Redwoods and cherries in one long day. This Yarra Valley trip stacks a photo-ready Cement Creek Redwood Forest walk, a hands-on cherry picking stop, plus winery time with Domaine Chandon sparkling tastings. You’re picked up in central Melbourne and brought door-to-door to the main highlights without needing a car.

I like that the day is built around variety: walk among towering redwoods, then shift to food and wine with a planned stop in Healesville and time at a real producer in Domaine Chandon. My one big caution is timing: the schedule is advertised as 12 hours, but you should verify that the day is truly long enough for the tasting and orchard portions to feel unhurried.

Key highlights worth anchoring your day around

• Cement Creek Redwood Forest photo stop with nearly 1,500 towering trees and about an hour to stroll and shoot photos
• Healesville break time for lunch, local snacks, and browsing cafes/shops
• Domaine Chandon tasting focus on sparkling wines with valley views (wine and champagne tasting are part of the plan)
• Cherryhill Orchards cherry picking for up to two hours across 40+ cherry varieties
• Cherry ice cream and on-site food options to keep the energy up between tastings

Cement Creek Redwood Forest: the easiest win on the whole day

The day starts with a drive out of Melbourne, then your first meaningful stop is the Cement Creek Redwood Forest—one of those places that makes you stop talking for a minute. You’ll have around one hour here, which is just enough time to walk at a relaxed pace, find photo angles, and enjoy the stillness without feeling rushed.

This is the part of the trip that’s easiest to recommend because it doesn’t rely on anyone else to make it good. If you’re traveling with a camera, this stop is built for you. Bring your hat and sunscreen, wear comfortable shoes, and plan on stopping often—standing still among towering redwoods is the whole point.

One practical note: since you’ll be doing a real stroll, treat this like a short hike day. If it’s warm, you’ll feel it fast in open areas near the trees.

Healesville Sanctuary area: lunch break that can make or break your mood

After the redwoods, you’ll head toward the Healesville area for about one hour of break time. The structure here matters more than the name on the sign: this is where your day turns from “scheduled sightseeing” into “real food and people-watching.”

You can use the time for lunch, local snacks, and quick browsing around Healesville’s cafes/shops. If you’re the type who likes to keep energy up with something simple (sandwich, pastry, fruit, coffee), this stop gives you that chance before the winery and orchard.

A drawback to watch for is pacing. When a day feels tight, this is the first place tours cut corners—because once you’re out of town, it’s harder for you to find Plan B. So I’d treat this stop as your anchor meal: eat well here, even if you’re tempted to “save room” for later sweets.

Domaine Chandon: sparkling wine tastings with valley views

Next comes Domaine Chandon, the winery associated with Moët & Chandon. The plan centers on tasting sparkling wines, including champagne tasting, with Yarra Valley views while you’re there.

This is where you should go into the day with clear expectations about what tastings mean in practice. You’re only scheduled for about one hour, so the tastings are likely designed to be efficient, not slow and deluxe. If you’re a serious wine person and want deeper pours or a long conversation, this time window can feel short.

Still, this is a strong stop for most visitors because it hits the sweet spot: you get a recognizable, established winery experience without needing a reservation system of your own. It’s also a good contrast to the outdoors time earlier—the light changes, the air feels different, and you get a chance to slow down for a bit.

Cherryhill Orchards: the fun part that needs a money check

The highlight many people look forward to is the cherry experience at Cherryhill Orchards. Here, you get about two hours to pick cherries, with access to 40+ varieties. It’s the kind of activity that feels more like a day out with friends than a showroom tour.

You’ll also likely want time for the famous cherry ice cream and the food options on-site (food trucks are available). This matters because cherry picking can be sweet and snacky, and you may want to reward yourself immediately after your first round of picking.

Now for the important “read this before you go” part. The tour data says cherry tasting is included, and the day is structured around cherry picking. But real-world costs can vary depending on how cherry picking is handled on the day (for example, whether any picked fruit becomes an extra purchase for you). Some travelers have also reported additional fees related to cherry picking. So I recommend you bring a card and a little extra cash, just in case the orchard treats the fruit as something you take home with a cost attached.

If you hate the idea of being surprised by costs, ask your operator directly:

• Is the two hours of picking included without any additional purchase requirement?
• Are there any optional charges for fruit or extras?

Price and value: what $147 buys you, and what might feel short

At $147 per person for a 12-hour guided day, the value depends on how smoothly the day runs and whether the tastings you expect actually happen in the time slot you’re promised.

Here’s what you do get as included:

• transport from Melbourne
• Cement Creek Redwood Forest stop
• Healesville stop
• Domaine Chandon stop
• Cherryhill Orchards stop
• cherry tasting at Cherryhill Orchards

And personal consumption is not included.

So the “value equation” is mostly about time allocation:

• If the day really runs close to the full 12 hours, you’ll likely feel like you got a full day’s worth of variety.
• If the day feels compressed—especially around Domaine Chandon and the final orchard portion—you may feel like you’re mainly driving and photo-stopping.

Based on what I’ve heard from people who booked this kind of outing, the most common frustration is not the places themselves—it’s the pace. A winery stop that becomes rushed can undercut the whole point, and a cherry orchard stop that turns into a shorter-than-expected experience can feel like you paid for hands-on fun but got the quick version.

My practical take: before you book, confirm the schedule details with the operator and ask how much time you’ll actually have at Domaine Chandon and Cherryhill Orchards.

Timing, route flow, and the danger zone for rushed tastings

This day is structured as four big stops: redwoods, Healesville break, Domaine Chandon, then Cherryhill Orchards, followed by the return to Melbourne. That’s a solid sequence because each stop changes the pace and the kind of activity.

But the danger zone is predictable: if traffic or time at one stop runs long, the short, fixed time windows at the next stops can shrink quickly. When that happens, tasting sessions can feel truncated, and your “free time” turns into “hurry up and go.”

So here’s how you can protect your experience:

• Treat each scheduled stop as real time you need to plan around, not optional browsing time.
• Eat well at the Healesville break so you don’t scramble later.
• If you care about wine depth, ask whether the Domaine Chandon tasting is a standard set or whether upgrades exist.

If your goal is mostly scenery photos and casual food, you’ll likely enjoy it even if the day runs tighter. If your goal is wine education or a long, slow orchard session, you should be cautious.

Guide language: English vs Chinese can change how the day feels

The tour includes a live guide in Chinese and English. That’s great on paper, but language matching still matters—because a guided day is not just about where you go. It’s also about what you learn while you’re there and how clearly you understand what’s included.

If you’re booking for an English experience, I’d message the provider ahead of time and confirm you’ll have an English-speaking guide on your departure. If you don’t, the day may still be enjoyable visually, but you could miss key context—especially around tastings and what you can or can’t do at each stop.

What to pack for a redwoods-to-cherries day

This is the kind of tour where your comfort directly affects your enjoyment. Bring:

• Comfortable shoes for walking in the forest
• Hat and sunscreen for outdoor time
• Camera (you’ll want it at the redwoods)
• Light layers for winery air conditioning and shade changes

Also remember the general vehicle rules: no smoking in the vehicle. And you won’t want to bring anything sharp or prohibited.

If you plan to pick cherries, consider bringing a small bag you can carry easily and wear clothes you don’t mind getting a bit messy (fruit picking has that real-life factor).

Who this trip suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a good fit if you want:

• an easy day trip from Melbourne with transport handled
• a memorable photo stop at a redwood forest
• a hands-on activity that feels different from standard wine tours
• a mix of wine tasting and local food breaks

It may be a poor fit if:

• you’re very picky about tasting length and want plenty of time at the winery
• you expect every part to run exactly as advertised with no timing squeeze
• you’re sensitive to language mismatch during tastings and instructions
• you’re trying to budget tightly and need every cost to be included up front

Should you book this Yarra Valley wine and cherry day trip?

I’d book it only if your top priorities match the core strengths: the Cement Creek Redwood Forest photo walk and the Cherryhill Orchards cherry-picking time. If you want a slow, high-end wine day, you might feel squeezed by the time windows.

Before you commit, do three quick checks:

1. Confirm your guide will match your language preference (English vs Chinese).
2. Ask how much time you’ll get for wine/champagne tastings at Domaine Chandon.
3. Ask whether there are any additional costs tied to taking picked cherries home or participating in cherry picking.

If those answers feel clear and reasonable, this can be a fun, hands-on Yarra Valley day. If they feel vague, I’d consider another tour that gives more breathing room.

FAQ

How long is the Melbourne Yarra Valley Wine & Cherry Picking day trip?

It runs for about 12 hours.

Where does the tour pick up and drop off?

Pickup and drop-off are available at multiple central Melbourne locations, including addresses such as 54 Russell St, 108 Little Bourke St, 66 Spencer St, 2 Market St, 15–21 Therry St, and 910 Whitehorse Rd.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Included are transport from Melbourne and visits to Cement Creek Redwood Forest, Healesville, Domaine Chandon, and Cherryhill Orchards, plus cherry tasting at Cherryhill Orchards.

Is wine or champagne tasting included?

Yes. The schedule includes wine tasting and champagne tasting as part of the Domaine Chandon stop.

How much time do you spend cherry picking at Cherryhill Orchards?

You spend about two hours at Cherryhill Orchards for cherry picking from 40+ varieties.

What languages are the live tour guides?

Live guides are available in Chinese and English.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, a camera, and sunscreen.

Is smoking allowed during the tour?

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is reserve now and pay later available?

Yes. You can reserve your spot and pay later.

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