Postcards Summer Series: 31 January

Walhalla
Walhalla was once a gold rush town and back in the late 1800s it boasted some 4000 residents, ten hotels, seven churches, two breweries and its own newspaper. These days aout ten people live there and it's certainly worth a visit. The place to stay is the Walhalla Star Hotel offering 12 bedrooms all with ensuites. For dinner, there's Parkers Restaurant and if you want lunch the Greyhorse Café is right next door. If its history you're after, there's the museum at the Corner Stores which also loans out gold pans for people who believe there's still Colour in the Creeks. Plus there's the Long Tunnel Extended Mine where over 13 tonnes of gold was removed in its heyday. Another must-do is to take a ride with the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. You board from the main township and travel to nearby Thomson for a stop-off. The railway has been progressively restored since 1991 and is run by a keen group of volunteers.

Walhallas Star Hotel
Main Rd
Ph: 03 5165 6262
www.starhotel.com.au

Walhalla Goldfields Railway
Walhalla Rd
Ph: 03 5126 4201
www.walhallarail.com

Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine
Main Rd
Ph: 03 5165 6259
www.visitwalhalla.com

Phillip Island
Everyone knows Phillip Island is home to a whole heap of penguins but its also home to some pretty swanky accommodation like the brand new beauty thats right opposite the beach - C Scape Thirteen. Located down the main street of Cowes this stylish apartment gives inner city ones a run for their money. It comes with all the mods cons, heaps of space, loads of light and of course amazing views. But if you really want to feel like youre on holiday leave the cooking to somebody else and head down to Pinos Trattoria. The Scarlotto family run the show and for many people this place is a home away from home. The food is delicious home cooked Italian fare and when its time to leave, with a belly very full, you definitely feel like part of the family.

C Scape Thirteen
Apartment 13, 4 The Esplanade, Cowes
Phone: 0400 874 005
www.cscapecowes.com.au

Pinos Trattoria
29 Thompson Ave, Cowes
Ph: 5952 2808
www.pinostrattoria.com.au

Big Blue Backyard and Gunnamatta Horse Trails
Nestled amongst the tea tree right above St. Andrews beach youll find the Big Blue Backyard. For something a little different, the big blue back yard has themed accommodation so you can choose between The African or The Beach Hideaway. Inside the main house is the big blue kitchen, where owner Paul Dempsey can take care of everything from breakfast to group meals or even private dining in your hideaway. Just around the corner Gunnamatta trail rides can get you in the saddle and riding all over the Peninsula. Whether youd like to ride in the bush or along the beach its totally up to you, but without a doubt the most popular trail ride here is the one where you head through the sand dunes and straight onto the beach.

Gunnamatta Trail Rides
Cnr Truemans & Sandy Rds, Rye
Ph: 03 5988 6755
www.gunnamatta.com.au

Big Blue Back Yard
56 Paradise Drive St. Andrews Beach
Ph: 03 5988 6011
www.bigbluebackyard.com.au

Mt Bellevue
Located 3 hours North East of Melbourne, at the foothills of the Victorian Alps in the King Valley region, Mt Bellevue is a 1,000 acre working cattle farm with a difference. It not only provides magnificent beef, the property also boasts a winery, tennis court, swimming pool, and four accommodation options for singles, couples and families, either BnB style or fully self-contained. But without a doubt its whats outside that sets this place apart. Everywhere you look it's picture perfect. The property has amazing vistas of the surrounding area, including a birds eye view of Kellys Run. However you cant set foot on this property without meeting with Delmi, their famous Welsh Black bull.

Mt Bellevue
469 Bellavista Rd, Myrrhee
Ph: 03 5729 7539
www.mtbellevue.com.au

King Valley Limousines
Ph: 0458 585 466
www.kingvalleylimousines.com.au

Market Produce and Cooking Class
The Queen Victoria Market has been providing its customers with fresh produce for 130 years now. These days you can not only still buy a delicious variety of food but you can also learn to cook it. At the Electrolux Cooking School, chefs, cookery authors and culinary professionals from Victoria and interstate conduct classes in a range of cuisines, styles and techniques. Suzie caught up with one of their teachers - Melissa Grossi, who is married to the famous Guy Grossi of Florentino restaurant. On the hunt for quality ingredients Suzie visits the fish market, picks up some fresh herbs, finds tasty looking red tomatoes and crosses olive oil off the shopping list.

Electrolux Cooking School
69 Victoria St, Queen Victoria Market
Ph 03 9320 5835
www.qvm.com.au

What's On

Grampians Jazz Festival
Lovers of jazz are invited to Halls Gap for the annual Grampians Jazz Festival where the towns streets will be buzzing with the sound of crooners in mid February.
Where: Halls Gap
When: 13 - 15 February
Ph: 1800 065 599 or visit www.grampiansjazzfestival.com.au

Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival
Festival season is also in full swing in the Gippsland town of Bruthen which is hosting its annual Blues and Arts Festival.
Where: Gippsland
When: 13 - 15 February
More: Visit www.home.vicnet.au/bruthen

Sand Sculpting Australia
And if youre a big kid at heart, then take the family to the Frankston foreshore before April the 26th to admire this years Dinostory - a Sand Sculpting spectacular.
Where: Frankston Foreshore
When: Every weekend Until April 26
More: Visit www.sandstormevents.com.au