Absolutely love Healesville sanctuary! My kids and I always have the best time when we visit. The staff are lovely, animals are gorgeous, plenty of play areas and beautiful bush land. I love the peaceful feeling I get when I hear the river water run. The flight arena bird show is always fun but warning it can get quite toasty in the warmer weather as there’s little to no shade in this part. I absolutely adore the bird enclosure with the gorgeous black cockatoos ❤️ my favourite birds. The kids love all the play areas but their favourite is the sandpit with the dinosaur skeleton.

Me and my friends are all Zoo Victoria members, and we absolutely love animals! 🐾 Healesville Sanctuary is one of our favourite places to visit. We often come here whenever we have free time — it’s such a lovely and joyful place to walk around and spend time with friends and family. All the staff are always so nice and friendly. I especially love listening to the animal talks and watching the Spirits of the Sky bird show — it’s amazing every time! 🦅 We always leave feeling relaxed and happy after visiting. Highly recommend it to all animal lovers! 🌿💚

Fantastic experience. Bigger than I expected. Good to have talks at different locations. So happy I got to see a platypus, Tasmanian Devil family at feeding time and echidna. The koalas were active moving and eating so it was a perfect time to walk past. Spirits of the Sky show was awesome. The birds were so well trained out in the wild (no enclosure) and they performed for us. Loved the swoop to catch a fish in the water, crack open an emu egg and reveal of thanks signage. It was different seeing a wombat and kangaroos in an upturned position (playing dead). Wow, a tree kangaroo. A wonderful visit and beautiful sunshine to make it the amazing time I had. The map was really handy and the signages were great.

I've been here many times, and this is a great little sanctuary. I recommend arriving in early or late hours, as the crowds aren't as large, and you'll be able to get to places/queues quicker. The animals don't mind the weather, but can be a bit elusive. If you arrive in the recommended hours, you're more likely to see them. All the enclosures are well made and designed with care. I highly recommend as well to do the Tawny Frogmouth close-up, as many don't really do this. However, Tiny and Kermit (The pair that you'll meet) are very calm and the tour guide is amazing!

A wonderful zoo will undoubtedly delight visitors. The extensive grounds offer the opportunity to get acquainted with a variety of wild animals, from platypuses to rare species of kangaroos. You can also see active snakes and turtles here, as well as visit the laboratory and observe many wild and rare birds. Additionally, visitors will be able to see dingoes, koalas, and much more. Visiting this remarkable zoo promises to be interesting for both children and adults.

We only had about 3 hours to spend and wish we had more. The exhibits were excellent. The animals had a lot of space and were also visible most of the time. The Tasmanian Devils were very active when we were there. We also got to see the platypus and attend the talk about them. I wish we had more time to hear more of the talks. The presenter was very knowledgeable and patient. The bird enclosures were also very nice with volunteers available to answer questions.

First time visiting from NZ yesterday and we loved it! Well looked after animals and heaps to see. Great informational talks on Platypus and Echidna too. We unfortunately missed the spirit of the sky show at 3pm due to heavy rain but luckily a keeper named Taz took us to feed the Emu's and it was a perfect way for us to end the visit! Well worth making the drive if you're staying in the city or around Melbourne

Four Pillars Gin was not even in our original plan, but we were already in the mood after champagne and wine stops, so I thought, why not complete the circle with some gin? I am not exactly a gin person, but I have to say, this stop made me rethink that a little. The gin was great, yes, but can we talk about the duck pate? I had it after a full cheese fondue lunch at Chandon, and still managed to finish the entire jar by myself. It was creamy, flavourful and went so well with their crackers. Honestly, I would go back just for that pate. For the drinks, I ordered the gin tasting set which came with four different types of gin, served with tonic water on the side so you could mix to your liking. I got to try a few variations, but the one that really stood out for me was the Shiraz Gin. It had a nice depth and smoothness that I did not expect. Easy to drink and very well balanced. The place itself has a cool industrial chic vibe, very open and relaxed. Staff were friendly and made the tasting experience fun without being too formal. It did not feel rushed and we got to enjoy everything at our own pace. If you are in the area, even if you are not a gin lover, I say give it a try. You might leave with a new favourite and definitely with a full stomach.

Popped in on Friday around 5 p.m. and the place was absolutely buzzing. Happy hour kicked off at 6 with great drink specials, amazing cocktails, and a full house. The yuzu gin was incredible and the yuzu sour cocktail was even better. The staff were fun and friendly, and the whole place had a great energy. They also run a happy hour dinner on Friday nights, which looked awesome. Definitely the spot to be and probably my number one pick when visiting Healesville.

I had no idea that Four Pillars Gin originated in Melbourne! We stopped by after visiting the Redwood Forest to do a gin tasting and ended up learning a lot about the gin-making process. It was fascinating to discover how different spices are infused to create unique flavours. We also got to rate several distinct gin varieties and try some cocktails made with their different gins — each with fruity, coffee, chocolate, or smoky notes. The experience was really enjoyable, easy to access, and they even offer a membership with some great deals.

A nice place for an afternoon chill with friends or family over gin and some bar food. A small distillery to see the making of the Four Pillar gins. They have a small restaurant that let u taste their gin and cocktails (the cocktail flight is a must), and enjoy some finger food/ snacks. There is also a small shop to buy some merchandise and of course their famous gin to bring home.

Had an explosion of flavour for lunch before completing a gin tasting of 7 of Four Pillars finest Gins. The whole experience was absolutely amazing thanks to a charismatic young gentlemen by the name of Cooper. He educated us about all the traditional spices and infusions in gin making and what sets Four Pillars aside from the rest. His passion and love for what he does, along with his endless knowledge made for a wonderful gin filled afternoon. Cannot recommend Four Pillars highly enough for a visit for foodies and gin lovers. Simply a MUST when in Healesville hopefully you will be lucky enough to meet Cooper the legend himself. Four Pillars also have a nonalcoholic range which is also in a league of its own compared to other nonalcoholic spirits. Full of flavour and just as delicious.

My wife took me to Four Pillars for my 35th birthday and I have now fallen in love with Gin thanks to them 😍 Amazing place. Was served by David who gave us a wonderful experience with so many smiles, stories, and samples. Every Gin I tired was beauitful. Strongly recommend visiting the distillery. I'll be back soon I know it. Shop at the front is well stocked and very good prices.

This place was fun. Well worth the drive and if you’re a gin lover like me, it’s a must try. We had the G&T paddle and discovered a new gin, olive leaf, which is scrumptious so I’ll be going back and getting a couple more bottles. The snacks were good too. We had the fries and a tiramisu dip…so so good.

On a recommendation we went for lunch at Isabella’s. We were greeted and treated like royalty by Josel(alias James Bond), his attention to detail and friendly approach made our experience all the more enjoyable. The meals were quite generous helpings and thoughtfully prepared. The choices on the menu were diverse.

The last stop in our wine tour finished with another good selection of wine for tasting. It's another well oiled commercial wine producer. They were understanding that this was our fourth and last stop, providing us with a long table and chairs to sit on while doing our wine tasting (the prior 3 others had us standing and tasting). Likely to avoid any of us being imbalanced and falling. 😂 Again, another good selection of wine but externally, nothing outside the building that's unique to enjoy.

If you are coming for a day trip, wine tasting, social group, you should have a good time, it's got a lovely atmosphere. If you join a tour, your tour guide will be able to arrange a main course, chips and a glass of wine for $50, which is better value than ordering separately. The wine tasting venue is this beautiful underground facility and we ate slow cooked beef, duck and fish and entree is quail.

This weekend, hubby and I booked a Yarra Valley tour to play tourists in our own city. We love this region—visit multiple times a year—and wanted to see it through the eyes of a first-timer. Unfortunately, our first stop was Rochford… and it was a letdown from the start. As a passionate wine lover who’s tasted across Australia, NZ, Europe, South Africa and beyond, I’ve never come across a wine tasting that felt this lifeless. The lady running our tasting clearly didn’t want to be there—zero enthusiasm, no passion, and visibly irritated when asked questions. It was a quick, clinical pour-and-go with barely any interaction apart from a rehashed line. What’s worse? We had to spend more time at their shop than at the tasting itself—which says a lot. Even then, the lady took 10 minutes to ring up my husband’s wine purchase and had to make calls to work out their system. The vibe was cold, the space was sterile, and the wines were underwhelming. It honestly made me so sad. You could tell no one in the Go West tour group enjoyed it. And it breaks my heart that this might be a tourist’s only taste of the Yarra Valley (as apart from the gin distillery this particular tour doesn’t visit any other wineries, wild isn’t it???), when this region has so much to offer in warmth, quality, and character. Rochford just didn’t show up.

We stopped in on a tour of the Yarra Valley, and the restaurant did not disappoint. Gluten free options were really good for the coeliacs.

Here at red hot summer concert and the service and organisation has been unbelievable. Food fantastic and staff especially Danial and George have been exceptional. Highly recommend a visit . Try to do the VIP package.

Amazing experience, great food and wines, and impeccable service. Jojo and Aman were genuinely friendly. Jojo offered excellent food and wine recommendations. Food was fantastic too. Duck confit was juicy and tasty. Barramundi was perfectly cooked with slight crunchy skin. White choc and blueberry panna cota with fairy floss was light, fluffy with good amount of sweetness. Everything was as we have expected and more! Highly recommended.

There are just so many wineries in Melbourne that choosing one felt like a mini project. I did quite a bit of research before finally settling on Oakridge, and I have to say, it did not disappoint. The experience felt a little more personal compared to the bigger, more commercial wineries. The cellar door host who guided us through the tasting was absolutely lovely. She gave one of the best wine explanations I have ever had. She talked us through their red wines in such detail, then offered us their white and sparkling too. We really got to explore the variety. What stood out the most was when she started explaining about the soil types. That was something I never paid attention to, but it was such an eye opener. I left knowing that even the ground your grapes grow on plays a huge role in the taste. It made the whole wine tasting experience more meaningful. The ambiance was peaceful and relaxing. Floor to ceiling glass panels gave us the best view of the vineyard, and with the winter chill, I really appreciated the warm sunlight coming in. It was the kind of space where you just want to sit, sip slowly and enjoy the view. I would absolutely recommend Oakridge if you are looking for a winery that is not only scenic but also educational and memorable. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

We had a fantastic wine tasting experience at Oakridge Wines. Carrie and Ray Lee were warm and knowledgeable. Carrie provided exceptional insights into the wines with passion and precision. Their hospitality elevated our visit and made it truly memorable. The wines were elegant and expressive—definitely a highlight of our Yarra Valley trip. Highly recommend!

We had such an amazing time at Oakridge! We stopped in for a wine tasting on my birthday, and it truly couldn’t have been more perfect. The wines were great. Carrie guided us and she was fantastic; so friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the wines. She took the time to explain everything in such an engaging way and made me feel really welcome. I can’t wait to come back.

We did the Chardonnay masterclass at Oakridge with Carrie and absolutely loved it. She was brilliant — really knowledgeable but super easy to chat with. The range of Chardonnays was incredible, each one different and really well explained. The standout for us was the Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Chardonnay — just stunning. Oh and she looked after the designated driver really well too! Such a great experience and well worth doing if you’re visiting the Yarra Valley.

We had a fantastic wine tasting at Oakridge. We explored many different wines, all amazingly created yet distinctive in their own right depending on terroir or vintage. Carrie was our host and she did an amazing job, very knowledgeable and clear on explanations. She is a very lovely, welcoming host that made our tasting extra special. Can’t wait to return again and we will certainly have this winery on a regular delivery.

From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the beautiful surroundings and the welcoming atmosphere. A special thanks to Raylee, who provided exceptional service throughout our visit. Her knowledge of the wines and passion for what you do truly enhanced our experience. She made us feel valued and ensured that we enjoyed every moment, from the tastings to the delightful conversations. What a great experience!:)

We had an amazing wine tasting experience at Oak Ridge, guided by Raylee, who made the whole visit truly memorable. She took the time to ensure we understood and appreciated each of the wines she poured, sharing her knowledge with genuine enthusiasm and passion. Her attention to detail and warm personality elevated the experience to another level — something we truly value after visiting many wineries. You can really tell the quality and craftsmanship behind their wines; each one was beautifully made and full of character. Thank you, Raylee, for making our tasting so special!

HANDS DOWN MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IN MELBOURNE 😭😭😭 been here twice and blown away each time by how innovative and fresh the flavours are. Love the ambience and how the menu rotates according to the season! Absolute standouts for me are the beef tartare and focaccia that never fails to hit the spot. Definitely worth the drive to healesville 🥺 will be back! (Look how cute the restaurant is too!!)

As we left No.7 yesterday, the young lady who had looked after us throughout our anniversary lunch farewelled us with “Thank you both for keeping me company this afternoon “. With that one sentence she encapsulated what had been a wonderful, very personal dining experience. The five course tasting menu was well-balanced, contained some interesting surprises, and was well paced. No wines by the glass on the list, but an opportunity to taste and select some beautiful, small batch wines that you won’t find at Dan’s. Interior design that impressed without intimidating. But ultimately it was Indiah whose knowledge, passion and personal service made us feel more like friends than customers.

The flavour is good but the portions are too small for the price. We were told they are meant to share which is not accurate if the portion is so small. The atmosphere is nice and service is nice though.

I had really high hopes since this restaurant is in the Good Food Guide and has a hat. Unfortunately, the food was under-seasoned and the feed me menu felt a bit lacklustre – the à la carte options looked much better. Service was pretty good, but overall the food was a bit so-so

Great experience. Found it completely by accident when staying in the area. Great changing menu, excellent service. Decor was great, very fun vibe and high ceilings really gave it a premium feel.

One of my favorite restaurants! Absolutely delicious, sustainably sourced meals. I love how the wines constantly change, with small batch wines. The service is impeccable, and the staff go above and beyond with so much knowledge of the food. I have had the chef's selection both times I have been here, and it is always beautiful. The atmosphere is gorgeous with interesting decor and feels like you are in Italy. Cannot recommend enough!

Last night’s dinner was fantastic. Every dish was full of flavour and beautifully put together, and the wines were surprising in the best way - each one perfectly matched to what we were eating. The service was lovely and relaxed, and the whole place just feels effortless. Such a great night.

☑️ Beautiful place. Absolutely stunning. The ambience and atmosphere inside and out is incredible. ☑️ All our dishes were solid. The portions are small and the prices high though. We weren’t full. Nothing really had a WOW factor though. But it was fine. ❎ The service wasn’t particularly great. The guy at the front desk was very accommodating but the waiters were far from attentive. Weird though the girl (British accent) couldn’t stop talking about everything with the people in front of us right down to how much the new section cost but every time we tried to signal her for water or even to look at a dessert menu or order coffees she was non existent. We didn’t order dessert, couldn’t even get someone to get us the bill and had to go to the front to sort it out. Mind you it was very quiet and there were many people around. Pretty substandard for a place which is fine dining. Still a beautiful place. Perhaps an off day.

Disappointed and Overpriced – Not Worth It! I had high expectations for Levantine Hill Estate, but sadly it was a big letdown. The food was very underwhelming – flavors were bland and not worth the premium pricing. I was shocked to see a single skewer of lamb priced at $18. Seriously? For that price, I expected something amazing, but it was just average at best. Overall, extremely disappointed. Definitely not coming back. There are far better places in the Yarra Valley that offer both great food and value for money. 😤

We didn’t make a booking and the manager on the day organised table for us to dine in. Absolutely above and beyond service standards. Even more, the food is beyond phenomenal, almost licked the plate! Must visit if you are in the area.

The tasting at the cellar door was informative and well executed by Ken, who acknowledged that we were there celebrating a birthday and gave us an extra pour of the sparkling rose which was delicious. Lunch as expected was good and of quality. We had the scallops and beef manti for entree and the fish and lamb as mains. The only minor criticism is that the lamb was a touch overdone. An overall good experience at an establishment of this calibre.

Thank you for having us for our wedding anniversary! The staff were absolutely beautiful and the food was amazing! The chef came and greeted everyone after lunch to ask about our meal. What a beautiful winery to visit!

Highly recommended by our friends so we chose to book here at Levantine Hill to celebrate our anniversary with our young boys. What a beautiful experience it was, we had a wine tasting session with Heather who was so lovely, we really enjoyed listening to the background history of the family whilst sipping on our wines. It really makes the experience that much more special when the service is outstanding. It’s very important to have staff who love the work they do because it really does shine through. McKenzie, a special shout out to you too for going out of your way to offer to take beautiful photos for us today, thank you once again. The food was delicious full of culture and flavour. The venue is simply elegant and we’re very much looking forward to the hotel opening up next year. We'll definitely be back again ♥️

A great experience coming here for lunch for my wife's birthday! We had a great wine tasting experience with Heather who was a delight. Knew her wines and offered a great relaxed conversation. It was like we had a tasting with a family member. Lunch was delicious with Lebanese inspired food with modern twists. loved everything. And we even got a lovely gift for my wifes birthday. Thank you Heather and the team for an amazing lunch and experience.

An Absolute Hidden Gem in the Heart of Nature What a breathtakingly beautiful place! This winery offers stunning panoramic views of the TarraWarra Valley and is nestled right in the heart of nature — truly a hidden gem. There’s plenty of parking available, and for a more relaxed visit, you can even hire a private cab to avoid the hassle of driving. We absolutely loved our time here. The wine tasting experience was exceptional, and the staff were incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay longer — we fell in love with it instantly. Highly recommended for anyone looking to unwind and soak in the serenity with a glass of fine wine in hand. 🍷🌿

TarraWarra Estate is a magnificent property surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, complete with an art gallery, cellar door, and restaurant. We dined there and enjoyed the tasting menu along with their Swallowfield Vineyard (Gembrook) Chardonnay. The restaurant itself is modern, smart, and minimalist .. fine dining without the formality. The entire experience was a delight. Special thanks to Chef Daniel Snook and the team, including Poppy, Jessica, and Chelsea, who looked after us throughout our dining adventure. The food was fabulous .. beautifully presented with exceptional attention to detail and flavour. Oh, and that special birthday cake, it was absolutely delicious! A memorable experience in beautiful surrounds.

Perfect way to spend a cold Melbourne Friday. Popped into the cellar door to enjoy the $20 tasting of 5 wines (then refunded against bottles purchased) then onto the restaurant to enjoy the Estate Menu. Food was amazing, staff friendly and attentive and the fireplace cosy - cannot have asked for more!

We booked the 3-course lunch with matching wines for our girls’ weekend, and it was nothing short of exceptional. Each dish was beautifully presented and tasted even better, truly 5-star quality and flavour. The wine pairings were perfectly matched and elevated every course. The service throughout lunch was warm and attentive, making the experience feel special. We did have a small issue with the bill at the end, as there was some confusion between what I had booked (confirmed over email) and what was charged on the day. This was a little disappointing, but aside from that, everything else was wonderful. TarraWarra is a beautiful spot for a long, indulgent lunch, and I’d happily return.

The charcuterie board and wines are a refreshing treat after a drive through the winding hills. But don’t drink too much! The outdoor dining area is dog friendly. The food and wine from cellar door is reasonable price for the venue and view of the surrounding garden and small lake. Highly recommended this location for a date but it is also great for kids to run around.

My second time here at Tarrawarra for a birthday celebration, and the food and wine were phenomenal and very clever. I love the different flavours, and they accomodate my husband for a plant-based meals. Fantastic!

Well what a truly amazing place. I think "Lux" is appropriate. A fine art gallery, cellar door and restaurant. The views are absolutely stunning. One surprise after another at YarraWarra, do come and experience this unique Yarra Valley gem.

When you 1st walk in it is like a step back in time, loved the ambience of the place but that is where the good stuff ended. Once we ordered our food which came out burnt for the people having scnitzel we never saw the staff again. We were there for 3hrs and still had all our dirty plates sitting on the table at least an hour after we finished eating. The wine menu was pretty ordinary as well. A few steps down the road you find another pub which is fabulous, you get a great meal, fabulous staff and everyone is full of smiles. A very bad end to a fabulous weekend away for a special occasion

I cannot thank The Grand Hotel enough for hosting our family and friends get together before our mums funeral. The ambiance and table setting was perfect, the staff so friendly, efficient and very accommodating with all my requests. The chef and kitchen staff cooked amazing food! Thank you for making this day perfect for us…

Bistro-family night. Service friendly. Kids meals fantastic, like mini adults instead of the crap some other pubs serve kids. The kids chicken Parma and beef sliders👌👌 Great fish and chips, batter was lovely. All in all great experience, thank you.

We stayed one night on a Sunday. The bed had multiple bugs in it on the sheets and the communal toilet/bathroom was pretty dirty. So dirty that both hubby and I decided to shower at home. Pretty dissapointing. Its well prices, but this doesnt mean it should not be clean.

NEVER EVER AGAIN will we return to the grand hotel. We were left waiting 50 minutes for cold fish and chips and then another 10 minutes later for our salads & Chicken Parmi. Basic pub food is not that hard. The staff obviously havnt tasted their own food as salt and pepper doesn't cost much. The food was really poor quality, served on a dirty sticky table combined with the managers lack of concern when we mentioned the slow & cold food just made us leave rather than stay for drinks and deserts. Great old building but the place is obviously very poorly run.

Stopped in for a beer, nice little bar area, love the open fireplace. Cute little place. Wasn't open for dinner but the rooms looked nice. Staff were friendly and helpful. Huge outdoor area.

The menu and ambience are amazing. I have been to the restaurant last year and enjoyed every bite of my meal. But the place needs a bit of work as an accommodation. I booked two rooms the previous weekend, and the conditions were not as expected. The bathroom and toilet needed maintenance and were cleaned only after we complained. Common toilets tend to get dirtier more often and need more cleaning. The business did not have dedicated staff for accommodation, and it went pear-shaped for them when the restaurant got busy. We were from Melbourne, so we checked out within half an hour and headed back. But for tourists, it would have been a nightmare. I will not put photos, as I would like the business to see this as more of an opportunity to improve rather than a bitter brawl for a restaurant to lose its reputation.