Melbourne L I NK I NG FOUR EXTRAORD I NARY REG IONS F O O D & W I N E The most delicious journeys 5 Day Itinerary If there’s one place in Australia you should visit for extraordinary gastronomic experiences, this is it. Internationally award-winning wines, chef’s hat restaurants featuring local produce from land and sea, culinary masterclasses, meet the makers, u-pick orchards. Stay on a vineyard, a luxury B&B, a lakeside retreat for even more gourmet adventures. FROM ESPRESSO TO NIGHTCAPS Planning your day is rather like browsing the mouthwatering menu of an excellent restaurant. Start with breakfast and superb locally roasted coffee at a village café, perhaps overlooking the beach or out in the country. Visit a boutique farm, take a tour, a cooking class, buy local produce for a picnic or for dinner in your apartment. Choose a winery restaurant for lunch, book a wine tasting masterclass. Head for a distillery tasting and learn some creative new cocktail recipes, a brewery for hand-crafted beer or a cider house. Choose accommodation where fine food and wine is part of the whole experience…an historic hotel, a lakeside retreat with casual and formal dining or a luxury apartment where you can prepare dinner from the day’s local produce and relax over a whisky nightcap from a local distillery. Just Go Beyond Melbourne and discover the extraordinary foodscapes of four adjoining regions. They are the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Bellarine. All full of gourmet adventures that you simply can’t find in the city. You can choose your route – from Melbourne to Geelong, Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island, then the Yarra Valley. Or you can head for the Yarra Valley, and do the circuit in reverse. YA R R A VA L L E Y & D A N D E N O N G R A N G E S P H I L L I P I S L A N D M O R N I N G T O N P E N I N S U L A G E E L O N G & T H E B E L L A R I N E
PASSENGER FERRY VEHICLE FERRY PASSENGER FERRY Melbourne Werribee Portarlington Queenscliff Bellarine Sorrento Fingal Cowes Mornington Moorooduc Red Hill San Remo Marysville Kinglake Healesville Koo-wee-up AVALON AIRPORT MELBOURNE AIRPORT Warburton Grantville FRENCH ISLAND CAPE SCHANCK PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS Arthurs Seat Belgrave Dixons Creek Yarra Glen Coldstream Forest Hill Wandin Olinda Pt Lonsdale Jarra Junction PHILLIP ISLAND MORNINGTON PENINSULA BELLARINE PENINSULA DANDENONG RANGES GEELONG YARRA VALLEY TANTALISING TASTE TRAILS It doesn’t matter where your particular gourmet passions lie – we’ve got them covered. There are tantalising taste trails in the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Bellarine Peninsula. And we’ve hand-picked a selection of Phillip Island’s gourmet treats too. If you’re a keen cook or have green thumbs, you’ll find plenty of options for learning more from local chefs, and from local producers about growing your own fruit and vegetables. For example, there’s an edible forest in the Yarra Valley where the chef includes guest-picked produce in cooking classes. On an orchard tour, ask questions about the 450 varieties of fruit. The Mornington Peninsula has the Wine Food and Farmgate trail and a boutique farm offering tours and farm picnics. The Bellarine Taste Trail and the Moorabool Valley Taste Trails take in more than 50 makers, producers, wineries and brewers. All these trails offer dozens of opportunities to taste and learn more about wine, cider, beer and distilling craft gin, rum and whisky. DOWNRIGHT DECADENT You’ll find some extra special treats too, such as a chocolate factory on Phillip Island where you can create your own edible masterpiece. But if you just want to sit back in beautiful restaurants for lunch and dinner, this is itinerary planning made simple. Spectacular wineries offer tastings and casual and formal dining, while restaurants reveal extraordinary views of deserted coastlines and rolling green hills. Some wineries feature magnificent sculpture gardens and there’s a 130year old milking shed in Yarra Valley where you can enjoy a platter of handmade cheese. You can stay overnight at gourmet retreats with day spas, book a self-contained villa, sleep surrounded by pictureperfect gardens and vineyards, stay seaside or lakeside. 1 2 3 4 1. Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula 2. Food &Wine, Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges 3. Wildlife Coast Cruises, Phillip Island 4. Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Geelong & The Bellarine It is so easy to design your own journey linking the four extraordinary regions Beyond Melbourne. 1 Decide the order in which you wish to link each region. 2 Select EACH attraction and accommodation you wish to experience in your rst regional destination, adding them to Trip Planner as you go. Then move on to add options from your second regional destination and so on. 3 Note you can add up to 23 options (MAX) in total. 4 Once you have selected all the places you want to visit Beyond Melbourne, click on the TRIP PLANNER button at the top of your screen. 5 Once you are happy with the order of your choices, click on DOWNLOAD TRIP PLAN to see your entire journey both pictorially and mapped out with times and distances between attractions. DESIGN YOUR JOURNEY WITH TRIP PLANNER
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Coombe Yarra Valley – Once the home of Dame Nellie Melba, Seven acres of stunning gardens and beautifully appointed facilities in the restored motor house and clock tower offer a truly unique gourmet and cultural experience. Superb 150-seat restaurant, cellar door, guided garden tours. Gallery featuring Melba private collection. coombeyarravalley.com.au Edible Forest – Offers hosted ‘tour and taste’ experiences through the food forest where everything is either edible or medicinal. Bespoke chef-led cooking classes also feature guest-picked produce from the forest. Award winning property for sustainability. Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Inspired. edibleforest.co Yarra Valley Dairy Famous, family-owned, award-winning cheeses reminiscent of France and Italy’s finest. Experience a cheese tasting in the beautifully refurbished 130-yearold milking shed or enjoy a platter of handmade cheese and local small-batch wine. yvd.com.au Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery –Enjoy abundant free chocolate tastings and watch European Chocolatiers handcraft 350 different chocolate products . Be amazed at the stunning showroom choc-filled with thousands of chocolate delights. Indulge in a delicious selection of ice creams or relax in the all-day café specialising in decadent sweet treats. yvci.com.au Four Pillars Distillery – This small distillery makes a truly modern Australian style of gin, which captures Asian spice, Mediterranean citrus and some native Australian botanicals. Their gins have won gold medals at the most prestigious spirits competitions in the world. Gin tastings and a huge range of gin cocktails are served in the bar. fourpillarsgin.com.au Dominique Portet Inimitably French! 10th-generation winemaking family. Bordeaux-style wines, cellar door experiences, French-inspired small plates in the restaurant or garden terrace. dominiqueportet.com Araluen Boutique Accommodation Nestles in 4 acres of picture perfect gardens and bushland. Dip into the swimming pool, collect fresh eggs from the free-range hens and settle back in a self-contained villa. araluenlodge.com.au Chandon Enjoy stunning panoramic vineyard views, take a self guided tour and savour delightful wines in the Brasserie with perfectly paired dishes. chandon.com.au Re’em Yarra Valley – Opening November 2023 on the Helen and Joey vineyard and farm. 12 lavish suites with balconies, 4 super luxury spa suites, fine dining, cellar door, spa treatments, gardens, farm experiences. re-em.com.au Rochford Wines Much more than a winery! Sip award winning cool climate wines, ogle breathtaking views and hang out in versatile indoor/outdoor dining and tasting spaces. rochfordwines.com.au Chateau Yering Hotel Historic homestead reborn as a gracious 5-star hotel. Luxury accommodation, fine dining restaurant and café, beautiful gardens. 32 luxury suites. chateauyering.com.au YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES Rayner’s Orchard – This boutique orchard grows 450 varieties of fruit and has fruit all year round! Take a fruit tasting tractor tour through the orchard and enjoy the best tree ripened fruit varieties depending on the season. U-Pick available on fruit tasting tours. Have lunch in the Peach Café, explore the retail shop and extensive fruiting plant nursery. raynersorchard.com.au
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Phillip Island Nature Parks Koala Reserve – See koalas in their natural environment, Wander the two tree top boardwalks for superb up-close koala viewing or enjoy seeing them on the walking trails. Enjoy the interpretative displays within the Visitor Centre and learn about Koalas’ habitat and conservation. penguins.org.au Ocean Adventures – Offers both above water and below water adventures. Explore turquoise waters and granite cliff coastlines of Cape Woolamai. Perhaps a fully guided snorkelling sea scooter tour, diving deep to get close to aquatic life? Or climb aboard a surf racing boat for a truly epic tour on the ocean’s surface. oceanadventures.co Phillip Island Chocolate Factory Sweetens up every day! See the chocolate factory in full non-stop chocolate-making action and create a personalised chocolate masterpiece. This is a fascinating, interactive and educational celebration of all things chocolate. Even your entry ticket is made of chocolate! phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au The Nobbies – Love seafood? Drop into The Nobbies café, tuck into sustainably caught, MSC certified seafood and chips while gazing out over Bass Strait. Then stroll the winding boardwalks (500m in length) and see the explosive blowhole in action. You may even spot a migrating whale in the right season. penguins.org.au Phillip Island Winery – Invites you to pull up a chair front and centre for an expert led tasting, Enjoy lunch or afternoon grazing options. Regular weekend music events. Just five minutes from the Penguin Parade, this boutique winery offers expansive lawns, rolling rural views and glimpses of the glittering seas of Bass Strait. phillipislandwinery.com.au Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade – As dusk falls, witness these endearing little creatures emerge from the sea and scurry to their burrows. The Penguins Plus experience offers upclose viewing and a private boardwalk, while the Underground viewing area offers world-first eye level viewing. Ranger Guided tours offer an exclusive, experience. penguins.org.au Beach HQ Restaurant & Bar – Features the region’s best: local beef, wines, beers and top local produce. And the best views of Cowes’ foreshore, Westernport Bay, French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. beachhq.com.au Phillip Island Apartments – Vibrant Cowes township location. Spacious 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments – fully equipped kitchen, open lounge and dining area, private balcony or patio. Swimming pool, BBQ. stayonphillipisland.com.au Rusty Water Brewery, Restaurant & Bar Is all about real food and real people. Tuck into handcrafted ales and a seasonal menu using the freshest local ingredients and products, all crafted with love. rustywaterbrewery.com.au Kaloha Holiday Resort – Absolute beach frontage! Accommodation includes: beachfront cabins with views, spacious family units, luxury spa rooms, 2BR selfcontained units. Restaurant, pool and hot spa on site. kaloha.com.au Westernport Hotel – Picturesque location in San Remo offering an authentic Australian bistro experience. Head down to the daily pelican feeding at noon – an easy stroll from the Hotel. thewesternport.com.au North Pier Hotel – is the ideal spot to base yourself. Just a stone’s throw from the beach with rooms to suit all budgets from dorms, suites, family rooms and spa rooms. northpierhotel.com.au PHI LL IP ISLAND
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES MP Experience Tours Offers private small group tours centred on the region’s magnificent food and wine offering. Get behind-the- scenes on a Meet the Gourmet Producers tour, a Wine Food Farmgate tour, a winter Truffle Farm tour and more. mpexperience.com.au Green Olive at Red Hill This small and picturesque farm features olives, grapes, herbs, vegetables, sheep and chooks. It’s all about paddockto-plate sustainable farm tours, grazing platters, picnics on the farm and a shop brimming with natural products – all in one incredible place. greenolive.com.au Crittenden Estate Wine Centre Explore the Crittenden family’s famous cool-climate wines that are so expressive of this region. A second generation family-owned winery, known for sustainable vineyard management. Offers an innovative way of tasting that enables guests to explore the Crittenden’s wide range of wines that are crafted onsite. crittendenwines.com.au JimmyRum Distillery Rum is the next big thing, and JimmyRum craft distillery is the place to sip and learn about this handcrafted spirit at Victoria’s first rum craft distillery. Uncomplicated, unpretentious and unruly, they’re putting together rums that are distinctive and downright delicious. Tours, tastings and master classes. jimmyrum.com.au Chief’s Son Distillery Single malt whisky is a singular pleasure! Taste superb hand-crafted whiskies, learn about distilling using small batch processes and hand-selected barrels. Sample whisky from the still and barrel, bottle your own. Winner: Australia’s Best Single Malt Single Cask No Age Statement category. chiefsson.com.au St Andrews Beach Brewery Brews onsite using the finest aroma hops and heirloom variety malt to ensure each beer is full of flavour and character. Best enjoyed with a fresh-made pizza, burger or share plate with friends. This unique brewery is located on a property that was formerly a world class horse training facility. standrewsbeachbrewery.com.au Montalto – Chef’s Hat restaurant, piazza, café, summer picnics and delightful cellar door. Explore the abundant kitchen garden and the inventive outdoor sculpture. montalto.com.au Jackalope Hotel – Jackalope offers a new standard in luxury accommodation – 45 luxury rooms, a 30-metre infinity pool, an on-site winery, two bars and two outstanding restaurants. jackalopehotels.com Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill – Has been described as ‘the best view of any vineyard in the world’. Take a seat in the light-filled hilltop eatery and enjoy a menu of sensational local-inspired cuisine. maxsrestaurant.com.au Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate Seem to float among the vines! Each self-contained and spacious villa is 4-star luxury with a private deck, spa bath and glorious wood fire. lakesidevillas.com.au Pt Leo Estate – Art, rolling vineyards and ocean views. Perch yourself on the terrace, glass in hand, and take in the commanding views. Or truly spoil yourself with a two hatted fine dining experience. ptleoestate.com.au Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill Features 40 elegant Hecker Guthrie designed spacious guest rooms with quality furnishings and fittings. Swoon over views, sample wines and savour farm-to-table dining. lancemore.com.au MORNINGTON PENINSULA
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Portarlington Delight in this seaside village with loads of local flavour. Enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants and cafés scattered down the main street or indulge in the famous Australian Blue Mussels grown just offshore and harvested daily by the fleet moored in the harbour. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au The Lon Spa Situated on 200 acres by the ocean, this adults’ only retreat and mineral spa awaits. Offering three unique treatment rooms featuring mineral water fed soaking tubs, steam rooms and breathtaking views of the ocean. Enhance your experience with a farm sourced grazing platter. lonretreat.com.au/spa The Bellarine Taste Trail Musters the region’s best foodie experiences. With over 50 food and wine destinations including unique wineries, beer and cider and award-winning cafés and restaurants. Or explore berry, olive and tomato growers, farmgates and farmers’ markets. thebellarinetastetrail.com.au Bellarine Food &Wine Taste Trail with Explore Australia Tours Skip driving for a day! Explore Australia makes food and wine touring simple and delicious aboard their deluxe mini coach. They’ve chosen their favourite wineries, a cider and ale brewhouse and iconic places to eat along the Bellarine Taste Trail. exploreaustraliatours.com.au Little Malop Street Precinct – The Little Malop Street precinct is culture central with an edge. It boasts a lively zone packed full of wine and cocktail bars, pubs, cafés, trendy eateries and live entertainment spaces. Select a venue (or two, or three) and be treated to a safari of beverage and epicurean delights. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au/things-to-do/ Jack Rabbit Vineyard Unrivalled, spectacular, panoramic views across the bay to Melbourne. The winery has forged a reputation as a gastronomic showpiece for the Bellarine Peninsula jackrabbitvineyard.com.au R Hotel Boutique hotel nestled within a heritage listed building, offering hotel room and apartment style accommodation walking distance to eateries and bars. rhotelgeelong.com.au The Q Train – A delightful dégustation dining experience that travels along a heritage railway line between Drysdale and Queenscliff. Showcases local wines, craft beers and produce. theqtrain.com.au Lon Retreat & Spa – Seven luxury suites are spread throughout the sandstone retreat, each individually designed with its own unique character and connection to the ocean, lakes and surrounding farmland. lonretreat.com.au Claribeaux at Curlewis Golf Course With spectacular views spanning the fairways and greens of Curlewis Golf Club, this signature French influence restaurant offers a contemporary fusion and a focus on sustainable local produce. claribeaux.com.au Curlewis Golf Club Resort Contemporary and elegant eco-suite installations with spectacular views. On the door step of the region’s best food and wine experiences. curlewisgolf.com.au GEELONG & THE BELLARINE Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre An award-winning attraction centred on the world’s oldest living culture. Hand feed the resident emus, kangaroos and wallabies nestled amongst native trees. Visit the art gallery showcasing Australian Indigenous art, learn to throw a boomerang, sample bush tucker and visit the indigenous inspired café. narana.com.au
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