News for 2009

Recent-opened and notable product and news includes new food and wine offerings and luxury accommodation.

Luxury Accommodation – Altitude Beach House

Just opened in January 2009, Altitude is a stunning architect-designed house situated in the tranquil surroundings of the Otway National Park. Positioned high on a hill in Separation Creek, this modern, beautifully appointed four bedroom home has a combination of incredible ocean and coastal views of the Great Ocean Road and modern luxuries and conveniences, making it the perfect retreat for city folk wishing to unwind in comfort. www.altitudebeachhouse.com.au

New Lorne Gourmet Trail

The Lorne Gourmet Trail is a great new way for tourists to discover the local produce and seasonal delights of the region while at the same time exploring the Great Ocean Road’s hinterland. The Lorne Gourmet Trail is outlined in a free brochure which provides maps, contact details and delicious descriptions of destinations including Birregurra Estate Olives, Hasting Ostrich Farm, Pennyroyal Farm, Blakes Estate Winery and Hare Krishna Valley, a 200-acre property containing a biodynamic farm selling seasonal produce direct to the public, which is also famous for its monthly Vegetarian Feasts.

Former chef from Balmoral Castle brings garden-to-plate dining to Aire Valley guest house

Aire Valley Guest House specialises in the very best fresh food, and we mean fresh! Upon ordering, guests can go outside with the chef and pick their own vegetables and herbs (which overflows with a staggering mix of vegetables, herbs, fruit and berries, grown using organic methods) and then have it brought to them minutes later in their meal. The restaurant employs two gardeners to ensure the quality of the produce at all times and also sources other ingredients locally wherever possible.

Chef and owner Annabel Tunley was formerly employed at Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence owned by British royal family and favourite summer retreat to Queen Elizabeth II, and the French influence of the menu comes from her time in Courchevel, France. www.airevalleyguesthouse.com.au

Warrnambool Brewery wins top Beer Award after only a year in business!

After opening in July 2008, new Warrnambool craft brewer Flying Horse Bar and Brewery has already won a major award for their flagship beer, Dirty Angel, at one of the international beer industry’s biggest award ceremonies.

Dirty Angel dark beer, a deep mahogany colour ale with rich malt characters and hints of toffee, beat 38 breweries from around the world to win the Champion Porter award at the 2009 Australian International Beer Awards, which is considered to be the biggest showcase for premium beer and brewing excellence in the Asia Pacific region. www.theflyinghorse.com.au

New Geelong Restaurant # 1 – Man Bo

Owned by one of the Bellarine’s most prolific restaurateurs, Man Bo is one of the newest Cantonese-inspired restaurants to ignite Geelong’s food scene. Once a popular place in the 80s, a $2.5 million face-lift has resurrected the restaurant into Kadina Park’s very own treasure trove. The menu is an authentic and easy introduction to Cantonese food, which interweaves the region’s love of seafood into its menu, with such a delicious and unique result. www.manbo.com.au

New Geelong Restaurant # 2 – Base Eatery

Base Eatery, which opened in Boxing Day in 2008, utilises an innovative concept called ‘Urban Harvest’ to ensure they utilise the best in fresh, local produce. Owner Lea Priest explains there are many talented gardeners in the Geelong region, who are passionate about growing produce of the highest quality. “Often the fruits of their labour are so plentiful, they are left with more produce than they could ever hope to eat, pickle or preserve,” said Priest. “That’s where we come in, if the community grows it, we want to cook with it. We want to create food on our menus the whole community can be proud of." www.baseeatery.com.au

Room Six Café Restaurant in Port Campbell

A hidden dining treasure that is relatively new on the Great Ocean Road, Room Six offers casual dining with affordable prices and an extensive menu from homemade dips to Saganaki made with local seafood and some quality wine to choose from. Co-owners and chefs Tanya Zoch and Jim Sfakinos have combined their respective specialities in experience in Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine to prdouce mouth-watering meals using quality ingredients in what they call ‘Mediter-asian cuisine’. roomsix-cafe-restaurant.com