Yarra Glen is a town situated in Victoria, Australia situated 40 kilometres north-east of City Centre of Melbourne. It is 1 of the principal towns in the Yarra Valley with a population of about 2500. History says that the very first post office came to being on January 11, 1861. Yara Glenn was then called Yara Flats until they declared to name it by its present name when the railway arrived in 1889. Despite being prone to bush fires, Yarra Glen had continued to attract and invites travelers to the area.

For those who love sports, Yarra Glen offers the chance to participate in the Australian Rules football team playing in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League. Also Yarra Glen Racing is a horse racing club w/c schedules in and around nine race meetings a year including the Yarra Glen Cup in March. At the same time, Yarra Valley Harness Racing Club conducts periodic meetings at its race track in the town. For those wanting to ride ponies there are many clubs.

For information and environment enthusiasts, three thousand friendly town folk share their peaceful valley with you showcasing their success in agriculture, wine making, tourism and environmental management. Naturally beautiful the Yarra Valley has a range of National Parks and state Forests, Billabongs and the Yarra river which serve as great tourist attractions and places of escape. The is known mostly for it’s vineyards and light dairy farming. Also an enormous range of Australian wildlife such as cockatoos,kangaroos, koalas, bandicoots, platypus and rosellas.

Since it is located 40 kms from Melbourne City Centre it offers a wide range of accommodation options for travelers. One option is Chateau Yering Hotel which used to be the home of the De Castella family who migrated from Switzerland and settled in Australia to grow grapes in the 1850s. Other accommodation offered are B&Bs, self contained cottages, holiday houses and homestays. For tourists who prefer to stay in a hotel, Yarra Glen Grand can also be an option but Yarra Glen provides a wide range so if all accommodation in the town is booked there are a lot of choices in the nearby towns of Healesville, Yarra Junction, Wonga Park or many of the smaller towns in the Yarra Valley. Everything is close and an quick drive to wineries, restaurants, antiques, markets etc

Finally, a visit wouldn’t be complete without having a taste of Yarra Glenn famous cuisine. Anybody can participate in the Yarra Valley Food Trail as the residents sell their wares at Farm Gates. Seasonal produce Markets, specialty food stores and cafes and restaurants that use local produce are all open. Savor a hearty meal, wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinners or just a platter featuring local produce. You will find simple food, slow food, food that’s only limited by the chefs imagination, and all of it is delicious. An example is the Chateau Yering which provides fine dining in an elegant setting. Visitors are often surprised by the quality of its food. It is also thought that is would be hard to leave the Valley w/ an empty stomach.

Yes, it is correct that the place is primarily known as a wine region and famous for the Grape Grazing festival in second month of the year where people visit as many wineries as they can go around in entire day to eat and drink. Most of Yarra Valley wineries open for this with 2 of the oldest participants being Fergusson and Kellybrook Wineries.

Yarra Glenn has been the gateway to the Yarra Ranges and offers hospitality, accommodation and an amazing recreational break from life in the city. Relax for a weekend or longer.

Yolanda Crokovski is a vacations counselor on Bed and Breakfast Yarra Valley & Accommodation Yarra Glen. Read articles by Yolanda Crokovski here.