Tucked away in the hills of the Yarra Ranges, charming Warburton is one of the Yarra Valley’s best kept secrets. Surrounded by the lush mountain ash of Yarra Ranges National Park, the former Gold Rush town is a true oasis of calm and serenity, within easy driving distance of Melbourne. The best things to do in Warburton are the foundations of the good life: embracing nature in the Redwood Forest and the Rainforest Gallery, relaxing at cosy and peaceful accommodation like Warby Serenity, and enjoying beautiful food & wine, whether that’s from Yarra Valley Artisan Baker, dining at the hatted Babajis or cosy country pubs like the Alpine Hotel. 

I’m so grateful that Tabea & Felix, who own the cosiest AirBnB in Warburton, reached out and invited me to stay at Warby Serenity (hosted). Their gorgeous three bedroom cottage was genuinely one of the highlights of our weekend, living up to the “serenity” in its name and offering the perfect cosy base from which to explore. We didn’t want to leave! 

Warburton is small, but offers so much to tempt visitors to stay for a weekend – or longer – and is a great alternative to larger, busier Healesville. David & I recently spent our first weekend in Warburton, and we were both blown away by how restorative just 48 hours away could be. I’d never heard of Warburton before this trip, and want to share the best things to do in Warburton, to hopefully encourage your own Warby getaway!

I rarely stay overnight in the Yarra Valley, because it’s so close to home, but a weekend in Warburton was EXACTLY what we both needed. It also gave us more time to slow down & savour everything that Warburton has to offer! 

Redwood Forest

Did you know that Victoria has its very own Redwood Forest, just outside Warburton? I thought I’d need to go back to Northern California to see California Redwoods (Sequoias), but the Cement Creek Redwood Forest is located just outside Warburton, and less than a 2 hour drive from Melbourne! 

Visiting the Redwood Forest is easy, and very accessible, because the forest is directly on the edge of the carpark. Walking amongst the towering redwoods, I felt transported to the other side of the world!

Warby Serenity

Our accommodation in Warburton was at Warby Serenity, a gorgeous 3 bedroom AirBnB. 

Warby Serenity is a spacious yet cosy home, with perks like a fireplace, a deck with beautiful leafy views , a breakfast bar and fairy lights, and not one, but two lovely reading nooks! I wished we’d had another day or two in Warburton, just so I could spend more time lounging around Warby Serenity. There’s also yoga equipment, which would be the loveliest way to start the day on the deck or by the fire.

Between having breakfast on the balcony listening to the birdsong and watching the rosellas, or curling up in front of the fire with a cheeseboard, and cosying up with a few good books in the reading nooks, I had every reason to enjoy the great indoors! 

We slept so well, it is so peaceful and quiet, and the bed was so comfy – we both had the best sleep we’ve had in a very long time. We thought our apartment in Melbourne was very quiet, so we were shocked to somehow find it even more quiet at Warby Serenity – I guess this is true silence! Silence is golden.

There are three bedrooms, so it would be perfect for families and groups, especially as there are lots of books and boardgames in the living room. It’s also pet-friendly, so the whole family can get away!

I can imagine returning for several days, to not only recharge, but as the perfect tranquil setting for working on a creative project.

Our stay was hosted by the owners, Tabea & Felix, who kindly hosted us in return for an honest review on The Wanderbug. It is genuinely one of the loveliest stays we’ve had in a long time, and we’re both still talking about it weeks later!

Yarra Valley Artisan Baker

Yarra Valley Artisan Baker in Warburton is worth the drive from Melbourne just on its own! I really think this is the best baguette I’ve had, inside and outside of France.

We actually tried to return for a second time in the same weekend, but we were too late on Sunday. The Artisan Baker is Benjamin Griffiths, who has worked in some of Melbourne’s best bakeries, and has run the Artisan Baker in Wesburn, near Warburton, for the last five years. 

Open Wednesday-Sunday from 7am, until sold out – go before 10am!

Alpine Hotel

Alpine Hotel is a beautifully restored hotel from 1885, overlooking the upper reaches of the Yarra River. It’s one of the most charming country pubs I’ve visited in Australia, and it was doing a roaring trade for Father’s Day lunch, the day we visited. I adore beautiful old pubs, and this one is one of the loveliest. A perfect spot for lunch or dinner in Warburton during your stay.

Millgrove Dairy

Millgrove Dairy is an essential stop for any weekend getaway in Warburton, so you can curate the perfect cheeseboard to enjoy by the fire. Millgrove Dairy is a family-owned cheese shop, where they sell their handmade, award-winning gouda alongside an array of beautiful local and international cheeses. The team here are so friendly, generous with tastings and so knowledgeable. I wish I had a local cheese shop like this in Melbourne!

Silva Coffee Roasters

Silva Coffee Roasters is the place to be on a Saturday or Sunday morning in Warburton. Located in the heart of Warburton’s tiny village, Silva Coffee Roasters is a light and airy cafe, has the best coffee in Warburton and a mouthwatering cabinet of Middle Eastern pastries. We started every morning here!

The Flying Apron Patissierie

The Flying Apron is a charming patisserie near Warburton, helmed by a Swiss-trained pastry chef. The charming red & white interior and cabinet laden with decadent pastries, pies and other goodies is exactly the kind of country bakery that I love to travel for.

Rainforest Gallery

The Rainforest Gallery is a 10 minute drive from Warburton, inside the Yarra Ranges National Park. It’s on the winding road up to Mt Donna Buang summit, and the scenic drive is just as lovely as the destination. The Rainforest Gallery is a small steel walkway, cantilevered among the trees.

It was closed due to the recent storms when we visited, but we could walk up to the beginning of the gallery and enjoyed a bit of the view.

Launching Place Home Hotel

On our way to our Warburton, we stopped for dinner at Launching Place Home Hotel. This is another lovely, old school country pub,  established in 1893 and recently renovated. On the Friday night we visited, it was lively with live music in the front bar & a busy dining room, and there’s a beautiful beer garden out the back.

The food was delicious, and it had a classic, warm and inviting country pub atmosphere. A great stop, on your way to or from Warburton!

Launching Place is halfway between Woori Yallock and Yarra Junction, and is 15 minutes drive from Warburton.

Babajis Kerala Kitchen Warburton

Warburton has its own hatted restaurant, in Babajis Kerala Kitchen. Babajis started as a market stall, before becoming a restaurant in Belgrave, and now with a second location in Warburton and a coveted Good Food Guide Chef’s Hat, is recognised as the best South Indian restaurant in (or near) Melbourne.

The menu celebrates the homestyle cooking of Kerala, with curries, biryani, banana leaf parotta & so much more. The Warburton restaurant is beautifully vibrant, with colourful interiors and river views, and is a popular reservation. Highly recommend!

Summary: The Best Things to Do in Warburton

In summary, there are so many things to do in Warburton to keep you entertained for a weekend! The best things to do in Warburton are to visit the Redwood Forest and Rainforest Gallery, cosy up for a peaceful weekend escape at Warby Serenity, and indulge in country hospitality at the Alpine Hotel, Yarra Valley Artisan Baker, Babaji’s and Silva Coffee Roasters. Enjoy your weekend escape!

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