Your guide to Warburton
Our home is located in the historic gold rush town of Warburton, one of the most picturesque and charming villages in the Yarra Valley, tucked into the foothills of Mount Donna Buang. Warburton is enveloped in lush bushland, with the Yarra River running behind the main street. Along the riverbanks there are many places to sit and relax, picnic or swim. We’ve highlighted some of our favourite places and things to do in and around the area below.
Before you get here
You may be thinking about food, here's the lie of the land to help you plan.
- The IGA is under 2 mins from the house: Convenient and well-stocked, including liquor. Perfect for grabbing essentials if you’re not looking for anything too fancy. Alternatives as you're en route are as follows:
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Woolies & BWS in Yarra Junction (15 mins before Warburton): If you need more options and a larger selection, this is a great stop before heading onto Warby.
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Launch Fresh Fruit & Veg (Before Launching Place): A must-visit for fresh produce, but also a hidden gem for pre-made meals, cheeses, deli meats, and snacks. A local favourite!
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Home Hotel at Launching Place: A great place to grab lunch on your way.
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Artisan Baker in Wesburn: A fantastic spot for baked goods, especially their baguettes, which people come from far and wide for! Plus. The Flying Apron cafe for great coffee round out the food scene there.
Lunch & Dinner out
The Alpine Hotel is hands down our favourite place in town for dinner or lunch. It's an old renovated hotel / pub with amazing owners. They have excellent food, and the current menu is on their website. Current favourites are the baked lamb shoulder ($28) for lunch and BBQ lamb rump ($40) for dinner. They have $25 pizzas on Friday nights. It's a hotel, so you can stay here too - book directly with them.
The beer garden on a sunny day or evening is magical and they have some live music from time to time.
Babaji's is a hatted Indian restaurant with original Southern food. Not your average Indian. Well worth checking out. Choose Parotta instead of Naan, and the Kerala beef is extraordinary. They also have veg options.
Breakfast & Coffee
There are a few good spots for brekky and coffee, but we tend to alternate between BT Dubs and Three Sugars. These are their bookface links.
Both are brekky and brunch, with Three Sugars also lunch - simple meals around $20-$25
BT Dubs has good fresh options in their cabinet in addition to usual brekky options. Three Sugars has a slightly wider variety (and brekky is all day). The pancake stack is a favourite of our daughter - You can't go wrong at $7 with ice cream and syrup, or $10 for a double stack! They are pretty big too.
Silva coffee are more 'upmarket' and also sell coffee. Last I checked, their food options weren't great.
Ride! Cycling around Warburton
Warburton’s cycling and mountain biking experiences cater to both casual riders and enthusiasts, providing diverse terrains and stunning natural surroundings.
The world class MTB Stage one involves the development of 100+ km of new trails, and opening is now imminent! We cater for secure bike storage, and have some basic tools needed too.
Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail
The Warburton Rail Trail, a scenic 38-km path winds through the valley, and you can pick a section of the trail that suits you. You can certainly ride directly from our place, picking up the trail on the left just as you pass the servo. It winds past the Alpine Hotel and then pick your adventure from there.
Mount Donna Buang
For a challenging road ride, Mt. Donna Buang is one of the true gems of Victorian road cycling. Rising 1080 m over 16.8 km, the climb is picturesque and, for most of the year, virtually traffic free.
Comprehensive trail
bike and e-bike rentals and servicing, tours, sales & workshop experiences
are offered at several local outfitters:
Cog Bikes – Added bonus is their café, ‘Cog Bikes & Brew’ is now open!
Ride Time Yarra Valley - They will guide you, and provide links to maps for you. They service, and also hire e-bikes and regular bikes. It's possible to also ride in the other direction to visit the Redwoods.
Warburton Adventure Company – Local guides for mountain biking tours, as well as river tubing, caving, and abseiling.
Walks
Spanning approximately 30 km, this beautiful trail follows the historic aquaduct, which one supplied water to Melbourne from the 1920s to 1960s. Today this flat and well-maintained gravel path offers a scenic journey through lush eucalypt forests, fern-filled gullies, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Access from Yuonga Road Carpark. Rating: Easy.
La La Falls is a family-friendly hike through lush forest to a 30 m cascade, following the course of Four Mile Creek. Well maintained track with some uphill sections and gradual ascent. Access at trailhead at 25 Iruka Road. Distance: 3.2 km round trip. Rating: Easy.
Walk through myrtle beech rainforest to the ancient (and one of Victoria’s largest tree!) the Ada Tree in the Yarra State Forest at Big Creek Road. Distance: 3.2 km round trip. Rating: Easy.
Places to visit
Warburton Water Wheel & Visitors Center
The Warburton Visitors Centre, located at the centre of the high street, provides informative displays, interactive exhibits, local artist exhibitions, local artisan gifts, and knowledgeable staff who offer insights into the area’s heritage and natural history. The restored water week, originally built in 1885, used to supply water to the town’s goldfields.
The heritage-listed California redwoods in East Warburton is simply enchanting. Go early to avoid the crowds! Cement Creek Road, East Warburton.
Offers a diverse range of performances, exhibitions and events - from live theatre to film screening. All movie sessions can be pre-booked at culturetracks.info or by phoning 1300 368 333.
With the Kids!
Warburton Water Park – lovely water play space / splash park and recreation area. Open from September to April. 20 Woods Point Road next to the Warburton Caravan Park.
River sledding / tubing down the Yarra – this is a MUST DO! Best place to book is with Richard at the Warburton Motel.
Snow play & Toboggans for Hire - for all you need to know for a snow day on Mt Donna Buang!
Wesburn Pump Track - this fantastic new pump track is hidden away at the back of Wesburn Park reserve next to a lovely playground. The asphalt pump track caters to all user levels from beginner to advanced and there is a separate beginners' loop.
Other local recommendations
The River Walk is easily accessed from the Swing Bridge, just off Main Street, but really any of the bridges in the village. The Yarra River changes from swirling rapid pools to meandering waterholes along the length of the walk that is probably about 5 kilometres.
The Warburton Golf Club is an 18-hole course set amidst stunning natural surroundings. It is also opened for dinner on Thursday nights!
Shopping incl. the Valley Market
Explore Main Street for unique boutiques, art galleries and craft stores. Don’t miss the Valley Market for handmade and secondhand goods and fresh produce. First Sunday of the month 11am-3pm. behind the Arts Centre!
Local Day Trips
These are a few places that we love in the Yarra Valley region and that you might like to visit and explore while you enjoy your stay at Warburton.
Operated by Zoos Victoria, Healesville Sanctuary is a renowned wildlife sanctuary specialising in the conservation of native Australian animals and their habitats. Learn about koalas, kangaroos, wombats and various bird species!
Yarra Valley Chocolateries’ and Ice Creamery
Surrounded by picturesque Yarra Valley vistas, an orchard, wetlands, farm animals and sweeping lawns, this is a wonderful experience that the whole family can enjoy. Free chocolate tastings, large viewing windows to watch talented chocolatiers at work. So much yum!
Wineries
There are so many gorgeous wineries in the Yarra Valley - visiting them all would take a week! Here are a few of our favourites to help you narrow it down:
Yarra Yering - exquisite wines, but not cheap - must book for tasting
Oakridge Wines - award-winning wines and hatted restaurant
Helen’s Hill – lovely wine and casual restaurant – fabulous outdoor area and dog-friendly
Punt Road - grab a basket and curate your own picnic, play giant jenga
Boat O’Craigo – great wine, pizzas and grazing platters
Tarrawarra Estate - stunning grounds, world class art gallery, and a range of dining experiences from casual to award-winning degustation
Don’t pass by Mac Forbes and Payten & Jones for wine tastings if you’re in Healesville
