Private Macedon Ranges wine tours from Melbourne

Around 70 km from the CBD, which is roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter by road depending on your pickup point and the traffic. The Calder does most of the work, then the last stretch moves into country roads.

Very. From suburbs out along the Calder corridor parts of the region can be around 45 minutes away, which makes it a noticeably easier day than crossing town for the Yarra Valley or Mornington. Times do vary by suburb, so we confirm yours when we plan the day.

For groups of 24 or fewer we usually plan up to three stops. For 25 or more it is normally two, chosen because they can host the group comfortably. Cellar doors here are spread out, so fewer stops with proper time at each makes a better day than a rushed list.

Yes, with more careful planning. Many of the wineries are small, some access roads are unsealed and not every property suits a coach. We select venues that can genuinely handle the group, confirm road access against the vehicle, and are upfront if something on your wish list will not work.

Often, yes. Private tours can take in the Hanging Rock attraction alongside cellar doors where timing and booking arrangements allow, and it is one of the things that makes a Macedon day different. It is not automatically part of every itinerary, so tell us early if it matters and we will build the day around it.

Absolutely. Send through the places you already have in mind and we will build a workable day around them, or tell us the occasion and leave the shortlist to us. Most groups land somewhere in between with one or two must visits.

Yes, and in this region we would encourage it. Shared regional dining, a winery lunch with vineyard views, a country pub or something more elaborate are all possible. Mount Monument is a favourite where the date and a group booking allow. We will suggest an option that suits the group and the budget, then book it as part of the itinerary.

Yes. The region has distilleries, a cidery and brewing alongside the wineries, and mixing them in works well for groups with a range of preferences or anyone who would rather not do three wine tastings in a row.

Sometimes, depending on the shape of the day. Kyneton in particular has restaurants, bars and shops worth a stop, and Woodend gives you an authentic country town element. Both work best when the group is happy to trade a tasting for the time.

Where timing allows. Forest Glade Gardens has featured on our itineraries previously and group visits need arranging in advance, and the drive over Mount Macedon is worth doing in its own right. Autumn is particularly popular around Macedon and Mount Macedon, so timing, road access and parking can affect how we shape the day. These are add ons we plan around the wine rather than instead of it.

Yes. We can collect from homes, hotels or accommodation addresses across Melbourne, and pickups in the northern and north western suburbs work particularly well for this region. We can often accommodate multiple pickup points depending on their locations and the timing of the day, and we factor any additional travel into the itinerary and quote.

Yes. If you have already booked your venues and lunch, we supply the vehicle and a professional driver and follow your itinerary for the day. That is our charter and driver hire service, priced on the shape of the day rather than per person.