Episode 12: General
Join Host Suzie Wilks and the team for a delightful episode of Postcards to celebrate Mother's Day. Shane visits the ever-popular Yea Peppercorn Hotel, Glen goes behind the scenes at the zoo, Blair enjoys a beer or two in the Yarra Valley, Brodie checks out a B&B in the Dandenongs, while Suzie joins celebrity chef Elizabeth Chong for a personal tour of Melbourne's Chinatown.
Yea Peppercorn Hotel
If you've heard of Yea, then you've probably heard of the Peppercorn Hotel. It's not a world-famous pub, doesn't have a celebrity chef or even a chef's hat, but it does have is a touch of class. It's a no-fuss country pub that's been around for 150 years. Don't blink when you drive in this direction or you could easily miss this tiny town on the outskirts of Melbourne between Seymour and Mansfield. The locals reckon the Peppercorn Hotel is the greatest pub in the universe and they're not far wrong. With a prized combination of hot meals and cold beers this place is pumping. The food is not just tasty, but you also get a decent helping, which you can enjoy in the Kelly Dining Room with its rich leather chairs and English oak tables. The new owners have set about restoring the accommodation, of which there are five rooms in total. If you're smart enough to stay overnight you can treat yourself to breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Yea Peppercorn Hotel
21 Station Street, Yea
Ph: 03 5797 2000
www.yeapeppercorn.com.au
Woolrich Retreat
The Dandenong Ranges is a haven of green beauty. Right up the top you'll find Woolrich Retreat, a luxury cottage surrounded by the historic Range View garden. The cottage was built in 1920 and its recent renovation has given it a new life. There are two bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms, and even a separate spa room complete with a glass ceiling and garden views to enjoy. Woolrich Retreat is named for the original owners, the Woolrich brothers. They were among the area's first nurserymen, so they knew a thing or two about gardening. This garden has been thriving since its creation in 1917 and is now full of well established and often unusual trees and shrubs.
If you prefer a more manicured look, the Cloudehill Gardens are right next door. Cloudehill was part of the old Woolrich nursery and it's now said to be Australia's finest garden. The Dandenongs' perfect growing conditions and gentle summers make for an especially long flowering season, which means the garden looks glorious all year round.
There's much more to the Dandenongs than just Devonshire tea - at The Restaurant at Cloudehill, the Chatter Platter' of local cheeses and produce is the talk of the town.
Woolrich Retreat
7-9 Monash Avenue, Olinda
Ph: 1300 553 011
www.woolrichretreat.com.au
Cloudehill Gardens and Nursery
89 Olinda Monbulk Road, Olinda
Ph: 03 9751 1009
www.cloudehill.com.au
The Restaurant at Cloudehill
Ph: 03 9751 0168
Melbourne Zoo 'Behind the Scenes' tour
As soon as you walk in the gates of the Melbourne Zoo you feel like you're in another world. There are sections of the Zoo that are off limits to us human folk, but the Melbourne Zoo 'Behind the Scenes' tour gets you face-to-face with some of its cutest residents. Be warned, however. You might have to get your hands dirty, especially when feeding hungry tree-kangaroos. When entering the Reptile House, the first rule to remember is that even the scaly creatures need a bit of love too. If snakes aren't your thing you can hang out with the turtles or the frilled neck lizards, or if you don't want to mess around, you can go straight to the kings of the jungle. The inside of the lions cage is usually the last place you'd want to be and this experience will really get your heart racing. If it's all too much, you might appreciate some quality time with some gentle giants. The elephant encounters allow you to pat, feed and even bath these beautiful animals.
Melbourne Zoo
Elliott Avenue, Parkville
Ph: 1300 ZOOS VIC
www.zoo.org.au
Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company
As much as they love their wine in the Yarra Valley, they also love their beer. Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company in Yarra Glen offers those who are partial to a cold one the chance to take a load off. Call it what you may, a coldie, a brewski or a frothy, if the wife or girlfriend has you dragging your heels around the Valley this place is a knockout pit stop. The beers are full of flavour; many have a distinctive spicy, creamy or malty texture, but with its hint of chocolate and espresso the lip-smacking Porter gets a run for your money. The brews are matched by a beer friendly' menu, which includes the towering Hargreaves Burger and the zesty Spring Bay Mussels.
If you want to spend time living like royalty, the 3 King Bed and Breakfast mini kingdom in Yarra Junction offers visitors the royal treatment. You can check in and check out without seeing a soul. Inside the apartments the red carpet is rolled out with top class amenities, a vibrant master bedroom and double shower.
Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company
25 Bell Street, Yarra Glen
Ph: 03 9730 1905
www.hargreaveshill.com.au
3 Kings B & B
2480 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction
Ph: 0409 678 046
www.3kingsbnb.com.au
Elizabeth Chongs Chinatown walk
Melbourne's Chinatown in Little Bourke Street, which dates back to the 1850s, is always an interesting place to visit. Who better to be our guide for a day than celebrity cook Elizabeth Chong, who conducts regular walking tours in the area she has visited since childhood. Suzie and Elizabeth make their way down the street to Maxim's Cake and Pastry shop which has been baking buns and all manner of yummy things for over 20 years. Just around the corner in Russell Street is Won Ton House, and these guys have been making what some say are the best won tons in town for two years.
Next stop is the Wing Cheong Asian Supermarket in Heffernan Lane, where Elizabeth, being one of our country's top experts on Chinese cooking, explains some essential ingredients. Finally, it wouldn't be a trip down Chinatown without enjoying yum cha at Shark Fin House, which is still going strong after 29 years of service.
Maxims Cake and Pastry
173 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9662 1980
Won Ton House
181 Russell Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9662 9882
Wing Cheong Asian Supermarket
14 22 Heffernan Lane, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9663 1668
Shark Fin House
131 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9663 1555
www.sharkfin.com.au
Elizabeth Chong Chinatown Walking Tours and Cooking Classes
Ph: 03 9819 3666
What's on
RSPCA Million Paws Walk
Prep your pets for the 14th annual RSPCA Million Paws Walk being held on Sunday 17 May at Albert Park Lake and 13 other locations around regional Victoria.
Where: Albert Park and regional locations
When: Sunday 17 May 2009
More: Ph 03 9224 2222 or visit www.rspcavic.org
The Great Ocean Road International Marathon<
The Great Ocean Road International Marathon provides the most spectacular and challenging course of any marathon in the world and is aimed at runners and walkers of all abilities.
Where: Along the Great Ocean Road
When: 16 - 17 May 2009
More: Ph 03 5224 2466 or visit www.greatoceanroadmarathon.com.au
Beechworth Harvest Celebration
If you're near Beechworth next Sunday, join local food and wine producers under a marquee in the main street to celebrate the Beechworth harvest.
Where: Beechworth
When: 17 May 2009
More: Visit www.harvestcelebration.com.au
