8 Must-Do Yarra Valley Experiences
This Spring & Summer
There is a certain kind of magic that belongs to the Yarra Valley across our warmer seasons. Although the weather can always be unpredictable in Melbourne, as Spring arrives the Yarra Valley really starts to shine.
The hills are green, the orchards begin to bloom, the vineyards spill across the landscape and long sunny days make even a simple drive through the region feel like a mini holiday. Just an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s easiest and most rewarding escapes – close enough for a day trip, beautiful enough for a weekend, and full of seasonal experiences that feel distinctly tied to place.
Spring brings cherry blossoms, tulips, garden explorations, picnic days and open-air festivals. Summer brings ripe cherries straight from the tree, long lunches in the sun, school holiday adventures and endless afternoons made for ice cream, scenic drives and farmgate stops.
Whether you are planning a romantic weekend, a family day out, school holiday activity, a girls’ trip, or a fresh-air reset close to Melbourne, these are the must-do Yarra Valley experiences to put on your spring and summer list.
1. Wander Through CherryHill Orchards’ Blossom Festival
If spring in the Yarra Valley had a signature moment, it would be cherry blossom season at CherryHill Orchards.
Each spring, CherryHill opens its Wandin East orchard for the much-loved Blossom Festival, inviting visitors to wander through rows of cherry trees in delicate white bloom. It is soft, fleeting and beautifully photogenic – the kind of seasonal experience that makes you want to truly slow down and take it all in.
Unlike a standard garden visit, CherryHill’s Blossom Festival takes place in a working cherry orchard, which gives the experience a true sense of authenticity. These blossoms are not just ornamental; they are the beginning of the cherry season itself. Paired with live music on weekends, seasonal offerings and specials, on-site photo opportunities and activations and an interactive kids hub, it’s the perfect spot for a friends or family day out.
Best for: families, couples, photographers, content creators, spring day trips and anyone searching for cherry blossoms near Melbourne.
2. Spend a Slow Morning in beautiful Healesville
For a more relaxed Yarra Valley experience, spend a morning wandering through Healesville.
This charming country town is one of the region’s best bases for a relaxed spring or summer day out. Think good coffee, quirky independent stores, delicious local produce, galleries, leafy streets, playgrounds and plenty of places to pause between bigger itinerary stops.
It is the perfect addition to a day at CherryHill Orchards Coldstream, especially if you want to balance the energy of a festival or cherry picking session with something slow and easy. Start with coffee, browse the shops, stop for lunch, then continue on to an orchard, garden, winery or scenic drive. For families, Healesville is also a great low-pressure stop. There is room to stretch legs, grab snacks and enjoy the feeling of being in the country without needing to plan every minute. There are also several great playgrounds and open areas with all the facilities.
Best for: café lovers, relaxed shopping, low-cost Yarra Valley itineraries, couples, families and easy things to do near Melbourne.
3. Take a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight with Global Ballooning
For a true bucket-list Yarra Valley experience, start the day in the sky.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight with Global Ballooning offers one of the most spectacular ways to see the region. As the balloon rises, the Yarra Valley unfolds below: vineyards, farmland, rolling hills, mist, rivers and soft morning light.
It is peaceful, cinematic and unforgettable — the kind of experience that makes even locals feel like they are seeing the region for the first time. You may even spot some iconic wildlife!
For couples, it is a romantic splurge. For visitors, it is a standout travel moment. For anyone planning a special occasion, it is hard to beat.
Best for: romantic weekends, birthdays, anniversaries, visitors to Victoria and unforgettable Yarra Valley views.
4. Visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
Few places delight every generation quite like the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.
Set just outside picturesque Yarra Glen, this much-loved destination combines free entry, chocolate tastings, sweet treats, ice cream, a café and wide-open lawns. It is a smart stop for families because it feels fun without needing to be overly planned.
Kids will love the chocolate (let’s be honest, everyone loves the chocolate). Adults will love the views, coffee and gift shopping. Everyone will love the ice cream.
Visitors can even watch the chocolatiers making chocolate in real time, and there is the option to partake in classes and workshops.
Best for: families, sweet tooths, rainy-day backup plans, free entry activities and school holiday stops.
5. See the Tulips at Tesselaar Tulip Festival
Spring is not complete without a wander through the colour-soaked fields of Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
Held in Silvan, close to the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, Tesselaar is one of Victoria’s most iconic spring flower festivals. Expect rows of tulips in every shade imaginable, festival food, entertainment, garden displays and plenty of photo opportunities.
Where CherryHill’s Blossom Festival is soft and orchard-romantic, Tesselaar is bold, bright and joyfully theatrical.
Together, they make spring in the region feel like a full floral season: cherry blossoms first, tulips next, then cherries to come. This season, we have a special Floral Pass which gives you access to both festivals!
Best for: flower lovers, families, spring photography, colourful day trips and visitors searching for flower festivals near Melbourne.
6. Pick Your Own Cherries at CherryHill Orchards
When summer arrives, CherryHill shifts from blossom to harvest – and the orchard becomes one of the most joyful places in the Yarra Valley.
CherryHill’s pick-your-own cherry experience is a classic Australian summer day out. Visitors can wander the orchard rows, pick cherries straight from the tree and enjoy the simple pleasure of fresh, seasonal fruit in the place it was grown.
For families, it is hands-on and wonderfully easy. For kids, it feels like a treasure hunt. For adults, it is nostalgic, delicious and surprisingly relaxing.
CherryHill’s cherry picking experience is one of the best school holiday activities near Melbourne because it combines fresh air, beautiful scenery, food, movement and a proper sense of summer.
Best for: summer school holidays, families with kids, fruit lovers, visitors searching for cherry picking near Melbourne, and anyone who wants a hands-on Yarra Valley experience.
7. Explore the Warburton Rail Trail
For a free outdoor experience that gives you a real sense of the region, spend time on the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.
Stretching through beautiful Yarra Valley countryside, the trail is a favourite for walking, cycling and relaxed family outings. You do not need to tackle the whole thing! Choose a small section, bring water and snacks, and enjoy a slow stretch of fresh air between bigger stops.
A great place to start is the Seville Carriage Cafe – grab a coffee and enjoy the unique space before setting off in either direction.
It is a lovely option in spring when the landscape is green and blooming, and in summer if you go earlier in the day before the heat sets in.
Best for: free things to do in the Yarra Valley, active families, walkers, cyclists, nature lovers and low-cost day trips from Melbourne.
8. Visit the Wisteria Tunnel at Alowyn Gardens
For a slower spring moment, head to the beautiful Alowyn Gardens in Yarra Glen (right near the Chocolaterie!).
The garden is especially loved for its wisteria tunnel, which becomes a dreamy canopy of purple blooms when flowering in October. It is romantic, fragrant and beautifully atmospheric — a softer counterpoint to the big festival energy of CherryHill and Tesselaar.
Alowyn is ideal for those who like to wander gently. Explore the many garden ‘rooms’, let the kids loose in the maze, browse the nursery, stop for coffee and let the day unfold slowly.
Best for: garden lovers, couples, photographers, calm spring outings and visitors looking for beautiful gardens in the Yarra Valley.
How to Plan the Perfect Spring and Summer Yarra Valley Itinerary
If you are visiting in spring, make CherryHill’s Blossom Festival your hero experience. Pair it with Tesselaar Tulip Festival, Alowyn Gardens and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, or a relaxed wander through beautiful Healesville.
If you are visiting in summer, plan your day around cherry picking at CherryHill Orchards. Add a picnic, cherry ice cream, a farmgate stop or a relaxed drive through the valley.
For a special occasion, start with a sunrise Global Ballooning flight, then spend the day wandering stunning gardens, visiting wineries or exploring the picturesque towns across the region.
For families, keep it simple. Choose one main activity, one sweet treat and one flexible stop. Cherry picking, chocolate and a picnic is a near-perfect summer school holiday combination.
Why CherryHill Orchards Belongs at the Top of Your List
The Yarra Valley has no shortage of beautiful places to visit, but CherryHill Orchards offers something uniquely seasonal.
In spring, the orchard becomes a sea of blossom. In summer, it becomes a place to pick cherries straight from the tree. Across both seasons, visitors can connect with the landscape, the fruit and the joy of spending time outdoors.
That is what makes CherryHill more than just a stop on the itinerary. It is a true Yarra Valley experience — one shaped by the seasons and made memorable by the simple pleasures of blossoms, cherries, views, picnics and time spent together.
Whether you are searching for things to do in the Yarra Valley, family activities near Melbourne, cherry picking in Victoria, Yarra Valley spring events or summer school holiday activities, CherryHill Orchards is one of the region’s must-do experiences. We can’t wait to see you this season!