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An East Gippsland arts collective is bringing a unique program of eco-walks and events to Lake Tyers

Words by Anthea Riskas
Images supplied

The East Gippsland Walking Festival is a collaboration between local environmental enthusiasts, storytellers, entrepreneurs and former artists-in-residence, aiming to reactivate the towns surrounding the Gippsland Lakes.

All the creatives involved have spent time working and living on a purpose-built houseboat, aptly entitled FLOAT, that is permanently moored on Bung Yarnda – Lake Tyers’ Indigenous name – and are sharing their enthusiasm and individual responses to their experience.

The activities invite participants to experience the natural surrounds in a variety of interactive ways.

There’s a two-hour beach meander, where you pack a journal and marking tool, and record your sensory journey on the page, with storyteller and visual artist Sofia Sabbagh.

A Sound and Plant Walk will focus on edible, native succulents that grow around the lake and you will be accompanied by a downloadable musical score, composed by Dylan Martorell, that will make the flora you’re discovering audible as well as digestible!

East Gippsland Walking Festival

The Cherry Tree Walk is an early evening event, that will literally take you back in time by discovering fossils and following and hearing the Indigenous stories of the estuary, as you stroll around with FLOAT curator Josephine Jakobi and Whadjuk/Balladong Noongar designer, researcher, Jack Mitchell.

Geology buffs can book the Red Bluff walk that will focus on what lies underneath the water, how it got there and where it’s headed in the current environmental climate.

Filmmaker Isaac Carné will be leading a nighttime forest walk, where it’s BYO torch, to light your way through the pitch-black bush to try and spot threatened species like the Yellow Belly Glider, Greater Glider or the Sooty and Powerful Owls.

A Plant Diary walk will teach you how to read the story of various fauna – from ancient trees to fresh saplings – gaining an understanding of how the individual environment dictates growth of the same species.

The analysis will then turn toward human parallels, with thoughtful discussion led by artist/curator/writer and Honorary Lecturer and Researcher at ANU School of Art and Design, Simon Cottrell.

The festival winds up on Sunday, 2nd April with a costume parade along the beach, soundscapes, afternoon tea, live music, and an invite to head along to the Water Wheel Tavern to feast on local produce and take in a last view of Lake Tyers while you ponder all that you’ve learned and experienced.

THE DETAILS

Who: School of Untourism
What: East Gippsland Walking Festival
When: 26 March – 2 April
Where: Lake Tyers
Bookings: HERE

We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Welcome Autumn with a visit to the West Gippsland Railtowns Food & Wine Festival

Words by Anthea Riskas
Images supplied

The historic town of Garfield has gathered the best of West Gippsland producers for a day of food, drink, fun and festivities.

Sunday March 5th has been marked in the diaries of rail trail townsfolk for months, as they prepare to welcome you to the inaugural West Gippsland Railtowns Food and Wine Festival!

Organisers suggest you have a very light breakfast, before hopping on the V-line train that will deliver you straight to the centre of the tiny town of Garfield.

Here it’s a short stroll to the festival entrance via the pub car park, where you’ll be directed to acres of lawns,  overlooking the lush, green hills that Gippy is famous for.

All ticket holders will receive a commemorative glass tumbler on arrival, that you can use to taste the offerings from wineries such as Krooked Row Wines, Fleet, Silverwaters and award-winners Cannibal Creek.

 

Gippsland Festival

Not a fan of vino? No worries, you can still fill your glass with cider from Cheeky Rascal and Eddie’s or for the sober-curious, Etch Sparkling will be providing non-alcoholic refreshment.

In addition to wetting your whistle, you’ll be absolutely spoiled for dining choices with food trucks serving up everything from woodfire pizza to seafood, arancini to Mexican dishes, grazing boxes, homemade gelato, donuts and loads more.

Don’t forget to bring your reusable shopping bags and your esky to fill with local produce to take home and enjoy for weeks to come.

Expect to find locally grown olives and olive oil, jams and preserves, farm-fresh eggs, ethically sourced cuts and smoked meats, and butter, cheeses and milk from Jersey Dairy Co. and Millgrove Dairy.

And if that’s not enough, there’s a curated range of local and handmade stalls, lawn games and live music!

 

Festival Gippsland

It’s going to be a big day, so bring your pals, your picnic rug, some chairs and find a scenic spot to settle in for a big lunch, an early dinner, and whatever snacks you can jam in between.

Pro-tip: Pre-book your tickets online via the link below to save $10 per adult, rather than paying on the day.

THE DETAILS

What: West Gippsland Railtowns Food and Wine Festival
When: 5 March
Where: Garfield
Cost: Adults $20 online, people under 18 years FREE, tickets sold at
the gate $30, parking by gold coin donation
Tickets: HERE

We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Slow, self-guided and all inclusive Ballarat tour shows off the best art, food and hidden gems

Words by Anthea Riskas
Images supplied

If the idea of group tours gives you the ick, then sign up for this self-guided, slow travel offering in Ballarat, from local company Hidden Lanes.

The Ballarat Art and Culinary Journey being hosted on Saturday, 4th March, is a hybrid experience combining a hands-on art class, 2 hours of solo walking time with a podcast and digital guidebook for company and lunch at one of The ‘Rat’s best beer barns.

Your day begins at The Lost Ones Makers Studio where you’ll join local artist Pauline O’Shannessy-Dowling for a one-hour creative workshop titled “I Can’t Draw” which leaves no wiggle room for anyone who believes they aren’t creative.

An hour later you begin your meander around some of the town’s more secret spots, with stops of historical and cultural significance and scenic beauty mapped out along your virtual itinerary.
Pop your earbuds in and listen to the tales only locals would know about at each landmark and really lean into the concept of not needing to jam in all the “sights”.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to search for the literal hidden lane that houses Hop Temple, where your lunch and a refreshing beverage are all included in your ticket price.

Tour Ballarat

This venue is the perfect pairing for this style of touring, it’s a welcoming, relaxed, light-filled space, with no pretensions but high standards when it comes to food and drink.

Take your time to enjoy your meal and when you’re refuelled and ready, head back onto the Ballarat streets to tick off the rest of your walking list and figure out the treasure hunt to locate a little culinary treat!

Not so keen on such a prescribed outing or can’t make this particular date? No problem!

Hidden Lanes offer their standard, self-guided tours Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, which take 3-5 hours to help you discover hidden laneways, art galleries and studios, antique and local gift stores, quirky cafes and beautiful scenery.

There’s no need to rush, when you’ve got a curated, virtual local in your pocket, you’re guaranteed not to miss a thing.

THE DETAILS

Who: Hidden Lanes
What: Ballarat Art and Culinary Journey Self-guided Tour
When: Saturday 4th March
Where: Ballarat
Tickets: Book Here

We wish to acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Our guide to exploring Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula

Words by Gwen O'Toole
Images Mike Emmett

From heart-pounding adventures to award-winning wineries, family adventures, natural escapes, culinary indulgences and so much more, visiting Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula is certain to satisfy any type of traveller.

Wander the laneways and tuck into delicious cafes, enjoy a locally made craft beer in the sunshine at Little Creatures or a tasting paddle at the Queenscliff Distillery. Indulge in a bit of retail therapy in Hesse Precinct Queenscliff; a historic street packed with boutique homewares shops, bookstores, clothing, gifts, eateries and more.

Alternatively explore local wineries and fine dining at the award-winning Provenance Wines where head chef Nathan McIver will make your senses explode with his take on modern Australian cuisine featuring considered, local and seasonal ingredients. Likewise, pack your appetite because La Cachette Bistrot is a fine dining experience worth travelling for. If you’ve got a sweet tooth or you’re travelling with kids, make a stop at Scandinavian Ice cream Co for a real treat.

Bring an empty esky and visit the farm gates and gourmet provedores, there’s no way that esky will come home empty.

Feeling outdoorsy? The Portarlington waterfront is an ideal day at the beach with cafes and accommodation steps away. The recreational reserve area here offers a dog-friendly area, picnic spots, playgrounds and the like. Alternatively, Buckley Falls is a scenic spot to stand in awe of the cascading water into the Barwon River.

There are walking trails here with plenty of spots to stop and take in the view. While you’ve got your comfy walking shoes on, take a stroll along the tracks at the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. Built in 1902, the lighthouse is still manned today. Walking tracks circle the lighthouse and extend down the rocky headland to the beach below.

Feeling nostalgic? The Bellarine Railway in Queenscliff has heritage train rides and special events for kids including Thomas the Tank Engine-themed days and serves as the boarding location for the gourmet Q Train dining experience as well as the popular Blues Train.

Why not stay and explore? While both Geelong and the Bellarine are close enough to make for a great day trip, there’s plenty here to keep you discovering something new and exciting every day. Book your stay at any one of the incredible range of accommodation options from boutique B&Bs to serviced apartments suiting couples, families and even your pooch at the R Hotel. It’s also only a 5-minute walk to the beach!

Families might also enjoy the range of options at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon, it’s perfectly positioned across the road from the beach, at the entrance to Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale on the Bellarine Peninsula. From villas to apartments and campsites, there’s an option for all types of travellers and it features all the facilities Big4 are known for including a tennis court, playground, indoor heated pool, the famous Big4 jumping pillows and more.

Getting There:

Getting to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula is easy. Geelong is just an hour’s drive from Melbourne and you can continue to the Bellarine just another 20-30 minutes onward along the coastlines, weaving through views of Port Phillip Bay and rolling vineyards.
Alternatively, hop on a V/Line train from Melbourne’s South Cross Station and make your way straight to Geelong. Ferry services also operate between Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula and Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, as well as Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula or Geelong Central and Docklands in Melbourne.

 

 

Appearing in videos:

Basils Farm
La Cachette
Geelong Cellar Door
R Hotel
Proveance Wines
The Range @ Curlewis
Ingenia Beacon Queenscliff
Portarlington Grand Hotel
The Bookshop at Queenscliff
Bellarine Distillery / The Whiskery
National Wool Museum
Little Creatures

New Dining at Warburton’s Alpine Hotel

Words by Gwen O'Toole
Images supplied

Foodies and adventurers, get ready for a road trip along the banks of Yarra River to Warburton’s iconic 1885 heritage-listed Alpine Hotel. Following a ‘labour of love’ restoration of its dining spaces during Victoria’s covid lockdowns, the hotel has been transformed into a destination for both food lovers and adventurers.

Now unveiling an upgraded kitchen and dining options to complement its 32 rooms of accommodation, guests can choose from an overnight stay in a river view room overlooking the Yarra River and Warburton’s picturesque mountains. They also offer rooms with retro-styled ensuites and rooms for solo travellers with shared bathrooms. No matter your style of travel, you’ll find the perfect place to rest your head.

“We now offer two options for diners with our chefs’ grazing style menu which has been developed using local produce from the area,” says owner, Rachael Northwood. “The grazing menu is perfect for sharing. We also offer the classic pub-style meals which are created in our very own kitchen and are all housemade.”

It was our intention to create a dining experience that showcases the very best of Yarra Valley’s produce and wines.

Warburton has long since been a destination popular with family travellers and adventure seekers as it sits minutes away from incredible Redwood Forrest, walking trails, and the very popular Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail at the hotel’s back doorstep. Not to mention Mt Donna Buang is just down the road, La La Falls has a wide range of outdoor activities. It’s also only 20 minutes from a range of wineries, breweries, shopping and more.

For adventurers, the hotel sits along the popular Lilydale Rail Trail, making it a popular stop for cyclists looking to rest overnight and take advantage of the secure bicycle storage, or refuel with a delicious meal or drink in the beer garden overlooking the Yarra with up to 16 beers on tap at any given time.

For those keen on staying overnight over the summer months, the newly launched Warby Nightrider bus service means you can also get out and about without any fuss for just $10 per person and enjoy all the best of the region with a safe transfer service.

“We’re really excited and proud to share the restoration with visitors and look forward to showcasing just how incredible food in our region can be. Whether guests choose the quintessential pub dining experience or a grazing menu with family and friends, paired with a local wine or locally brewed beer, it is our aim to create an ideal atmosphere to experience this wonderful environment.”

THE DETAILS

WHAT: New dining at Alpine Hotel Warburton
WHERE: 3340 Warburton Highway, Warburton
FIND OUT MORE: The Alpine Hotel

We wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Drop and flop, or hike and surf; The OHO guide to the beachside resort of Lorne

Words by Richard Cornish
Images Supplied

Halfway between Geelong and Cape Otway, the village Lorne sits on either side of the Erskine river as it flows into Louttit bay.

The town originally survived on fishing and timber logging until the Great Ocean Road was extended in 1922, unleashing a constant flow of caravan-towing tourists seeking seaside frivolity.

More recently the development of luxury apartments draws a sophisticated crowd who break up a day of sunbathing, surfing and fishing with quality coffee and high-end dining.

Use our itinerary below to rediscover the coastal haven of Lorne and surrounds.

Don’t miss the shortest, sweetest smelling secret of the year. Peony picking starts now!

Words by Anthea Riskas
Images supplied

Victoria’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it peony rose season is about to explode into spring with fields of vibrant colour, exquisite natural perfumes, and the opportunity to pick-your-own stems.

Due to their rich history and symbolism across worldwide cultures, fussy growing conditions and the sheer size of the bloom itself, peony roses are some of the most sought-after and expensive cut flowers on the floristry market. In fact, many a bride will plan their wedding around the short window of opportunity available to have a fresh bouquet for their special day.

True lovers of these prize petals wait patiently for harvest time, which takes place over a few short weeks from mid-November and there are two working peony farms to the north of Melbourne that invite the public to come picking during this brief, but special season.

You’ll find Romswood Farm at the end of a dirt road in Kerrie, located in the Macedon Ranges, where owners Bernie and Virginia McIntosh proudly show off their flower fields set amongst their established, landscaped gardens.

Romswood arrange their open days based on the expected times for individual colour varieties to be ready for picking and they limit each two-hour, ticketed session to only 100 people at a time – starting from Sunday 13th November to Sunday 27th November, with only a handful of weekday dates. Two types of entry fees are available, so if you aren’t keen to snip your own stems – $50 for 15 – you can still visit for $20 and enjoy the scenery and the scents. Under 18s are free!

Travel another 30 minutes from Kerrie and you’ll find Spring Hill Peony Farm in Kyneton, best known for its hundred-year-old, quaint timber Little Church wedding venue. The Spring Hill open days will commence from approximately Friday 25th of November for around two weeks (depending on the season) – and are a strictly pre-purchased, ticketed activity.

Bookings open online at 11am, 20th November, and view-only options are available at this farm too, with well-behaved pooches permitted to visit, providing they are always on a leash. It’s important to note that the peony paddocks here are not accessible by road and visitors must be physically able to complete a 3km round trip via a bush track.

Before you set out on your rural floral adventure be sure to pack some secateurs to cut the roses, bring a basket or bucket to carry your peonies in and wear shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.

And remember, Mother Nature oversees these precious crops, so there are no guarantees on what will be available, that’s half the charm.

THE DETAILS

What: Peony Picking Open Days
When: From mid to late November
Where: Romswood Farm and Spring Hill Peony Farm
Also: Red Hill Peony Estate

We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Apollo Bay – the eternal beach getaway

Words by Richard Cornish
Images by Michael Peters, Richard Cornish, Andrew Englisch, Lauren Doolan & Jay Dillon

The waves crash endlessly on the arc of golden sand that wraps around this beautiful, bucolic working fishing village, farm hub, and holiday town. With a green backdrop of forest and pasture-cloaked hills rising from the sea, Apollo Bay is as dramatic as it is serene.

We’ve made it easy for you to plan an Apollo Bay adventure with our suggested itinerary below.

We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Naturally Gorgeous Picnic Spots in Nillumbik

Grab your picnic rug and leave the scenery to Nillumbik. This region, often referred to as ‘Melbourne’s lungs’, is bursting with green, leafy spaces where you can reconnect with nature, breathe in the fresh air and watch the gum trees sway.

Roughly an hour outside of Melbourne’s northeast, Nillumbik Shire not only has ample picnicking spaces but for those looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors, there are loads to choose from.

Take a look at our Itinerary below.

We wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

Our top spots for a family picnic in Nillumbik Shire

Round up the kids and enjoy the outdoors with a family picnic. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature, enjoy the fresh air, step away from all that screen time and let the kids burn off some steam in the densely-treed region dubbed ‘the green wedge’.

Roughly an hour outside of Melbourne’s northeast, there are a number of family-friendly picnic spots to enjoy in Nillumbik Shire. Pair it with a huge variety of farmer’s markets (ideal for creating a seriously tasty gourmet picnic basket of local treats) as well as diverse boutique shopping, lush green gardens, art, history and welcoming hospitality, and there’s something to suit every member of your family.

Want to bust the boredom blues? These family-friendly parks aren’t just picnic-perfect, they are loaded with activities, amenities and more to make for a great day out. Keep scrolling for a glimpse of picnic patches for a great family day out.

We wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.