Postcards Summer Series: 11 January

The Empyre Boutique Hotel
Back in the 1850's you could say the streets of Castlemaine were paved in Gold. The town had a larger population than Melbourne as people arrived to seek their fortune from one of the richest gold fields in Australian history. Castlemaine these days is popular with tourists and has a flourishing arts scene which is ever present at the Empyre Boutique Hotel. Antique furniture and chandeliers make the six luxurious suites in this very stylish hotel something special. The hotel exudes class, from the grand Empyre Room with its own balcony, to the Albion Suite named after the original pub on site. Then theres the Gwynedd Room for fine dining, a garden terrace to relax on and a café for light meals. Most of the hotels stunning furniture comes from the XXXX Antique Complex. With 20,000 items for sale its a shoppers paradise.

The Empyre Boutique Hotel
68 Mostyn St, Castlemaine
Ph: 03 5472 5166
www.empyre.com.au

XXXX Antique Complex
1-9 Elizabeth St, Castlemaine
Ph: 03 5470 5989
www.xxxxantiques.com.au

Yum Cha
For many Melbournians, Sunday morning means yum cha, but on any day of the week youll see people voting with their feet and lining up outside Shark Fin House in Chinatown. Here it is all about the hustle and bustle of authentic Hong Kong style yum cha featuring everyones favourites, and even though theres room for 350 people across 3 levels, its so popular that you still have to book on weekends. Red Emperor is a Southbank stalwart and dishes up some of Melbournes finest dumplings with some cutting edge contents. Their speciality is prawn and goji berry dumplings. And if youd like a touch of style with your soy sauce, head to Oriental Tea House in Chapel street South Yarra. Here, old Shanghai meets modern Melbourne.

The designer dumplings come on trays, not trolleys, and are ordered from a menu that might include guava flower dumplings, Peking duck dumplings or little morsels of salmon and avocado tempura.

Shark Finn House
131 Little Bourke St City
Ph: 03 9663 1555
www.sharkfin.com.au

Red Emperor
Upper Level Southgate, Southbank
Ph: 03 9699 4170
www.redemperor.com.au

Oriental Tea House
455 Chapel St South Yarra
Ph: 9826 0168
www.orientalteahouse.com.au

Koendidda Country House
Set on four hectares Koendidda Country House is a historic homestead offering elegance of a bygone era. Aboriginal for parting of the clouds this gorgeous mansion was built in the late 1850s by English immigrant Humphrey Pooley.

Koendidda is furnished with the finest antiques and period furniture money can buy. The five ensuite rooms all having large comfy beds and there is also two sitting rooms and two dinning rooms. Owner Sharons serves dishes that capture the best flavours of north east Victoria in this most elegant dinning atmosphere. With such delectable food and wine, luxurious accommodation and stately surrounds its easy to strike gold in this much loved bed and breakfast.

Koendidda
Pooleys Rd, Barnawartha
Ph: 02 6026 7340
www.koendidda.com.au

Aquila Eco Lodges
Aquila Eco Lodges were one of the first accredited eco lodges in the country and if you are looking for a green escape then this is well worth the trip. As one of the pioneers of eco-living, Aquila actually produce their own power through solar panels. They also process all their own waste, including grey and black water through a self composting system that uses worms to break down the waste. They even collect their own drinking water with the help of on site tanks. The architecturally designed lodges are surrounded by bushland, and stepping inside doesn't mean you miss out on the scenery. Large open spaces bring the light and the bush right into the lodges. There are four lodges to choose from, with 2 different award-winning designs. Lodges have an open fire, bathroom, kitchen and bedroom, with enough room for between 2 to 6 guests, depending on your preference.

Aquila Eco Lodges
Manns Road, Dunkeld
Ph 03 5577 2582
www.ecolodges.com.au

Seascape Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is a laid back township with crescent shaped sandy swimming beaches and nearby national parks. It is regarded by many as a Paradise by the Sea and the perfect place for a dog friendly holiday. Seascape Apollo Bay offers two self-contained units perfect for you and your four legged friend. The Ocean Villa has two bedrooms, an extensive living area, views through the trees and a gourmet oven. The Otway Villa is just as comfortable but goes one better with a courtyard for your dog to run in and a hot tub for eight. If you want to walk your treasured pup then just up the road are dog friendly beaches. And when the need for a coffee or a hot chocolate accompanied by fine Belgian chocolates beckons then Goossens is the place to go. They not only cater for we humans but also for our furry friends.

Seascape Apollo Bay
9a Diana St
Apollo Bay
Ph: 03 5237 7755
www.seascapeapollobay.com.au

Goossens
4b Hardy St
Apollo Bay
Ph: 03 5237 7776

Debbies Doggy Grooming
Ph: 0438 050 154

What's On

Portsea Swim Classic
The annual Portsea Swim Classic is on again next Saturday, so head down to the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club to check it out.
Where: Portsea Foreshore
When: January 17
More: 03 9572 3233 or visit www.portseasurf.com.au
Opera in the Alps
Returning for its 13th season, Opera in the Alps will again delight and entertain audiences at La Trobe at Beechworth on January 17. Where: Beechworth
When: 17January
More:Ph 1300 366 321 or visit www.beechworthonline.com.au

Greenhouse By Joost
And give yourself an education in sustainability, by visiting the remarkable Greenhouse by Joost a temporary gallery, cafe and social hot spot made from 100% recycled materials in Federation Square this summer.
Where: Federation Square
When: Until 29 January 2009
More: Visit www.greenhousebyjoost.com