Episode 12: Goldfields
This week the Postcards team visit towns in Victoria’s Goldfields region including Ballarat, Castlemaine, Creswick, Bendigo and Mount Alexander. Suzie goes to the very stylish Empyre Boutique Hotel and then heads out for a little shopping. Glen stays at a new resort in Creswick and dines on Bendigo’s Tramcar Restaurant. Gorgi finds out all there is to know about apples whilst Brodie visits a historic Ballarat property fit for royalty.
The Empyre Boutique Hotel
Back in the1850s you could say the streets of Castlemaine were paved in Gold. The town had a larger population than Melbourne as people arrived to seek their fortune from one of the richest gold fields in Australian history. Castlemaine these days is popular with tourists and has a flourishing arts scene which is ever present at the Empyre Boutique Hotel. Antique furniture and chandeliers make the six luxurious suites in this very stylish hotel something special. The hotel exudes class, from the grand Empyre Room with its own balcony, to the Albion Suite named after the original pub on site. Then theres the Gwynedd Room for fine dining, a garden terrace to relax on and a café for light meals. Most of the hotels stunning furniture comes from the XXXX Antique Complex. With 20,000 items for sale its a shoppers paradise.
The Empyre Boutique Hotel
68 Mostyn St, Castlemaine
Ph: 03 5472 5166
www.empyre.com.au
XXXX Antique Complex
1-9 Elizabeth St, Castlemaine
Ph: 03 5470 5989
www.xxxxantiques.com.au
Novotel Forest Resort Creswick
The Novotel Forest Creswick Resort opened its doors in March this year. One of the main features is the golf course which was designed by renowned golf course architect, Tony Cashmore, and our very own international pro Robert Allenby. If youre looking to relax then Spa 407 has a number of treatments including massages and facials. After a hard day on the course or in the day spa you can have a dip in the pool or retire to your room. Each room is fully decked out with everything you need but if you want to continue the pampering then why not try the penthouse which has its own spa and gas log fire.
Novotel Forest Resort Creswick
1500 Midland Hwy, Creswick
Ph: 5345 2526
www.novotel.forestresort.com.au
Taste of Gold
Over 150 years ago the soils around Mount Alexander and Castlemaine had some of the richest deposits of gold in the world. Just over an hour North West of Melbourne is the Mount Alexander Food and Wine Trial, where if you went digging today you would be more likely to find vines, orchards and veggie patches. Because this area is the apple core of Victoria, a great place to start your trail is at fresh produce store, The Little Red Apple. With more things to taste the next stop for Gorgi was at Bress, well known for their wine, cider and chickens. In need of a sugar fix the final stop was at Colliers Chocolates, a chocolate feast when you can indulge in fudge sauce, drinks, mousse and fondue. You can certainly still strike it rich on the Goldfields with a Taste of Gold food and wine trail. Stop off at one of the goldfields visitor information centres to pick up a brochure or visit their website.
Taste of Gold
Food and Wine Trails
www.tasteofgold.com
Craigs Royal Hotel
The gold rush brought posh to Victoria, and it was gold rush money that built Craigs Royal Hotel in 1853. This place has a very impressive visitors book, having hosted princes, sports stars, poets, prime ministers as well as opera singer Dame Nellie Melba who famously sang from its balcony in 1908. The old beauty boasts 41 rooms which are furnished with antiques and a touch of the 21st century. There is an Oriental Suite where you can sleep like a princess on this 600 year old Chinese wedding bed. If you really want to feel like royalty, then a few minutes walk away, is the Queen of Day Spas, Elysium. Situated in a historic two storey building - inside you can pamper yourself with a range of treatments that will leave you feeling very regal.
Craigs Royal Hotel
10 Lydiard St South, Ballarat
Ph: 5331 1377
www.craigsroyal.com
Elysium Day Spa
24 Doveton Street South, Ballarat
Ph: 03 5332 9772
www.elysiumdayspa.com.au
Bendigo Tramcar Restaurant
Melbourne isnt the only city in Victoria to have a tramcar restaurant, Bendigo has one too. Guests can jump on board the tram and enjoy a ride past the beautiful Victorian colonial style buildings that line the streets while feasting on a menu that incorporates delicious local produce. A night on NineSevenSix, the restaurant on wheels, starts at the historic wine bank. After a couple of drinks guests take a short stroll down the road to the fountain in the centre of town, where its all aboard. Once seated all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. The refurbished 1952 Melbourne SW6 tram has enough room for 28 diners and each Saturday night it takes to the streets of Bendigo for two and a half hours as guests indulge in a four-course meal with top class wines.
Nine Seven Six
Bendigos Restaurant on Wheels
Ph: 5444 4655
www.bendigoninesevensix.com.au
