DAY TWO: YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES PHI LL I P I SLAND DAY THREE: PHI LL I P I SLAND MORNINGTON PENINSULA Global Ballooning (p46) eases you into a magical onehour sunrise balloon flight over vineyards and valleys for a soft landing in winery country where a champagne breakfast awaits. Flights depart 364 days a year. Churchill Island (p53) A tiny and precious piece of history with café featuring farm-fresh food, beautiful gardens, historic buildings, farm activities including milking, working dog demonstrations and sheep shearing. Kaloha Holiday Resort (p74) with absolute beach frontage and less than a five minute walk to shops, cafés and restaurants, is centrally nestled in one of the best seaside positions on Phillip Island. Rusty Water Brewery, Restaurant and Bar (p54) 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. Phillip Island Winery (p54) Invites you to pull up a chair front and centre for an expertled tasting, wander ‘The Yards’ for gorgeous views or graze your way through a local produce platter. Music on weekends. Genesta House (p74) A gorgeous guesthouse in Cowes. Three suites, old-world charm with modern amenities, 100-year-old gardens. An easy stroll to Cowes town centre, the beach, restaurants and shopping. North Pier Hotel (p74) 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. Phillip Island Helicopters p53) Indulge in a helicopter flight over what you’re going to see, eat and drink. Options include Seal Rocks, Cape Woolamai, Churchill Island, Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes, Penguin Parade. MP Experience Tours (p60) offers private small group tours in Mornington Peninsula’s magnificent food and wine region. Get behind-the scenes on a Meet the Gourmet Producers tour, a winter Truffle Farm tour and more. Beach HQ Restaurant & Bar (p50) Features the region’s best: local Gippsland beef, local wines, beers and top local produce. And the best views of Cowes’ foreshore, Westernport Bay, French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. MORNING ACTIVITIES (select from) MORNING ACTIVITIES (select from) AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES (select from) STAY OVERNIGHT (select from) Chief’s SonWhisky Distillery (p56) Single malt whisky is a singular pleasure! Taste handcrafted whiskies, learn about distilling using small batch processes and hand-selected barrels. Sample whisky from the still and barrel, bottle your own. Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade (p54) lets visitors experience the magic of little penguins making their sunset journey home to one of Australia’s largest penguin colonies. A not-to-bemissed wildlife experience. Phillip Island Apartments (p75) Spacious 1, 2 and 3-bedroom Cowes apartments with balcony or patio, outdoor pool, heated spa, BBQ area. Close to the best local dining and shopping. Swimming beach just minutes away. Phillip Island Chocolate Factory (p52) See the chocolate factory in full non-stop chocolate-making action and create a personalised chocolate masterpiece. Even your entry ticket is made of chocolate! Pt Leo Estate (p61) is a visual feast with 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. Max’s Restaurant at Red Hill Estate (p59) has been described as ‘the best view of any vineyard in the world’. Take a seat in the light-filled hilltop eatery, soak up the vista and contemplate a menu of localinspired cuisine. 5 DAY ITINERARY – FOOD & WINE 31
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