Visit Casey

Tourism - Come and Visit our Region

Here in Casey, just under an hour from Melbourne lie 55 of the world’s leading wineries, fine restaurants and romantic retreats.  Our fantastic local produce, the charm of our townships, the welcome from local residents and a jam-packed calendar of events means no tourist should visit Victoria without visiting the charms at our doorstep.

Residents of Casey already know they live in some of the most pristine and beautiful countryside so it’s no surprise we’ve opened up our region to make it one of the most visited tourist destinations in Australia.

Wineries

Victoria’s wine industry was born in the Yarra Valley in 1838 when a vineyard was planted at what is now Yering Station.  Today our region is home to more than 75 wineries and is Australia’s finest region for pinot noir and sparkling wines.

The total value of the Yarra Valley winegrape harvest is around $20.7 million.  Around 2 million litres are exported overseas. 

Links:
For a list of wineries in our region and beyond visit:
www.yarravalleywine.com

Accommodation:

Our region is one of Victoria’s favourite retreats.  Featuring renowned boutique accommodation, guests can stay at gracefully restored B&Bs, luxury cottages, guesthouses, self-contained cottages and five star hotels.  There are also farmstays, conference centre accommodation and rainforest bungalows.  Those wanting to get closer to nature can try a holiday park where you can pitch a tent or stay in a log cabin. 

Links:
www.visityarravalley.com.au/visityarravalley.asp
www.visitvictoria.com

Major Annual Events: 

Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival
Held in February, the largest wine festival in the southern hemisphere attracts around 23,000 visitors and is a celebration of live music, fine dining and food.
www.grapegrazing.com.au

Rochford Wines Summer Music Festival
Famous Australian bands from the Whitlams through to Casey Chambers have played at this outside concert festival.  Kicking off the beginning of the vintage, revellers can bring a picnic, kick back on the lawn and enjoy the shows in the heart of the Valley.  
www.rochfordwines.com.au

Longest Lunch
During autumn and as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s Regional Longest Lunches, the Yarra Valley becomes host to a lunch of more than 200 people.  Incorporating the best produce the Yarra Valley has to offer, a three course menu is complemented with wines from a select range of our region’s best produce. 

Kellybrook Cider Festival
Every year in the first weekend of May, crowds flock to the Kellybrook Winery in Wonga Park to enjoy the cider making demonstrations, traditional scrumpy and draught cider and fresh apple juice straight from the press.  There’s also ploughman’s and squires lunches and live Irish music. 
www.kellybrookwinery.com.au/ciderfestival.htm

Great Train Race
Each year, thousands of eager runners take on Australia’s favourite train, the Puffing Billy, in a 13.2 km run from Belgrave to Emerald Lake in the Dandenong Ranges. 
www.puffingbilly.com.au/

Winterfest
Warburton is showcased during its Winterfest – an exciting event with something for the whole family. 
Ph: (03) 5666 2365

Shortest Lunch
The winter solstice is celebrated with fine food, wine and music in the intimate, family orientated environment of the Shortest Lunch, held at many of the boutique and smaller wineries in the Yarra Valley.
www.yarravalleysmallerwineries.com.au/shortest_lunch.htm

Vintage Sports Car Rally
Held in June, the Yarra Track hosts the rally giving visitors the chance to see the magnificent sports cars of the 1920s and 1930 motor up and down slopes and around trees and pegs.
www.yarratrackwines.com.au

Tesselaar’s Tulip Festival
Every spring the Dandenong Hills come alive with the colourful tulip displays at Silvan’s Tesselaar’s Tulip Farm.  The three-week festival celebrates the beauty of tulips and the family’s Dutch heritage.  There’s food, drink, music and Dutch cultural activities as well.
www.tulipfestival.com.au/

Shedfest
In October, the wineries of the Warburton Highway open their sheds to accommodate fabulous food, fantastic wine, live music and fun games to play.  This is one festival where you can take it easy, taste local produce and experience the charm of small vineyards. 
www.shedfest.com.au/