BETTER OUT THAN IN
It's so much better spending your weekend outside, than in and when the Great Victorian Rail Trail, historic buildings, a thriving main street and a range of award winning wineries, restaurants and accommodation options to offer, why wouldn't you head 2 hours to Yea from Melbourne.
Yea is adjoined by a series of hamlets including Glenburn, Murrindindi, Limestone, Highlands, Caveat, Strath Creek, Kerrisdale and Flowerdale and is the perfect base to explore the area’s surrounding scenic and historic sites.
Ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail to Cheviot Tunnel
Located midway between Molesworth and Yea along the 134km Great Victorian Rail Trail from Tallarook to Mansfield is the historic Cheviot Railway Tunnel. It spans 201 metres long and was constructed from an estimated 675,000 handmade bricks using local clay. The Cheviot Tunnel was constructed to pass trains across the Black Range at McLoughlin’s Gap roughly half way between Yea and Molesworth and today it still remains in excellent condition. Head here via bike or horse along the rail trail from Yea or jump in the car and access via a carpark about 100 metres from the tunnel.
Find out more about the Great Victorian Rail Trail
Explore the Yea main street for some cool & historical places to eat
Yea's main street is thriving with exceptional eateries, cafes, restaurants and pubs that will whet your appetite after a busy day exploring the surrounding region. You'll notice the main street also has plenty of visible historical landmarks and buildings dating back to 1852 including Yea Shire Hall, Post Office and Commercial Bank Building which can all be found by following the Yea Heritage Walk. The Country Club Hotel built in 1856 still has some of the original stone walls visible so be sure to check out in their Lounge area.
Find out more about Yea Heritage Walk
Walk through and explore the beauty of the Yea Wetlands
Just a short walk from the main street you can lose yourself in the peace and tranquillity of the natural bush and riverine floodplain wetlands. Walk down the Franklin Track across the cable suspension bridge, being sure to watch for platypus or native water rats foraging for food along the river bed, and you begin to understand the treasure that Yea truly has. Read the interpretive signs and unravel more secrets about the uniquely Australian aquatic mammals and how the traditional owners of the land used and cared for the wetlands.
Find out more about the Yea Wetlands
-- YEA MUST DOS --
* Explore the Y Water Discovery Centre and learn about our precious water resources
* Take in the view from the Murchison Gap Lookout
* Discover the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve
* Enjoy a scenic drive through the Highlands
* Snap a photo at the historic Cheviot Railway Tunnel
