Chateau Yering Hotel

The three **Stable Suites** occupy a private wing converted from the heritage-listed original stables. At 35 sqm, these are the most atmospheric rooms in the hotel, with antique four-poster beds, open log fires, spa baths, and sunlit patios facing the gardens.

For more space and the best views, the **Yarra Suites** at 48 sqm sit on the front corner of the hotel with covered wrap-around balconies delivering panoramic views of the valley and ranges. A separate sitting room furnished with curated antiques by Elly Milner and an oversized spa bath make these the sweet spot for most guests.

The **Yering Suite** is in a class of its own. The only accommodation in the original 1854 mansion, it is accessed via a private staircase and has no adjacent rooms. This 60 sqm split-level retreat features a separate lounge with gas log fireplace, an antique half-tester bed, walk-in closet, corner spa bath, and Juliette balconies from both the bedroom and lounge with sweeping valley views.

**Eleonore's Restaurant** has been the heart of Chateau Yering for decades. Named after Eleonore de Castella, mother of the mansion's builder Paul de Castella, this elegant bay-windowed dining room is a destination in its own right. The menu is built around the finest Yarra Valley regional produce, paired with wines drawn from the property's historic bluestone cellar, which holds both local and international selections.

The restaurant opens for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays from midday and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday at 6pm. Dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice.

**Sweetwater Cafe** occupies a bright glass atrium connecting the main house to the accommodation wing. Breakfast here is included for in-house guests and features seasonal, locally sourced ingredients served while overlooking the heritage gardens. It is a calm, light-filled way to start the day.

For something more ceremonial, the **Traditional High Tea** is served in Eleonore's Restaurant or the Drawing Room. Few venues in the Yarra Valley still dedicate themselves to this tradition with such attention to detail. Book ahead, especially for weekends.

Chateau Yering occupies a rare position in Australian hospitality. It is not a themed heritage experience or a contemporary hotel styled to look old. It is a genuine 1854 Victorian mansion that has been carefully restored and filled with individually curated antiques, fine art, and marble, set on 250 acres of rolling Yarra Valley land.

The location is difficult to beat. Yering Station, Victoria's first vineyard, is a two-minute walk from the front gate. Domaine Chandon, TarraWarra Estate, and Coombe (Dame Nellie Melba's former residence) are all within a ten-minute drive. You could fill a week of cellar door visits without repeating yourself.

What sets the property apart is the atmosphere. Guest lounges with open fireplaces, a library with rich timber panelling, heritage gardens anchored by an 1867 Chilean Palm, and traditional lawn games on the grounds create a sense of country house living that feels genuinely earned rather than manufactured.

The trade-off is the absence of a spa or wellness programme, and the decor leans traditional rather than contemporary. Guests who prefer clean lines and minimalist interiors may find the ornate Victorian styling too busy. But for those who appreciate genuine heritage, fine dining, and a location that puts the best of the Yarra Valley at their doorstep, Chateau Yering remains the valley's grand dame for good reason.