra Glen into Symond St then turn right, heading north along Steels Creek Rd. After 8 or 9 km turn right into Hargeaves Rd then right again into Sewell Rd. It is open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. weekends and public holidays and produces colombard, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, tel: (03) 5965 2448.

Further north (10 km from Yarra Glen), at 1974 Melba Highway, is Shantell Vineyard which was established in 1980. It produces chardonnay, semillon, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon. The cellar door is open for tastings, sales and light meals from Thursday to Monday from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. or by appointment, tel; (03) 5965 2264.

Wineries (South)
Yering is 4 km south of Yarra Glen, via the Melba Highway. At 38 Melba Highway is Yering Station Winery which was originally established as early as 1838 although it ceased operations for many years until it was re-established in 1988. They are open weekdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.and weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. for tastings and food in their winery tourism complex, which incorporates tours and an art gallery. The cellar door offers several chardonnays, a pinot noir/cabernet blend and a pinot/chardonnay blend. The Yarra Valley Regional Food Group also have a shop at the winery which sells fresh produce daily and they hold a fresh food market once a month, tel: (03) 9730 1107.

6 or 7 km south of Yarra Glen, via the Melba Highway, is a turnoff on the left into St Huberts Rd. At the intersection with the Maroondah Highway is St Huberts Vineyard which was established in 1862 and replanted in 1966. It produces chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, roussanne, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet merlot, a pinot noir/chardonnay and a sparkling wine. The cellar door is open weekdays from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and weekends from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. There are picnic, playground and barbecue facilities and jazz performances are held in the summer, tel: (03) 9739 1118.

The Dairy Cheese, a boutique soft cheese maker, near Healesville

The Yarra Valley Dairy
The Yarra Valley Dairy offers hand-made cheeses, lunches, local wines, coffee, desserts and excellent views. It is located in McMeikans Rd at Yering and is open from 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day except Friday and Saturday when it is open to 10.00 p.m., tel: (03) 9739 0023.

Sugarloaf Reservoir Park
Sugarloaf Reservoir Park offers all manner of recreational possibilities, including sailing, fishing, picnicking and bushwalking (there is an 18-km trail around the reservoir). It is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, with opening hours extended to 8.00 p.m. during daylight savings. Entry is free. To get there head west of Yarra Glen on the Eltham-Yarra Glen Road for 8 km to Rob Roy and take the signposted turnoff on the left into Simpsons Rd which will take you through the entry gates. There are picnic tables, barbecues, a scenic lookout, toilets and disabled facilities. For further information ring 131 963.

Eco-Adventure Tours offer informative nightwalks in the park with an optional barbecue dinner, tel: (03) 5962 5115.

Tours
Yarra Valley Winery Tours offer personalised tours for travellers, social, business and conference groups which include lunch, wine tastings at Yarra Valley wineries, a pick-up and return service and an on-board tour host, tel: (03) 5962 3870.

Vintage Fun offers chauffeur-driven rides in vintage cars. They pick up from anywhere for any occasion, tel: (03) 9754 7670.

	Hotels
	The Grand Hotel 19 Bell St Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9730 1230 Facsimile: (03) 9730 1124 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Amethyst Lodge Bed & Breakfast 139 Wills Rd Dixon Creek Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 5965 2559
	Art at Linden Gate Guesthouse Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9730 1861 Rating: ***
	The Valley Guesthouse cnr Steelers Rd & Valley Rd Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9730 1822 Rating: *****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Apple Porch Cottage 8 Irvine Cres. Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9755 2261 Rating: ***
	Lovey's Restaurant 1548 Melba Hwy Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 5965 2444 Facsimile: (03) 5965 2460 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Fergusson Winery Yarra Glen Restaurant Wills Rd Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 5965 2237
	Lovey's Restaurant Melba Hwy Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 5965 2444
	Oma's of Yarra Glen Bell St Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9730 1609
	The Grand Hotel 19 Bell St Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9730 1230
	Watsons in Yarra Valley Bell St Yarra Glen VIC 3775 Telephone: (03) 9730 2122