Day Out - Cactus Country

DayOut

Cactus Facts Find out more about these spiky beautiesDaylesford, Victoria. Made famous by the fanmous Picnic In the wild cacti can live up to 300 years, with many surviving between 25 and 200 years. The tallest of the cactus plants is the Pachycereus pringlei which can reach almost 20 metres in height. at Hanging Rock book and series, the The rosk iteself The cactus flower can be an elusive thing of beauty, while all cactus plants flower some will only flower at night and some blooms only last a few days, so seeing these varieties in bloom really is a special event. sits between the pictureesque village of Woodend and Cacti is one of the easiest plants to grow at home, they require little water and attention. Place in a light filled position, water sparingly and keep protected from extreme hot and cold temperatures and you will enjoy your cactus plant for many years to come. Mount macedon, making it a top spot to incorpotate on a day trip.

Cactus Country, Strathmerton

Cactus plants are having a moment with these prickly plants popping up all over Instagram and in gardens across the globe.

Near the small town of Strathmerton in Victoria’s north (just under three hours from Melbourne) you can find the largest cactus farm in the country, Cactus Country. Owner Jim Halls’ passion for cacti began as a child, and after taking over his father’s vast cacti collection with his wife Julie they set about to grow this special collection. In the subsequent years they acquired another collection of cacti from Mr. Ed Kroemer, who had travelled the world sourcing cacti plants. With a whole lot of passion and attention, Jim and Julie have grown the collection to what it has become today,

It is a wonderful day out to experince the vast range and variety of cacti on show and enjoy the desert atmosphere in the middle of the Victorian countryside. In October and November you can see many of these special species in bloom when they produce an array of striking flowers.

There is a bar and restaurant on site where you can enjoy Mexican style food and drinks alongside the house specialities of cactus fruit ice-cream and cactus cake.

This unique destination is also available to hire for special events, weddings and photoshoots, and is sure to make an impact on your family and guests.

Country Country 4986 Murray Valley Hwy, Strathmeron Victoria cactuscountry.com.au @cactuscountry

further afield

“The natural history of this archipelago is very remarkable: it seems to be a little world within itself.”

-Charles Darwin

Galapagos Luxury

The Galapagos Islands truly are a spectacular slice of natural history, well known for their diverse array of animal and plant species that are unique to the region.

Visiting the islands is a dream bucket list experience which you can now enjoy in true luxury with Aqua Expeditions announcing the expansion of its fleet of luxury boutique vessels with the introduction of Aqua Mare, the first true superyacht to sail the pristine Galapagos Islands.

In May 2022, the seven-suite Aqua Mare will offer a choice of two highly personalized sevennight itineraries exploring the Archipelagos’ East and West regions, as well as two 14-night voyages for the Galapagos’ ultimate bucket-list adventure.

The choice of the Galapagos as the destination for Aqua Expeditions’ fifth vessel holds special significance as it is where the company’s CEO and Founder, Francesco Galli Zugaro, began his professional career in luxury travel. This is the place which inspired him and co-founder Fred Brown to launch their own brand of immersive small-ship expeditions on the Peruvian Amazon River.

Designed and built by the world-renowned Italian CRN yard with custom interiors by François Zuretti, Aqua Mare accommodates a total of 16 guests in seven individually designed suites. The 80 square meter Owner’s Suite is the largest suite in the Galapagos with a 20 square meter bathroom. The other suites are a minimum 20 square meters each, showcasing the attention to detail of passionate Italian craftsmanship and design.

At 50 meters and 640 gross tons, Aqua Mare boasts 30 percent more indoor volume than most yachts in her class. Spread over four decks featuring shaded and open sun decks, a sixperson jacuzzi, outdoor barbecue area and a workout zone, it is the perfect base from which to explore the marine and land-based endemic wildlife of the Archipelago.

aquaexpeditions.com

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Summer

FLING

Grab a swimsuit, a sun hat and something refreshing to drink and get ready to relax this summer. We share our favourite new books to read, check out what’s new in fashion and explore the beauty of the tropical garden.

lifestyle Fashion, beauty, garden and home & wellness inspiration.

‘Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors and the most patient of teachers’

- Charles W. Eliot

editor’s pick

Evie, a widow and stationmaster’s daughter, can’t help but look out for the weekly visit of the handsome man she and her sister call the Southerner on their train platform in the wilds of northern England. When polite salutations shift to friendly conversations, they become captivated by each other. After so much sorrow, the childless Evie can’t believe love and the chance for her own family have come into her life again. From the bestselling author of The Champagne War comes a new novel, The Spy’s Wife. The electrifying follow-up to Dave Eggers’ New York Times Bestseller The Circle. When the world’s largest search engine and social media company merges with the planet’s dominant e-commerce site, it creates the richest and most dangerous and, oddly enough, most beloved-monopoly ever known: The Every.

Power, consent and sex play out through the eyes of young Australian university students in a contemporary novel Love & Virtue, that is fiercely authentic and utterly provocative.

When Adam Lawson’s wrecked car is found a kilometre from Daisy Baker’s body, the whole town assumes it’s an open and shut case. But Jesse Redpath isn’t from Canticle Creek. Where she comes from, the truth often hides in plain sight, but only if you know where to look. When Jesse starts to ask awkward questions, she uncovers a town full of contradictions and a cast of characters with dark pasts, secrets to hide and even more to lose. As the temperature soars, and the ground bakes, the wilderness surrounding Canticle Creek becomes a powderkeg waiting to explode. All it needs is one spark.

WHAT TO READ NOW

The holiday period is the perfect time to escape with some great new books. Edited by Mia Cowling

The first, and only, inside story of one of the greatest bands in rock history, as told by bassist and founder member John Illsley, with a foreword by Mark Knopfler. Dire Straits filled giant stadiums around the world and sold hundreds of millions of records. Throughout the eighties they were one of the biggest bands on the planet. In My Life in Dire Straits, John Illsley evokes the spirit of the times and tells the story of one of the great live acts of rock history.

non-fiction

From the bestselling author of The Resilience Project comes this deeply personal book about the importance of letting go. If ever there was a time for us to be resilient, it was when a deadly virus emerged and engulfed the planet. As death rates soared and lockdowns radically altered our lives, the Resilience Project founder Hugh Van Cuylenburg was one of the people Australia turned to for advice on how to cope. Drew Barrymore has always done things in her own rebellious way, including how she cooks, lives and finds happiness at home. In Rebel Homemaker Drew shares recipes, stories and personal photos that show how you too can live a healthy, delicious and joyful life.

Ronke, Simi and Boo are inseparable mixedrace friends living in London. They have the gift of two cultures, Nigerian and English, though not all of them choose to see it that way. Everyday racism has never held them back, but now in their thirties, they question their future.