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Browsers, collectors and potterers will have plenty of excuses to while away the time in the picturesque town of Yarragon.

Located on the Princes Highway just east of Warragul, there is a thriving cafe scene, galleries, gift stores, homeware, antiques and collectables. Surrounded by fertile countryside and lush hills, stay overnight to stock up on some country calm and let your worries drift away.

The city skyline fades in your rearview mirror as you head east along the M1. Gippsland’s horizon opens out before you, revealing seemingly endless skies hovering above lush countryside. Patchwork landscapes dotted with checkerboard cows belies the distance from the Big Smoke. Yarragon is only 90 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, but has an unmistakable country feel.

Set back from the highway, Yarragon offers up charming village vibes, shops to browse and a sensational alfresco dining. The town itself is worthy of a stay in its own right, but it also makes a fabulous base to explore the surrounds.

Yarragon views of rolling green hills dotted with trees
Yarragon Gippsland Food Wine ladies looking at cheese inside deli
Yarragon ladies drinking wine at Yarragon Hotel
Yarragon Wardrobe in the Lane clothing and gift shop

Things to do in Yarragon

  • Cosy and inviting cafes promise country hospitality, with plenty of nooks, laneways and courtyards to sip your latte and soak up the atmosphere. Devonshire tea can be found at the cafes along the main street. You must have a scone with that, no excuses. Check out The Shot House who roast their own coffee beans and perfect them with a range of organic milks. There are fresh, healthy meals served at Cafe Piccolo and Fozigobble Cafe to complement their smooth coffees (or green smoothies).
  • Stock up on local produce and some of the world’s best cheese (you are in dairy country after all). Head to Gippsland Food & Wine for your Devonshire tea and all your delicatessen needs, including a large range of local wines.
  • Glide into your daily art fix at the Station Gallery & Community Arts Hub, then cross the highway to swoon over Town & Country Gallery’s regional collection of paintings, sculptures, hand-blown glass, furniture and jewellery.
  • Wardrobe in the Lane is overflowing with gorgeous homewares, women’s apparel, jewellery, handbags and pottery to choose from.
  • For antiques, vintage pieces or retro collectables, check out Utter Clutter.
  • Sweet tooths rejoice: the old fashioned style lolly shop, Pennyworth O’Lollies is stocked floor-to-ceiling with mouth watering delights.
  • The Yarragon Hotel takes bistro dining up a notch, with crisp white linen table cloths and silverware to complement the range of gastropub dishes, as well as the traditional pub favourites.
Town and Country Gallery Yarragon lady looking through paintings and prints at Town Country Gallery

Yarragon restaurants & cafes

Yarragon is known for inviting laneway cafes. We dare you to resist Café Piccolo’s fresh cakes and delicious lunch offering, tucked away in the Village Walk. If you’d like more space, relax in the lush garden setting of Fozigobble Café, where fresh, healthy meals complement their smooth coffees (or green smoothies). And if you’re serious about your coffee, check out The Shot House for a brew of locally roasted beans and creamy Caldermeade Jersey milk.

At the Yarragon Hotel, pub meals are inventive, but you don’t have to give up classics like fish and chips or a scotch fillet steak.

Visit Gippsland Food & Wine for lunch and cake, dine in or take away, plus a huge range of local cheese, wine and deli goodies.

The Shot House Cafe ladies drinking coffee in laneway in Yarragon

Things to do near Yarragon

Mt Worth State Park girl in hat standing on bridge on walking track 1

UNDER 20 MINUTES FROM YARRAGON

  • Grab your hamper and head to picnic-perfect Blue Rock Lake. This tranquil reserve is great for fishing or kayaking, or take the walking track along the shoreline.
  • Enjoy listening to the sound of cascading water at the scenic Narracan Falls. In warmer weather you can cool off in the pool below the falls.

UNDER 30 MINUTES FROM YARRAGON

  • Head into the hills to the north and discover Neerim South with its galleries and boutique clothing stores, walk off lunch at Neerim South Wetlands or treat yourself to an ale or two at Five Aces Brewing Co, or dial it up with wine and tapas at Neeri Nuff Wine Bar. Dreamy panoramas can be found at Apex Lookout on the Main Neerim Road just north of town.
  • Nearby, in Jindivick soak in the beauty of Laurie Collins Sculpture Garden or hunt for rare and unusual plants at the Jindivick Country Gardener. Stock up on cheese, wine and other delights at the local providore or at Jindivick Country Market.
  • Lace up your runners and set out on Mt Worth State Park’s walking tracks, weaving through mountain ash and blue gum forest, ferny glades and lush waterfalls.
  • The shady and nature-loving Rokeby to Neerim Rail Trail (13km) passes through gorgeous greenery and takes in an historic trestle bridge and to-die-for views.
Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail family walking over bridge

UNDER 60 MINUTES FROM YARRAGON

  • Enjoy the tranquility in the bushland oasis of Noojee. See the majestic trestle bridge, enjoy a meal at the Noojee Pub, visit the Alpine Trout Farm or see the stunning Toorongo Falls.
  • Enjoy the (literal) fruits of West Gippsland Wine Trail’s labours at Brandy Creek Estate or Ripplebrook Winery.

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