Episode 14: Green Show
This week Postcards is going green and showing you eco-friendly places to stay, as well as how to buy, shop, eat and drink organically. Suzie takes a look at where to purchase organic foods and how to cook seasonally. Glen checks out some eco lodges and is lucky enough to meet a baby koala along the way. Brodie goes green from head to toe with eco-smart clothes, car and accommodation; while Gorgi visits an organic winery.
Great Ocean Ecolodge
The Great Ocean Ecolodge is an accredited multi-award-winning, environmentally sustainable guest house, set in the Otway National Park. The lodge was built using sustainable and recycled materials. It has five bedrooms, all with an ensuite. The great hall is the perfect spot to warm yourself in front of the fire while checking out the surrounding views. Meal times are always interesting, with some fantastic produce from the organic garden. Its also the site of the Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology, and if you are really hands on, you can help with breakfast for the Koalas being nursed there. Also included in your stay is a guided dusk walk in the surrounding bush, where you can search for native birds, wallabies, kangaroos and koalas.
Great Ocean Ecolodge
The Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology
Cape Otway Lighthouse Rd, Cape Otway
Ph 03 5237 9297
www.capeotwaycentre.com.au
Captains Creek Organic Wines
Captains Creek Organic Wines and Produce is a family owned and operated vineyard on an 80 hectare farm in Blampied. For the past 25 years this fourth generation farming family has shunned chemicals for a fresh take on winemaking. It's a win/win situation for Mother Nature. There are no toxins to harm the environment and traditional methods create a better quality wine. And if you think the wines are good – well their veggies are even better. Captains Creek also have an organic farm which supplies local families within a 50 kilometre radius with home-delivered, super fresh veggies. Only a 10 minute drive from Daylesford, the cellar door is open every weekend from 11am to 5pm.
Captains Creek Organic Wines and Produce
160 Mays Road, Blampied
Ph 03 5345 7408
www.captainscreek.com
Amarant Retreat
Amarant Retreat is set in the Great Dividing Ranges on 25 acres of untouched Aussie bush, overlooking the Yarra Valley. Surrounded by natural beauty, it is certified by Eco Tourism Australia. The tall ceilings, timber walls and local art give the place a unique rustic charm. Snuggle up by the fire, or take in the fresh air and treetop views outside on the deck. If you feel like finding your inner zen, venture down to the function room where you can partake in some yoga. If you're looking for green savvy clothes to take away on your eco holiday, then take a look at the planet and style conscious range at Husk. Lutz and Patmos is a New York knitwear label offering eco-chic fashion.
Check out their range at any of the Husk stores around town. Homebody by Laura Dash also provides an eco alternative with their new summer range consisting of organic bamboo fibre leisure wear which is perfect for yoga.
Amarant Retreat
1475 Don Rd, Don Valley
Ph 03 5967 3416
www.amarantretreat.com.au
Husk
To find a store visit their website
www.husk.com.au
Homebody by Laura dash
www.home-body.com
For more information on Hondas Civic Hybrid Car visit their website www.honda.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
Organic Food
Supermarkets, cafes, green grocers – you name it – everywhere you look, these days it's organic produce. Delicious food with an environmental conscience is definitely catching on. One place that's taken up the cause is Passion Foods in South Melbourne, where Suzie sampled a few of their premium products, including a goats cheese from Holy Goat Cheese Farm in Sutton Grange. Across town in North Fitzroy, the Green Grocer serves up an equally high standard of food at their café and store. They also hold regular cooking classes and Suzie got to whip up a mushroom ragu and taste some organic wine.
The Green Grocer
217 Georges Rd, Fitzroy North
Ph 03 9489 1747
www.thegreengrocer.com.au
Passion Foods
219 Ferrars St, South Melbourne
Ph 03 9690 9339
www.passionfoods.com.au
What's On
The Historic Winton
The Historic Winton, held at Winton Motor Raceway next weekend, is Australias largest and most popular all-historic motor race.
Where: Benalla
When: 24–25 May
More: Ph 03 5428 2689 or visit www.historicwinton.org
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Why not get together for a good cause this week and join in on Australia's Biggest Morning Tea to raise much needed funds for The Cancer Council.
Where: Various locations
When: 22 May
More: Ph 1300 656 585 or visit www.biggestmorningtea.com.au
The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal
And next weekend the Salvos will be knocking on your door, so dig deep and donate to this years Red Shield Appeal.
Where: Various
When: 24–25 May
More: Ph 13 72 58 or visit www.salvationarmy.org.au
