We enjoyed the train ride through the Dandenong ranges. The second part of the tour, visiting 3 wineries in _br/_ a very short period of time, on a very hot summer day was a little bit to much. _br/_ Tasting almost 18 - 20 varieties of wine within 2 hours can only make you drunk. One winery tasting would be _br/_ enough. I hope you can make some change in that tour. _br/_ Best Regards _br/_ Fritz and Darinka
Review by: John S, February 2018
Excellent and entertaining day out. Recommended
Review by: ADRIENNE M, January 2018
Loved it! Again a great tour by Viator. We loved the scones with cream at Grants Reserve. Here you have the opportunity to feed birds. My advice is just watch others feed them and take a short walk on the well marked trail. You will see many other species of beautiful birds. Unfortunately we did not discover the trail until it was too late. The Puffing Billy, a restored steam train, is a delight as it slowly chugs its way to Menzies Creek. Sit on the side closest to the platform for the best views. The optional lunch at Rochford Winery was very delicious, although the dessert was not in proportion to the meal. The last winery, that many said was the best, was my least favourite. It was unorganized and clearly could not accommodate the number of visitors for a tasting at one time. We were handed a glass on entry to small area with a bar and told when we were done tasting our first one to make our way to the bar. It was one big crush of people, some of whom did not understand the concept of courtesy and insisted on not moving away from the bar once they had received a second tasting. My daughter and I got a Syder and sat outdoors to enjoy the day. Perhaps they should have had two areas and split the two groups. Having said all that, we did enjoy the tastings at the other two wineries and the beautiful scenery or the Yarra Valkey and Dandenongs.
Review by: Julie, January 2018
To be honest, I was expecting more. The drive was ok, and the bus driver/ tour guide was quite informative and pleasant, but the wineries we visited were average and the lunch was just ok. I suppose the best part of the day was the steam train ride.
Review by: David B, January 2018
Very good driver called Roger, very informative but only 3 stars because 1st stop boring bird place. Devonshire tea strange to have in the morning. 2nd stopThe puffing billy train was quite fun but the Yarra valley wineries disappointing just all about sales. although the last farm tried to tell us a bit moreThe wine tastings were not very professional. Thought we would have been given more information about how they are made more of a view of the wineries.
Review by: Sudeep M, January 2018
Very poor local operator. AAT Kings. Did not provide hotel pick up despite giving details. Guest rounded up like cattle. Tour guide Joe was the only saving grace
Review by: Edward R, January 2018
Fun day that really depends on the bus group you're with. The wineries are kind of mediocre, larger places except for the last one. The train is alright -- kind of a silly, tourist trap. Lunch at the first winery was good and worth the extra 20.
Review by: Sheila H, December 2017
The actual content of the trip was fabulous. The Dandenongs are very picturesque, cream tea delicious and the ride on Puffing Billy with your legs hanging out of the window is fantastic. Vineyards are great to visit and we had a lovely lunch. The lower grade is because of the organisation. We were picked up late but then left standing around waiting for our coach for over half an hour in the blazing heat. Coming home our driver didnt drop us off at our hotels, as advertised and paid for, but dropped everyone off where was convenient for him, including where the tour started. He may have gone over his hours but the company should make proper arrangements to get everyone back to where they were picked up. Some were dropped off and told to get trams back to their hotels - something you would need to have an understanding off and was made more difficult as rush hour! So sort this out and it will be a perfect trip - other trips/companies managed it!
Review by: Hengzhi Z, December 2017
Love the experience and the tour. Amazing.
Review by: Dunmired4, December 2017
Beautiful scenery with visits to 3 wineries. Lunch was very good.
Review by: John T, December 2017
We enjoyed Puffing Billy Steam Train tour. _br/_ However, Yarra Valley Wineries is just average. Visited 3 wineries is a bit boring ! _br/_ It would be better if just visit 2 wineries and replace the other one with fruits farm, cheese factory or chocolate factory.
Review by: Derek M, November 2017
This was a nice tour. Some great wines were tasted but lunch was nothing special. Highlight for me being a fan of trains was the ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Train, just a word of warning although you can ride the train sitting on the window it is not the most comfortable way to ride. Give it a go, but you might want to hop back on the seat for the remaining part of the journey. I found that by the end of the day I really had not had enough food for the day and was starting to feel a little off. If I do this again I would take a few snacks with me and a few bottles of water.
Review by: justin m, November 2017
Wow where do I start!!! From getting on the bus the driver was very knowledgeable on the areas we were travelling. The customer services at the parrot zoo, puffing Billy and the three wineries were at paramount standard. The great views were breathtaking and was such a pleasant day, highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Melbourne
Review by: I-Hua S, November 2017
It's a very special experience to take the Puffing Billy steam train. It made me feel that I went back to the old times. About the wineries, they are okay. It would be more interesting if they can walk us around and show us how they make wines.
Review by: Kathryn D, October 2017
Interesting your. Train ride was fun! First winery was very commercial. I much preferred the second two as they were smaller and made you feel much more welcome.
Review by: EDWIN F, October 2017
This was a very long day because of the rain. We enjoyed the scenery, train and the wine. It was a nice change from the city of Melbourne.
Review by: Joy P, October 2017
The Puffing Billy Steam Train was excellent and the bus driver was very knowledgeable and friendly. The landscapes were lovely. The loading process for the tour took way too long and was confusing. The morning tea and lunch were very good and the wineries were ok. I wasn't really impressed by any of the wineries to buy any of their products. The tastings were not as generous as wine tastings I've done in South Australia or Western Australia. It would have been better not to include the winery tour with a more family oriented tour going to the sanctuary . Still glad we did the tour though
Review by: Linh L, October 2017
I'm not really into the wine tasting experience, but the trip was a great start in Melbourne city. My favorite would definitely be the Puffing Billy Steam Train, an experience I gained nowhere else. Remember to sit by the sides of the train or you won't get a whole great experience. Wish we could stay on the train for longer time. Our driver/guide was Richard, a very humorous guy. We've got a big group, but he managed really well. When we went to the last destination of wine tasting the one with Apple Cider, there is a small outdoor sheep stable, where they keep young little sheep around, they are just so cute and friendly, we even got to feed them. Lunch even though was optional, but I really recommend you guys to purchase it, it is really nice especially the chicken one, with wine, and a small dessert to company with. I really enjoy the tour.
Review by: Sharon W, October 2017
Great day out. Friendly, informative guide, great lunch venue. My five year old son loved the train ride because you could hang you legs out the windows : A long stint between stops, not real good if you get motion sickness.
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