Duration:
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Experience the Yarra Valley the Local Way on a relaxed morning-departure half day wine tour from Melbourne, combining rolling vineyard views, cool-climate varietals, and the easygoing charm of Victoria’s most iconic wine region.
Start with a barista-made coffee on us at the Melbourne Arts Centre, before we journey through leafy suburbs and open farmland toward the heart of the Yarra Valley.
Begin your tasting adventure at Helen & Joey Estate, where a premium hilltop setting, shared grazing board, and sweeping valley views create a warm welcome to wine country.
Continue to Payten & Jones, an urban-style cellar door known for expressive small-batch wines and creative flair, followed by Soumah, a picturesque hilltop estate offering endless photo opportunities among the vines.
At each venue, enjoy guided wine tastings of 4+ cool-climate varietals that showcase the region’s signature style and diversity.
With small groups, premium comfort, and a relaxed social vibe, this morning escape is perfect for wine lovers, curious foodies, and travellers seeking an easy, indulgent introduction to the Yarra Valley.
Inclusions on the Day
- Visit Three Esteemed Wineries: Explore a handpicked selection of the Yarra Valley’s most celebrated cellar doors.
- Guided Wine Tastings: Enjoy a curated tasting experience at all three wineries, each offering its own unique flavour profile.
- Relaxed Morningt Departure: Enjoy a slower start to the day with a convenient ha;f-day tour schedule.
- Premium Seating Comfort: Travel in style with a guaranteed window seat, onboard WiFi, and convenient USB charging ports.
- Authentic Small-Group Experience: Connect with your engaging local guide and fellow travellers in a relaxed setting.
- Complimentary Barista Coffee: Begin your experience with a quality Melbourne coffee at our central departure point.
- Free 24-Hour Cancellation: Book with confidence knowing you can cancel up to a day before departure.
Not-Included
- Food and Drink other than what is stated
How we make your journey
- Three Unique Wine Tasting Experiences
Delight in 3 exclusive wine tastings at three unique cellar doors across the Yarra Valley – each offering their own flair and passion to what makes the Valley so special. - The Essence of the Valley in a Relaxing Half-Day
Savour the essence of the Yarra Valley on a leisurely half-day escape, where ample time at each winery allows you to unwind and fully indulge in the flavours and sights surrounding you. - Morning Start
Discover the breathtaking Yarra Valley, where rolling vineyards meet lush green landscapes, and immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty as the afternoon sun begins to soften.
Departure & Return Location:
Our tours depart from the
MELBOURNE ARTS CENTRE- 100R St Kilda Road, Melbourne
This Melbourne Landmark is centrally located, easy to access, and provides plenty of entertainment and amenities for your convenience prior to our tour.
At Tours end we drop back at the same location, with option City and Southbank Hotel Returns.
All Year
9.45pm – Morning Tour
Returns approx 3.30pm
Tour Duration
5.5 hours
Passengers on Board
15 Maximum
Important Information for Your Tour
Departure Details
Depart Time: 9:45am
Return Time (to City): 4.30pm approx.
Primary Departure Location: Melbourne Arts Centre, 100R St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
Arrival: Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure time. Punctuality is crucial, as the tour departs on schedule and we will not be able to wait for you if you are late.
Click Here for further Departure Information
Secondary Departure: South Wharf OR Crown Hotels (this departure is only available if you have booked with us directly or through your hotel)
If you have selected a South Wharf or Crown Departure, then your departure time will be 30 minutes PRIOR to the regular tour start time shown on this email.
Please ensure you are ready by this time as we will not be able to wait.
Click Here for further Departure Information
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns on the day of the tour, please reach out via WhatsApp or email for prompt assistance.
Email: gday@localwaytours.com.au
Phone: +61 0417 887 234 (WhatsApp preferred)
What to Bring
There are no mandatory items required for this tour—just bring yourself!
However, a few additional items for a great experience you may like to bring:
- Small Day Bag: You may wish to bring a small day bag that can be left on board during the tour
- Warm Clothing: Regional Victoria can get chilly, even in summer. Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with refill stations available throughout the day.
- Phone Charger: Most buses have charging ports, but consider bringing a portable battery pack if you plan to take lots of photos.
- Spending Money: Some stops may accept card payments only.
Special Note:
There is NO food included on this tour. You will have the opportunity to purchase a cheeseboard at our first winery, and then snacks at the second.
You will have time to purchase lunch at our 3rd venue (this is typically a menu of pizzas, antipasto, and other easy to order meals). You will NOT be able to eat food brought with you from home.
Special Requirements
Please let us know If you have special requirements.
Without prior notice, we cannot guarantee accommodations on the day of the tour.
Thank you, and we look forward to an incredible day with you!
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The weather was perfect, the locations were beautiful, and the wineries were excellent. It was such a relaxed, enjoyable day and a great way to experience the Mornington Peninsula. Highly recommend Local Way Tours and especially Jenny as a guide.
I joined the Phillip Island tour with Local Way Tours and it was truly an incredible experience. Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish, and the whole day ran smoothly. The team was professional, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do.
What impressed me the most was how sustainable and animal-friendly all the stops were. Every place we visited treated the animals with real respect. I especially appreciated that you weren’t allowed to touch or disturb the koalas, which shows that they put the animals’ wellbeing first. It felt good to be part of a tour that chooses locations you can genuinely stand behind.
The nature, the wildlife encounters and the whole atmosphere made this day one of the highlights of my stay. I can wholeheartedly recommend Local Way Tours – I’d book with them again anytime!
It was a long day but, ultimately, worth every minute.
The wine element was a late substitution due to weather conditions forcing cancellation of the seal tour. This proved very interesting.
The Penguin Parade was amazing and well organised.
Thank you
Our driver, Yuri, was the star of the show. He was friendly, informative and when we got bogged did all he could to sort the problem as quickly as he could. We were lucky to meet some lovely people and perhaps because of being bogged got to spend time with them. One of the best days out we've had. A great way to spend my birthday.
Cheers, ‘U-Ray-nus’!
Communication 5🌟 Prompt & trustworthy, from booking to tour guide. It’s really nice when we’re kept in the loop as to what’s going on and options available to us along the way.
Price 5🌟 Considering the time involved, this tour was great value for us, plus the generous drop off service at the end of the night was really appreciated for two women.
Highlights:
🌟 We were lucky enough to get retired drama teacher Rod who put on an epic show, entertaining us on the drive to and from the island. Rod was enthusiastic & patient with us all, creating a vibe that made the trip relaxed & friendly. My 69 year old mum felt included & I got all my queries answered.
🌟 Sunset drinks at Flynn’s beach: what a lovely time watching surfers sipping on champagne, enjoying an iconic Aussie beach scene before the penguins.
🌟 Tips provided: thanks to Rod, we fit in fish and chips, went penguin burrow hunting for baby penguins (we saw lots of babies, wallabies, native birds) landed a great spot to see penguins without having to upgrade and didn’t get lost back to the bus.
Meanwhile, Rod is a globe trotter so make sure to squeeze him for tips on other places to visit in Australia & overseas.
🌟 Overall, I can see how this tour and its operators are winning all the awards. Well done guys, 👏👏👏 we loved the whole experience and would recommend you to our friends.
Ps The cruise part to seal island was bumpy but well worth seeing baby seals. Take sea sick tablets. The cruise crew were young, professional & friendly which was refreshing.
A comfy bus, with a small group.
A great driver/guide, Jordan, (was that his name 😜) who kept the group vibing, and in check.
Only a half day tour, but just enough.
Delicious wineries included. 🫶🏻
During the drive he shared so many fun facts and stories about Melbourne, which made the journey really engaging. The tour itself was well-paced, and we visited three different wineries, tasting an amazing total of 17 wines. Each stop offered a unique experience, from boutique cellars to scenic estates.
Despite the rain, the entire afternoon was incredibly enjoyable and I felt well looked after. My tour guide's professionalism and enthusiasm were key to making this such a memorable experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great half-day wine tour from Melbourne.
We visited one winery where the meal was delicious and the wine was excellent, then spent time at the hot springs which were absolutely beautiful and relaxing. The whole day was perfectly paced and really enjoyable.
Ray truly made the experience special – we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend this tour, especially with Ray!
We travelled through some beautiful scenery: such vibrant colours especially the yellow fields of canola! I felt I got a real sense of being in country Victoria.
There were plenty of unique experiences to enjoy including a paddlesteamer trip, a fauna park, silo art and a wine tasting in a gorgeous hill side vineyard setting. I was able to buy some yummy wine and cheese to take home too!
Our guide Jordan made sure everyone was happy and everything ran smoothly. The bus was clean and comfortable too.
It was a great day and an opportunity to visit an area that not many other tour companies cover which made it feel a bit special too!
The highlight was definitely the Penguin Parade, watching hundreds of Little Penguins waddle up the beach at sundown was absolutely magical. Along the way, we stopped by a koala conservatory.
The Scenic Wildlife Cruise was another standout. Being so close to Australia’s largest fur seal colony was incredible, there were thousands of seals all around, and the views of Phillip Island’s coastline from the boat were breathtaking. We were lucky and spotted a few southern right whales as well as a humpback whale.
The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about wildlife and conservation, which made the tour even more meaningful.
Highly recommend this experience, whether you love animals, beautiful landscapes, or just want a unique and relaxing day, this is a must-do when visiting Phillip Island!
We got to visit all the top spots — the Koala Reserve, The Nobbies, and of course the magical Penguin Parade 🐧 (which was the perfect way to end the day). There was also a bunch of local wildlife along the way, which made the trip even more special!
What I loved most is that you get to choose between a winery visit with a chilled lunch and views OR a wildlife cruise to see seals and whales 🛥️🍷 (we picked both (on different dates — 10/10 recommend!).
The guides were super friendly and really knew their stuff — felt like we were exploring with locals rather than being on a generic tour. Would 100% recommend this if you’re visiting Phillip Island or even if you’re a local looking for a great day trip!
Thanks Local Way Tours for such a fun experience! 🙌
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this tour to anyone.
Would highly recommend to learn about the island.
We were with Russell and had a wonderful day trip starting from Winery, Seagull nest coast, Wallaby jumping road and finally thousands of penguins are coming back to their home. Thank you so much Russell to make this precious timw happen and I strongly recommend this experience with my colleagues after I back to the Seoul. Thank you so much 🥰♥️
Each stop was great and had all tastings and lunch (which was lovely) included in the price as well as some local attractions/views to stop along on the way!
Sue was amazing and so friendly throughout the day and definitely made the tour!
I would like to leave a review. Our tour guide was Caitlin . My husband & I had an amazing day from start to finish.
We enjoyed the winery plus lunch & the penguin parade.
Nothing was a problem for Caitlin. She looked after our small group exceptionally well. Very friendly & knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this tour !!
Paul and Angie TSIKNAS
Shin
The best part was the Penguins. They are so cute and tiny. Dress warm and in layers, throughout the day we definitely felt many weather conditions. Thanks to the email they sent us ahead time letting us know, I was prepared. Must do tour! Well worth the money!
























