bothfeet launch two new tours: bothfeet women and first hike
Renowned guided walk operator bothfeet are launching two new premium walking experiences based around Daylesford region - First Hike and bothfeet women.
A new range of girl-only hikes with more than just walking in mind, the bothfeet women experience combines a great walk (between 8 to 12 kilometres a day) with an enhanced focus on wellbeing, life balance and relaxation. As well as the daily guided walk, accommodation, meals and hiking equipment, bothfeet women’s walks also include four 90-minute life coaching sessions, daily yoga and a spa or massage experience. Running in Great Ocean Road and Daylesford from October, bothfeet women’s walks are ideal journeys designed to share with girlfriends, sisters, your mum or as solo ‘time out’ in the comfort of one of their small groups.
For those who are not sure whether they are ready for a walking holiday but always wanted to try it, bothfeet’s new First Hike provides the ideal place to start. A four day, three night introduction to hiking set in Victoria’s Central Highlands, First Hike features beginner level guided walks (between 10 to 15 kilometres per day), daily expert tuition about the nuances of a walking holiday, vehicle support if needed, hike gear, spa treatments, gourmet food, wine, history and shopping - all at a walking pace. First Hike is also an ideal way to see some of the iconic attractions of the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs region and includes a Convent Gallery tour, sanctuary entry to Hepburn Bathhouse, and over night accommodation at the Lake House.
For more information: call bothfeet on 1300 767 416 or www.bothfeet.com.au
Media contact: Merryn Andrews, Ink Publicity Ph: (02) 9236 8980 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
A who’s who of golfers gather for 2009 Australian Masters
A who’s who of golfers gather for 2009 Australian Masters
Tickets to the 2009 Australian Masters at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne (12 - 15 November) are selling fast with golf enthusiasts from Australia and overseas rushing to book tickets to watch Tiger Woods and a host of golfing stars in action. Woods will be competing against some of Australia’s finest golfers including Geoff Ogilvy, Robert Allenby, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby, Mathew Goggin, John Senden, Greg Chalmers, James Nitties, Michael Sim and the defending champion - Rod Pampling.
One of the best ways for interstate golfing enthusiasts to secure their tickets to this prestigious event is to buy one of several special travel packages on offer.
For those seeking VIP / luxury treatment, The Langham Melbourne - the Official Five Star Hotel of the 2009 Australian Masters - is offering a luxurious four-night package for Masters’ visitors. Priced at $2415 per person, the package includes four nights accommodation for two people in a Classic Room, entry to all four days of the Australian Masters including admission to the exclusive Masters Club located in the central tournament village adjacent to the 10th hole and overlooking the practice putting green.
Another option is the two-night Australian Masters package available through Qantas Holidays staying at the Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne in Little Collins Street. Priced at $377 per person (based on twin share), the package includes two nights accommodation in a standard room, two days Hertz group A-class economy manual car hire and a daily entry ticket to the Australian Masters on both Saturday and Sunday. This offer is only available until 1 November or unless sold out.
For further information:
Australian Masters: www.australianmasters.com.au
Australian Masters Packages:
call Qantas Holidays on 13 14 15 or go to www.qantas.com.au/holidays
www.langhamhotels.com or www.australianmasters.com.au
Media contact (Australian Masters):
Georgie Cox, Ph: (03) 9686 1186 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Melbourne-Sydney touring on a budget: 4 day holiday for 4 people = $750
The three Melbourne-Sydney Touring routes - Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive, the Sydney-Melbourne Coastal Drive and the Great Alpine Road - are a great option for a fun family holiday that doesn’t break the bank.
Working on a budget of approximately $750, we give you the scoop on how a family of four can have a memorable driving holiday travelling along the Sydney-Melbourne Heritage Drive, which runs from Melbourne, through Bendigo, Echuca-Moama and then to Yarrawonga-Mulwala and on to NSW. In each location we have budgeted for accommodation, one meal out and three activities. Have fun!
First day - drive from Melbourne to Bendigo
Stay: Big 4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park has self-contained cabin accommodation suitable for family of four available from $95
Eat: The Foundry Hotel Complex has dinner choices ranging from $14 to $20, with meals on the special kids menu averaging $7 each.
Things to do: Travel underground in a miners’ cage as part of the ‘mine experience’ tour at the Central Deborah Gold Mine ($60 family pass), stroll through the picturesque Bendigo Botanic Gardens (free) or tour the Bendigo Art Gallery (free).
Second day: drive from Bendigo to Echuca
Stay: Riverlander Caravan Park has two bedroom cabins with ensuite for $96 per night
Eat: Italian family restaurant Antonio’s on the Port has pizza and pasta dishes ranging from $16 to $20. On their kids menu, mains are all under $10 and deserts are $4.
Things to do: Visit the Kyabram Fauna Park considered northern Victoria’s premier wildlife attraction ($35 family pass); take a one hour cruise on the paddlesteamer P. S. Canberra ($50 for family of four and kids get a skippers certificate and a chance to steer the boat) and go walking in the Barmah Forest and check out the 500 year old river red gums (free).
Third day: drive from Echuca-Moama to Yarrawonga-Mulwala
Stay: RACV resort at Cobram offers great accommodation for families, three- star cabins, suitable for a family of four, start at $75 a night for non-members.
Eat: Club Brasserie at Barooga Sports Club has terrific meals for under $20, and a kids menu with most dishes around $6.
Things to do: Kayak along the Murray river, hire double boats for $65 for whole day from Yarrawonga Outdoors (two boats needed for family of four, total cost = $130); go for a walk along the 2km Chinaman’s Island walking track (free) and explore the historic Byramine Homestead (entry is $4 per person, for an additional $6 per person you can also get a wonderful home-made Devonshire tea)
For more information: www.sydneymelbournetouring.com.au
Media contact: Leanne Tyrrell, Ph: (03) 9629 7000 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New Bellarine Taste Trail launched
Bellarine Peninsula is emerging as one of Victoria’s newest gourmet destinations-to-watch, thanks to an abundance of new and innovative food and wine related offerings most notably the new Bellarine Taste Trail.
Due to be officially launched in the coming months, the Bellarine Taste Trail comprises of 32 operators including local food producers and farm-gates, provedores, restaurants, cellar doors and accommodation. In a unique twist to the ‘gourmet trail’ idea, it also incorporates local seafood businesses, which is long been one of the region’s most notable strong points.
One of the highlights on the Bellarine Taste Trail is Bellarine Estate. While their restaurant, Julian’s, has developed a reputation for its menu of sustainable seafood and regional produce developed by new head chef Brett MacKay, visitors to Bellarine Estate’s cellar door can sample the estate’s wine range, beer from Bellarine Brewing Company (the only microbrewery on the Bellarine Peninsula), and purchase some of the region’s most notable local produce.
Another must-visit stop on the trail is the iconic Queenscliff Hotel, originally built in 1887, which has collaborated with the Queenscliff Museum to introduce a new menu which references its history. Customers who visit can enjoy tantalising old world fare reworked from menus in the 1900s including individual roast sirloin with horseradish, Yorkshire pudding and golden syrup dumplings.
Other highlights on the trail include Leura Park Estate, whose flagship wines can now be found on Qantas Business Class flights; the newly opened cellar door at McGlashan’s Winery; Sea Bounty Mussels and the acclaimed Oakdene restaurant.
For further information: contact Bellarine Tourism at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or pick up a copy of the Official Bellarine Touring Map for details on the trail.
Media contact: Emma Crameri, Bellarine Tourism, Ph: (03) 5244 7107 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New Melbourne Wining and Dining Hot Spots
Embrasse, 312 Drummond Street, Carlton Ph (03) 9347 3312
Opened since the start of February 2009, Embrasse is the new French restaurant to call Carlton home. Born and trained in France and accompanied by an impressive history of working alongside three-star Michelin chefs - Nick Poelaert’s newest project is a hit for anyone who truly loves their food. His menu represents a fusion of French-modern cuisine, blending old favourites with exotic extras. The French undertones carry out into the restaurant’s interior with white linen covered tables and chrome chandeliers. With a variety of dishes to choose from such as tender meats and colourful vegetarian options - it is no wonder that Poelaert has been nominated for Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Talent. Embrasse’s standout feature is its fresh and top-quality ingredients. Poelaert chooses to use home grown herbs and flowers that epitomises French cuisine with a twist.
Seven Seeds, 114 Berkeley Street, Carlton, Ph: (03) 9347 8664
Seven Seeds is a small micro roaster in Carlton that sources coffee from around the world, particularly concentrated on estate, micro-lot and single origin coffees. Attached is a small café that has wall-mounted bike racks, an enormous coffee roaster, a store room and large hessian bags full of green beans brought from coffee growers, a laboratory and an atrium full of coffee plants. A variety of delicious coffee
is available at the café. A small simple menu that focuses on quality is also available.
Charcoal Lane, 136 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Ph: (03) 9418 3400
An iconic Fitzroy property has been turned into Charcoal Lane, a café and catering training centre that will serve modern cuisine with a koori twist while also boost training and create jobs for indigenous Victorians. A $1.4 million Victorian Government initiative, the cafe was opened last month by Premier John Brumby and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Richard Wynne as part of the NAIDOC week celebrations. Named after Archie Roach’s well-known song (a reference to an important indigenous meeting place near Gertrude Street), the 120-seat café will serve indigenous as well as more ‘mainstream’ cuisine, while the full kitchen and training facilities will offer an integrated training program that includes personal skills development and accredited training in hospitality.
Lindt Chocolat Café arrives in Melbourne’s Collins Street
Swiss chocolate house Lindt has brought it’s luxuriously decadent Chocolat Café concept to Melbourne. Their first flagship café opened last month in a heritage listed space at 271 Collins Street. The stunningly appointed venue will offer five-star service with countless chocolate offerings of the highest quality.
Not surprisingly, the Lindt Café has a dessert menu to die for which includes the Wimbledon, an artistically layered cake of mascarpone and vanilla bean cream, almond vanilla cake, strawberry puree, red and white chocolate and fresh strawberries; Lindt’s signature waffles made in-house and served the white chocolate ice-cream and hot chocolate fudge sauce, and the sublimely decadent Celebration du Chocolat, comprising of layers of dark chocolate cake, separated by chocolate mousse, all encased by a chocolate ganache and ribbons of milk and dark chocolate.
Release your inner gypsy with a horse drawn caravan holiday in the Goldfields
Goldfields travel operator Colonial Way have a unique solution for travellers wanting to reduce their carbon footprint - take a holiday in a horse-drawn gypsy caravan.
An ideal way to explore the countryside, Colonial Way’s CO2 emission free, five-berth wagons come with all self-catering facilities, and are an ideal way to enjoy a relaxing holiday discovering the countryside and the wildlife . For those new to the gypsy life, capable staff are on hand to brief you in horse-handling skills (including accompanying you the first few kilometres of your ride) and help map out your route, pick up any groceries you need, and help you unharness and settle at your first campsite.
By the end of the week you’ll return a wagon driving expert, completely relaxed and refreshed and you might just not want to go home.
As well as the five-berth wagons, Colonial Way has also recently began a new ‘pub run’ overnight trip to cater for larger groups. Guests travel 25 kilometres by bush roads in 12-seater horse-drawn wagon ending with dinner a historical pub, with overnight accommodation and breakfast included.
For more information: www.colonialway.com.au
New regional accommodation: Delgany Portsea and other news
A heritage listed castle at Portsea has reincarnated into superb luxury accommodation. Delgany Portsea, now offering luxury accommodation at the heritage-listed Delgany Castle, boasts award winning, three and four bedroom apartments in the main building as well as several new three and four bedroom townhouses elsewhere on the property. Unlike many luxury properties, the apartments are perfectly designed to accommodate families with children while the townhouses are particularly suited for couples and families with teenagers.
Built in 1927 by Harold Armytage (whose family built Como House in South Yarra), Delgany operated as a Repatriation hospital in the 1940’s and was also a school for hearing impaired children, run by the Dominician Sisters.
Facilities include a gorgeous heated lap pool, fully equipped gymnasium, and on-site day spa facility (treatments available by appointment - www.portseaspa.com.au). Each apartment has several car spaces, private courtyards with BBQ facilities, and there’s even a chauffeured car service for transfers from Tullamarine airport on request.
Superbly located right next to the Portsea Golf club (which can be seen from most apartments), Delgany is also close to the iconic Portsea Hotel and ‘The Cutting’, a gorgeous beach which adorns the famous beach boxes in Portsea.
Other new properties which have also recently opened include PlaneTrees Lodge, a unique timber and earth, two-storey house adjacent to the State Forest in the heart of the tiny hamlet Stanley (ten minutes drive from Beechworth) and Basia Mille, newly opened apartments at Basia Mille Vineyard and Olive grove that brings a touch of Tuscany to South Gippsland.
In other news, Svarmisk Resort in Mount Beauty - which offers eye-catching, architect-designed accommodation that combines luxury with impeccable green credentials - have recently expanded their offer by opening Skafferi, a delicatessen and produce store showcasing in the outstanding local produce of the North East Victoria.
For further information: www.visitvictoria.com.au
Media contact for Delgany Portsea: John Zampatti, Ph: 0417 261 199 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Explore East Gippsland with Snowy River Cycling
New operator Snowy River Cycling offers bike riders an exhilarating six-day fully supported cycling tour exploring the picturesque mountains, forests, rivers and seas of East Gippsland.
The tours cater for up to 16 reasonably fit riders who love exploring nature by bike with the security and comfort of a full back-up service including meals and accommodation.
Tours will operate in September and November 2009, and in March and April 2010 with roofed or camping accommodation options. Camping will be available on a number of properties and riders will have the opportunity to meet local farmers.
Tour routes will centre on the Snowy River tourist loop through the High Country west of the Snowy River, McKillops Bridge, Errinundra National Park and Cape Conran Coastal Park.
For more information: www.snowyrivercycling.com.au
Media Contact: Liz Mitchell Ph: 0428 556 088 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Humble Vintage
Keen on pedalling rather than driving or taking public transport around Melbourne?
Here is the perfect opportunity. Humble Vintage opened in July and is the brainchild of cycling enthusiast Matt Hurst. The new bike hire business offers a selection of unique classic and vintage racers, city bikes and lady’s bikes for short term rental.
For only $25 per day or $70 per week, the service includes bike, helmet, lights, locks and a map.
The business’s relaxed and friendly vibe translates right into the delivery method - just tell him where you are, and Matt will ride the bike to you.
Why not explore Melbourne all the while looking enviable on a Humble Vintage bike.
For further information: call Matt Hurst on 0432 032 450 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mornington Peninsula October Pinot Week
The Mornington Peninsula’s vignerons are joining together to celebrate their most famous varietal - the Pinot - in a week-long celebration that includes special dinners, tastings, food and wine matching, master-classes and meet-the-wine maker events. Pinot Week showcases the collaborative spirit of the vignerons in the region, many of whom are small and boutique producers. Many events feature not one but several wineries teaming up, as well as cross pollinations between winemakers and food producers, chefs and restaurants. One such event is the ‘horizontal and vertical tasting tour’ involving Paradigm Hill, Eldridge Estate and Paringa Estate is all three - where visitors commence their night with a barrel tasting (at one of the afore-mentioned wineries) and then follow it with a six course degustation menu dinner at Paringa Estate served with back vintages from each winery and presented by each winemaker.
Unlike many other regional food and wine festivals, Pinot Week also has a strong presence in Melbourne with over 80 of the city’s top restaurants going out of their way to introduce Mornington Pinot’s to a wider audience. The full program includes regional producers’ tastings at Prince Wine Store, Armadale Cellars and Jimmy Watson’s Wine Bar. One Melborne highlight includes ‘Let them drink Pinot- part II’ at Cutler & Co, a special dinner on October 7 that sees three of the region’s premium wineries - Moorooduc Estate, Ten Minutes by Tractor and Yabby Lake Pinots - team up with with Andrew McConnell’s incomparable food at Cutler & Co.
For more information: go to www.mpva.com.au
Media contact: Cheryl Lee, Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association, Ph: (03) 5989 2377 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hot Deals
Rest and rejuvenate in Daylesford with these two hot deals
Just over one hours drive from Melbourne, Daylesford and its surrounding regions are endowed with scenic countryside, boutique accommodation and award winning spa experiences. Indulge in a revitalising mid-week break or simply restore one’s self with a weekend getaway. Whether you prefer to enjoy a mineral spa, a decadent meal of local produce or accommodation with a lake view – Daylesford has it all.
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa ‘Day Retreat’ package* – from $195 per person
Mineral Springs Reserve Road, Hepburn Springs
- entry to The Bathhouse and The Sanctuary
- your choice of a 60-minute Thalgo Facial or 60 minute Relax Massage
- a main meal and a glass of house wine at the Pavilion Café
- spa gift to take home
*Valid to 24 December 2009. Terms and conditions apply.
For bookings or more information call (03) 5321 6000 or visit hepburnbathhouse.com
About the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa
Since 1895, the Hepburn Bathhouse has been a ‘must-do’ when visiting Australia’s premier spa destination. Open daily, visitors can select from a range of indoor heated pools, spas and bathing environments all providing the health-giving benefits of the abundant local mineral springs. Renovated in 2008, the Bathhouse and Spa now also provides a magnificent day spa facility, offering the finest in massage, facials, body treatments and private mineral baths.
Lake House Midweek Winter Escape* – starting from $410 per person
King Street, Daylesford
Package includes:
- overnight accommodation
- a la carte dinner
- full breakfast
- a 75 minute Salus Spa signature treatment including hot stone massage, body scrub and hydrostorm experience
*Terms and conditions apply. Package is based on twin share. Single and Triple rates also available.
For bookings or more information call (03) 5348 3329 or visit lakehouse.com.au
About The Lake House
The Lake House, one of Australia’s Best Boutique Hotels, sits on the shores of Lake Daylesford. Rooms and suites are nestled in amongst six acres of manicured gardens, waterfalls and streams. The state-of-the-art Salus Spa offers nine treatment areas from idyllic hot mineral water tubs overlooking the lake to the latest in spa treatments and technology. Salus utilizes the region’s famed mineral waters in many of its treatments and specializes in premium facials and beauty treatments as well as therapeutic massage.
Festivals and special events – Melbourne
Opening in October:
Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Spring Sale, 3 – 4 October
Head to Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Gate E, to the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne plants’ sale, which includes drought tolerant and native varieties. Open on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
For more information: 03 9650 6398
Chinoiserie, NGV International, 9 October 2009 – 14 March 2010
Chinoiserie refers to a style in Western art which draws its inspiration from the arts of China, Japan and India. European fascination with exotic materials like lacquer, silk and porcelain, combined with a lack of accurate information on the great civilizations of Asia, gave rise to European artworks which reflect, not the real world of Asia, but European fantasies of the civilizations of China, Japan and India. With its origins in the seventeenth century, Chinoiserie in Europe reached its climax in the mid-eighteenth century where it informed some of the most delightful and beautiful artistic productions of the period.
For more information: 03 8620 2222 or www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Timber and Working with Wood Show, 16 - 18 October
Held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the Timber and Working with Wood Show is Australasia’s largest showcase of products and services for the woodworking and timber industries. See and purchase the latest hand tools, machinery, lathes, finishes, abrasives, hardware, major power tools, timber building and renovation products, craft supplies and much more. There are also free seminars and workshops. A range of specialist products will be on sale at discounted prices.
For more information: call Adam Ford on 0404 199 871 or go to www.eee.net.au
Melbourne International Arts Festival 9 - 24 October
The annual Melbourne International Arts Festival brings an unparalleled feast of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events from renowned and upcoming Australian and international companies and artists to Melbourne. This year’s program features work from some of the world’s most exciting artists in 76 events, comprising 22 world premieres, and 16 Australian premieres from artists across 26 countries. There are free and low-cost events, and students can attend nearly every single performance for just $25, making even the most astonishing international opera, symphonic music, dance, theatre or hybrid arts incredibly accessible.
For more information: 03 9662 4242 or www.melbournefestival.com.au
Media contact: Prue Bassett Ph: (03) 9652 8641
Warhol Superstars on Film, ACMI, 15 – 18 October
In collaboration with 2009 Melbourne Festival, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) presents Warhol Superstars on Film. This film program captures the world of Warhol, his Superstars, the sexual revolution and sixties counterculture. The program comprises Agnès Varda’s classic and cool ‘film within a film’ Lion’s Love (1969), experimental video artist Michael Auder’s Chelsea Girls with Andy Warhol 1971-1976 (1994), the Australian Premiere of Auder’s latest collaboration with emerging filmmaker Andrew Neel: a documentary narrative feature, cheekily called The Feature (2008) and Warhol’s homage to the Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound (1966).
For more information: www.acmi.net.au
Media contact: Lior Opat, Ph: (03) 8663 2475 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Leonardo Da Vinci Anotomy to Robots Exhibition, 17 October – 31 January 2010
Visit the Da Vinci Pavilion Queensbridge Square, Southbank to view Anatomy to Robots, the World Premier of the Da Vinci Exhibition from Florence, which features interactive 3D life-size human and animal models, created from Da Vinci’s original drawings. This exhibition is experiential, artistic, historical and technical, designed to explore the mind and the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci in a way that has not been done before.
For more information: www.davincimelbourne.com.au
Spring Open Day, Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens, 18 October
Enjoy a day of free programs and entertainment at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne from 10am to 5pm. Explore behind-the-scenes and see what the gardens have to offer.
For more information: Ph: (03) 9252 2429 or go to www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Around the Bay in a Day, 18 October
Around the Bay in a Day is a challenging bike ride that circumnavigates Port Phillip Bay and offers riders four ride distances - 250km, 210km, 100km or 50km. Around the Bay provides a challenge for riders of all abilities and at the conclusion of the ride, there are free activities to enjoy at the Alexandra Gardens start/finish site. The ride’s official charity partner is The Smith Family.
For more information: Bicycle Victoria on 1800 616 600 or visit www.bv.com.au
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, 4 June – 3 November
Could cars that hover above the ground become the mass transport of the future? Will we ever have droids like C-3PO in real life? Fantasy and reality join forces in Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. This is the first exhibition to showcase more than 80 costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films.Enjoy this innovative exhibition at Scienceworks in Spotswood.
For more information: www.museumvictoria.com.au/starwars
Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire, 13 June – 4 October
Salvador Dalí: Liquid Desire is the first comprehensive retrospective of the work of Salvador Dalí ever staged in Australia. The exhibition is drawn from the holdings of the two largest collections of Dalí in the world - the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí in Figueres, Spain and the Salvador Dalí Museum in St Petersburg, Florida.
For more information: 03 8620 2222 or www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Media contact: Erin Reeve, NGV on (03) 8620 2345 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – A Day in Pompeii, 26 June – 25 October
Melbourne Museum has secured the exclusive Australian rights to show the exhibition A Day in Pompeii featuring exquisitely preserved artefacts from the archaeological collection of the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompei. The exhibition is presented as part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series. The exhibition tells the fateful and intriguing story of the eruption of Mt Vesuvius on 24 August, 79AD. Included are room-size frescoes, marble and bronze sculptures and everyday household items - all of which evoke the richness and culture of daily life in the Roman Empire’s favourite vacation resort. Admission fees apply.
For more information: www.museumvictoria.com.au
Media contacts: Jessica Bendell on (03) 8341 7726 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Jersey Boys, Princess Theatre, Melbourne, from 4 July
“Too good to be true” raved the New York Post about Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award winning Best Musical about the rock ‘n roll group - The Four Seasons. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids, including lead singer Frankie Valli, became one of pop music’s great success stories. They wrote their own songs, invented a new sound and sold 175 million records world-wide – all before they were 30.
For more information: www.jerseyboysaustralia.com.au
Media Contact: Howie and Taylor Publicity on (03) 9654 3431.
1940s Melbourne: Photographs by Albert Tucker, 18 July – 15 November
Heide Museum of Modern Art 1940s Melbourne: Photographs by Albert Tucker presents a unique insight into Melbourne during the tumultuous decade of the 1940s. The exhibition includes the artist’s original contact prints, related paintings from his early oeuvre, and archival material drawn from the Heide and State Library of Victoria collections.
For more information: call the Heidi Museum on (03) 9850 1500 or www.heide.com.au
Chicago – the Musical, Her Majesty’s Theatre, from 15 August
After a decade of decadence Chicago has returned to Melbourne for a strictly limited season at Her Majesty’s Theatre. With an all-star Australian cast including Caroline O’Connor, (Velma Kelly), Sharon Millerchip (Roxie Hart), Gina Riley (Matron ‘Mama’ Morton) and Craig McLachlan (Billy Flynn), Chicago tells the tale of Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer who dreams of headlining in Vaudeville, kills her lover, then convinces her husband to come up with the $5000 to hire Chicago’s shrewdest, smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn. Chicago has been honoured with six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy® Award and thousands of standing ovations.
For more information: www.ticketek.com.au
Media contact: Howie and Taylor Publicity on (03) 9654 3431
Melbourne Fringe Festival, 23 September - 11 October
The Melbourne Fringe Festival spices up the city’s cultural calendar with an entertaining and stimulating program across all art forms. The festival will flourish as a score of vibrant artists showcase their talents with more than 230 fresh acts in more than 100 venues across the city. From comedians to cabaret, the festival will transform the cityscape, including Federation Square.
For more information: call (03) 9660 9600 or go to www.melbournefringe.com.au
Spring Racing Carnival, 30 September – 18 November
Victoria’s famous Spring Racing Carnival is one of Australia’s best-loved annual sporting events and the best reason to dress up and enjoy world-class thoroughbred racing. For 50 days, Victorians, along with interstate and international visitors, enjoy lively sports and social action. The Spring Racing Carnival highlights include: Caulfield Cup Day (17 October), Cox Plate Day (24 October) Victoria Derby Day (31 October), the race that stops the nation - the Emirates Melbourne Cup (3 November), Ladies Day – Crown Oaks Day (5 November) and Stakes Day (7 November).
For more information: 1300 139 401 or visit www.racingvictoria.net.au
Media contact: Damian Booth, Communications Manager on (03) 9258 4252
Regional Victoria
October Art, Food & Wine, Mornington Peninsula, 1 – 31 October
The region will showcase local artists, celebrate winemakers and herald chefs throughout October with the annual Art, Food and Wine Festival. Highlights include literary lunches, art and craft exhibitions, markets, artisan tours and wine tastings as well as whimsical scarecrow trails, pinot dinners and more. Among the highlights are The Shoreham Road Secrets where acclaimed vignerons, artists, chefs and brewers of Red Hill South opening their doors to share new works, brews, wines and dishes, and is Pinot Week.
For more information: www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org
Grampians Wildflower Show (Halls Gap) – 1 - 4 October, 2009
A four day exhibition of the wonderful array of local wildflowers –picked from private and public land under special permits. Highlights are the native orchid collection, children’s activities, and the twice daily guided walks among The Grampians flowers.
For more information: call (03) 5356 4426 or visit www.grampianswildflowershow.org.au
Heathcote Wine and Food Festival, 3 - 4 October
The annual Heathcote Wine and Food Festival is a celebration of the region’s primary products – wine and food. This festival is an opportunity to explore Heathcote, try wines from more than 30 wineries, participate in a wine seminar, meet the winemakers and sample some of the wonderful regional produce available. Take the family along as there will be special children’s entertainment at this colourful country festival. Entry costs $25 or $10 for non-drinkers each day and children are free.
For more information: www.heathcotewineandfoodfestival.com.au
Port Of Echuca Heritage Steam Festival, 3-4 October
Two magical days of magnificent steam engines, vintage cars, tractors, paddlesteamer and horse and carriage rides, street theatre and magic shows! All this set in the bustling, boisterous Port of Echuca heritage precinct, Murray Esplanade, Echuca.
For more information: www.steamfestival.com.au
KidsFest 2009, Shepparton, 3 – 4 October
This festival features children’s entertainment, art and craft activities and a 560 metre miniature railway track. KidsFest is sure to be great fun for the young and the young at heart. Entry is via a gold coin.
For more information: www.kidstown.org.au
Glenrowan Winemakers’ Weekend, 3 - 4 October
The annual Glenrowan Winemakers’ Weekend will be filled with activities for lovers of deep and complex wines and wholesome foods. The celebrations start with a dinner on Saturday hosted by seven regional wineries. On Sunday there will be tastings at each of the participating wineries, a scrumptious breakfast inspired by the producers paddock, wine appreciation sessions and the opportunity to share the magic of Glenrowan regional wines with the winemakers at each winery.
For more information: call Jenny Booth on Ph: (03) 5766 2282 or visit www.visitglenrowan.com.au
Euroa Show and Shine, 4 October
Lovers of fine cars will descend on Euroa in October for the Euroa vintage, veteran, classic and special interest cars Show and Shine. Hundreds of vehicles and their proud owners are expected to attend the exhibition in beautiful Seven Creeks Park, just off the old Hume Highway. On show will be vintage/veteran and classic cars, motorcycles, trucks and tractors. The event is free and runs from 10am to 3.30pm.
For more information: call 1300 134 610 or www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
Media contact: Rob Asquith on Ph: (03) 5795 1347 or 0439 398 195
Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, 9 - 11 October
Now in its 20th year, the classical music event is held in historic venues in the picturesque village of Port Fairy. The program includes a variety of concerts held at various venues within walking distance of each other around the town.
For more information: call 03 5568 2682.
Media contact: Roberta Chaim on 03 5568 3030 or www.portfairyspringfest.com.au
Birregurra Weekend Festival and Art Show, 9 - 11 October
The Birregurra Weekend Festival and Art Show is a celebration of the western district’s finest offerings of food, wine and culinary flair. The festival features a line-up of local producers including Birregurra Olives, Birregurra Ice Cream, Red Duck Beer (handcrafted by the Purrumbete Brewing Company), Apostle Whey Cheese, and wineries including Dinny Goonan Family Estate, Gosling Creek, Yeowarra Hill and Blakes Estate.
For more information: call 03 5236 2486 or visit www.birregurra.com/festival
The Royal Geelong Show, 15 - 18 October
For more than 150 years the Royal Geelong Show has brought the country to the city in Geelong. The show has exhibitions, displays and competitions featuring horses, beef and dairy cattle, sheep, lambs, poultry, rabbits, dogs and cats as well as home crafts including cooking, knitting, photography and art.
For more information: call 03 5221 1707 or go to www.royalgeelongshow.org.au
Media inquiries: 03 5221 1707
2009 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Phillip Island, 16 - 18 October
Located 90-minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island is home to world-class motorcycle racing at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The 2009 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is three days of the world’s best two wheel racing. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of MotoGP on the fast and flowing circuit perched beside the waters of Bass Strait.
For more information: 03 9258 7100 or go to www.motogp.com.au
Lorne Sculpture Exhibition, 17 October – 8 November
The second year of the spectacular, bi-annual Lorne foreshore sculpture exhibition is set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Ocean Road. The exhibition will feature 24 emerging and established Australian artists. Taking art outside, the exhibition uses one of the world’s most striking landscapes as its canvas.
For more information: www.lornesculpture.com
Media contact: Tamara DiMattina on 0410 64 54 74
Monichino Wines Jazz & Blues Festival (Murray), 18 October
Monichino Wines in Katunga in the Goulburn Valley (near Echuca) present their ninth annual jazz and blues festival. Includes performance by The Wolfe Gang, lead by vocalist Dianna Wolfe, who will howl up a storm of swinging feel-good blues, plus jazz with their trademark style and humour. Hand-made Italian food hampers are available for $20 per person
For more information: Ph: 03 5864 6452 or go to www.monichino.com.au
Awakenings Festival, Horsham, 21 - 25 October
Australia’s longest running disability arts festival – Awakenings - presents drama, dance, music, outdoor recreation adventures, visual arts and workshops and attracts visitors from all over Australia and overseas. Features of this year’s festival include three nights of performing arts and music programs, a street festival on Saturday, a breakfast conference, outdoor adventures showcasing the region, an Awakenings Ball for all members of the community, an ecumenical church service and associated community fringe events.
For more information: www.awakeningsfestival.com.au
Media contact: Sarah McLean on 03 5382 1919 www.awakeningsfestival.com.au
Bright Spring Festival, 24 October – 3 November
Spring is celebrated in Bright with an exciting and varied festival which includes: the Australian and International Short Film Festival; the Alpine Four Peaks Climb; open gardens; a huge Rotary street market; a sustainable gardening and farming expo; decorative arts expo and sales; and a grand fireworks display.
For the festival’s full program go to www.brightspringfestival.com.au
For more information: call 1300 551 117
Penumbra: sculptures and drawings of Rick Amor, McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park, Langwarrin, 25 October 2009 - 7 February 2010
Rick Amor is one of Australia’s leading artists and Penumbra will only be shown at McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park. Through large scale drawings and small bronze figures, the exhibition aims to evoke the atmosphere of his paintings, where figures lurk in the shadows or are dwarfed by massive architectural settings.
For more information: visit www.mcclellandgallery.com
Media contact: Lyn Johnson Ph (03) 9789 1671 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz, 30 October - 2 November
The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz is an annual celebration of jazz and blues held in Wangaratta located two and a half hours from Melbourne in Victoria’s north-east. The festival hosts the National Jazz Awards, youth jazz workshops, master classes and events throughout Wangaratta and surrounding wine regions.
For tickets and accommodation: call 1800 801 065 or go to www.wangaratta-jazz.org.au
Mildura Jazz, Food and Wine Festival, Mildura, 30 October – 2 November
Mildura Jazz Food and Wine Festival to be held on and around the Murray River from 30 October to 2 November with a winning blend of jazz, regional food and wine. An annual Spring-time event, the festival presents four days of round the clock jazz entertainment in popular wineries, restaurants, churches, as well as street and riverside venues – combining trad jazz and swing with more contemporary sounds and caters to hardcore jazz enthusiasts, music lovers and those who just enjoy sitting back to the music, soaking in the ambiance of the region.
For more information: call (03) 5021 5100 or visit www.artsmildura.com.au.
Portland Bay Upwelling Festival Portland, 31 October
Located at the western end of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the bustling coastal town of Portland comes alive on the Melbourne Cup long weekend after winter hibernation. Join the locals to celebrate this diverse community, at a one day festival when people from Portland and surrounds get together to enjoy art, live music, gourmet food and wine and fun activities for the kids.
For more information: www.portlandbayfestival.com
Ballarat International Foto Biennale, 4 September – 4 October
A month long celebration of photography and photographic art, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will present an exciting and eclectic range of the best photography from Australia and the world. The vast program of events includes a Core Exhibition Program, Fringe Exhibition Program and Educational Program.
For more information: www.ballaratfoto.org
Media contact: Fiona Brook on 0409 900 840
Tesselaar Tulip Festival, Silvan, 16 September – 13 October
Welcome spring at a European-style celebration that features fields of colourful tulips, blooming daffodils and freesias, along with traditional Dutch food and music. Located in Silvan, the festival opens from 10am to 5pm seven days a week. Entry costs $16 for adults, $12 for concession and children under 16 years of age are admitted free. Groups of 10 or more tickets cost $12 per person.
For more information: (03) 9737 7777 or www.tulipfestival.com.au