Thank you to Louise and Ayla for running a fantastic Edible Forest tour for our school group. We learnt about a range of edible and medical plants, tried a few ourselves and found out about how the Edible Forest is fairly self-sufficient. Louise organised plants for us to take home and the students reported enjoying the session. Thanks again!
Yarra Valley Gardens
The Yarra Valley is famous for its vineyards, but it’s also home to some of Victoria’s most distinctive gardens. From permaculture food forests to landscaped displays and working orchards, you’ll find plenty to explore just an hour from Melbourne.
Here are three gardens worth visiting on your next trip in search of the best Yarra Valley Gardens.
Edible Forest, Dixons Creek
If you want a garden experience unlike any other, the Edible Forest at Yarra Valley Estate is the place to start. This one-acre permaculture garden is home to more than 300 edible and medicinal plants. Every layer has a role to play, from groundcovers and shrubs to fruiting trees and climbers.
Guided tours run on Fridays and Saturdays. You’ll walk the paths, see what’s in season, and taste as you go. Along the way, you’ll learn how plants support each other to create a thriving food system.
Why visit the Edible Forest?
- It’s one of the only food forests open for tours in Victoria
- You’ll discover unusual fruits, herbs, and healing plants
- Tours include tastings, stories, and practical ideas for your own garden
- It’s part of Yarra Valley Estate, a venue with award-winning sustainability practices
yarra valley gardens
Location and travel
The Edible Forest is at Yarra Valley Estate in Dixons Creek, just:
- 10 minutes from Yarra Glen
- 20 minutes from Healesville
- 1 hour from Melbourne
That makes it easy to pair your visit with lunch in Yarra Glen, a wine tasting at a nearby vineyard, or a stop at Healesville Sanctuary.
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What Our Customers Say
Fantastic Tour For School Group
Stuart Pearson
Detailed and Fascinating Tour
Went on a guided tour of the edible forest a few weeks ago and it was fascinating. Our guide Jaimie was very knowledgeable and went to great detail on what was growing and it’s use. Well worth a visit if you are interested in growing an edible forest at home.
Peter V
Beautiful Permaculture Display
A delightful food forest on an acre of land, beautifully displaying permaculture in action.
Vicky R
A Must-See
A must see once they are back open in Spring. I will certainly revisit.
Tim R
Generous with Garden Knowledge
Had an amazing tour with Jaimie today, she is very generous with her knowledge and the place and her work on the garden over the years is very inspiring.
Emma S
Great Plant Collection
Terrific collection of food and medicinal plants on display combined with available products and plants for sale. Good representation of labels.”
Peter S
More Yarra Valley Gardens
Alowyn Gardens, Yarra Glen
A short drive from the Edible Forest, Alowyn Gardens is known for its landscaped design and seasonal colour. Highlights include the famous wisteria arch, French-style parterre, perennial borders, and a productive edible garden.
Many visitors combine a morning at the Edible Forest with lunch in Yarra Glen and an afternoon wander through Alowyn Gardens.
Rayner’s Orchard, Woori Yallock
For something more hands-on, head to Rayner’s Orchard in Woori Yallock. With more than 450 fruit varieties grown on site, there’s something ripe in every season. The tractor-drawn Fruit Tasting Adventure is a highlight, giving you the chance to pick and try fruit straight from the trees.
Planning your Yarra Valley garden tour
- Best time to visit: There’s interest in every season. Blossom and bees in spring, summer fruits, autumn colour, and winter evergreens.
- Where to eat nearby: Yarra Glen offers cafés, bakeries, and winery restaurants. Healesville has plenty of options from casual dining to breweries.
- Suggested day plan: Begin with a guided walk at the Edible Forest, add lunch at a Yarra Glen winery, then explore Alowyn Gardens or Rayner’s Orchard in the afternoon.
FAQs about Yarra Valley gardens
What are the best gardens to visit in the Yarra Valley?
The Yarra Valley is home to several standout gardens. The Edible Forest at Yarra Valley Estate is unique, with more than 300 edible and medicinal plants growing together as a living food forest. Other options include the landscaped design of Alowyn Gardens in Yarra Glen and the fruit-picking experience at Rayner’s Orchard in Woori Yallock.
Where can I book a garden tour in Victoria?
The Edible Forest runs guided tours every Friday and Saturday. It’s one of the few places in Victoria where you can walk through a working food forest, taste unusual plants, and learn how permaculture principles are applied in practice.
Are there family-friendly garden tours in the Yarra Valley?
Yes. The Edible Forest is suitable for all ages and makes a great family outing. Children enjoy spotting unusual plants and tasting along the way. Rayner’s Orchard is another family-friendly option, with tractor rides and fruit tasting tours.
How far is the Edible Forest from Yarra Glen and Healesville?
The Edible Forest is located at Yarra Valley Estate in Dixons Creek:
- 10 minutes from Yarra Glen
- 20 minutes from Healesville
- About 1 hour from Melbourne
This makes it easy to combine a garden tour with a winery lunch or a visit to Healesville Sanctuary.
When is the best time to visit Yarra Valley gardens?
Each season offers something different. Spring brings blossom and bees, summer is full of fruit and flowers, autumn delivers colour and harvest, and winter highlights evergreens and garden structure. The Edible Forest is designed to be productive and interesting all year round.
What makes the Edible Forest different from other Yarra Valley gardens?
Most gardens in the Yarra Valley are either landscaped or orchard-based. The Edible Forest is a one-acre permaculture system where every plant is edible or medicinal. It’s part of Yarra Valley Estate, an award-winning sustainable venue, and one of the only food forests open for public tours in Victoria.