Episode 11: 3 May 2009
This week on Postcards host Suzie Wilks spends a day around town with new guest presenter Giaan Rooney. Glen Moriarty goes camping at Buchan Caves, Shane Crawford enjoys the best duck in town, Blair McDonough learns Spanish at Brandy Creek winery, whilst Brodie heads to some beautiful accommodation at Mt Macedon.
Buchan Caves
The Buchan Caves Reserve in East Gippsland is around five hours from Melbourne by car. If you like to live large, the high comfort Wilderness Retreats may be for you. Providing excellent facilities for campers with powered sites and cabins, the five retreats and camp kitchen were designed with two things in mind: To be eco-friendly and to provide maximum comfort. You'll be exposed to the surrounding environment whilst remaining off the ground, which means you won't run the risk of getting flooded out. Each cabin is fitted out with a queen-size bed, timber furniture, a fridge and outside decking, creating a five-star camping experience.
When its time to explore the area, the Buchan Caves Reserve is home to Victoria's most beautiful limestone show caves. If you're into stalactites and stalagmites, or you're just up for some underground adventure, this place should be on top of your list. The caves are fully lit and have proper paths, so it's easy to get around and everywhere you look there's something special.
Buchan Caves Reserve
Caves Road, Buchan
Ph: 131 963
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Best duck in town
A good Peking duck can inspire passion in a way few dishes can. So if you are looking for Melbourne's best duck eateries, the only place to head is Chinatown, where in the space of three blocks you can find three distinct but delicious examples of Peking duck.
Where else would you start but at the iconic Flower Drum, which has a worldwide reputation for its duck. On from there head to Bamboo House. In 1984 it became one of the first Chinese restaurants in Melbourne to offer dishes from the northern regions of China, and the tea-smoked duck has been a standout ever since. Tea-smoked duck is served just like Peking duck, but with little clam shaped steamed buns instead of pancakes. Finally, for an even more authentic Peking duck experience, duck in to the Da Hu Peking Duck restaurant and order the four-course Peking duck banquet. You'll start with lettuce cups otherwise known as sang choi bow, then pancakes, a duck broth, and to finish stir-fried noodles with the leftover meat. At which point you can honestly say you've eaten every part of the duck except for its quack!
Flower Drum
17 Market Lane, City
Ph: 03 9662 3655
www.flower-drum.com
Bamboo House
47 Little Bourke Street, City
Ph: 03 9662 1565
www.bamboohouse.com.au
Da Hu Peking Duck Restaurant
171 Little Bourke Street, City
Ph: 03 9663 3868
SkyHouse
One of Victoria's hot spots for day-trippers is Woodend. An easy, fifty-minute drive north-west of Melbourne, its main attraction is Hanging Rock, an eerie volcanic formation that's been on our doorstep for six million years.
Another hot spot rocking this town is Maloa House Gourmet Delights, a café and food store that also has the added attraction of homewares. It has vibrant artwork, juicy jams and chutneys and delicate silverware.
Just like Postcards, the Beautiful Accommodation book is celebrating its 10th birthday. Author Jenny Lamattina has created her own dreamy two-story cottage. Perched on the side of Mount Macedon, it's aptly named SkyHouse. Sleeping up to six people, the cottage has two upstairs bedrooms, the most gorgeous kids' room downstairs, a hint of French provincial, a sun-kissed kitchen, some favourite travel photos and a wisteria-covered balcony to soak up the view.
SkyHouse
35 Glover Road, Mount Macedon
0419 348 917
www.skyhouse.com.au
Maloa House Gourmet Delights
95 High Street, Woodend
Ph: 03 5427 1608
Brandy Creek
Nestled into the evergreen hills just north of Warragul, Brandy Creek Wines is keeping Spanish traditions alive. With all the flavours and characteristics of a merlot, the Spanish drops are like a burst of Barcelona on your lips. Don't stop at the wine when, in the one location, you can totally tantalise your gourmet tastebuds at the Gippsland Cheese Tasting Centre. Showcasing the best from local artisan cheesemakers, the Brandy Creek cheeseboard tally is endless. The siesta will have to wait because the folks here know how to turn on a fiery fiesta. A very important Spanish lesson to remember is to slow down and enjoy every mouthful that's dished up by head chef and happy Argentinean, Jose Castro.
Brandy Creek Wines is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10 am and the Paella Fiesta is on once a month.
Brandy Creek Wines
570 Buln Buln Road, Drouin East
Ph: 03 5625 4498
www.brandycreekwines.com.au
Giaan Rooney
Fawkner Park in South Yarra is a great spot. Not only is it pretty, but in one pocket you're allowed to take your dog off the leash. This makes it a perfect spot for Suzie to meet up with fellow animal lover Giaan Rooney for a fun day out with their dogs. Their first stop is the funky and fashionable Albany Hotel, just opposite Fawkner Park. It started life as a 1960s motel attached to an old mansion but has since undergone a major transformation. And they also let you take your dog to the café terrace. As the girls continue their coffee hop with pups Junior and Lester, they make their way to Café Gaia in leafy Avoca Street, South Yarra, where fresh muffins and bread are baked daily. For a final chocolate fix, Suzie and Giaan don't need convincing to stop off at Haigh's in Toorak Village, where everything just melts in your mouth.
The Albany Hotel
Corner Toorak Rd and Millswyn Street, South Yarra
Ph: 03 9866 4485
www.thealbany.com.au
Café Gaia
4 Avoca Street, South Yarra
Ph: 03 9866 7522
www.cafegaia.com.au
Haigh's Chocolates - Toorak
499 Toorak Road, Toorak
Ph: 03 9827 8713
www.haighs.com.au
What's on
Mother's Day Classic
If you want to do everything pink for mum on Mother's Day, then get involved in this years Mother's Day Classic next Sunday.
Where: Alexandra Gardens
When: 10 May 2009
More: Visit www.nbcf.org.au
Bright Autumn Festival
Make sure you don't miss this year's Bright Autumn Festival, featuring two weeks of activities highlighting the region's autumn colours.
Where: Bright
When: 25 April to 6 May 2009
More: 03 5755 2161 or visit www.brightautumnfestival.org.au
Ballarat Heritage Weekend
For something more arty and historical, next weekend's Ballarat Heritage Celebration will showcase the city's 1850s architecture and culture.
Where: Ballarat
When: 9 - 10 May 2009
More: Ph 03 5320 5623 or visit www.ballaratheritageweekend.com
