Episode 1: Tourism winners
Join new host Giaan Rooney and the Postcards team for the 2010 series return and the celebration of our eleventh year on air. What better way to begin than to celebrate with some of the winners of our recent Melbourne Airport Victorian Tourism Awards?
From the newest camping-style accommodation at Wilsons Prom, to horseback adventures at Mt Bogong, spa treatments in Mansfield to award-winning restaurants in the city, this episode is all about the best of the best in Victoria's tourism industry.
City restaurants: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
The award-winning Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of the things that Victorians love: restaurants and dining. This year the festival celebrates its eighteenth anniversary, so Giaan takes a look.
Since it opened two years ago, Maha Bah has provided a magical carpet ride of dining. You can dine sou-fra (sue-fra) style or just order what ever you like off the menu. It's an experience not to be missed. From there we head across town to Coda, the Flinders Lane restaurant that opened last year. It's here that the kitchen is run by Adam D'Sylva, and if that name sounds familiar it's because he once cooked at the famous Pearl in Richmond. Last on our list is Grossi Florentino in Bourke Street, which has been wooing customers for 81 years now. One of the most famous faces on the foodie map in our city is Guy Grossi, who has run the restaurant for the past 11 years and has taken part in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival from the beginning.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2010
12 - 23 March 2010
melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Maha Bah
Ph: 9629 5900
www.mahabg.com.au
Coda
Ph: 9650 3155
www.codarestaurant.com.au
Grossi Florentino
Ph: 9662 1811
www.grossiflorentino.com
Bogong Horseback Adventures
Take a drive for three-and-a-half hours from Melbourne to Tawonga, near Mount Beauty, and spend some time with the team from Bogong Horseback Adventures. This stunning property, nestled in the Kiewa Valley, is surrounded by the High Country and Victoria's highest mountain, Mount Bogong.
For 23 years the Baird family has been teaching people how to enjoy the true beauty of the High Country with their pack horse tours and trail rides. You'll find it's more than just going for a ride, you'll have an absolute ball and get a serious lesson in horsemanship as well. Not only are the lads very good with the horses, they're also pretty handy on a campfire; cooking up a storm of great food, which of an evening includes a few vinos before you sleep under the stars. It's no wonder these guys have picked up the adventure tourism award for their rides. When you combine the scenery with all the outback luxuries this is one unique experience.
Bogong Horseback Adventures
Ph: 03 5754 4849
www.bogonghorse.com.au
Mansfield spa
Overlooking the magnificent panorama of another part of the Victorian High Country is Spirits High Spa Dreaming, in Mansfield, just over two-and-a-half hours from Melbourne. The first thing you do when you get here is absolutely nothing, because the total peace and quiet of this place is one of the things that make it truly special. Spirits High Spa Dreaming recently won the award for Best New Tourism Development and it's easy to see why. The elegantly rustic building features recycled furniture and fittings taken from family properties in the area. The spa offers treatments that combine High Country adventure with healing therapies, and you can book an invigorating detox package, which includes a salt rub, a mud wrap and a full body massage that will leave you ready for some adventure.
Spirits High Spa Dreaming
Ph: 03 5779 1386
www.spiritshigh.com.au
Melbourne Aquarium and Alto Hotel
The South Pole is a usual residing address for a penguin, but the state-of-the-art exhibit 'Antarctica' now at Melbourne Aquarium makes this place their home away from home. The real stars of this award-winning exhibition are tiny black and white guys that waddle and splash their happy feet in a $28 million wonderland. Unlike most birds penguins can't fly; their bodies are shaped more like torpedoes so they can tear through the ocean, just like Thorpie. Both the Gentoo and King penguins on display are very cool, and this permanent exhibition is every family's delight.
Over on Bourke Street, the Alto Hotel is also doing its bit to cool the planet, which is why it has won the award for Sustainable Tourism. As an example, their one-bedroom apartments feature a queen bed, a bathroom, a full kitchen, plus air conditioning, and if you're serious about being eco-friendly, you can pop open a window to let in the fresh air instead. All rooms, from studio to three-bedroom apartments, are fitted with energy saving key tags so that the lights turn off when you leave. Another bonus, if you happen to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, you can even park your car for free!
Melbourne Aquarium
Ph: 9923 5999
melbourneaquarium.com.au
Alto Hotel on Bourke
Ph: 1800 135 123
altohotel.com.au
Wilsons Prom
One of our state's natural treasures, Wilsons Promontory, is located about three-and-a-half hours' drive east of Melbourne through the Gippsland region. It was Victoria's first national park, and today continues to draw visitors from all over the world. There is nothing but rugged bushland and walking tracks out here, so basic things like food and water are a must to take with you. Whatever the conditions, however, all hiking trails lead to one guaranteed surprise, absolutely spectacular views.
There are many accommodation options available in the Prom, with one stand-out: the award-winning safari-style tents, which are at the luxury end of the spectrum. They come complete with a queen bed, a blanket box, and a small fridge. You have your own private bathroom facilities, but kitchen facilities are shared. All tents are 100% waterproof and included in the cost is all linen, cutlery and crockery, so this is five star camping at its best.
Wilsons Promontory National Park
Ph: 13 1963
parkweb.vic.gov.au
What's on
Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
If you are heading to Mildura in the coming weeks then be sure to check out this year's Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival, featuring the likes of Kate Cebrano and James Morrison.
Where: Mildura
When: 26 February - 13 March 2010
More: artsmildura.com.au
Fun in the Sun Festival
Why not bring the family down to Chelsea for the Fun in the Sun Festival? To help get the party started there will be performances by Dorothy the Dinosaur, Choir of Hard Knocks and the Code One Police Band. Don't miss out on all the fun!
Where: Bicentennial Park, Chelsea (corner Thames Promenade and Scotch Parade)
When: Sunday 28 February 2010
Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock
More than 100 small food and wine producers from around Victoria will showcase their delicious array of goods against the magnificent backdrop of Hanging Rock next Sunday, at this year's The Age Harvest Picnic.
Where: Mount Macedon
When: 28 February 2010
More:03 9521 8844 or visit harvestpicnic.com.au
