Episode 35: Caravanning & Camping

Venus Bay
Caravanning and camping at the beach always makes a fun holiday, but the real bonuses are the stop offs you have along the way – and the places you discover when you get to your destination. Suzie's spot of choice was South Gippsland's, Venus Bay. On her way she stoped off at Koonwarra Food, Wine and Produce Store, along the South Gippsland Highway. In operation since 1892, it doubles as a Post Office. You can buy speciality products, enjoy a bite to eat in the store or sit outside in the cottage garden. A little further on, you'll find Venus Bay, nestled in coastal greenery and sand dunes that back directly onto the Bass Strait. Suzie checks into the Venus Bay Caravan Park, where you can have a game of giant chess and enjoy a coffee at the outdoor café. It's a short drive to the beach and only a five minute trip to Tarwin Lower and the Riverview Hotel for one of their popular counter meals.

Koonwarra Food Wine & Produce Store
South Gippsland Highway, Koonwarra Village
Ph: 03 5664 2285
www.koonwarra.vic.au

Venus Bay Caravan Park
113A Jupiter Boulevard, Venus Bay
Ph: 03 5663 7728
www.venusbaycaravanpark.com.au

Riverview Hotel
11 River Drive, Tarwin Lower
Ph: 03 5663 5211

Tarra Bulga National Park
If there's one place that screams out quality camping and caravanning it's the beautiful Tarra Valley Tourist Park in Central Gippsland. One of its biggest attractions is the luscious bushland which completely surrounds the park. Also in the area is one of the state's national treasures: Victoria's fifth oldest National Park, Tarra Bulga, which recently celebrated its 100th birthday. At over 2,000 hectares, the park is one of the last remnants of the great forests that once covered all of South Gippsland. There are five short walks you can choose from, ranging from 400 meters to 3 kilometres, all of which take in the spectacular mountain ash trees.

Tarra Bulga National Park
Parks Victoria
Ph: 13 19 63
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Tarra Valley Tourist Park
1906 Tarra Valley Road, Tarra Valley
Ph: 03 5186 1283
www.tarra-valley.com

Gippsland Gourmet Trail
This week Brodie hits the road in a motor home, to carve her way through West Gippsland, following the Gippsland Gourmet Deli Country trail. The area produces loads of tasty treats, so you should plan to stop off a lot. This tummy tempting journey begins at a quaint little deli called Swaffields. Its over 100 years old and prides itself on keeping it all local. The next stop on this food lovers' expedition is Flavorite, and as they are Victoria's biggest hydroponic tomato grower, shipping over 100,000 tomatoes a week around the country – its likely you've already have had one from your local green grocer. Turn up to the farm and you can buy as many as you want. The final gourmet stop is not too far away at Clearly Delicious. True to its name, it's full of jams, chutneys, honey, pickles and sauces, waiting to tantalise your taste buds. And with a try-before-you-buy philosophy you're sure to find what you're looking for.

Melbourne RV
Canterbury Road, Bayswater
Phone: 03 8761 6255
www.sunliner.com.au

Swaffields Gourmet Café and Deli

203 Main Road, Neerim South
Phone: 03 5628 1667

Flavorite Tomatoes
318 Copelands Road, Warragul
Phone: 03 5623 1693
www.flavorite.com.au

Clearly Delicious
243 Lillico Road, Lillico
Phone: 03 5623 1592
www.clearlydelicious.com.au

Metung
Most caravan lovers will tell you that the best thing about towing a van is not just the freedom you have to get around Victoria, but the simplicity of it all. If you love water and boats then Metung is a sun lover's paradise, with its gorgeous waterfront homes, beautiful sailing boats and great cafes. Metung is three and a half hours east of Melbourne, and tips the scales as one of the most charming villages in the Gippsland Lakes. Local boy, Geoff Warren, has been fishing these waters all his life – so he's perfectly qualified to offer a charter service on the lakes and rivers. Metung is surrounded by water on three sides, so with those odds Blair is optimistic about meeting a fish or two. This little town is big on sealife, and back at the village square the Metung Galley fires up a mixed bag of fresh local seafood – from steamed black mussels in coconut and coriander, to chive buttered poached egg, on a mountain of seared salmon.

The Metung Galley
3/59 Metung Road, Metung
Ph: 03 5156 2330
www.themetunggalley.com.au

The Director Boat Charters
Ph: 03 5156 2628
www.thedirector.com.au>

Swan Reach Gardens Tourist & Holiday Park
2143 Princess Highway, Swan Reach
Ph 03 5156 4366
www.swanreachgardens.com.au

Lakes Entrance
Glen heads off on a caravanning road trip to Lakes Entrance, and for some extra entertainment he's invited Celebrity Singing Bee champ and Kids WB star, Shura Taft, along for the ride. Just a short drive past Lakes Entrance they pull into the Lakes Beachfront Holiday Retreat at Lake Tyres, which takes up prime position on a stretch of 90 mile beach. The retreat offers a range of accommodation options and has plenty to keep the kiddies occupied. They've got sites with or without power, for caravans and tents. There are also beach cottages and cabins available. So you have the option to camp out under the stars, or you can live it up large, in one of their four-and-a-half-star villas. As home to the biggest fishing port in Australia, Lakes Entrance is the perfect spot to get your hands on the freshest seafood catch available. With no luck catching their dinner, the boys head off to Ferryman's Seafood Café – a floating restaurant that's built on what was once the old Raymond Island ferry. You can stock up on supplies from the lower deck, or treat yourself to something special upstairs.

The Lakes Beachfront Holiday Retreat
430 Lake Tyers Beach Road, Lake Tyers Beach
Ph: 03 5156 5582
www.holidayretreats.com.au

Ferrymans Seafood Café
Middle Boat Harbor, The Esplanade, Lakes Entrance
Ph: 03 5155 4999
www.ferrymans.com.au

What's On

Budburst Wine and Food Festival
Join Macedon Ranges wineries and the Piper Street Traders at the Budburst Street Party, to celebrate the beginning of the grape growing season.
Where: Macedon Ranges
When: 26 October, 8–9 November
More: Ph 5422 2033 or visit www.budburst.com

Tatts Cox Plate
This year's spring carnival is well and truly off and racing, so make sure you get in on all the action at next Saturday's Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Where: Moonee Vally Racing Club
When: Saturday 25 October
More: Ph 1300 797 959 or visit www.mvrc.net.au

Victorian Children's Week
There will be exhibitions and shows to delight kids of all ages, as part of celebrations for this years Victorian Childrens Week.
Where: Various Venues across Victoria
When: Until 26 October
More: Ph 1800 809 834 or visit www.education.vic.gov.au