DAY TWO: YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES PHI LL I P I SLAND DAY THREE: PHI LL I P I SLAND MORNINGTON PENINSULA Global Ballooning (p47) 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 (p56) A tiny and precious piece of history with café featuring farmfresh food, beautiful gardens, historic buildings, farm activities including milking, working dog demonstrations and sheep shearing. Phillip Island Towers (p82) Luxurious, spacious apartments just a few minutes’ walk from Phillip Island’s popular dining and shopping precinct. Explore local wineries, breweries and producers, then prepare a feast in your own kitchen. Rusty Water Brewery, Restaurant and Bar (p58) 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. Naturaliste French Island Food & Wine Tour (p55) Head off to French Island for a food and wine adventure in a pristine, off-grid paradise. Enjoy wine tastings at a historic estate, savour a farmgate lunch, and explore the island’s wild beauty. Genesta House (p81) 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 (p81) 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. Beach HQ Restaurant & Bar (p53) 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) Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade (p57) lets visitors experience the magic of little penguins making their sunset journey home to one of Australia’s largest penguin colonies. A not-to-be-missed wildlife experience. Phillip Island Apartments (p82) 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 (p56) 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! Avani Wines (p59) Welcoming family-run winery producing premium cool climate wines in Red Hill. Come for a special seated tasting conducted by the family, learn about natural farming practices. Indianinspired restaurant menu. Red Hill Truffle Farm (p66) It’s the total truffle story: truffle dogs help you unearth culinary treasure. Shave truffles over woodfired pizza, taste and buy fresh truffles, truffle produce and gifts. The Peninsula’s largest Truffière menu. Phillip Island Winery (p57) Invites you to pull up a chair front and centre for an expert- led tasting, wander ‘The Yards’ for gorgeous views or graze your way through a local produce platter. Music on weekends. Cheif’s Son Distillery (p60) Single malt whisky is a singular pleasure! Taste hand-crafted whiskies, learn about distilling using small batch processes and hand-selected barrels. Sample whisky from the still and barrel, bottle your own. Main Ridge Dairy (p62) Taste award-winning goats’ cheese from the farm, choose the Cheese Tasting Cellar, the Dairy Deck or shop at the well-stocked providore then picnic watching goats graze on rich pasture. Local wines and beer too. 5 DAY ITINERARY – FOOD & WINE 31
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