Wandin Draught Horse and Yesteryear Festival

The Wandin Draught Horse and Yesteryear Festival is one of the Yarra Valley’s most popular heritage events, bringing history to life through working draught horses, vintage machinery, and traditional country skills.

Held over a weekend each February at Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead, the festival offers visitors a hands-on glimpse of what farming and community life once looked like across the region.

Between demonstrations, visitors can meet the gentle giants up close, making them a favourite attraction for children and animal lovers alike. The horses showcase the strength and skill that powered Victorian farms long before tractors became commonplace.

Beyond the paddocks, the festival celebrates many of the trades and machines that shaped rural Australia. Blacksmiths work glowing forges to create metal goods using traditional techniques, while woodturners transform timber into handcrafted pieces. Vintage tractors, stationary engines, and classic vehicles are displayed throughout the grounds, with passionate owners sharing stories of restoration and preservation.

The festival takes full advantage of the beautiful grounds at Mont De Lancey, where visitors can wander through the historic homestead, museum buildings, and heritage collections that tell the story of the Yarra Valley’s early settlers.

Market stalls offer local crafts and gifts, while food vendors and the on-site café provide plenty of options for lunch or a sweet treat, creating a relaxed country atmosphere throughout the day.

Families are especially well catered for, with children’s games, a jumping castle, and open spaces where kids can explore between demonstrations. The combination of live entertainment, interactive displays, and historic exhibits means there is something to capture every generation’s interest.

The Wandin Draught Horse and Yesteryear Festival typically runs from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm across two days in late February, with affordable admission and free entry for children under 16.

Whether you’re fascinated by heritage machinery, love horses, or simply want a memorable day out in the Yarra Valley, this festival offers a unique opportunity to step back into Australia’s farming past.

Getting There

Here are directions from Melbourne CBD to Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead at 71 Wellington Road, Wandin North – a historic Yarra Valley homestead less than an hour’s drive east of Melbourne.

By Car (Fastest & Most Direct)
Estimated travel time: ~50–60 minutes (≈ 45–50 km) depending on traffic.

1. Leave Melbourne CBD heading east
   Join the Monash Freeway (M1) via city arterials (e.g., Flinders St / Wellington Parade), following signs for Glen Waverley / Eastlink.
2. Continue onto Eastlink (M3)
   Stay on Eastlink northbound toward Ringwood.
3. Exit toward Burwood Highway
   Take the exit for Canterbury Rd / Burwood Hwy and follow Burwood Highway east through suburbs including Bayswater and Ferntree Gully.
4. Follow Burwood Highway into the Yarra Valley
   Remain on Burwood Hwy as it becomes Wellington Road, continuing through Wandin North.
5. Arrive at Mont De Lancey
   Look for 71 Wellington Road, Wandin North. On-site parking is available.

Public Transport + Taxi / Rideshare
Public transport to Wandin North is limited and not direct; the homestead is best reached by car. If you prefer public transport:

Train from Melbourne CBD

• Take a train from Flinders Street Station on the Belgrave Line to Lilydale Station.

From Lilydale to Wandin North

• From Lilydale Station, you’d need a bus or taxi/rideshare to Wandin North.
• Bus Route 683 (Lilydale – Warburton) operates through Wandin North on Wellington Rd, but stops may still require a walk.
• A taxi or rideshare from Lilydale Station to Mont De Lancey is usually quicker and more reliable.