Episode 34: General Show

Mandala Wines
Recently opened, Mandala Wines is located in Yarra Glen at Dixons Creek and owner Charles Smedley gave Suzie a tour of the property including the cellar door, restaurant and lounge bar. After grazing through the vineyard Suzie called into the lounge where you can have a glass of wine and enjoy some fantastic tapas or a bar menu, but what really makes Mandala Wines a destination is the Mediterranean influenced restaurant. Run by chef Maura Callegari, with top local food producers at his doorstep, Mauras focus is on highlighting great food with good wine and Suzie got to sample three of their finest dishes. The Cellar Door at Mandala is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Check out their website for details of their restaurants opening hours.

Mandala Wines
1568 Melba Hwy, Dixons Creek, Yarra Valley
Ph: 03 5965 2016
www.mandalawines.com.au

Tilwinda Homestead
Tilwinda Homestead is an 1870s marvel that is sure to put a spring into your step. Nestled in the heart of the Goldfields country, on the edge of Kyneton, it is the perfect place to take a week-end jaunt. The homestead was once the hub of a sheep property for more than 120 years. You can choose to stay in one of the two spacious bedrooms in the house where you also get free range of the guest lounge, or if its total privacy youre after you can bunk down in the barn. The sounds of clicking shears are long gone and the damper and tea has been replaced with a hearty basket of country goodies. When it comes to morning tea time you can duck into Kyneton which is just minutes down the road and if you ask the locals where to find the best coffee in town youll probably end up at Café 101, a hidden gem off the tourist strip in Mollison Street. The coffee is the talk of the town and the yummy menu is well worth a look.

Tilwinda B & B
1793 Kyneton Trentham Rd, Kyneton
Ph: 03 5422 2772
www.tilwinda.com

Café 101
101 Mollison St, Kyneton
Ph: 03 5422 1355

Melbourne Aquarium
If you want to get up close and personal with a few fishy friends then Melbourne Aquarium has got it all. Located on the banks of the Yarra River it is home to thousands of aquatic animals that range from the weird to the wonderful. Taking a walk right through the huge fish tank is a good place to start, as it gets you nice and close without getting wet. The clever people at the aquarium have come up with a pretty cool way of getting a different perspective of the tank - by looking down at it. The glass bottom boat tour takes you above the surface water, allowing you to discover this shimmering world from a different angle. If you want to get even closer there is one more way to see it and thats by actually jumping in the tank. It only takes a brief diving course and anyone brave enough can take the plunge. Shark dives are available to all people over the age of 15.

Melbourne Aquarium
Cnr King & Flinders St, Melbourne
Phone: 03 99235 999
www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

Diving Costs - Bookings Essential
Certified divers: (with own equipment) $150.00
Certified divers: (without equipment) $242.00
Non-divers: $349.00 prior to the day of your actual dive

Glass Bottom Boat Tour
Adult: $13.50
Child 4-15 years: $7.50

Shoreham
The seaside hamlet of Shoreham is one of the Mornington Peninsulas best kept secrets. In its past life, Ora Banda was Camp Buxton and over the years, thousands of kids came here on school camp. Back in the old days, the kids slept in bunks and had to bring their own blankets as well as two sacks for their straw bedding. These days two of the former bunkhouses have been transformed beyond recognition into self-contained cottages with a contemporary flair. From the luxury linens in the bedroom, to the double spa in the bathroom and the slow combustion wood fire in the living room, everything is generously provided to make you feel right at home. Ora Banda is right down the road from some of the Peninsulas most highly acclaimed wineries and delicious local producers. The Merricks General Store is now Merricks General Cellar Door for three local wineries, Quealy, Bailleau Vineyard and Elgee Park and the café has been upgraded to a bistro where they serve breakfast and lunch every day, so on your next trip to Ora Banda be shore to call in and check it out.

Ora Banda
41Marine Pde, Shoreham
Ph: 5989 8943
www.greatplacestostay.com.au

Merricks General Store
3458- 3460 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Merricks
Ph: 03 5989 8088
www.merricksgeneralstore.com.au

Mt Bellevue
Located 3 hours North East of Melbourne, at the foothills of the Victorian Alps in the King Valley region, Mt Bellevue is a 1,000 acre working cattle farm with a difference. It not only provides magnificent beef, the property also boasts a winery, tennis court, swimming pool, and four accommodation options for singles, couples and families, either BnB style or fully self-contained. But without a doubt its whats outside that sets this place apart. Everywhere you look it's picture perfect. The property has amazing vistas of the surrounding area, including a birds eye view of Kellys Run. However you cant set foot on this property without meeting with Delmi, their famous Welsh Black bull.

Mt Bellevue
469 Bellavista Rd, Myrrhee
Ph: 03 5729 7539
www.mtbellevue.com.au

King Valley Limousines
Ph: 0458 585 466
www.kingvalleylimousines.com.au

What's On

Recreate08 Fashion Parade- Salvos Stores
Salvos Stores are collaborating with fashion design students to present the Recreat08 Fashion Parade on Tuesday 14 October - hosted by Ita Buttrose.
Where: Ormond Hall, Prahran
When: 7.30pm, 14 October
More: For tickets visit www.recreatefashionshow.com.au

The Royal Geelong Show
The Royal Geelong Show is on again next weekend for four days, so grab the kids and head down the coast!
Where: Geelong Showgrounds
When: 16 -19 October
More: Ph 03 5221 1707 or visit www.royalgeelongshow.org.au

Around the Bay in a Day
Next Sunday get on your bike and join the action at this years Portfolio Partners around the Bay in a day. To enter call Bicycle Victoria.
Where: Port Phillip Bay
When: 19 October
More: Ph 1800 616 600 or visit www.bv.com.au