8 July: The Yarra Ranges and Surrounds
This week the Postcards team drops into Healesville and checks out what the Dandenongs have to offer. First up Glen quenches his thirst at the Healesville Hotel and visits the Giant Steps winery. Bridget discovers the Paperbark Café and Kuranga Native Nursery, Brodie de-stresses at Woodlands B&B, Loz has a hit of golf and takes in a movie and Bridge is transported to the ancient world of Japan when she checks into the Japanese Mountain Retreat.
Healesville Hotel
Healesville is one of those locations that get you thinking about forests, rolling hills, mountains and just a nice quiet place to hang out. But what you could also be thinking about is good food, great brews and the perfect spot to indulge. Around one hour's drive from Melbourne the Healesville Hotel has pioneered the way for this little town to become one of the most popular culinary destinations in Victoria.
Ph 03 5962 4002
www.healesvillehotel.com.au
Giant Steps, Healesville
Giant Steps is the brainchild of well known wine entrepreneur Phil Sexton. For many people, the real thrill of coming to a place like Giant Steps is you get to drink some plonk in the very place where the wine is crushed, fermented, stored and eventually bottled. Join Glen as he experiences just that!
10-12 Briarty Road, Coldstream
Ph 03 5962 6111
www.innocentbystander.com.au
The Paperback Café and Kuranga Native Nursery
The Paperbark Café is situated in the tranquil surroundings of the award-winning Kuranga Native Nursery. It's an inviting place, located at the foot of the Dandenongs at Mt Evelyn. There's the option of dining indoors or taking in the country air outside on the terrace. It's just perfect for a relaxing break with family and friends. Next stop is the gift shop with its wide range of preserves, sauces, dressings and specialties before walking off those scones in the Kuranga Native Nursery, which this year won the Yates award for Best Large Garden Centre in Victoria.
Open seven days from 8.30am to 5pm
Ph 9760 8100
www.kuranga.com.au
Woodlands Bungalows
You know how there is always a moment in your week when you feel the need to escape? To stumble onto a secret hideaway where you can find absolute privacy, somewhere for complete solitude? Well we have found just the spot! Woodlands Rainforest Retreat has plenty of good reasons for an amazing weekend away. The very first reason to get yourself up here is the setting. If it's privacy you're after well this rainforest was made for you.
$690 per couple for a two night weekend stay
Ph 03 5963 7150
www.woodlandscottages.com.au
Golf, Puffing Billy, Cameo Cinema
Ah golf, what a great way to start the day. The exquisitely picturesque Olinda Golf Course, about an hour from the city, literally puts you on top of the world. A trip to the Dandenongs must also include a ride on Puffing Billy, one of Victoria's greatest tourist attractions and with good reason. When the Cameo Cinema opened in 1935, it was a true picture palace, boasting relatively ornate features of the Art Deco period and a distinctive shadow decoration of silhouetted trees on the cinema's interior walls. These days it remains one of the few architecturally notable, decorative cinemas still operating in Victoria.
Olinda Golf Course
75 Olinda Monbulk Road, Olinda
03 9751 1399
www.olindagolf.com.au
Puffing Billy
Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave
Ph 03 9754 6800
www.puffingbilly.com.au
Cameo Cinema
1628 Burwood Highway. Belgrave
Ph 03 9754 7844
www.cameocinemas.com.au
Japanese Mountain Retreat
In Montrose, a very relaxed one hour drive from Melbourne, you'll find the Japanese Mountain Retreat, an exotic and authentic Japanese hideaway. From the tatami matting, to the shoji, the futon and the antique kimonos, you truly feel as though you've been transported to the world of ancient Japan. The Japanese Mountain Retreat is on Mountain Crescent in Montrose. Traditional Japanese suites are available from $350 per couple per night.
14 Mountain Crescent, Montrose
Ph 03 9737 0086
www.japanesemountainretreat.com.au
What's On
Fresh Festival
Hotham's Mountain Fresh Festival showcases the best in food and wine from north east Victoria with a range of cooking classes and appreciation sessions.
Where: Mount Hotham
When: 12–17 July
More: Ph 03 5759 3550 or www.hotham.com.au
Australian Hot Air Balloon Championships
A great spectacle with 35 teams is on this week at the 2007 Australian Hot Air Balloon Championships at Benalla.
Where: Benalla
When: 7–15 July
More: Ph 03 5760 2600 or www.ballooningnationals.com.au
Melbourne Design Festival
The 2007 Melbourne Design Festival is currently on at various venues throughout Melbourne.
Where: Various Melbourne venues
When: Until 15 July
More: www.nationaldesigncentre.com
