Wine, chocolate, and animals in one long day. This Melbourne to Yarra Valley tour strings together fruit tastings, winery pours, and a chocolate finish, with a bonus bottle of wine for taking home.

I love the take-home bottle of wine for each full paying adult. I also like the way the day spreads tastings across several estates, so you get variety instead of repeating the same flavor notes all afternoon.

The main thing to plan for is that lunch is not included, and you cannot bring your own, so your final day budget depends on what you choose at Rochford Wines.

Key takeaways for this Yarra Valley food and wine day trip

• St Huberts Estate includes a take-home bottle, plus a guided tasting of 4 premium wines
• Yarra Farm Fresh kicks things off with a guided fruit tasting, not the usual bread-and-butter start
• Tokar Estate is a smaller, handcrafted stop, with a guided tasting of 3 wines
• Rochford Wines pairs wine tastings with lunch time, and gin tasting is available as an add-on
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie ends with 12 artisan chocolate tastings, followed by shopping time
• A fun guide turns the trip into more than tastings, with stories about the Yarra Valley and Melbourne region

Getting on the bus: Federation Square to the Yarra Valley (8 hours)

This is the kind of day trip that works well even if you only have a few days in Melbourne. You start in the city, then spend the rest of the day in the Yarra Valley with guided stops and time to wander when you want it.

Your day begins at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia. The bus arrives around 8:15 AM, and you depart the Melbourne CBD at about 8:30 AM. You come back to the same meeting point around 4:45 PM. That schedule matters because it keeps the whole day tight enough to feel full, without turning into an all-day slog.

Meeting point tip: find Rick’s Wine Tours at Federation Square

Meet opposite the Forum Theatre in front of the Federation Square entrance. The practical move is to look for the Rick’s Wine Tours bus. If you arrive a few minutes early, you will avoid the stressful game of “wait, is this the right vehicle?”

This kind of tour is also rain-or-shine. Bring a light layer and something with a hood if the weather looks iffy, because you will be outside between stops.

Yarra Farm Fresh fruit tasting: the sweet warm-up

The day starts with Yarra Farm Fresh, with about 25 minutes for a guided fruit tasting. This is a smart choice for two reasons.

First, fruit sets your palate up for wine and chocolate without feeling heavy. Second, it gives you a local angle right away, since the Yarra Valley is not only about vineyards. You learn how the region’s fresh produce fits into the food culture.

You will likely see a lot of people sampling calmly and then immediately switching into “okay, I get it now” mode. If you like food variety, this first stop helps the rest of the day feel more balanced.

St Huberts Estate: four wines, a winery stroll, and a take-home bottle

Next comes St Huberts Estate, where you get roughly 45 minutes for a guided wine tasting of 4 premium wines. This is one of the most important stops because it is the moment the tour starts feeling like a real cellar-door experience, not just a tasting on the go.

After the pours, you can stroll the grounds and visit the indigenous Art Gallery. That side trip is more than a photo break. It gives context for the land and adds a pause between wine flights.

You may also spend time at the Notes Wine Store, which is included. And here is the big practical perk: you receive a complimentary bottle of wine to take home. For full paying adults, that means you leave with something physical, not just a memory.

Tokar Estate: boutique winery vibes with three handcrafted wines

At Tokar Estate, you get a guided tasting of 3 handcrafted wines over about 30 minutes. This stop tends to feel more personal than the bigger-brand tastings, because the time window is tighter and you are focused on the wines in front of you.

For me, the value of this part of the day is contrast. By the time you reach Tokar, you have already had fruit flavors and then four wines at St Huberts. So the day keeps moving instead of repeating the same taste story.

If you like trying wines that feel made with care and intention, Tokar is the kind of stop where you can actually pay attention to differences, not just check off a winery.

Rochford Wines: guided tasting, then lunch time plus optional gin

Rochford Wines is where the tour slows down and gives you a proper meal break. You start with a guided wine tasting for about 30 minutes, then lunch begins around 12:45 PM and runs for about 75 minutes.

Lunch includes some flexibility, but it is not a blank cheque. You have two stated options:

• Upgrade on the day to a gourmet lunch with a glass of wine for $50 per person
• Or choose an a la carte lunch from the restaurant menu, with a budget around $25 to $45 per person

There is no BYO lunch allowed, so factor that into your planning if you were thinking of saving money with a sandwich.

After lunch, you get free time, and optional gin tasting is available at Rochford Wines for $25 per person. This is a nice add-on if you want a slightly different flavor track after wine, but it is also easy to skip if you want to keep things simple.

One small consideration: because you are on a set schedule, you will want to decide ahead of time whether you plan to buy more bottles, taste gin, or just linger for a relaxed lunch. You cannot stretch the day endlessly, and the tour keeps moving.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie: 12 tastings, then shopping time

The grand finale is Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. You get about 25 minutes for a guided tasting of 12 artisan chocolates, plus shopping time afterward (around 30 minutes).

This stop is more than dessert for dessert’s sake. Chocolate tasting at this level helps reset your palate again after wine and lunch. It also adds a different skill set, because you start paying attention to texture, cocoa notes, and sweetness balance instead of just flavor.

If you are the type who likes bringing home gifts, this is also your practical window. Many people use this time to buy items they actually will eat, not just extra “maybe later” souvenirs.

What’s included besides tastings: animals, dairy, and local context

The tour is not only about alcohol and chocolate. Included items also include:

• Visit to Yarra Valley Dairy
• Kangaroo sightings and other Australian wildlife sightings
• Drive through historic towns
• A guide who shares the history of the Yarra Valley and the Melbourne region
• Scenic transport to and from the region

Those extras matter because they break up the day into more than “stop, taste, move on.” The wildlife sightings are especially fun because they feel like a bonus you do not control, and they add that Yarra Valley “out in nature” feeling without you needing hiking boots.

Duration, timing, and how the day actually flows

This is an 8 hour tour, and it stays structured: pick-up, fruit tasting, three winery stops, lunch plus optional gin, and then chocolate.

The time allocations are short enough to keep energy up. At the same time, they are long enough to feel guided and not rushed. You are usually moving within comfortable chunks: about 25 minutes for fruit and chocolate tasting segments, and about 30 to 45 minutes at the wineries.

If you get motion sick, plan for a day on a coach. If you love chatting, the schedule gives you time to compare notes with your group between tastings, and the guide fills the gaps with stories and background about the region.

One detail to keep in mind: your free time is concentrated after lunch. If you skip gin, you can use that time to slow down, take photos, or shop at the chocolaterie.

Price and value: what $91 buys, and what it does not

At $91 per person for an 8 hour day trip, the value comes from what is included around it. You get:

• Transport to and from the Yarra Valley
• Guided tastings across multiple stops
• Winery tastings at three wineries with tastings included
• A guided chocolate tasting
• A bottle of wine take-home for each full paying adult
• Yarra Valley Dairy visit
• Wildlife and historic town drive-by moments

What is not included is mostly food and any extra tastings. Lunch is not included, and gin tasting costs $25 per person at Rochford Wines.

So here is my practical take: if you were already planning on lunch out and maybe a dessert stop, this tour often feels like it bundles the day in a way that keeps decision fatigue low. But if you are trying to squeeze every dollar, you will want to think carefully about lunch upgrades and gin tasting.

Also, if you plan to shop for multiple bottles, you might feel constrained by the group transport. Some people note the vehicle can feel a bit tired, and seating space can be tight once you start carrying purchases.

Should you go for the guide energy and humor?

This is one of the tour’s big strengths. Multiple guides have been singled out for being funny, helpful, and great at keeping the day moving with a mix of stories and practical tips. Names that come up include Bernie, Melanie (often called Mel), Ricky, and Rick, and the common thread is an upbeat style that makes the long day feel lighter.

That matters because a wine day trip can get repetitive if you are just waiting for the next stop. A good host changes it. You end up learning why the Yarra Valley makes the kind of wine it does, and you get more out of each tasting.

Who this tour is best for

I think this tour fits best if you want a guided Yarra Valley day without planning. It is a good match for:

• Couples and friends who want a structured tasting day with a fun guide
• Food and drink lovers who care about variety: fruit, wine, chocolate, and optional gin
• People who want to bring home a bottle of wine without arranging a separate purchase

It is not suitable for children under 14 and it is not suitable for wheelchair users, based on the stated rules. Also, the tour requires 4+ people to run, so check dates if you are traveling in a low-season window.

Should you book this Yarra Valley Food, Wine, Chocolate and Gin Tour?

If you like your day trips with built-in flavor and a guide who keeps things entertaining, I would seriously consider booking. The take-home bottle, the mix of fruit, winery tastings, and 12 chocolate samples, and the bonus of wildlife sightings make this more than a simple “two tastings and lunch” excursion.

I would book with a clear plan for costs, though. Since lunch is not included and gin is an optional extra, you should set your budget before you arrive so decisions at Rochford do not surprise you.

If your ideal day is calm and flexible with lots of independent exploring, you might prefer a different style of Yarra Valley outing. But if you want a full, guided taste route that runs like clockwork, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

What time does this tour pick up and return to Melbourne?

The bus arrives at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia at about 8:15 AM, departs Melbourne CBD at about 8:30 AM, and returns around 4:45 PM.

How long is the Yarra Valley Food, Wine, Chocolate and Gin tour?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What is included in the tour price?

It includes wine tastings at three wineries, a guided chocolate tasting, a visit to Yarra Valley Dairy, comfortable transport, a knowledgeable host and driver, scenic drive, wildlife sightings, and a bottle of wine to take home for every full paying adult.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. Lunch is available as an upgrade option or you can choose an a la carte lunch with a budget noted for the restaurant menu. No BYO lunch is allowed.

Is the gin tasting included?

Gin tasting is optional and costs $25 per person at Rochford Wines.

Do I get a bottle of wine to take home?

Yes. You receive 1 bottle of wine to take home for each full paying adult.

Is this tour suitable for kids or wheelchair users?

It is not suitable for children under 14 and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. The tour runs rain or shine and requires 4+ people to run.