The Ryrie brothers (William, James and Donald) were the first Europeans to settle in the area, when they established the 17,000-hectare (43,000-acre) Yering run in 1837 after droving their cattle from NSW. The brothers planted the first grape vines in the Yarra Valley in 1838 and produced their first wine in 1845.[3]Joseph Furphy, often regarded as the father of the Australian novel, was born on the station in 1843.[4]
The Post Office opened on 11 January 1861 as Yarra Flats and was renamed Yarra Glen in 1889 when the railway arrived.[5]
The now National Trust-listed Yarra Glen Grand Hotel was established in 1888.[6] Its four story Italianate tower was added subsequent to the construction of the original hotel building.[6]
Yarra Glen has a horse racing club, Yarra Valley Racing, which schedules around nine race meetings a year including the Yarra Glen Cup meeting in March.[7]
Yarra Valley Harness Racing Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack in the town.
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