8 things to do in the Moorabool Valley & You Yangs

Located about an hour west of Melbourne, the Moorabool Valley is probably Victoria’s most un-sung wine region and adventure spot.

Sitting in a rough triangle between Inverleigh, Meredith and the You Yangs Regional Park, Moorabool Valley was settled by the Swiss way back in 1842. Chances are good you won’t be fighting the weekend crowds when exploring this hidden gem. These days it’s home to cool-climate vineyards, cellar doors, chocolate shops and plenty of great hikes. Here’s 8 spots to try.

Austin’s Wines

Cool climate, warm welcome. That’s the motto at Austin’s Wines. These guys have been making some of the best wine in the Moorabool Valley since 1982, and it’s still a family-run business. Needless to say, the wines are top-notch, especially the pinot noir (Austin’s specialty). Of course, it helps when your vineyard sits on a 20,000 year-old volcanic ocean bed.

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Brisbane Ranges National Park

In any discussion about the best hiking and camping spots near Geelong, Brisbane Ranges National Park always seems to get a mention. And for good reason. It’s home to Victoria’s richest, most diverse wildflower habitat (spring is obviously a cracking time to visit), and there are a bunch of bushwalks, ranging from short strolls to the three-day Burchell Trail.

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Steiglitz Historic Park

Fun to say, fun to hike. Steiglitz Historic Park is a rolling mountain range covered in wildflower meadows and rocky gulleys, and criss-crossed with hiking tracks. The Park technically includes the ex-gold mining town of Steiglitz itself, and there’s plenty for prospectors, bushwalkers and history buffs to enjoy here. We recommend a picnic among the wildflowers, and a visit to the famous Steiglitz Court House.

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You Yangs (Wurdi Youang)

Rising up from the billiard-flat landscape west of Melbourne, you can’t miss the granite silhouette of the You Yangs (Wurdi Youang). They’re a geological reminder that you’ve almost reached Geelong. They also happen to be one of the state’s best mountain biking destinations, with over 50 kilometres of trails to explore. Two wheels not your thing? Pack a picnic and hike to the top of Flinders Peak.

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Moorabool Valley Chocolate

Moorabool Valley Chocolate started in 2005, in a 1920s farmhouse kitchen in the little town of Batesford. These days it’s the sweetest, and best-kept secret west of Melbourne. Owner and professional chocolate whisperer, Lynne Meek, offers all kinds of hand-painted chocolate goodies, and there’s an on-site café if you feel like something more substantial than sugar-whipped-cocoa-with-a-side-of-cream.

Moorabool Valley Wine Collective

Moorabool Valley Wine Collective is a joint collab between the lovely folk at Rowsley Fault Vineyard, Empire of Dirt and Mulline Vintners. The idea was to create a cellar door that pulled together the best drops in the Moorabool Valley, and if you really want to see what cool-climate, rain-shadow, volcanic-terroir winemaking is all about, this is the spot. The Collective is open 11am to 4pm on the first weekend of every month.

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Clyde Park Vineyard & Bistro

Just off the Midland Highway, surrounded by the sort of rolling green hills they use for air freshener commercials, you’ll find Clyde Park Vineyard & Bistro. It’s an award-winning Moorabool Valley establishment, specialising in Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Pinot Gris and other cool-climate drops. Chef and owner Sue runs the show here, and she’s built a loyal following. Clyde Park also picked up five stars from James Halliday – and they don’t come more highly recommended than that.

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Golden Plans Farmers’ Market

It’s refreshing to see a proper regional farmers’ market these days. And on the first Saturday of every month (except January), from 8:30am to 12:30pm, that’s exactly what you’ll find in the little town of Bannockburn. That’s when the famous Golden Plains Famers’ Market comes to town, stacked with wine, artisanal bread, local meats, gourmet tarts and an espresso van (which does a roaring trade). Get there early to snag the best grub.

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