Melbourne 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 R O M A N T I C I N D U L G E N C E Create forever memories 5 Day Itinerary Love is in the air when you go beyond Melbourne for the most romantic interlude. You’ll find it in perfumed, glorious gardens. In the freshest sea air on white sand beaches. In the fragrance of log fires in your luxury escape. Come and indulge all your senses in shared adventures, romantic vineyard dinners, forest walks, perfect sunsets. REAL ROMANCE REVEALED The most romantic interludes come with beautiful settings and gorgeous scenery, with dreamy retreats, intimate restaurants, cosy cellar doors. And the great outdoors, where there’s space and peace to wander for hours, just the two of you. And romantic adventures tempt you…hot air ballooning with a champagne breakfast, diving with dolphins and playful fur seals, taking a helicopter flight over Phillip Island, famed for its nightly penguin parade. Then naturally heated hot springs and day spas invite you to bliss out together. It’s all so easy when you Go Beyond Melbourne and discover the romance and magic of four fabulous regions. They are the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Bellarine. All full of romantic promise and precious memories when you spend a few days beyond 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. Either way, five days is all it takes to put the stars in your eyes. L I NK I NG FOUR EXTRAORD I NARY REG IONS
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 HEART-TO-HEART EXPERIENCES Romance sometimes means very different things to different people. So the two of you might love food and wine, perhaps with a gin or boutique ale tasting on the side? We’ll tick all those boxes, with cellar doors in all four regions, famous names in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, internationally award-winning gin and creative handcrafted ales. You could spend your entire trip doing nothing but dining in fine country and winery restaurants, sampling at boutique farms and producers, exploring kitchen gardens, taking a farm tour or a cooking class, and dining aboard a century-old steam train. If adventure gets your hearts beating, just sign up right here! Dawn hot air ballooning over the Yarra Valley vineyards, a hot lap on a Grand Prix circuit, a cruise to one of Australia’s largest fur seal colonies or tree surfing on radical high ropes. Or don snorkelling gear and dive right into it on the Mornington Peninsula or Bellarine Peninsula, swimming with seals and diving with dolphins. MORE LUXE AND LAID BACK Is your heart’s desire more luxe and laid back? Then book a private pool at the Mornington Peninsula’s internationally award-winning hot springs, spend the day luxuriating at a spa, reserve your table for a fine dining experience at some of the regions’ superb restaurants. If fresh country or sea air is your best friend, you’ll find it on forest walks, deserted beaches, golf courses and gorgeous gardens. Then there are grand estates, Geelong’s whimsical Bollard Trail, historic villages and wildlife reserves. Come evening, you may choose to snuggle up in a gracious 5-star country hotel, self-contained cottage, go glamping, stay right beside the beach or hide away in a luxury lakeside retreat. Come on, write your own love letter. 1 2 3 4 1. Spa Dreaming Centre, Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula 2. Global Ballooning, Yarra Valley 3. Wildlife Coast Cruises, Phillip Island 4. Geelong Waterfront 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 Global Ballooning – Take an exhilarating balloon flight and let the early dawn breezes transport you to breathtaking heights that take in the picturesque panorama and landscapes of the valley and its patchwork of world class vineyards, mountain ranges and rivers. Optional champagne breakfast. Flight certificate included. globalballooning.com.au Healesville Sanctuary – Explore a bushland haven for Australian wildlife. Wander through tranquil tracks to meet iconic Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats and emus. Visit the Wildlife Health centre. Enjoy unique experiences: platypus discovery experience, spirits of the sky bird presentation and more! zoo.org.au/healesville 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 Yarra Valley Dairy – Since 1996, the dairy has been producing awardwinning, fresh, soft cheeses, made in styles reminiscent of the farmhouse cheeses of France and Italy. Step into this 130-year old refurbished milking shed and enjoy a platter of extraordinary handmade cheeses with a glass of small batch local wine. yvd.com.au Cycling Vine Tours – The most romantic way to explore vineyards…take back roads and rail trails through country landscapes, tasting food and wine along the way. Pedal past farms and vineyards with the sounds and sights of local fauna and flora along the way. Guided/selfguided tours. Buy a special bottle to share with local cheese tonight. 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 Oakridge Wines – Heaven for serious foodies. Award-winning winery, cellar door and hatted restaurant, with kitchen gardens inspiring the menus. Terrace dining too, where you can sample superb local wines. oakridgewines.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 Dominique Portet – A little touch of French romance. 10th-generation winemaking family, Bordeaux-style wines, cellar door experiences, French-inspired dining, restaurant and garden terrace. dominiqueportet.com Re’em Yarra Valley – One of the newest fine dining experiences! The menus provide a diverse offering: restaurant dining, wine tastings and flights with cheese, plus hamper packs for picnics. re-em-yarra-valley Yering Gorge Cottages – Luxuriously appointed self-contained cottages overlooking champion golf course. 120-acre nature reserve with resident kangaroos and array of native animals and birds. yeringcottages.com.au Chandon – Experience one of the largest ranges of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines along with a dynamic wine tourism offering, including a tasting bar, restaurant, lounge bar, retail boutique. chandon.com.au Yarra Gables – A TripAdvisor 2023 Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’. 4-star motel and private cottages surrounded by delightful lawns, trees and gardens. The perfect place to relax after winery and gin tastings. yarragables.com.au Kangaroo Ridge Retreat – Awardwinning, romantic mudbrick cabins with spa bath and locally stocked larder. Secluded in Yarra Valley bush with glorious mountain and sunrise views from your balcony. kangarooridge.com.au YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Phillip Island Helicopters Take a spectacular and exciting flight across Phillip Island. Explore parts of the island that you can only see from a helicopter. The views are amazing! See Cape Woolamai, Seal Rocks, the Australian Grand Prix track, Summerland Bay (home of the Penguin Parade) and miles of gorgeous coastline. phillipislandhelicopters.com.au Wildlife Coast Cruises Take an unforgettable cruise to one of Australia’s largest wild fur seal colonies at Seal Rocks, 2km from Phillip Island. See their natural environment and watch thousands of playful and inquisitive animals as the boat drifts within metres of them. Or relax and sip a drink on a romantic twilight cruise. wildlifecoastcruises.com.au Naturaliste Tours Discover French Island, a pristine, off the grid, eco destination, which is two thirds national park. Take a 15-minute ferry ride from Phillip Island and join a guided 3-hour tour of the island’s history, wildlife and hidden treasures. Stop at a farm, winery or providore and meet the locals. naturalistetours.com.au The Nobbies – Huge wow factor! Explore the winding boardwalks (500m in length) and see the explosive blowhole in action. Extraordinary clifftop views. Seal Rocks protect Australia’s largest fur seal colony – and you might see a migrating whale. Enjoy sustainable seafood or café treats at The Nobbies Centre. penguins.org.au Phillip Island Chocolate Factory Sweetens up every day! See the chocolate factory in full non-stop chocolatemaking action and create a personalised chocolate masterpiece. Chocolate in history, chocolate in advertising, chocolate in art and chocolate in play are all explored in this unique and wondrous world. phillipislandchocolatefactory.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 Phillip Island Winery – This boutique winery offers expansive lawns, cellar door, rural views and glimpses of the glittering seas of Bass Strait. Quality local produce, grazing boards, native meats. phillipislandwinery.com.au Ramada Resort Phillip Island – Stylish studios and eco-cabins in 65 acres of beautiful natural bushland; 10 minute drive to the Penguin Parade. Walking and biking tracks, swimming and surf beaches nearby. ramadaphillipisland.com.au North Pier Hotel – Features stunning ocean views and accommodation to suit all budgets. Just a stone’s throw from the iconic main beach and a short walk from a thriving collection of cafés, restaurants and boutiques. northpierhotel.com.au Beach HQ Restaurant & Bar Unsurpassed water views from huge terrace; restaurant specialises in seafood dishes, local Gippsland beef. Gippsland and Phillip Island wines and local ales feature. beachhq.com.au Phillip Island Towers – A class act: 4.5star apartments close to Cowes’, dining and the beach. Stroll to the jetty and take an adventure tour to see fur seals, or visit French Island with Naturaliste Tours. stayonphillipisland.com.au Rusty Water Brewery, Restaurant & Bar Step into a world of handcrafted ales, beer and wine sampling and fine food! Rusty Water Brewery is home to Phillip Island Brewing Company. rustywaterbrewery.com.au Churchill Island – A tiny and precious piece of history with café featuring farmfresh food, beautiful gardens, historic buildings, farm activities including milking, working dog demonstrations and whip cracking. penguins.org.au Genesta House – A gorgeous guesthouse in Cowes for true romantics. 3 suites, old-world charmwith modern amenities, 100-year-old gardens. An easy stroll to Cowes town centre, the beach, restaurants and shopping. genestahouse.com.au PHI LL IP ISLAND
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Moonlit Sanctuary Fantastic opportunities to get close to Australian native animals at this awardwinning wildlife conservation park. Pet a koala, feed a kangaroo, play with dingoes, hold an owl or a python. Frequent keeper talks and daily wildlife show. Find out about local endangered species. Lanternlit tours available at night time. moonlitsanctuary.com.au Tree Surfing @ The Enchanted Adventure Garden – Try a radical high ropes adventure that combines both a tree top canopy experience with the thrill of high ropes climbing challenge. Climb and surf through 100-year old eucalypt trees over aerial obstacles, bridges and zip-lines. Follow up with a Big Zip line ride high above the stunning gardens. enchantedadventure.com.au Red Hill Candle Co Design your very own romantic candle fragrance, choosing from 40 scents including floral, herbal and Australiana. Interactive candlemaking workshops, a Scent Library and gift shop. Create lasting memories as you experience a journey of inventiveness unlike any other in Australia! redhillcandleco.com.au Wild Adventures Melbourne (WAM) Go exploring together: mountain biking, stand up paddleboarding, go bushwalking, take an adventure picnic, visit wineries, cafés, breweries, distilleries, hot springs. Wild Adventures Melbourne offers spectacular eco adventures on the Mornington Peninsula. So many hidden gems! wildadventuresmelbourne.com Alba Thermal Springs & Spa Luxury wellness sanctuary and spa. Superb geothermal bathing: rain and herbal-infused botanical pools, forest and sunset pool, private rooftop pools. Fine restaurant. Luxurious full day self-care packages, half day rituals and treatments are available in the spa. albathermalsprings.com.au Peninsula Hot Springs Natural hot mineral water flows from deep underground into the many pools and private baths at this coastal oasis of relaxation. More than 30 varied bathing experiences feature in the social Bath House, while there are luxurious treatments and perfect pampering in the private Spa Dreaming Centre. peninsulahotsprings.com 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 – Flinders is the pretty village and the beautiful hotel – and it’s pure coastal romance. Luxurious guest rooms, fun cooking school, the new Zigi’s Bar and Dining. Walk to the beach, golf and village. flindershotel.com.au InterContinental Sorrento – Romance blossoms in this reimagined historic hotel. Love the relaxed style of the Peninsula: casual lunch, afternoon drinks in the beer garden, evening cocktails, fine dining. sorrento.intercontinental.com Bass & Flinders – Gin fans, stop right here! Award-winning family distillery producing great gins, brandies and liqueurs. Visit the distillery, take a master class, book a gin high tea, graze on local fare. bassandflindersdistillery.com InterContinental Sorrento – Coastal glamour in a famous icon, reinvented. Rich history and contemporary design in a luxury destination with elegant guestrooms, 7 restaurants and bars, spa, bathhouse. sorrento.intercontinental.com Pt Leo Estate – Truly a visual feast for all who visit, with art, rolling vineyards and ocean views. Select from casual terrace dining, Chef’s Hat restaurant or two hatted fine dining restaurant – Laura. ptleoestate.com.au Lakeside Villas at Crittenden Estate Float among the vines in a secluded, selfcontained boutique lakeside villa. Just steps away from the onsite Wine Centre and Stillwater Restaurant. lakesidevillas.com.au Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill Features 40 elegantly 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 National Wool Museum Magnificent 1872 bluestone woolstore in the waterfront precinct tells the stories of Australia’s wool, fibre and textiles, and early agricultural pioneers. Customised tourism experiences include hands-on Collection tours and vintage loom demonstrations. nwm.vic.gov.au The Bellarine Taste Trail Fall in love with The Bellarine as you wander a delicious path past celebrated restaurants, award-winning wineries, plentiful farm gates and cosy accommodation. This veritable feast, boasts a bounty of nearly 50 food and wine destinations ready for you to explore, taste and indulge. thebellarinetastetrail.com.au The Villages of the Bellarine – Wander the streets of the gorgeous seaside towns of the Bellarine, including Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff and Barwon Heads. At Barwon Heads, take a walk along the river before afternoon tea overlooking the ocean. Explore the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse precinct then take to the quaint shops and artisans in Queenscliff. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au Explore the Beaches Get the sand between your toes while you discover the many beaches of Geelong and The Bellarine. Take a stroll, have a picnic or watch the sunset from one of the many vantage points including the Bluff in Barwon Heads. For those wanting to get closer to the water, you can take a surf lesson or swim with dolphins. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au Lon Retreat & Spa Escape the busyness of life with a luxurious spa treatment in this delightful oasis. Select a treatment from the spa menu and unwind. Three treatment suites, featuring mineral water fed soaking tubs, including steam rooms and breathtaking views to the ocean, lighthouse and coastal landscape. lonretreat.com.au/spa Sea All Dolphins – Join exhilarating adventure tours and sightseeing experiences on Port Phillip Bay, and explore places only accessible by boat. Snorkel with wild dolphins and seals – or spot them from the comfort of the boat. This is an adventure not to be missed – ride the boom-net hammock, jump from the boat roof, enjoy a duck spa! dolphinswims.com.au 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 Lon Retreat & Spa – Seven luxury suites are spread throughout the sandstone adults-only retreat. Enjoy private beach access, nature walks, the mineral water -fed indoor heated pool and the Lon Spa. lonretreat.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 R Hotel – Boutique hotel nestled within a heritage listed building, offering hotel room and apartment style accommodation overlooking Geelong CBD and magnificent waterfront. rhotelgeelong.com.au TARRA Queenscliff – Iconic restaurant perched against Port Phillip Bay offering fresh and delicious food, hand-selected wines, with a cuisine that is a reflection of the ocean, the land and the change of seasons. tarra.com.au Claribeaux at Curlewis – Signature restaurant, Claribeaux, will delight – French influence, contemporary fusion and a keen focus on local produce. Stunning views across the golf course. claribeaux.com.au Curlewis Golf Club Resort Contemporary and elegant eco-suite installations nestled amidst indigenous native landscape, with spectacular views spanning fairways, greens and the bay. accommodationatcurlewis.com.au Novotel Geelong – Relax with a drink on your romantic private balcony, right in the heart of Geelong’s impressive waterfront. Restaurant overlooks the bay. Fantastic bars, shopping, wineries nearby. novotelgeelong.com.au GEELONG & THE BELLARINE
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