The Pavilion Yarra Valley pet friendly luxury retreat & boutique wedding venue

The Pavilion at Ridgefield Farm.
Experience a luxury adults-only retreat unique in the Yarra Valley.

The Pavilion is set in one of the Valley’s most noted estates, Ridgefield Farm. Ridgefield is famous for its remarkable Robert Boyle-designed garden. Spread over four acres, the garden is featured in many books and magazines and is part of the 2025 Victorian Open Garden Scheme.

Offering gorgeous garden views, The Pavilion is an idyllic break from city life – perfect for a romantic getaway, special anniversary, wine tasting weekend or honeymoon. From the welcome bottle of local wine, to the Insta-worthy outdoor bath and delicious breakfast hamper, The Pavilion caters for guests looking for an immersive experience that’s out of the ordinary.

It's also the perfect romantic setting for weddings, anniversaries, engagements and pre-wedding celebrations. In 2026, Ridgefield Farm will open for small weddings and events, allowing groups of 50 or less exclusive access to the property and Pavilion for their special day.

The space
The Pavilion was designed by award-winning architect John Pizzey in the late 1990s as part of construction of Ridgefield Farm. Formed from monumental recycled timbers, mudbrick, terracotta and terrazzo tiles, stone and glass, it evokes rustic country living.

With its prime position at the heart of Ridgefield’s beautiful gardens, The Pavilion was originally intended as an entertainment venue for large social gatherings. In 2025 current owners Joanne and Chris undertook a meticulous renovation, preserving the building’s textures, shape and volume while creating a stunning space for guests to come and enjoy Ridgefield Farm and the Yarra Valley.

With a focus on refined luxury, the space has been curated to feel warm and casual, stylish and modern. Beneath a soaring Oregon beamed ceiling is a large living/dining/sleeping space, cleverly designed to capture impressive garden vistas from each of the huge floor-to-ceiling folding doors.

A plush king-size bed with custom bedhead looks down the garden’s central axis to the fountain and croquet lawn. This clever landscape element lets you enjoy stunning sunset views from the comfort of your bed.

Behind a low dividing wall, the living/dining area features a wood-burning fireplace, TV with Netflix, bespoke wall unit with a large selection of books and keepsakes, a comfy couch for afternoon naps, and, of course, more breathtaking views.

Overlooking the orchard and kitchen garden, the new fully fitted kitchen is replete with stone benches, integrated appliances, a washing machine, and a full-size fridge. Through a fluted glass door, a spacious bathroom features a walk-in shower, heated floors, and a heated towel rack. Double French doors open onto a private deck where a large stone bathtub is set within a verdant birch grove.

In summer the building opens seamlessly to merge with the gardens, the large wrap around verandah providing cool sitting areas to soak in the views or enjoy quiet down time.

The experience
With The Pavilion at Ridgefield Farm, the owners have set out to create a guest experience on a par with the finest boutique hotels of the world, matched with the privacy and exclusivity of a premium Yarra Valley estate.

Here it’s all about the local provenance, casual luxury and thoughtful inclusions like:
Gourmet breakfast hamper featuring produce from the farm (the Ridgefield chickens may even pop by for a visit) and locally sourced foodstuffs
An outdoor firepit with stunning views across paddocks to the Dandenong Ranges
Gorgeous fabrics and finishes, from the cool stone surfaces to the feather pillows and hotel-grade sheets
Creature comforts like comfy robes and slippers
Creswick blankets sourced from Healesville for relaxing by the outdoor fire on cool evenings
A picnic hamper to fill with your favourite treats before heading out to explore the Valley
Games to enjoy in the garden, including Boules, Bocce and Croquet
A curated selection of books for every reading taste
A flower basket to gather your own bouquet from the more than 450 rose varieties growing on the property.

The farm and setting
Ridgefield Farm is located just outside Coldstream, at the southern entrance to the Yarra Valley. Set amid rolling hills and farmland, it is just minutes from some of Australia’s finest wineries, making it the perfect base to explore this world-renowned food and wine destination. Or an ideal wedding destination offering accommodation for the lucky couple getting ready for their big day or enjoying their honeymoon.

The farm spans 25 acres and includes a small vineyard (merlot grapes), extensive paddocks and numerous native plant offsets designed to attract birdlife while acting as a wildlife corridor. It is home to our herd of 15 breeding heifers (currently with calves at foot), our flock of chickens overseen by Roger the Rooster, our two dogs and cat.

Guests are welcome to explore the property at their leisure, soaking in the tranquil gardens and abundant birdlife. Over 30 bird species call Ridgefield home, including myriad parrots, honeyeaters, owls, hawks, kookaburras, eagles, spotted pardelows and willy wagtails. We also have the occasional blue-tongued lizard, echidna and kangaroo.

The Location
Ridgefield Farm is located 3km east of Coldstream, the gateway to the Yarra Valley.
It is approximately a 1-hour drive from the Melbourne CBD and about 90 minutes from Melbourne Airport (if travelling via the Eastern Freeway).
The closest train station is in Lilydale, about a 10-minute drive away.
The Yarra Valley is recognised as one of the world's great cool climate wine-producing regions. With production dating back to the early 1800s, today it has over 80 cellar doors.
While best known for its chardonnay and pinot noir wines, the Yarra Valley is also a top destination for micro-beweries, cideries, hatted restaurants, casual gastro pubs and locally grown fruit and veg.
From here you can explore all that the Yarra Ranges has to offer, from trendy Healesville and the Tarrawarra Art Gallery to Warburton with its endless cycling tracks and famous Redwood forest.
Ridgefield Farm is also within close proximity to the Dandenong Ranges and Mount Dandenong village, where you will find many beautiful cool climate gardens along with the annual Tulip festival.
Bring your bike and make the short trip down Killara Road to the Warburton Trail. From here, you can ride to Warburton in the East, or Mt Evelyn in the South, via level dedicated bike/walking paths.
The Yarra Ranges are a haven for wildlife. The Healesville Sanctuary with its resident platypus population, as well as kangaroos and koalas, are a must-visit experience.
Just beyond is the Black Spur, one of Australia’s greatest drives that winds its way through towering Mountain Ash forest and across the divide to Marysville.
As passionate ‘Valley people’ Jo and Chris are happy to help you devise an itinerary to make the most of your time here and recommend the must-visit wineries and microbreweries.