THE MURRAY

Rollin’ on the river

Dip your toe into the many cultural and culinary treats on offer along the banks and surrounding towns lining these majestic waterways

Restore your soul and reconnect with nature in the vibrant Murray and Goulburn River regions, with their sandy river beaches and towering red gum forests. Take a cruise downriver on a paddle steamer or canoe, delve into pioneer history, or kick up your heels at music, food and wine festivals.

EAT & DRINK Fresh produce is abundant in the Murray River region. At Simply Tomatoes take a tour, meet the resident sheep and enjoy lunch in the gorgeous 1890s homestead gardens (simplytomatoes.com.au). Rich Glen Estate is a family owned and operated olive grove with a farm gate store located in Yarrawonga (richglenoliveoil.com), while Mildura Chocolate Company creates sweet delicacies and provides employment for locals experiencing disadvantage (mildurachocolatecompany.com.au). Enjoy a tasting or a sensation lunch at Trentham Estate, a family-owned boutique winery nestled on the riverbank, just 15 minutes from Mildura (trenthamestate.com.au), or sit down to a meal at American Hotel, Echuca Moama’s oldest pub (americanhotelechuca.com.au).

The Goulburn River Valley is considered Victoria’s food bowl – experience an abundance of eateries from local wines at Tahbilk (tahbilk.com.au), to the lush surrounds and indulgent treats at Billabong Garden Complex and Cafe in Shepparton (billabonggardencomplex.com.au), or dine and stay in Black Spur Inn in Narbethong (blackspurinn.com.au). History buffs will love the historic Port of Echuca precinct, where Australia’s largest fleet of paddle steamers come home to roost. It still operates much like it did in the 1860s, and admission includes a guided tour, and entry to the museum and attractions (portofechuca.org.au). Golfers will delight in the picturesque Murray Downs Golf & Country Club, consistently voted one of Australia’s top resort courses (murraydownsgolf.com.au), while art lovers will relish the all-encompassing contemporary art experience at Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), where you can enjoy world class exhibitions and participate in workshops and immersive cultural experiences (mamalbury.com.au). DV

For more information and to plan your trip, go to visitthemurray.com.au

Mungo National Park

Rich Glen Olive Estate - Yarrawonga

SEE & DO The red, sandy landscape of Mungo National Park is home to an array of animals, birds and plant life, including wedge-tailed eagles and red kangaroos. Most remarkably, remains of the earliest known humans to inhabit the Australian continent were found here, and date back nearly 40,000 years. Start at the Visitor Centre located off Arumpo Road to find out more (visitmungo.com.au).

IMMERSE YOURSELF

Discover the Many Great Things found throughout Greater Shepparton. From stunning natural beauty, to contemporary art and exquisite produce, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Find out why this region is known as the food bowl of Australia as you treat yourself to a diverse regional dining scene offering fresh, locally grown produce. Visit local wineries including Tallis Wine overlooking the Dookie Hills, or Longleat Wines at the historic riverbank town of Murchison. Make your way to the Cheeky Grog Cidery and enjoy a refreshing beverage amongst the orchards while the kids amuse themselves with the many games and activities. All are havens to enjoy a refreshment with the producers themselves, and sample local produce.

Indulge yourself with something sweet at the Chocolate Apple Factory and Belstack Strawberry Farm. These local producers offer a unique experience for guests to immerse themselves in the experience of picking their own strawberries or sampling mouth-watering local apples with a variety of confectionary coatings.

Shepparton’s vibrant CBD offers a range of dining experiences. Taste and see the passion that goes into creating unique local menus, and for the best authentic food nothing beats a plate from one of the many multicultural food festivals hosted in the region.

There’s an enticing cultural scene to explore in Greater Shepparton. Celebrating our indigenous community Greater Shepparton has a strong, vibrant mix of local indigenous art and culture at Kaiela Arts as well as the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM). One of the leading art galleries in regional Australia, SAM boasts an impressive collection of Australian contemporary and traditional ceramics, while also hosting a distinct program of temporary exhibitions. Discover the Aboriginal Street Art throughout the CBD and discover the visual story of ‘Dana Djirrungana Dunguludja Yenbena-l’ – Proud, Strong Aboriginal People.

The region’s temperate climate means families can get outdoors and enjoy a range of activities for the young and young at heart. Cool off at Aquamoves Splash Park during the summer or explore Australia’s largest outdoor adventure playground, KidsTown. Everyone will love the colourful and unique Moooving Art cows, renowned for their colourful, quirky personas. There are more than 90 cows in the herd to see in the region.

Connect with nature and explore the bushlands alongside stunning rivers and lakes that provide the perfect setting for cycling and walking. There are a number of opportunities for nature lovers to enjoy our tranquil waterways with popular pastimes like fishing, boating and canoeing. Greater Shepparton is also home to the Australian Botanic Gardens, which features numerous upcycled art pieces on what used be the site of the town’s tip.

Shepparton is a short two-hour drive north from Melbourne, or board one of the regular V/line services to discover the Many Great Things Greater Shepparton has to offer.

FROM LEFT: Strawberry farm; Aboriginal Street Art; Moooving Art; Victoria Park Lake Shepparton.

Needto know

Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre 33-35 Nixon Street, Shepparton

Telephone: 1800 808 839 | visitshepparton.com.au

visitshepparton @visitshepparton

relax Time to

Go with the flow in picturesque Daylesford and Macedon Ranges, renowned for its natural mineral springs and the mouthwatering local produce on show at restaurants, markets and cafes F rom the Dja Dja Wurrung people, who inhabited the land thousands of years ago, to the Swiss Italian migrants of the gold rush and Melbourne’s turn-ofthe-century holidaymakers, this region has long been considered a place of healing. Find balance at mineral spas and wellness retreats, sample exquisite food and wine at restaurants, wineries and country pubs, and visit historic streetscapes, local markets and boutiques brimming with art, craft and antique treasures. EAT & DRINK For a luxe dining experience, you can’t beat The Lakehouse, a two-hatted restaurant on the shores of Lake Daylesford, with accommodation and its own spa (lakehouse.com.au). At Mercato enjoy a creative Australian degustation menu served in a converted 1860s cottage (mercatorestaurant.com.au), while Sault offers seasonal modern Australian dishes and tapas in a scenic homestead flanked

by a lavender field (sault.com.au). In nearby Hepburn Springs, The Argus Dining Room at Peppers Springs Retreat celebrates regional produce, with food grown onsite in the kitchen garden and rare bred beef and lamb from Birch Estate in Smeaton (theargusdiningroom.com.au).

For something more casual try Daylesford’s oldest pub, The Farmers Arms (thefarmersarms.com.au) and on the first Saturday of the month stock up on local produce at Daylesford Farmers Market and create a regional picnic from local bounty including cheese, olives, eggs, fresh meats, fruit and veg, local honey and preserves, bread and truffles (Facebook.com/thedaylesfordfarmersmarket).

SEE & DO Experience Hot Air Ballooning at its purest and most luxurious, with an early morning flight over Daylesford (picturethisballooning.com.au), then soak up the relaxing vibes at historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, where you can enjoy communal bathing and private mineral baths, spa couches, an aroma steam room, and a dedicated onsite day spa (hepburnbathhouse.com).

A former Catholic boarding school, these days Daylesford’s Convent Gallery is home to seven galleries featuring work by local, national and international artists, as well as an onsite gift shop, Mediterranean cafe and stylish lounge bar (conventgallery.com.au). Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm makes for an idyllic day trip, incorporating gardens, lavender fields, olive and chestnut groves and a cafe where visitors can dine al fresco and enjoy lavender infused dishes (lavandula.com.au). Home to nearly 100 indigenous plants, 40 bird species, koalas, kangaroos, sugar gliders, echidna and wallabies, Hanging Rock is undoubtedly a magical place, and its connection with the Picnic at Hanging Rock (the classic Joan Lindsey novel which has since spawned a 1975 film and 2018 mini series) only adds to the intrigue (South Rock Road, Newham). DV

For more information and to plan your trip, go to visitdaylesford.com.au

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

Lake House Daylesford

The iconic Lake House, Daylesford owned and operated by the Wolf-Tasker family since 1984 is a property full of art & life; a property in which to indulge, relax and cocoon. It’s a property whose beating heart is a restaurant where sense of place and the true essence of hospitality are of the utmost importance.

In 1984 Alla & Allan Wolf Tasker (renowned chef & artist) dreaming a seemingly impossible dream, opened the doors of their house on the lake. It had taken four years of clearing; building and planting to open a restaurant which Alla hoped would be as the Michelin Guides call it, “Worthy of a Journey” for foodies from around the world.

More than 30 years later, Alla & Allan, their daughter Larissa, her husband Robin Wilson and a dedicated “tribe” of industry professionals continue to spread joy and pleasure with their unique and timeless sense of hospitality across the Lake House Restaurant, Cellar, Hotel, Salus Spa, Cooking School, Wombat Hill House Café and their new Dairy Flat Farm Daylesford. Lake House itself is a tranquil retreat that includes thirty-three rooms and suites in either a waterfront or garden lodge setting. Six acres of country gardens extend down to the waters of Lake Daylesford and provide guests with immediate access to the lake shore and the Wombat State Forest beyond.

Exploring the property is in itself an adventure. Guests may like to` have a hit of tennis followed by tea and refreshments in the tennis pavilion, a cocktail on the Lagoon Deck or a glass of wine in the Argyle Library Bar. Given the opportunity to explore the gardens guests will come upon significant trees, a myriad of sculptures and artwork from many of the region’s top artists, extensive outdoor terraces overlooking the lake shore and established country gardens with everything from koala loved stringy barks to lilac, Daphne, quince, plum and apple trees. There’s also the artist studio, Salus Spa, Cellar and Cooking School.

Not to be missed during the summer months is an afternoon reclining on the large lounges by the infinity pool overlooking lake Daylesford. For those in the know; the Waterfront Pool Studios are the pick of rooms; with immediate access to the cooling waters on a warm day.

For many however it’s the dining room that has people booking so far in advance. An icon in regional dining, Lake House has long been considered to be one of Australia’s best restaurants, championing local seasonal cuisine long before it became a mantra for many.

Indeed restauranteur and Culinary Director Alla Wolf Tasker AM has enough national and international awards to fill virtually every wall of her fabled house on the lake.

After years of championing small scale regional producers and suppliers; the Wolf-Tasker family have added their new Dairy Flat Farm to the mix. 38 lush acres of magnificent, red volcanic soil, a mere eight minutes from Lake House. A sustainable

growing facility dedicated to regenerative agricultural practices, it comprises five-acres of productive vegetable, herb and cut flower gardens, three large hoop houses, a large barn, a recently planted orchard of 300 trees, a resurrected grove of 300 olive trees and a five-acre vineyard planted with chardonnay and pinot noir. The farm has been inspiring and providing much of their menu, beverage selections and floral décor at Lake House for over a year.

Opening soon is The Lodge at Dairy Flat Farm. A particularly special experience for gatherings of all kinds; celebrations, special meetings etc. The next exciting feather in the cap for the Wolf-Tasker & Lake House family.

Needto know

Lake House King Street Daylesford 3460 Victoria, Australia info@lakehouse.com.au +61 3 5348 3329

lakehouse.com.au

OPPOSITE: Lake House in lake Daylesford. THIS PAGE (clockwise from top-left): The infinity pool is a great place to enjoy long summer days; A hot stone massage or signature Bliss treatment is a must in The Spa; Summer produce at its best in the hands of the award winning Lake House chefs; A Suite bedroom.