Episode 37: General Show

The Sands Resort - Torquay
If you were looking to build a world class golf course what better location than tremendous Torquay. Boasting one of the states most visited surf beaches, this coastline makes the trek to Peppers The Sands Resort as smooth as a sweet drive down the fairway. Set on the beach, the Stuart Appleby designed course not only keeps weekend hackers on their toes but it will certainly test the best. With a region famous for its treasure chest of local wineries, cheese makers and other fine foods, Hanners Restaurant is the place to sample all that and more. The $12 million club house comes with all the usual suspects including a 25 meter lap pool. After a day of activity the resorts studio rooms are a welcome sight to rest those weary muscles. They're stylish and very impressive featuring a king size bed, flat screen TV and a private balcony that overlooks the course.

Pepper The Sands Resort
2 Sands Boulevard, Torquay
$185 per night Bed & Breakfast
Ph 03 5264 3333
www.peppers.com.au/sands
Offer Valid until Dec 21st 2008. Conditions apply.

Sacred Heart B & B
Built in 1890 Trentham's Sacred Heart Church is approximately an hours drive from Melbourne. The former church is now a bed and breakfast where you can spend a heavenly weekend with your own congregation and is both kid and couple friendly with an amazingly huge living area, five bedrooms, cozy ensuites and a state of the art kitchen that caters for twelve. Plus, because there isn't a soul for miles it's peaceful perfection at its best. Spirituality aside when you think of church, you naturally think bread. You can pick up your daily loaf at Trentham's Red Beard baker. They bake the most sensational organic sour dough bread with names like Blonde, Brunette, Raven and Redhead. Here, bread making is done the old fashioned way, hand made with all natural ingredients. The secret touch could be the 120 year old wood fired oven which stores enough heat from one firing to bake over a 1000 loaves.

Sacred Heart Guest Accommodation
600 James Lane, East Trentham
Ph: 0412 233 054
www.sacred-heart.com.au

Café Red Bread
38A High St, Trentham
Ph: 03 5424 1002
www.redbeardbakery.com.au

Kyneton Ridge Estate
Kyneton is home to some of the best boutique wineries in the country and Kyneton Ridge Estate is no exception. This 40 hectare property sits right in the heart of the Macedon Ranges around one hour's drive north west of Melbourne along the Calder Freeway. After a tasting session Kyneton Ridge you could head off for a round of golf or some serious pampering at one of the many day spas in the Macedon area and at the end of the day you can kick back in 4˝ star luxury. All rooms have access to the private reading room and overlook the rose garden. One of the features of Kyneton Ridge are the beautiful big volcanic granite rocks that have a hanging rock feel about them, but no-one knows how they actually got there. The property has ripping views of Mt Alexander plus access to the neighbouring reserve and the black hill walking track.

Kyneton Ridge Estate
90 Blackhill School Road, Kyneton
Ph: 03 5422 7377
www.kynetonridge.com.au

The Glass Pinnacle & Poplars Restaurant- Bright
The Glass Pinnacle, located in Bright has been cleverly designed to make the most of its exceptional location. The floor to ceiling windows offer spectacular uninterrupted views to Centennial Park and beyond. The feeling of openness is everywhere but it's also ultra private so you can totally relax. With all the yummy gourmet food places in this area you'll be able to make good use of the kitchen with local produce, but if you are even too relaxed to do that, then you must check out Poplars, a restaurant Bright is becoming famous for. This cosy eatery keeps the punters happy with classic French fare. Here its easy to see why most consider French Cuisine to be the best in the world. Dining can be as simple as a cappuccino and cake or as elaborate as a four course dinner paired with outstanding regional wines.

Poplars Restaurant
Shop 8, Star Rd, Bright
Ph: 03 5755 1655
www.poplars.com.au

The Glass Pinnacle
Centenary Peaks
1 Delany Ave Bright
Ph: 03 5750 1433
www.cpbright.com.au

Walhalla
Walhalla was once a gold rush town and back in the late 1800s it boasted some 4000 residents, ten hotels, seven churches, two breweries and its own newspaper. These days aout ten people live there and it's certainly worth a visit. The place to stay is the Walhalla Star Hotel offering 12 bedrooms all with ensuites. For dinner, there's Parkers Restaurant and if you want lunch the Greyhorse Café is right next door. If its history you're after, there's the museum at the Corner Stores which also loans out gold pans for people who believe there's still Colour in the Creeks. Plus there's the Long Tunnel Extended Mine where over 13 tonnes of gold was removed in its heyday. Another must-do is to take a ride with the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. You board from the main township and travel to nearby Thomson for a stop-off. The railway has been progressively restored since 1991 and is run by a keen group of volunteers.

Walhallas Star Hotel
Main Rd
Ph: 03 5165 6262
www.starhotel.com.au

Walhalla Goldfields Railway
Walhalla Rd
Ph: 03 5126 4201
www.walhallarail.com

Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine
Main Rd
Ph: 03 5165 6259
www.visitwalhalla.com

What's On

Festival of Gardens Make the most of the last month of spring by viewing the beautiful gardens in and around Castlemaine and Maldon as part of the regions Festival of Gardens.
Where:Castlemaine & Maldon
When:1 9 November
More:Ph 03 5472 3412 or visit www.festivalofgardens.org

Compass Windows Kyneton Cup
If you're looking for somewhere to satisfy your spring racing fever this Wednesday, then head to the country for the Compass Windows Kyneton Cup.
Where: Kyneton
When: 5 November
More: Ph 03 5422 1866 or visit www.kynetondistrictracingclub.com.au

Beechworth Celtic Festival
Next weekend, be sure not to miss the celebration of all things Irish at the 15th annual Beechworth Celtic Festival.
Where: Beechworth
When: 7 - 9 November
More: Ph 1300 366 321 or visit www.beechworthcelticfestival.com.au