A day at the races – it’s a wonderful thing. A chance to road-test your new frock, polish those cufflinks and soak up the sun, cheering on a winner as the field thunders down the home straight. Squeeze a cheeky breakfast mimosa in there somewhere and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect weekend.
But Yarra Valley Racing isn’t just another day at Flemington or Caulfield. This is country racing with a pinch of glam, which means rural character, proper service, farm-fresh produce, and local wines that’ll have you seriously considering a TreeChange. We don’t do jam-packed crowds, and we don’t do car park gridlock. For us, racing’s better when it’s stress-free, fun and family-friendly. Queueing an hour for taxis isn’t really our idea of a good time.
If you need directions, you’ll find us in Yarra Glen, right in the heart of the Yarra Valley (just follow the grapes). It’s about an hour out of Melbourne. Close enough for an easy day trip, but far enough to get away from the big smoke. That scent on the wind? Yep, that’s real country air (…and maybe a whiff of horse).
From Melbourne
60 mins via M3 (55km)
Follow the M3 Eastern Fwy, exiting at the Ringwood Bypass. Continue along, & turn left at Maroondah Hwy. Follow Maroondah Hwy for 10km. Turn left at Victoria Rd, and continue along for 7km. Follow the road right onto Macintyre Lane. Turn left onto Melba Hwy. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Healesville Yarra Glen Rd. Turn left onto Armstrong Grove.
From the North & West
80 mins via M80 (90km)
Follow the M80 Western Ring Rd. Continue along, exiting at the Greensborough Bypass. Follow Greensborough Hwy onto Diamond Creek Rd > Heidelberg - Kinglake Rd to Wattle Glen. Take the 2nd exit onto Kangaroo Ground Wattle Glen Rd. Turn right onto Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Rd then left onto Eltham Rd. Follow Eltham Rd for 20km to Yarra Glen. Turn left onto Melba Hwy, then right onto Armstrong Grove.
From the South & South East
90 mins via M3 (+ M11/M1) (70km)
Get on M11 (South) or M1 (South East). Follow Fwy to the M3 Eastlink and exit at the Ringwood Bypass. Continue along Ringwood Bypass & turn left at Maroondah Hwy. Follow Maroondah Hwy for 10km. Turn left at Victoria Rd, and continue along for 7km. Follow the road right onto Macintyre Lane. Turn left onto Melba Hwy. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Healesville Yarra Glen Rd. Turn left onto Armstrong Grove.