Postcards Summer Series - 7 December 2008

Tiffany & Co
Suzie goes five star with a shopping trip and history lesson at the iconic Tiffany & Co. It all started in 1837 when Charles Tiffany took a thousand dollar advance from his father and travelled from New England to New York with his schoolmate John B. Young. They opened a stationery and fancy goods emporium, which later became Tiffany and Company. Tiffany's made headlines in 1877 when it bought a 128 carat yellow diamond, which is still on display in New York today. Another of their famous innovations was their china dinner service, which entered the White House when it was commissioned by US First Lady, Mrs 'Lady Bird' Johnson. In 1950, Truman Capote's novel Breakfast at Tiffany's was published, and in 1961, when it was made into a movie starring Audrey Hepburn, the store was forever immortalised.

Tiffany & Co
267 Collins St, Melbourne
Ph 03 9639 7788
www.tiffany.com

Clunes
When Victorians hear the phrase gold rush they immediately they think of Sovereign Hill and Ballarat but its in Clunes where the first nuggets of gold where unearthed, sparking the biggest gold rush Australia and even possibly the world had ever seen. An often overlooked spot, Clunes is a 90 minute drive from Melbourne along the Western Freeway and it has remained pretty much how it was back in the days when out here all that glittered was gold. Hepburn Shire Mayor, Tim Hayes also happens to be Central Victorias very own Willie Wonka. If its sugary, sticky, chewy, crunchy, fizzy, chocolaty or licoricey than Widow Twankeys Confectionary Emporium at the Paris end of town is the sweetest spot on the strip. Still in the heart of town and worth paying a visit is the Clunes Museum, a permanent reminder of yesteryear.

Widow Twankeys Confectionary Emporium
50 Fraser St, Clunes
Ph: 03 5345 3426
www.windowtwankeys.com.au

Clunes Museum
36 Fraser St, Clunes
Ph: 03 5345 3592
www.clunesmuseum.org

St Agnes Homestead
One of the great things about spending the night at a country B&B is waking up the following morning to a country breakfast. Located just north of Kyneton, St Agnes is a gorgeous red brick homestead that dates back to the 1870s. This elaborate home sits on a twelve acre estate and is within walking distance to historic Piper Street and its assortment of antique shops, cafes, and restaurants. High ceilings, bay windows, elaborate cornices and intricate lacework are just some of the many features that define this wonderful 19th century home. The adjoining stables are another St Agnes delight for all to enjoy.

St Agnes Homestead
30 Burton Ave, Kyneton
Ph 03 5422 2639
www.saintagnes.com.au

Lighthouse Hike
If you really want to enjoy the true beauty of the Prom you've got to leave the car behind and walk it. For that little bit of extra effort you'll get a huge reward. From the Telegraph saddle car park it's a 19km walk out to the Wilsons Promontory lighthouse. The walk is suitable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness and you'll take in some best scenery in the Prom. If you plan on making the trek out to the lighthouse all you need to bring is your own food and drink. Besides that you'll have everything you need for a memorable experience.

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse Hike
Parks Victoria Information Centre
Ph 13 19 63
www.parkweb.com.au

Donovans When Gail and Kevin Donovan first opened the doors to their St Kilda restaurant Donovans on the beach, they wondered how it would go. From that opening a decade ago, they have never looked back. This year the eatery, still as popular as ever, is turning ten and Suzie joined in on birthday celebrations. Everything Gail does is so stylish from her beach party to the books she has written, to the décor at her restaurant. Gail is always on the look out for new bits and pieces so Suzie followed her to some favourite shopping haunts including home wares store Juliet Horsley in Middle Park, as well as Izzy and Po Po in South Melbourne.

Donovans 40 Jacka Bld, St Kilda
Ph: 9534 8221
www.donovanshouse.com.au

Juliet Horsley
88 Park Rd, Middle Park
Ph: 9534 0633
www.juliethorsley.com.au

Izzy and PoPo
258 Ferrars St, South Melbourne
Ph: 9696 1771

What's On

Red Cross Murray Marathon
If you're taking your Christmas break along the Murray why not check out one of the longest annual canoe races in the world, the Red Cross Murray Marathon.
Where: Various location along the Murray River
When: 27 - 31 December
More: 8327 7742
www.redcross.org.au

Yuulong Lavender Festival
Or if lavender, good food and great music is your thing then head towards Ballarat next weekend for this year's Yuulong Lavender Festival.
Where: Mount Egerton
When: December 14th
More: Ph: 03 5368 9453
www.yuulonglavender.com.au

3 Mobile Boxing Day Test Match - Australia v South Africa
A must see for sports fans is Australia's biggest annual cricket match, the Boxing Day Test, where the Aussies will take on South Africa at the G.
Where: MCG
When: 26 - 30 December
More: Book through Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122 or www.ticketmaster.com.au