A Locals Guide to Healesville in Melbourne's Yarra Valley
A Victorian regional gem, Healesville is filled with incredible things to do, and wonderful places to eat and drink. This guide shares everything to see, eat and know, and a few hidden secrets!
Mention Healesville to any Victorian and they’ll no doubt recount their school holiday trips to Healesville Sanctuary, where patting kangaroos and seeing koalas up close were the highlight (ahhh, those were the days…!).
Yet, Healesville is so much more than its famous animal sanctuary; after the impossibly perfect Great Ocean Road, and heavenly Daylesford, it’s right up there with one of our favourite places to visit in Victoria. Over the last 10 years, this beautifully quaint town has lured millennial Melburnians to its cosy streets with good food, wine, and nature.
With a culinary culture that’s second to none, world-class wineries on its doorstep and one of Victoria’s great drives within its reaches, Healesville really is the perfect day trip from Melbourne (or a weekend getaway, if you’re that way inclined!).
After years of enjoying this part of the world and keeping our secrets close to our chest, we thought we’d share the best of the town and its surroundings. Below is a list of our favourite things to do in Healesville, including a day trip itinerary to help you plan your day.
This guide is for those of you wanting to escape the hustle of Melbourne by escaping to the lush surrounds of the Yarra Valley, while still being able to enjoy a good coffee, tasty lunch and a glass of vino or two (or gin). Enjoy.
OUR GUIDE TO HEALESVILLE + DAY TRIP ITINERARY
WHERE IS HEALESVILLE?
The pretty town of Healesville is located in Melbourne’s famed Yarra Valley, about 60km from Melbourne’s CBD.
It’s located right in the heart of Victoria’s food and wine hotspots, surrounded by dense forests and winding drives, and is the perfect day trip from Melbourne.
WHERE TO STAY IN HEALESVILLE
While most people visit Healesville on a day trip from Melbourne, we’re here to tell you it’s perfect for an overnight escape.
We’ve written a full guide to the best Yarra Valley Airbnbs (read it here), but in the meantime, we’ve picked out a few of our faves to help you have a brilliant weekend away.
AIRBNB
THE LOFT @ ALCHEMY DISTILLERS
If you’re looking for somewhere right in the heart of Healesville, The Loft is your place. Located above the hipster Alchemy Distillery, it’s a short walk to all the main restaurants, pubs and distilleries in the heart of town.
What’s more, it’s a short drive to all the wineries and the Black Spur. Winning.
THE SHED
This discreet warehouse/shed is anything but inside - a proper shed-conversion that has been designed with style in mind. The best part is the main bedroom, which has a huge king size bed and freestanding bath, perfect for a couples weekend away.
The large living area, complete with a fireplace, is perfect for lazy nights after a day exploring the wineries.
BOOK | THE SHED
THE SMALL HOUSE
This pretty little mid-century home is within walking distance to Healesville main street, but the attractive decor, relaxing outdoor patio, and Egyptian cotton sheets are its main appeal. Definitely book this if you’re after a proper weekend getaway.
BOOK | THE SMALL HOUSE
HOTEL
HEALESVILLE HOTEL
A boutique-style hotel located right in the centre of town, Healesville Hotel is a perfect choice for a weekend away in the heart of town.
BOOK | HEALESVILLE HOTEL
Image credit | Visit Victoria
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN HEALESVILLE
GO WINE TASTING
One of Australia’s oldest winemaking regions, you simply can’t visit the Yarra Valley and not sample some of the incredible wines from the region.
Famed for its chardonnay and pinot noir, respected for its shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, this part of the Yarra Valley is literally brimming with tasting options.
We’ve sampled a few of the region’s wineries in the past (it helps to have a mother who ran winery tours here!), and we’ve listed some of our faves below:
OAKRIDGE | This family-owned winery is home to award-winning wines and an exceptional restaurant championing hyperlocal and sustainably sourced ingredients, which is right up our alley (three-course menus starting at $85 a head). Wine tastings are $15 per person - make sure you try their exquisite chardonnay.
TARRAWARRA | One of Australia’s premier wine estates, TarraWarra is famous for their pinot noir and chardonnay - we can’t recommend one over the other as they’re both to die for. The restaurant is also highly regarded, with local head chef Mark Ebbels focusing on locally sourced ingredients from the kitchen garden to create heavenly dishes. Another feature is the TarraWarra Museum of Art, which focuses on modern art exhibitions.
In short, you could spend all day here!
ZONZO ESTATE | Zonzo is so beautiful and hip, we wanted to have our wedding here (alas, Covid happened). A winery for Melbourne’s millennials, this Instagram-heaven unsurprisingly makes a decent drop. Try their pinot noir or shiraz, and stay for their Italian-inspired food offering.
COLDSTREAM HILLS | Probably the most picturesque cellar door in the Yarra Valley, Coldsteam Hills is an award-winning winery with their chardonnay and pinot noir extremely highly regarded. Guided tastings are $8 per person.
If you’re keen to enjoy a few wines, it’s best to take a guided tour of the region. We recommend this gourmet tour, which takes in the historic De Bortoli, Yering Station, and lunch at Rochford. Stop by Yarra Valley Dairy, and finish at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie.
Image credit | Visit Victoria
DRIVE THE ENCHANTING BLACK SPUR
Achingly beautiful.
That’s how we describe the Black Spur drive, a 36km stretch of road that links Healesville to the town of Marysville in the Yarra Valley.
We’ve enjoyed this drive for over 20 years now, and every time we meander through these woods, we’re blown away. Shrouded by an ever-present mist, and flanked by towering mountain ash and dense ferns, the mystical drive is one of Victoria’s best.
Gliding through multiple S-bends, the drive takes around 1 hour to complete, which is ample time to perve on the glorious surroundings.
There are also a number of stop-off points where you can actually admire the woods on foot, including Fernshaw picnic ground, or the Dom Dom saddle picnic area (our fave), where you can hike up the Monda track and walk amongst the vertiginous mountain ash.
In short, don’t miss the Black Spur, whatever you do.
THE DETAILS
Where | The Black Spur, Yarra Ranges
Cost | Free
GIN TASTING AND HIPSTER VIBES AT FOUR PILLARS
Gin and hipster cool go hand-in-hand, so it's not surprising a place as cosmopolitan as Healesville is home to one of the best distilleries in Victoria.
Four Pillars Distillery, located on the entry into the village, is a super cool modern gin distillery with an industrial warehouse vibe and world-class gin. The gin-tasting experience is all-round amazing, with knowledgeable staff providing all you need to know about the Aussie, Rare and Changing Season and Bloody Shiraz varieties included on the tasting paddle ($15 pp). They’re all bloody great (Changing Season FTW!).
We coupled our tasting session with the moonshine cheese platter, including Stone and Crow cheese made using water left over from the distillation process ($15) - a highly recommended decision as to the cheeses pairs well with the gin paddle.
With portholes peeking into the working distillery where their two beautiful copper stills, Wilma and Jude, chug away each day, you can get a great insight into the whole gin-making process.
A visit to Healesville isn’t complete without a visit to Four Pillars.
THE DETAILS
Where | Four Pillars, Healesville
Cost | $15 for a tasting paddle
Not keen on gin? How about this tour which takes in the Yarra Valley Cider and Ale trail…! Book here
GET TRENDY AT INNOCENT BYSTANDER
A Healesville institution that has drawn millennials from Melbourne over the last five years, Innocent Bystander is a dream, serving great food, exceptional wine and beer, in a large warehouse-like space.
The first thing you’ll notice is the long stone bar, which is a statement piece that immediately sets the tone for the dining/drinking experience. Relaxed, with an element of cool.
Similar to a brewery, the full range of Innocent Bystander wines are stored in kegs and poured from the gorgeous copper taps then served in glasses, carafes or tasting paddles. It mightn’t be traditional, but it’s a great way to sample their wine selection, the highlight of which is their Pinot Noir.
The menu is simple: Neapolitan-style pizza with fresh local ingredients (and a hint of creative freedom that natives of Naples would cringe at), paella, and tapas - although it’s hard to go past pizza (our pizza obsession is real!).
There’s also a selection of beers and ciders on tap, as well as Four Pillars gin if you’re not able to make it to their distillery. All in all, Innocent Bystander is the trendiest cellar door/bar/restaurant in the region and somewhere you cannot miss. Just remember to book ahead so you don’t miss out!
THE DETAILS
Where | Innocent Bystander
Image credit | Visit Victoria
ENJOY A HIKE OR TWO OUTSIDE OF HEALESVILLE
As we’ve said in our guide to Warburton (which you can read here), the Yarra Ranges have some of the best hikes in all of Victoria. The hills around Healesville are no different, with a great selection of hikes to suit any fitness/comfort level.
One of our favourite short hikes starts from Badgers Weir picnic ground (7km from Healesville), ambling through ancient fern gullies and towering mountain ash trees. It’s a wonderful place to breathe in deep and enjoy that ere you can fresh mountain air.
Alternatively, head to Maroondah Reservoir and try one of the short hikes leading from the area. The circuit hike that takes in the main lookout is our fave, as it provides incredible views yet is easy enough for day-trippers (perfect for working off too much brunch or that extra glass of wine).
YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATERIE
Excuse us, for the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, isn’t exactly in Healesville, but it IS a chocolaterie and therefore IS worth the slight detour to Yarra Glen.
Set up in 2012, this family-run chocolaterie is a haven for sweet-tooths, featuring a ridiculous array of quality chocolate products, showcased in their expansive showroom which would make Willy Wonka giddy with excitement.
There are free chocolate tastings that’ll lure excited kids young and old, however, we recommend joining a guided tasting session ($3 pp), which takes you through everything from the ingredients to the techniques used to create the deliciousness.
If that’s not your jam, sit down and enjoy a delicious house-made ice cream (Mark’s fave).
THE DETAILS
Where | Yarra Valley Dairy, Yarra Glen
Image credit | Visit Victoria
SAMPLE EXQUISITE CHEESE AT YARRA VALLEY DAIRY
If there’s one thing in life we love more than each other, it's cheese (ok, there are more, but cheese is #1!). Yarra Valley Dairy is therefore heaven on earth.
The Yarra Valley is known as one of Australia’s premium dairy regions, with quality, rich milk used to produce an exceptional range of cheeses. The cute-as-a-button storefront, located in the original 100-year-old milking shed houses all the good stuff (including wines), and the best part: tastings are encouraged here.
We recommend sampling a selection of the hard and soft cheeses, before grabbing yourself a cheese plate full of locally sourced and produced bread, jams and relishes and charcuterie items. Paired with local wine, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate picnic hamper to enjoy in Healesville.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, our favourite cheese is the Yering, a camembert-style white cheese which is creamy and delicious and yummm. Oh, and the marinated Persian feta is what dreams are made of.
THE DETAILS
Where | Yarra Valley Dairy, Yering
Image credit | Visit Victoria
STOP BY MAROONDAH DAM
Just north of Healesville on the way to the Black Spur is Maroondah Dam and gardens, a place that disproves the theory that man-made structures can't be beautiful.
Built in the ’20s as a much-needed water source for greater Melbourne, the reservoir has become a picturesque lake lapped by dense eucalyptus and surrounded by the rolling hills of the Yarra Ranges. It's pretty as punch, especially on a still day, when the lake is glassy and reflecting the surroundings.
There are heaps of short hikes that can be taken from the lake, including the easiest and best - to the reservoir lookout which provides stunning views over the lake and dam wall.
Underneath the Dam lies Maroondah gardens, an expansive garden area that includes native and exotic trees, animals and birds, and walking tracks.
It’s great in summer, providing a great antidote to Melbourne’s summer heat. In winter, the spillway and Revells Falls are beautiful.
THE DETAILS
Where | Maroondah Dam
Cost | Free to enter + park
HEALESVILLE HARVEST KITCHEN & BUTCHER
Located in the centre of town is Healesville’s pre-eminent cafe and hotel, Healesville Hotel & Harvest. The iconic gastro-pub has been at the centre of Healesville’s foodie renaissance over the last 10 years, with excellent food and wine sourced locally bringing visitors from all over.
Alongside is Healesville Harvest, a cafe serving delicious seasonal fare and Genovese & Sons coffee. We recommend grabbing fresh salad, coffee, and sitting in the back courtyard enjoying the summer sun.
Next door is Kitchen & Butcher, a deli-cum-butcher that offers an extensive range of locally sourced cheeses, preserves, and sauces, as well as meat cuts. There is also a variety of kitchen and homewares, most of which Mim would absolutely die for.
WALK THE HIGH STREET AND POP IN TO MIDNIGHT
Midnight is a store that appeals to our hearts (and wallets!) - a sanctuary of abundant blooms, and a seller of amazing indoor plants, each of which we want in every nook of our house.
Located opposite the old Grand Hotel, Midnight’s corner position, colourful graffiti, and wouldn’t look out of place in Fitzroy, and Youki, owner and florist extraordinaire, has created an incredible place in which to grab flowers, plants, and a range of locally produced gifts (Mark grabbed his mum some wonderfully colourful earrings here!).
So, day-trippers from Melbourne rejoice - you can get your indoor plant fix here in Healesville.
GRAB BREKKY/BRUNCH IN HEALESVILLE
If we’re honest, we’re not totally enamoured by the brunch choices in Healesville. Maybe we’re a little spoiled, but we’ve not come across anywhere that really blew our socks off. That being said, brunch is brunch, and even a so-so one is enough to make us happy inside.
There are a few cafes located in the centre of town which make a decent brunch, our first pick being My Little Kitchen. We enjoyed the zucchini, mint and sukkah fritters, and whipped avocado, poached eggs.
Mocha & Lime is another good bet, serving good brunch and great coffee - the best part is the array of good veggie and vegan options. Definitely try the keen green stack - a zucchini and chickpea rosti stack with poached eggs and Persian feta.
Alternatively, if you’re coming on a day trip from Melbourne, stop in Lilydale at Round Birds Can’t Fly, which is probably the Yarra Valley’s best brunch. Wholesome comfort brekky done super well, crafted around seasonality and local produce.
Our fave breakfast is the smashed avocado with pumpkin jam, or the winter mushrooms with polenta and poached egg.
THE DETAILS
Where | My Little Kitchen, or Mocha & Lime
GET YOUR CAFFEINE FIX AT HABITUEL COFFEE
Located at the north end of town is Habituel, a bakery-cum-coffee stop which serves the best coffee in Healesville.
Set up by Phillip Sexton of Innocent Bystander/Giant Steps fame (the new Giant Steps is actually upstairs), Habituel’s bakery includes its own stone mill which mills its own flour to create a range of crusty sourdoughs, Turkish breads and tasty baguettes, plus sweet and savoury treats. However the coffee, hand roasted on site, is the main reason to visit.
Mostly sourced from global coffee hotspots Ethiopia, Honduras, Guatemala and Papua New Guinea, the aromas waft throughout the town, beckoning people like us for a morning coffee hit.
Don’t forget to grab a treat with your coffee - we recommend the almond croissant or Portuguese tart (or anything, really).
THE DETAILS
OUR SUGGESTED HEALESVILLE DAY TRIP ITINERARY
Below is our Healesville day trip guide, taking in some of the best sights, food, wine, and gin in the area. Sure, it might be a little busy, but what’s a day trip without trying to pack everything in.
9AM | BRUNCH IN LILYDALE
If you’re coming from Melbourne, it’s best to stop in Lilydale for a spot of brunch/coffee before your Healesville day trip really commences.
Fortunately, Lilydale has a few excellent choices for brunch. Our pick, is Round Birds Can’t Fly, where wholesome comfort brekky is done well. Grab the smashed avocado with pumpkin jam, or the winter mushrooms with polenta and poached egg, and a double espresso to set yourself up for the day ahead.
10:30AM | DRIVE THE FAMOUS BLACK SPUR
Feeling that coffee rush, drive through Coldstream and Healesville to one of the most beautiful sights in Victoria, the Black Spur.
Windows down, take the winding s-bends slowly, admiring the towering mountain ash and dense ferns, while breathing in that cool mountain air.
Stop at Dom Dom saddle picnic area (our fave), and hike up the Monda track to walk amongst the vertiginous mountain ash
If you’ve got time on your return to Healesville, drop into Maroondah reservoir for a quick walk to the picturesque vantage point overlooking the lake and reservoir wall.
12:30PM | LUNCH + WINE TASTING AT OAKRIDGE
You can’t come to one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and no taste some wine, so head to one of the best: Oakridge.
Join a wine tasting session and sample some of their best wines, including their famous chardonnay. After the tasting, settle in for a long, relaxing lunch complete with exceptional food and paired wines. The four-course menu starts at $85 a head.
Alternatively, pop into Innocent Bystander for pizza, wine and the trendiest vibe in Healesville.
2:30PM | EXPLORE HEALESVILLE HIGH STREET
Healesville has a range of super cool shops in which to spend your hard earned, so why not walk off that lunch by strolling the high street.
Start at Midnight, where you can buy Aussie native flowers, house plants (do it!) and cute homemade gifts/jewellery.
Across the road is Kitchen & Butcher, a deli-cum-butcher which offers an extensive range of locally sourced cheeses, preserves, and sauces, as well as meat cuts. Grab some cheese for the week, or a few homewares because, why not?!
4PM | FOUR PILLARS GIN TASTING
Just a short walk/drive away is Four Pillars, one of Victoria’s coolest gin distilleries.
Take a gin-tasting experience, which includes a tasting paddle featuring their signature Aussie, Rare and Changing Season and Bloody Shiraz varieties ($15 pp). If you’re still hungry, grab a moonshine cheese platter, including local Stone and Crow cheese made using water left over from the distillation process ($15)
If gin ain’t your thing, head to Yarra Valley dairy to sample some of the finest cheese known to man (well, Victorians at least).
6:30PM | HEAD HOME
Melbourne might only be an hour away, but you don’t want to get home too late.
A MAP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HEALESVILLE
To help make your adventure easier to plan, we’ve put all the best Healesville attractions and restaurants listed in this post into the map below. You can filter it by ‘things to do’ and ‘where to eat’ - save it to your phone to access later.
For more essential Healesville travel information, keep reading to the end of this post!
HEALESVILLE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
HOW TO GET TO HEALESVILLE
It’s super easy to get to Healesville, by car or by public transport from Melbourne’s CBD.
BY CAR
For those driving, follow the Monash/Eastern/Eastlink freeway (M3) towards Ringwood, before following the Maroondah Highway (B360) towards Lilydale.
Once past Lilydale, veer left and follow the Highway towards Coldstream. Stay on the Maroondah Highway, passing the vineyards before slowly arriving into Healesville.
BOOK | Rentalcars.com
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
If catching public transport, jump on the direct train from the city to Lilydale, where the line ends. From there, it’s possible to catch the 685 bus which stops in Healesville (buses run every 30 - 45mins).
WHEN TO VISIT HEALESVILLE
If we’re honest, we love Healesville in every season. In the summer, the surrounding mountains provide a welcome respite to the blistering heat of Melbourne. In the winter, the snow-dusted eucalyptus trees and misty mountains make for the perfect snowy escape from the city.
It’s also the perfect time to book a cozy Airbnb and relax by the fire with a good pinot noir.
But for us, autumn is the best time to visit Healesville. There’s just something about the burnt-orange vineyards and forests, the morning mist which invariably covers the valley, the cooler temperatures and damp forests, and the post-summer vibe which makes it feel a little more special.
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN AUSTRALIA
Whatever you do, don’t travel through Australia without travel insurance, even if you’re the most experienced traveller.
Whether it be a hiking injury, car accident, theft, or lost baggage, things can go wrong in Australia, and insurance is your only way of mitigating the issues!
BUY | Click here to get the best travel insurance deals with World Nomads
EXPLORE THE BEST OF VICTORIA WITH THESE POSTS
THE BEST OF THE YARRA VALLEY | Our complete guide to the Yarra Valley, a guide to the beautiful town of Warburton, the East Warburton Redwood Forest, and the very best Airbnbs in the Yarra Valley
THE BEST OF THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD | Everything to do on the Great Ocean Road, our guide to Hopetoun Falls, and the mystical Otway Californian Redwoods, The ultimate guide to visiting Loch Ard Gorge, and the best Great Ocean Road Airbnbs for the ultimate summer getaway
DAY TRIPS | 9 amazing day trips from Melbourne
LOCH VILLAGE | Our guide to Gippsland’s cutest little town, Loch
VICTORIA ROAD TRIP | Our ultimate 7-day Victorian road trip guide
DAYLESFORD | Our Daylesford and surrounds day trip & weekend getaway guide, plus the best Daylesford Airbnbs to stay in while you’re there!
AIRBNB GUIDE | Our essential guide to getting the best out of Airbnb
TRAVEL AUSTRALIA WITH OUR ESSENTIAL POSTS
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