Episode 05: Red Hill

Host Rebecca Judd and the Postcards team enjoy a slice of heaven in the Red Hill region. There's wine, luxury accommodation, beautiful gardens and great food at places as Paringa Estate, Merrifields, The Enchanted Maze, the Green Olive Cooking School and Dragonfly on the Hill.

Paringa Estate and Merrifields
Merrifields is a fantastic country retreat nestled in a 13-acre apple orchard. Inside are luxurious furnishings and a refined style that gives a French provincial feel, and there's enough room for a group or family.

It's also in an easy walking distance of the stunning Paringa Estate winery and restaurant, where you can enjoy award-winning wine with their delicious signature dishes in the restaurant with breathtaking views.

Merrifields
21 Paringa Road, Red Hill South
merrifields.com.au

Paringa Estate winery and restaurant
44 Paringa Road, Red Hill South
Ph 03 5989 2669
paringaestate.com.au

The Enchanted Maze Garden
The Enchanted Maze Garden in Arthurs Seat is a wonderland of mazes, gardens, art and adventure that is designed to enliven the senses and challenge the mind. There are lots of mazes to choose from, like the Labyrinth Maze, Children's Maze, Blue Gum Gallery Maze and the indoor 3D Maze. There are also tube slides for big and little kids and it's hard to go past The Amazing Lolly Shop with colourful jars of all your favourites.

The Enchanted Maze Garden
55 Purves Road, Arthurs Seat
Ph 03 5981 8449
enchantedmaze.com.au

Green Olive at Red Hill
If you're driven by a love of travel and good food, then head to Green Olive at Red Hill for a true farm to fork experience. Here they grow wine grapes, herbs, veggies and, of course, olives. Then at the farm shop they bake their own bread, roast their own coffee, make their own sausages and serve tapas style food for hungry visitors.  And if you'd like a more hands-on experience, there are courses to take.

Green Olive At Red Hill
1180 Mornington Flinders Road, Main Ridge
Ph 03 5989 2992
greenolive.com.au

Red Hill Baker, Foxyes Hangout, Tigerlilly and Dragonfly
At the Red Hill Baker they use traditional baking methods and all natural ingredients, and are famous for their French baguettes and slow-braised pies.

Around the corner is Foxeys Hangout where a sparkling wine paired with a dish of mushrooms in vine leaves or zucchini fritters is waiting for you.

With so much on offer, it's worth spending the weekend. Tigerlilly on the Hill is a rustic mud-brick cottage that's had a makeover leaving it perfect for romance. Or there's Dragonfly on the Hill, a purpose built house made up of two self-contained suites, which can be leased individually or opened up to make a larger space.

The Red Hill Baker
Shop 5, corner Point Leo and Shoreham road, Red Hill South
Ph 03 5989 2733
redhillbaker.com.au

Dragonfly on the Hill and Tigerlily on the Hill
Ph 0448 314 475
tigerlilyonthehill.com.au
dragonflyonthehill.com.au

Foxeys Hangout
795 White Hill Road, Red Hill
Ph 03 5989 2022
foxeys-hangout.com.au

Red Hill Market
The Red Hill Market is not to be missed while you're on the Mornington Peninsula. The market, a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, is at the Red Hill Recreation Reserve on Arthurs Seat Road and held on the first Saturday of each month. It's considered the grand old dame of markets, having started 37 years ago and still maintaining its country feel. There are gift ideas for everyone and some stalls are just for newborns and children. And the market showcases the best of its regional produce with everything from jams made from locally grown strawberries to honey harvested from local bees.

Red Hill Market
craftmarkets.com.au

Postcards diary

L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival
There's still time to enjoy the runway shows, retail events, film screenings and art exhibitions.

Where: various, Melbourne
When: to 15 March
More: lmff.com.au

Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival
This is the weekend to grab your dancing shoes for Victoria's premier rock ‘n' roll festival.

Where: Grampians
When: 16–18 March
More: jailhouserockfestival.com.au

Victoria's premier Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow
Caravan and camping enthusiasts can't miss this year's supershow.

Where: Caulfield Racecourse
When: until 13 March
More: caravanshow.com.au