Around And About Rayner’s Orchard

Map View Full Details

A relaxed small-group trip from Melbourne to Rayner's Orchard in the Yarra Valley, a working farm with more than 450 kinds of fruit, for a guided tractor ride through the trees, picking and tasting whatever is ripe that day.

Days

About 6 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 11

Start / finish

Melbourne / Rayner's Orchard, Woori Yallock / Melbourne
Melbourne city centre, about 4:30pm

Return

Melbourne city centre, about 4:30pm

Transport

12-seat minibus with city hotel pick-up

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Around And About Rayner’s Orchard

View map

Included experiences

Rayner's Orchard — guided tractor ride through more than 450 fruit varieties
Fruit picking — pick and taste at least 8 fruits ripe that day
Macadamias — crack fresh nuts and try the farm's jams and sauces
Farm animals — alpacas, goats, hens and trick-performing dogs
Peach Café — lunch at your own cost before the tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MELBOURNE TO THE YARRA VALLEY

No early alarm for this one. Your 12-seat minibus collects you from your city hotel or hostel in the mid-morning and leaves Melbourne at 10:30am, heading straight east. A little over an hour later you're in the Yarra Valley, at Rayner's Orchard in Woori Yallock, a working farm that grows more than 450 kinds of fruit. The planting is spread across the seasons so that something is ripe on every day of the year, and the farm opens every day except Christmas Day. You arrive at about noon.

MIDDAY: LUNCH AT THE PEACH CAFÉ

First, lunch at the orchard's Peach Café, at your own cost. It serves burgers, pies, scones and ice cream made with the farm's own fruit, with vegetarian, gluten-free and halal choices. The farm shop sits alongside, stocked with jams, honey and juice, and the nursery sells fruit trees if you'd like to grow your own.

AFTERNOON: THE TRACTOR TOUR

From 1pm to 2:30pm you ride a tractor-drawn trailer through the orchard with a farm guide, who takes you to whichever trees are ready that day. Summer brings peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and berries; autumn has apples, figs, feijoas and persimmons; winter is oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and kiwi fruit. You'll taste at least eight fruits, crack fresh macadamias, a nut native to the rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales and Australia's best-known bush food export, and try the farm's jams and sauces. There's time to meet the alpacas, goats, hens and the farm dogs, who know a few tricks. Fruit you pick to take home is weighed and paid for at the café.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO MELBOURNE

After a last look around the shop, the bus leaves the orchard at 3pm and you're back in Melbourne city at about 4:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels and a few places in St Kilda, for example Flinders Street Station (Elizabeth Street) at 10:05am. If your hotel is not on the list you are given the nearest pick-up point.
Departure time: Pick-ups start about 45 minutes before the 10:30am departure; be outside five minutes before your time.
Finishes: Melbourne city centre at about 4:30pm. There are no drop-offs in St Kilda, Southbank or the suburbs; the free city tram is often the quickest way back.
Suits: All ages. Every passenger, children included, needs their own seat; baby seats are available on request.
Accessibility: The orchard has one wheelchair-accessible trailer, which needs to be reserved, so mention it when you book.
Please note: Fruit is picked only on the guided tour, from the trees the guide chooses that day. You can eat and drink on the bus, but not alcohol.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes for walking in the orchard
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
A rain jacket and a warm layer
Your own water bottle
Camera

What is included

Pick-up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels
Small-group travel in a 12-seat minibus
Guided tractor tour of Rayner's Orchard with fruit picking and tasting
Chilled water on board (bring your own bottle)

Not included

Lunch at the Peach Café
Fruit you pick to take home, sold by weight at the café ($7 per kg)
Purchases from the farm shop

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.