Episode 20: Weekend Ideas

Rotten Point House
Dont let the name put you off. Sitting above Johanna beach Rotten Point House is definitely one place youll never want to leave. Designed by legendary Australian architect Nicholas Burns, the house blends in with the surrounding landscape and with the clever use of space and materials you won't miss out on the amazing scenery. If your idea of a holiday is to also have someone cater for you culinary needs, youll be please to know you can have a chef come in and put their talents to use spoiling you with some of the best local produce on offer. Full catering is available and everything from local cheese and wine are on the menu. There are four bedrooms that can be set up for four couples, or two couples and four singles. There are also two huge bathrooms and an outside shower for when you return home from the beach.

Holiday Great Ocean Road
Ph: 03 5237 4201
www.holidaygor.com.au

Game On and Fifteen
Game on at ACMI in Federation Square is a paradise for the young at heart featuring the history of video games, from the very first through to the classic arcade hits and of course all the latest. Its an action-packed celebration of games culture and it's all hands-on. There are 125 of the most famous video games ever made in one space - thats a lot of fun to be had. A great place to detox from this hype is at Fifteen, located on Collins St, it's the latest in the Fifteen family. Originating in London under the watchful eye of celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver, the idea of the restaurant was to take disadvantaged youngsters and turn them into first class chefs. Toby Puttock takes the Aussie reigns and serves up a menu which is based on simple Italian food.

Game On
ACMI Screen Gallery- Federation Square
Flinders St, Melbourne
www.holidaygor.com.au

Fifteen
115-117 Collins St, Melbourne
Ph: 1300 799 415
www.fifteen.net

Harvest Home
Originally a hotel built in 1871 Harvest Home has been transformed into a charming bed and breakfast. Located between Seymour and Euroa the tiny township of Avenel was established in the 1800s as a stop over on the road to Albury. The hotel was built here as this was the end of the train line running north from Melbourne. Farmers would bring their produce here for sale hence the name Harvest Home. The glorious gardens are without doubt the properties highlight which include romantic arbours, fruit trees and a wonderful herb and veggie patch. Accommodation at Harvest Home starts at $120 per night for a single room and $340 for a deluxe package which includes breakfast and a three course dinner for two.

Harvest Home
1-9 Bank Street, Avenel
Ph: 03 5796 2339
www.harvesthome.com.au

Second Hand Shops
When looking for vintage furniture you want to find a piece thats unique. A favourite haunt for serious collectors is Retro Active in High Street Northcote. Stocking antique pieces from the fifties to the seventies theres plenty here for the astute buyer. The store has been around since most of us were kids and stocks an ever changing assortment of vintage collectibles. And when it comes to Melbourne its the fashionable suburb of Prahan, it is the grand daddy of all second hand shops. Chapel Street Bazaar is exactly that, a shop filled with bizarre bits and bobs that will evoke many childhood memories. From front to back, floor to ceiling it is choc full with weird and wonderful collector pieces.

Retro Active
307 High St, Northcote
Ph: 03 9489 4566
www.retroactive.net.au

Chapel Street Bazaar
217 Chapel St, Prahran
Ph: 03 9529 1727
www.chapelstreet.com.au

Tonia Todman
In order to complete her lessons as a homemaker Suzie is off to Kyneton to attend one of craft queen Tonia Todmans new workshops at her beautifully renovated country home. Tonia is well known for making stylish cooking, craft, décor and gardening and she has opted for the country life at her beloved heritage home Highbank at Lauriston. Tonia is now teaching and imparting her passion for beautiful living, in small, intimate hands-on classes. With the help of visiting experts she conducts master classes in the home-making arts in the ideal, unhurried country atmosphere of Highbank. Enjoy small, one day group classes with lots of personal attention, complete with delightful morning and afternoon tea and lunch.

Tonias Classes at Highbank
Ph: 5422 2388
www.toniatodman.com

What's On

Winter Wine Passport
This winter make sure you get a Mornington Peninsula Winter Wine Passport and collect stamps at 50 of the participating wineries for a chance to win big.
Where: Mornington Peninsula
When: Until 31 August
More: Ph 1800 804 009 or visit www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Rose and Garden Day
Learn the art of rose pruning at Nyerimilang Heritage Park in Kalimna West where there will be free rose clipping demonstrations and gardening advice.
Where: Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Lakes Entrance
When: 6 July
More: 03 5156 3253

2008 Melbourne Boat Show
And a must for boating fanatics is the annual Melbourne Boat Show, Australias biggest and best exhibition of all things marine is on next week at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Where: Melbourne Exhibition Centre
When: 3 - 7 July
More: Ph 03 8696 5600 or visit www.biavic.com.au