Yarra Valley Events - Healesville Railway Heritage, Cuban Jazz and Other Festivals

Yarra Valley events are not just about wine-tasting affairs and food festivals. The happenings in this spectacular vacation destination in Victoria also involve the country's arts, culture and heritage. Among those that draw locals and tourists alike are the Annual Healesville Railway Heritage Festival, Yarra Valley Open Studios, and jazz concerts.

The Healesville Railway Heritage Festival is a two-day event held every year mainly to showcase the legacy of the Healesville Railway Station, which was the terminal of the Healesville railway line built in 1903. It was recently restored to become the principal station of the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway and is now listed in Heritage Victoria. Displayed during this festival are heritage train rides, steam road engines, vintage cars and trucks, blacksmiths, paper making, and other exhibits taking pride in the area's industry in the early 1900s.

Another entry in the winemaking region's calendar that promotes its heritage is the Run Walk Ride community event. It features the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail that includes the bridge over the Maroondah Highway and other trail linkages. Participants can choose to run, walk or ride to visit the historic railway stations along the whole 39-km trail. Prizes, giveaways and community activities are prepared for everyone joining.

The Yarra Valley Open Studios, on the other hand, is a venue where artists of the region welcome visitors to view their life and works for two weekends every year. This year, 45 artists will participate in the exhibit. Also, showing the visitors how visual arts and winemaking are perfectly married in this famous vintners' district, the featured event of the year is the group exhibition in the barrel room of Sticks Winery.

In addition, jazz festivals are Yarra Valley events that are always well-attended by both locals and tourists. One of these is the Summer Jazz at Seville Hill, an annual celebration of fine wine and music. The Seville Hill Winery opens its doors to guests who'd like to enjoy jazz, wine and some gourmet dishes and chill out during the warm nights from late September to early April. In addition, Wine Quest's Cuban Jazz is another hit among the glen's guests. Cuban bands, salsa dance lessons, percussions, wine, and food are all set up to create the vineyard vibe at the Rochford Winery. These and more liven up the famous acres of Victoria, especially during the summer.

So, if you're one of those who think that Yarra Valley events are just all wines and food, check out the calendar of this famous region of Victoria for some music, visual arts, heritage, and cultural experiences like no other.