12 August: Bellarine Peninsula

Athelstane House
Queenscliff became fashionable in the 1880s as a seaside resort known as the Queen of the South. From there some very extravagant properties were built, including Athelstane House. This guest house offers nine comfortable bedrooms with an outdoor terrace to relax on. Just a stone's throw up Hobson Street from Athelstane House is the Food Store. It stocks local wine, olive oil, pasta sauces, homemade chutneys and jams.
Athelstane House & Food Store
Hobson Street, Queenscliff
Ph 03 5258 1024
www.athelstane.com.au

Ti-Tree Village & Ocean Grove
Ti Tree Village right in the heart of Ocean Grove is the perfect spot to relax if you feel like sticking around for a while. The property boasts 23 cabins catering to families, groups and couples. They have everything you need to make your stay comfortable including open fires, which are essential for the winter months. If you get a little peckish while at Ti-Tree, head to the Bark Hut where you can choose something from the menu or cook it yourself.
Ti Tree Village
34 Orton Street, Ocean Grove
Ph 03 5255 4433
www.ti-treevillage.com.au

Bellarine Train
Get behind the wheel of a mighty locomotive and retrace the golden age of steam in Queenscliff. The journey from Queenscliff takes about 45 minutes as the train chugs and rattles its way through the lush Bellarine hinterland. A pub lunch is provided and you also get a certificate of achievement. It might not be cheap but it's the chance of a lifetime.
Steam Train Driver Experience
$795 per person
Ph 03 5258 2069

Bellarine Estate Winery & Buick Tour
Join Esther as she arrives at Bellarine Estate Winery in style, chauffer driven in a quaint 1934 Buick courtesy of Geelong Wedding Cars. Only two hours south west of Melbourne on the Portarlington Road, this winery plays host to many special functions thanks to its combination of gourmet food, award winning wine, a photogenic setting and up to 300 seats. Julian's Restaurant at Bellarine Estate is also well worth a visit. Bellarine Estate is open for lunch seven days a week, all year round.

Bellarine Estate
Ph 03 5259 3310
www.bellarineestate.com.au

Geelong and Bellarine Winery Tours
Ph 03 5258 1640
www.geelongweddingcars.com.au

Lola's & Fishing
Set right in the heart of the historic town of Queenscliff, Lola's is the perfect home away from home for those of you looking for something different. This newly renovated three bedroom house has a strong sense of individual style with its eclectic furnishings and modern appliances, making Lola's the perfect spot to escape, relax and unwind. If fishing is your thing, then the team at Game and Recreational Fishing Charters can organise a day out on the boat for you and they'll even bring the barbeque if you'd like to cook up your catch for lunch!

22 Beach Street, Queenscliff
0407 866 568
www.lolasbythesea.com.au

Game and Recreational Fishing Charters
Ph 1800 817 881
www.gamerec.com

What's On

August Occasion Bird Paintings
The C1872 Old Post Office Seymour is currently holding An August Occasion, the bi-annual exhibition of bird paintings by Paul Margocsy.
Where: The Old Post Office Seymour
When: Until 30 September
More: Ph 03 5792 3170 or visit www.artseymour.com.au

Buninyong Farmers Market
If you're into fresh produce then head 10 kilometres out of Ballart next Saturday to the August Bunningyong Farmers Market.
Where: 10 kilometres south of Ballarat
When: 18 August
More: Phone 03 5330 1481 or visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au

Guggenheim Collection: 1940s to Now
New York-Venice-Bilbao-Berlin
The most important exhibition ever to be held in Australia of postwar and contemporary art from the Guggenheim Museum is currently on at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Where: NGV International
When: Until 7 October
More: www.ngv.vic.gov.au