Great Alpine Road: 11 November 2006
The team explore the Great Alpine Road. Bridget visits Wangaratta for Jazz Fest. and meets the Zucchini Brothers. Lawrence follows the Ned Kelly trail at Beechworth and discovers big trees in Myrtleford. Glen goes horse riding at Dinner Plain then relaxes at Onsen Retreat & Spa and, Glen and Bridget go sailing at Metung.
Wangaratta
Wangaratta is located two and a half hours out of Melbourne, just of the Great Alpine Road. The region is renowned for its wineries, gourmet food, spectacular scenery, historic legends and, numerous state and national parks.
Wangaratta Festival of Jazz
The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz is an annual jazz and blues festival and, since its beginning in 1990, has grown to include 90 events with over 350 national and international artists performing each year. The Festival has become the premier jazz event in Australia and also hosts the National Jazz Awards, Youth Jazz Workshops, Masterclasses and events throughout Wangaratta and surrounding wine regions. Next year the Festival will be held from 2–5 November.
www.wangaratta-jazz.org.au
Wangaratta Information Centre
100 Murphy Street,
Wangaratta
Zucchini Brothers Emporium
The zucchini brothers run no ordinary café, it's a café, a nursery and a furniture store all in one.
Owners Peter and Alan are not really zucchini brothers, the name came about as the two men decided to come up with a quirky name that everyone would remember.
Zucchini Brothers incorporates the furnwood furniture store as well as the café and the nursery – you never know what you might find.
8–10 Tone Road,
Wangaratta
Ph 03 5722 3944
www.zedbee.com.au
Beechworth
With its carefully restored colonial buildings and historic precinct, Beechworth is one of Victoria's best-preserved gold rush towns. Its nineteenth century streets showcase an eclectic mix of galleries, collectables, handcrafts, old pubs, cafés and restaurants.
Ned Kelly walking tour
The Ned Kelly walking tour is a great way to learn all about the history of Beechworth. The guided tour includes the sites and story of Ned Kelly's connection to Beechworth. Visit the house where Magistrate William Henry Foster, who presided over Ned Kelly's committal hearing in the Beechworth Court, lived. See the Beechworth gaol and hear about how Ellen Kelly, Ned's mother, was sentenced to three years hard labour for the attempted murder of a policeman. See the site where Ned Kelly won a bare-knuckle boxing match that lasted 20 rounds.
The Ned Kelly guided walking tour departs at 10.30am every day. Tours leave from, and return to, the Beechworth Visitor Information Centre and are 90 minutes in duration.
Beechworth Courthouse
The Beechworth Courthouse was completed in June 1858 and has been the setting for some of the most fascinating court cases in Victoria's history. Still with its original furniture and fittings, it operated as a working court until 1989 – 131 years of service – making it one of the longest running and most authentic courthouses in Australia.
Ned Kelly appeared here on two occasions, including his committal hearing when he was charged with the murders of constables Lonigan and Scanlon. Ellen Kelly received a three year jail sentence for the attempted murder of Constable Fitzpatrick and, Elizabeth Scott, the first woman executed in Victoria, received her death sentence in this building.
Visiting groups can take part in a mock trial. One of the group will become the prisoner on trial and get charged with an offence, organised by the group, and their fate is determined by a jury made up of group members.
Beechworth Visitor Centre
Town Hall, Ford Street,
Beechworth
Ph 1300 366 321
www.beechworthonline.com.au
Myrtleford
Myrtleford is known for its big trees and the best way to see the big trees is on foot or by bicycle. On the western side of town, on the Great Alpine Road, is the Phoenix Tree with a Phoenix Bird sculptured by Hans Knorr in the centre of its root system. Not far from the Phoenix Tree, on Smith Street, is the Big Tree, an ancient red gum which was the meeting point for generations of the local Koori people.
Connolly Alpine Adventures
Glen straps on his riding boots and enjoys the fresh country air at Dinner Plain. With his own personal guide, Ken, Glen goes on an adventure he will never forget. Glen follows the traditional mustering route and learns all about the cattle mustering and the cattlemen's huts that are still used to this day.
Onsen Retreat & Spa
Nestled on Victoria's Great Alpine Road, just 10 kilometres from Hotham, Dinner Plain is a cosy village that provides the perfect family environment for year-round High Country holidays.
Established in 1986, today the village is home to over 300 private lodges, cabins apartments and a vibrant restaurant and café scene.
Onsen Retreat and Spa dramatically transforms Dinner Plain’s into a winter wonderland or the hottest place to be this summer. With a range of treatments and first class facilities, Onsen is a must stop on the Great Alpine Road.
Onsen Retreat and Spa
Big Muster Drive,
Dinner Plain
Ph 03 5150 8880
www.onsen.com.au
Capricorn Gypsy Cruises
Bridget and Glen explore the Gippsland Lakes with Capricorn Gypsy Cruises.
The Gypsy is a 40 foot motor sailor with spacious interior and plenty of space on deck. Originally built to cruise the Whitsundays, The Gypsy has a proud history providing a good time for all.
She carries up to 28 day passengers and caters for up to 6 overnight guests, and with endless possibilities you can tailor you very own sailing adventure. Visit Paynesville and see the koalas at Raymond Island, stay overnight at the magnificent Ocean Grange, or check out Steamer Landing and walk across the dunes to the famous 90 Mile Beach. And, watch the sun set over the Gippsland Lakes as you throw a freshly caught bream on the barbecue.
Bookings 0427 686 467
http://freshden.customer.netspace.net.au/
