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 Little River Wallington Portarlington Queenscliff Pt Lonsdale Sorrento Rhyll Mornington Red Hill Main Ridge Newhaven Marysville Belgrave Kinglake Dixons Creek Yarra Glen Coldstream Healesville AVALON AIRPORT YOU YANGS MELBOURNE AIRPORT Gembrook Warburton Wandin FRENCH ISLAND Dromana Somerville Moorooduc Cowes Drysdale CAPE SCHANCK PENGUIN PARADE PHILLIP ISLAND YARRA VALLEY DANDENONG RANGES GEELONG BELLARINE PENINSULA MORNINGTON PENINSULA 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. InterContinental Sorrento, 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 YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES 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 Cycling Vine Tours – Taste and buy along the way for spectacular picnics, nibbles and dinner. Guided/self-guided tours along quiet back roads and rail trails through premier wine and food country and beautiful coastal landscapes. A relaxed cycle experience pedalling through this renowned food & wine region on The Warburton Rail Trail. vinetours.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 – Opened December 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 Oakridge Wines – Offers award-winning wines, wow factor architecture… and scenery to match. Contemporary cellar door and Chef’s hat restaurant offer spectacular valley views. oakridgewines.com.au Yarra Valley Estate – Amazing Edible Forest and Harvest Hub on 120-acre estate. ‘Tour and Taste’ over 350 types of edible and medicinal plants. Cooking classes, accommodation. Great for groups. yarravalleyestate.com.au Yarra Gables – This small luxury property set in stunning gardens offers a number of spacious family rooms and three 3-bedroom cottages. The perfect place to relax after winery and gin tastings. yarragables.com.au 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 PHI LL IP ISLAND Phillip Island Helicopters – Magnificent views… stunning coastline… famous landmarks. 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. Experienced pilots with expert local knowledge commentary. phillipislandhelicopters.com.au Ocean Adventures – Experience the turquoise waters, stunning scenery and an unforgettable experience. The breathtaking granite coastline and abundance of wildlife are a must-see. Spot the fur seals, penguins, pacific gulls and rays. Select an adrenaline-filled adventure aboard ‘The Drift’ Jet boat or the premium; ’Thundercat’ racing boat. 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 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 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 Genesta House B&B – A gorgeous guesthouse in Cowes. Three suites, oldworld charm with modern amenities, 100-year-old gardens. An easy stroll to Cowes town centre, the beach and restaurants. genestahouse.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 Phillip Island Winery – Enjoy lunch or afternoon grazing options and music on weekends. Minutes from the Penguin Parade, this boutique winery offers rural views and glimpses of the glittering seas of Bass Strait. phillipislandwinery.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 Phillip Island Towers – Luxurious, spacious apartments just a few minutes’ walk from the popular dining precinct. Explore local wineries, breweries and producers, then prepare a feast in your own kitchen. stayonphillipisland.com.au
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES MORNINGTON PENINSULA 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 Ten Minutes By Tractor Superlative wines are a true expression of their terroir. Elegant, complex, balanced with superb length. Immersive experiences include daily masterclasses; and The Art of Fine Wine & Gastronomy. Fine dining room recognised with two Chefs’ Hats. A ‘must detour’ for lovers of fine food and wine. tenminutesbytractor.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 Flinders Hotel – Historic hotel, charming village packed with providores. Saturday cooking classes such as Italian or Asian; popular Saturday Gin High Tea including top shelf local and imported gins with premium tonics. flindershotel.com.au Polperro Winery – Head for the restaurant, deck and cellar door under the shade of ancient, trees near the vines. Multi-course menu highlights produce from Polperro’s own organic farm. polperrowines.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 T’Gallant Winery – Rustic, relaxing piazza overlooking vineyards. A favourite spot for sharing fabulous woodfired pizzas. Choose from the cellar door’s wide range including Pinot Gris and Grigio. tgallant.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 InterContinental Sorrento – Historic hotel meets contemporary design. 108 guest rooms and suites offer refined seaside elegance. This reinvented icon also boasts four restaurants, bars, spa and bathhouse. sorrento.intercontinental.com
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES GEELONG & THE BELLARINE 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 Waterfront Geelong – Breathtakingly beautiful historic precinct with sparkling water views. Stroll the vintage art deco promenade, ride the carousel then head to bustling Steampacket Gardens to select a restaurant or café for lunch. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au Curlewis Golf Club Resort Contemporary and elegant eco-suite installations with spectacular views. On the doorstep of the region’s best food and wine experiences. accommodationatcurlewis.com.au BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Opposite the beach with luxury villas in beautiful gardens, indoor pool and gym. Follow your taste buds to Queenscliff’s quaint café strip, and the Bellarine Taste Trail. ingeniaholidays.com.au Villages of the Bellarine Discover the culinary gems of the Bellarine villages! Wander through Pt Lonsdale’s Lighthouse precinct, explore Queenscliff’s quaint shops and artisans then seek out the providores in Barwon Heads. A feast for food and wine enthusiasts amidst seaside serenity. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
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