Yarra Glen is a town situated in Victoria, Australia situated 40 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s City Centre. It is one of the principal towns in the Yarra Valley with a population of around two thousand five hundred. History says that the very first post office came to existince on 11 Jan. 1861. Yara Glenn was then called Yara Flats until they agreed to name it by its current name when the railway arrived in 1889. Despite being prone to bush fires, Yarra Glen continues to attract and welcome travelers to the area.

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

For information and environment enthusiasts, 3000 friendly town folk share their serene valley with you showcasing their achievements in agriculture, wine making, tourism and environmental management. Naturally amazing the Yarra Valley has a range of National Parks and state Forests, Billabongs and the Yarra river w/c serve as great tourist attractions and places of escape. The is mostly known for it’s vineyards and light dairy farming. Also an enormous range of Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, cockatoos, koalas, bandicoots, platypus and rosellas.

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

Lastly, a visit would not be enough without tasting Yarra Glenn famous cuisine. Everybody can join in the Yarra Valley Food Trail as the locals sell their wares at Farm Gates. Seasonal produce Markets, specialty food stores and cafes and restaurants that use local produce are all open. Enjoy a hearty meal, delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners or just a platter featuring local produce. You will find simple food, slow food, food that is only limited by the chefs imagination, and all of it is delicious. An example is the Chateau Yering which offers fine dining in an elegant setting. Visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the quality of its food. It is believed that is would be hard to leave the Valley with an empty stomach.

Yes, it is true that the place is primarily known as a wine region and very well-known for the Grape Grazing festival in February where people visit as many wineries as they can go around in entire day to eat and drink. Most Yarra Valley wineries are open for this with two of the oldest participants the Fergusson and Kellybrook Wineries.

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

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