Postcards Summer Series: 13 February
Today’s episode of Postcards shares with you five of our favourite stories from the past year.
Marengo Bay and Aire Valley Guest House
If you like the idea of combining country comfort with your ocean walk, we've found the place for you. The 1880s Federation-style Aire Valley Restaurant and Guest House, just 20 minutes west of Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road, oozes country hospitality and offers meals with the motto is 'fresh is best'. Set on 15 acres, the homestead offers five comfortable bedrooms, each with its own ensuite. Owners Martin and Annabel Tunley will help you organise your Great Ocean Walk from their guest house. Annabel and Martin's restaurant on the property is licensed and open seven nights a week for dinner and for Sunday lunch. The food is Australian in style with a French influence. You can choose to dine indoors or sit out on the sweeping verandah with views across the valley to Castle Cove.
Aire Valley Restaurant and Guesthouse
2590 Great Ocean Road, Hordern Vale
Ph: 03 5237 9223
www.airevalleyguesthouse.com.au
Sweet treats
We explore the sweet heart of Melbourne, starting at Little Cupcakes, where good things definitely do come in small packages. Each day about 14 varieties of cupcakes are made, and almost 1500 are sold. You've got to get in early, because these cupcakes sell like, well, hotcakes.
Around the corner in the Royal Arcade they're cooking up some sugar to make a candy that really rocks. This Suga store makes about 25,000 pieces of rock candy and over the course of the year the store uses just over 18 tonnes of sugar. All the lollies are made completely by hand, which means you can create your own custom-made candy, complete with the message of your choice.
For the ultimate in indulgence, you just can't walk past Max Brenner Chocolate Bar. Enjoy the popsicle fondue complete with pure melted chocolate, chocolate covered waffle balls and sprinkles for your dipping pleasure. There are also chocolate pizzas, chocktails, fondues, soufflés and flavoured hot chocolates served in comforting hug mugs.
Little Cupcakes
7 Degraves Street, city
Ph: 03 9077 0413
www.littlecupcakes.com.au
Suga
Shop 20 Royal Arcade, 335 Bourke Street, city
Ph: 03 9663 5654
www.suga.com.au
Max Brenner
Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, 300 La Trobe Street, city
Ph: 03 9662 4442
www.maxbrenner.com.au
The Chapel Newstead
Set on the banks of the Loddon River, the tiny hamlet of Newstead is one of the many towns you might pass on your way to Maldon, but it's definitely worth a stop. Newstead was built during the 1850s gold rush and it's great to see that many of the original buildings are still standing, including the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.
If you really want to tap in to the town's history then The Red Store, specialising in old wares and collectibles, is a great place to start. Owner Elizabeth Bell has preserved all of the store's original fittings, and also has plans to open a B&B. But in the meantime, you can pull up a pew right across the road at the Chapel Newstead, an historic 1860s church that's been recently transformed into a stylish residence. This was Newstead's first church, built in the Gothic style. It was said to seat a congregation of one hundred comfortably, but these days it accommodates a smaller gathering of just four, so you're guaranteed a soulful night's sleep. The church was restored and renovated in 2004, revealing the original windows, Baltic pine flooring and wall lining boards. There are two bedrooms and a kitchen where, if arranged, a breakfast hamper will miraculously appear, full of local delights.
The Red Store
16 Lyons Street, Newstead
Ph: 03 5476 2380
The Chapel Newstead
17 Lyons Street, Newstead
Ph: 03 5476 2523
www.lakecairncurranvineyard.com.au
Wild Oak Cooking School
Located right next door to the Wild Oak Restaurant in Olinda, the newly opened Wild Oak Cooking School is a cooking school with a difference, mainly because chef Ben Higgs makes sure his students get their hands dirty. All of the action takes place around a central workspace, allowing for a hands-on experience rather than a demonstration.
While you can expect to be making anything from fresh pasta to a full-on dinner party, this week Shane and the blokes are barbecuing. First off are the Thai-style prawns, followed by a scotch fillet steak. After a bit of chopping and slicing, the boys make a bowl out of foil and fill it with the veggies, season with some herbs and a dash of truffle oil, then wrap it all up and it's ready to throw on the BBQ. Before you know it, it's time for some tasting.
Lessons at the Wild Oak Cooking School start from $45.
Wild Oak Cooking School
232 Ridge Road, Olinda
Ph: 03 9751 2033
www.wildoak.com.au
South Melbourne
Suzie spent the day around one of her favourite parts of town, South Melbourne. Her first stop was In Full Bloom, which has been located on the corner of Dorcas and Clarendon streets for some 25 years. This florist stocks the very best of what's in season and the posies are guaranteed to make an impact. The store also runs flower arranging workshops.
From floral lessons to decorating ideas, the next location is Pomegranate, which has been in Coventry Street for 10 years. Pomegranate specialises in everything from homewares to garden accessories, plus a decorating service.
The South Melbourne piece de resistance is Let them Eat Cake in Cecil Street, which has been wowing its customers in that location for seven years. You can get anything from replicas of inspirational handbags to 'Tiffany blue' cup cakes. A big share table sits at the window for those dropping by for a coffee or one of the daily delicacies.
Let Them Eat Cake
147 - 149 Cecil Streeet, South Melbourne
Ph: 03 9686 0077
www.letthemeatcake.com.au
Pomegranate
251a Coventry Street, South Melbourne
Ph: 03 9686 9110
www.pomegranate.com.au
In Full Bloom
280 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
Ph: 03 9696 1688
www.infullbloom.com.au
What's on
Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival
If you're spending the last couple weeks of summer along the Murray make sure you check out next weekend's Echuca-Moama Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival.
Where: Echuca-Moama
When:19 - 21 February 2010
More: Ph 1800 804 446 or visit www.echucamoama.com/jazz
Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival
Festival season is also in full swing in the Gippsland town of Bruthen, which is hosting its annual Blues and Arts Festival.
Where: Gippsland
When:19 - 21 February 2010
Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock
Bring a picnic blanket and relax with friends under the gum trees at this year's Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Where: Mount Macedon
When:28 February 2010
More: www.harvestpicnic.com.au
