31 minute read
HOTEL OF ART
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A Hotel of Art
Words by Eliesha Rae. Pictures by Angela Hayward.
Considering the range of accommodation options being offered in Daylesford these days, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it might be close to impossible to do something new and unique, but publican Mitch Duncan had other ideas. Inspired by the pub’s own history and his regular travels to the USA, Mitch came home enamored by the resurgence of American boutique motels and determined to recreate the kitschy chic here in Western Victoria. Cheered on by the regular weekenders at the Farmer’s Arms Hotel, who were clamouring for an accommodation offer to compliment the unique style of the pub and bistro, Mitch teamed up with Bowen & Kenneth, local stylists based in Daylesford and began the descent into the black hole of Instagram, Pinterest and inspiration boards that lead to the conceiving of each uniquely styled Art Suite.
Curiosity piqued, The Farmer’s Arms Hotel & Art Suites is the reason we find ourselves, on a cold Thursday in April, heading north through Creswick, peering through a drizzly windscreen and wondering if it would be rude to be late because we’d stopped at Le Péché Gourmand for “supplies”. We’d heard rumours that the Farmer’s Arms Hotel & Art Suites are a little bit “out of town”, but it’s an easy (and pretty) ten minute stroll (once you get past the Mitre 10) especially in Autumn, back into the town centre and cafés; quirky shopping and wine bars abounding in exactly the way you’d hope they would in a township like Daylesford. Knowing we have a meal waiting for us at the Farmer’s Arms Bistro later that evening isn’t quite enough to stop us completely from indulging in Daylesford’s many libatious offerings, but it is in the back of my mind. Perhaps an afternoon nap (a luxury that can be afforded when sojourning solo (or duo actually) on a Thursday) in kitschy, unique surroundings is the perfect aid to digestion before partaking in the evening meal…
The devil is in the detail at the Farmer’s Arms Hotel & Art Suites, from the baroque patterned carpet to the fresh flowers, branded Ryner glassware, L’Occitane toiletries and careful selection of local treats. Marguerite Thomas, effervescent Motel Manager extraordinaire describes how important each small touch was in the creation of the suites. “We wanted to showcase local suppliers, another feature of our suites is in exhibiting local artists – so any local artists reading this article – please make contact with us!” As it stands now, even with my rich imagination, it’s hard to picture the site as Marguerite remembers it, “With the vacant land and one very old derelict, falling down cottage, which over the years became a hangout for local kids, doing their own kind of art – some good, some… not so good.” At the time, it was apparently a “no brainer” that they would demolish the cottage, but once they got to planning stages, it turned out the graffiti riddled, run down teenagers’ hangout had a heritage listing – hence, the loving restoration, with reclaimed floorboards throughout, and tasteful modern amenities as the centerpiece of the Art Suites.
The major draw of the location though, of course, is the oldest continually running pub in Daylesford, “stumbling distance” across the street. The Farmer’s Arms pub is obviously the Motel’s namesake and we are assured that Motel guests inevitably “make their way over to the pub at some point during their stay.”
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Unluckily for us, we weren’t there for Friday night locals’ night – and again I’m forced to shelve my lifelong ambition of winning a Meat Tray raffle. Why me?
Anyway, alas – it’s still Thursday, but it’s 6pm and the place is packed with what appears to be a healthy mix of locals and day-trippers. The room is red, the lights are low, the décor is Daylesford kitsch, and apparently it’s going to take 45 minutes to get a table… for mere mortals that is – our ever bubbly host Marguerite has a solid understanding of press perks, but also a wink and promise that no-one is going thirsty while they wait. Ordering happens at the bar, I could’ve read the thoughtfully provided menu in the room, post nap, but I’m not that kind of girl. For me, deciding what to eat is all part of the experience. Unfortunately the experience tonight includes a lot of “Excuse me, sorry, oops, oh I’m sorry, excuse me” and a decent line-up, did I mentioned the place is packed? The food is classic pub fare, with it’s own Daylesford flavour. Head Chef Chris Timmins and his team love to experiment and with an abundance of local produce, delivering a seasonal menu is all part and parcel of the Farmer’s Arms experience.
The extensive wine list (on top of the wine we brought back from town earlier – how did you think I knew about the Ryner glassware?) causes Marguerite’s emphasis on the stumbling distance to replay in my mind. “Genius,” I think, meat tray long forgotten. Daylesford is both a destination and a hub for Central Victoria, and the Farmer’s Arms clientele is many and varied. We certainly fit the mould of somewhere between “young couples to mature age” and I can see basing ourselves here for a country Victoria vacay. Easy access to Maldon, Creswick, Trentham, Kyneton and Woodend, even Bendigo and Castlemaine aren’t too out of the way as day trips. The suites are also often booked out by wedding parties, the instagrammable factor never lost on today’s bride.
Check out at eleven is a welcome luxury. I know I should be at home finalising interview questions for another article that this sojourn was a welcome procrastination from, but instead, I spend the morning curled up in my king sized bed, propped up on no less than four pillows (husband has already left to go to work – that’s what happens on Fridays when you’re not a freelance writer), watching Netflix and eating chocolate freckles from Cliffy’s emporium. Is it too early for a wine?
Find out more about the Farmer’s Arts Hotel & Art Suites at thefarmersarms.com.au/art-suites
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Reading good books, enjoying delicious food, drinking fine wine, connecting with new friends.
Honouring the Past to Secure the Future
Words by Sheree Lightfoot.
Elizabeth Gilfillan
John Hawker, Patron of the Foundation, Board Members: Daina MacLeod, Robert Selkirk, Mark Schultz, Elizabeth Gilfillan and Peter Wilson.
In an unseasonably cool and wet March evening, distinguished ladies and gentlemen of Ballarat are gathering for the dinner launch of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation at Pipers Restaurant. Its establishment continues a long history of philanthropy for the people of Ballarat. The foundation’s primary focus is to raise funds for advancing and preserving the heritage of the gardens as a horticultural museum in support of, and in conjunction with, the City of Ballarat.
In her address to guests, Elizabeth Gilfillan; chair and founding committee member stated: “Our heritage-significant gardens are of social importance as a reflection of civic pride and prosperity in Ballarat The correlation between nature and health simply cannot be underrated.” As more evidence arises of the connection between good health and exposure to the outdoors, Elizabeth’s stance is a popular movement towards the improvement and preservation of green urban landscapes. At their core function, botanical gardens are institutions that hold documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education.
Elizabeth’s dedication to a greener future has been longstanding. She was a founding member of the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, which developed from a meeting held in the Trench Room of the Ballarat Town Hall in 1992. The group was established by passionate community supporters and past garden curator Bob Whitehead. At that time, Elizabeth had been following her passion of horticulture as a landscape designer and proprietor of nursery and garden shop Gardens Delights in Buninyong whilst also raising a young family.
In 2000, Elizabeth increased her commitment to the group by joining the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens committee and was made convenor of project development. In this role, she worked closely with the City of Ballarat and secured grants for projects within the gardens. These included development plans for the fernery and the construction of the George Longley building, which became an onsite location for the group, in 2008. Elizabeth said that “providing inspiration and supporting the community with like-minded people was my biggest motivator.”
From the base of the George Longley building, the Friends group continues to meet and deliver exceptional services to the Ballarat public. The Growing Friends subgroup meets every Tuesday and opens the nursery to sell plants to the public. The Guiding Friends subgroup organises tours through the gardens every Sunday in autumn and spring, which are the most resplendent transitional times in the garden. The Guiding Friends also host many educational programs. The History subgroup continues its work of researching and archiving the history of the gardens from public and private records. The BotaniKIDS program is very popular with Ballarat young families. It consists of monthly playgroups, where children can embrace the gardens through exploration, nature crafts and activities, and finishes with a morning tea. In October 2018, Elizabeth initiated the establishment of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation Limited as a public ancillary fund. She formed a board of trustees and the foundation was registered as deductible gift recipient charity. This status enables the community to continue to contribute to the long-term benefit of the gardens through donations and bequests. The most recent and significant public gift to the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens has been the original gatekeeper’s cottage. A further donation of $40,000 has enabled the cottage to be relocated to its current position in the gardens. The foundation is currently supporting the City of Ballarat in the refurbishment of the fernery and the fit-out of the gatekeeper’s cottage, which has been earmarked as the future headquarters for BotaniKIDS and the education centre.
Wholefood Simply
Recipe by Bianca. Pictures Supplied.
Bianca from Wholefood Simply is a mum of three and now calls Ballarat home after moving here from Sydney. In between the everyday juggles, Bianca loves re-creating traditional treats and sweets to suit her wholefood way and uses her website and social media platforms as forums to share the quick-and-easy recipes.
Keeping her ingredients and methods simple but never compromising on taste, Bianca will now be sharing some of her favourite recipes with us here at Uncover Magazine!
Bianca’s new book, Wholefood Simply: Natural Indulgence, is available now at Collins Booksellers on Lydiard and online.
For more delicious recipes, visit wholefoodsimply. com/shop to purchase the Wholefood Simply cook books.
Welcome Stranger!
Introducing RACV Goldfields Resort’s new selection of bespoke cocktails. Exclusively designed to reflect the history and sense of our local area. Come and enjoy a Welcome Nugget, Lavandula Queen, or a Shearer’s Treat, cosied up in Springs Bar and Terrace, with stunning elevated views over the golf course and forest.
For more information visit racv.com.au/goldfields
Hot Chocolate
• 1 cup coconut milk • ¼ cup water • 1 tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder • 2 teaspoons honey* • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 10 grams dark chocolate Place the ingredients into a small saucepan and heat to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly. Once the chocolate has melted and the ingredients are well combined pour the hot chocolate into mugs and enjoy. *You can use rice malt syrup if you prefer.
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Raspberry, White Choc and Marshmallow Muffins
Recipe by So Soft Marshmallows
Ingredients
• 220g self-raising flour • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder • 1 egg • ½ cup caster sugar • ¾ cup vegetable oil • ¾ cup milk • 200g white choc chips • 2 cups frozen raspberries • 12 muffin papers • 30 So Soft pink and white marshmallows, chopped up
Topping
• 30 So Soft pink and white marshmallows • ½ cup of choc chips • ½ cup frozen raspberries Method Combine self-raising flower, cacao, caster sugar, egg, milk, vegetable oil, into a mix master Beat on low until well combined
Stir in 2 cups of raspberries and 200g choc chips Pour batter into muffin papers and bake at 150 degress (fan forced) for approximately 25 minutes until a crisp top forms on muffins Remove from oven and scatter remaining marshmallows, choc chips and raspberries on top. Return to oven and bake for further 5 minutes *Note. These muffins are delicious served with freshly whipped cream or ice-cream.
New Zealand
Words by Bek Bailey.
Getting behind the wheel, cruising through breathtaking scenery, pit-stopping whenever you want to ... nothing quite encapsulates freedom like a road trip, and if you’re wondering where your next road adventure should be, we have the answer: New Zealand! With sublime forests, ancient rock formations and spectacular mountains, it’s perfect for scenic drives.
Bek, Peter, Emma (12) and Adrian (10) Bailey experienced New Zealand at its best in April when they took a two-week self-drive holiday there.
North Island
Bay of Islands–- Paihia
We left Auckland early in the morning and drove to Paihia via Waipoua Forest to take a look at the kauri trees. Their height and girth is amazing – the children, when told we were going to look at trees, weren’t all that thrilled, but were more than impressed when we took the short walks to see the Four Sisters, Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere. From there we drove east to Paihia. The drive was easy and scenic. Paihia was our base for the next two nights. It’s a small, seaside town with plenty of restaurants. It was quite relaxing sitting on our balcony at the end of the day, looking over the Bay of Islands.. Recommend – Hole in the rock dolphin cruise and Darryl’s dinner cruise.
Waitomo and Hobbiton
We hadn’t originally planned on visiting Hobbiton; however, Emma talked us into going and I’m glad she did. I did warn them all that if we did visit Hobbiton, there would be a lot of driving that day. We left very early from Auckland and drove to Waitomo, having already booked the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves tour and the Ruakuri Cave tour. Both were amazing. Looking up at the glow-worms from the boat towards the end of the tour was like looking up into the night sky. The Ruakuri tour was amazing from the moment we entered the man-made tunnel entrance. We saw more glow-worms and even got close to some for a better look, thanks to our guide. After the Waitomo caves, it was back into the car for a drive to Hobbiton, which was the location for the filming of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series and features the Hobbit holes used in the movies. You have to book on a guided tour, which runs for around two hours and finishes at the Green Dragon Inn for a beer/cider or non-alcoholic beverage. It was very busy when we did it, and I would definitely recommend to anyone that they pre-book their tickets as you wouldn’t want to get all the way out to the middle of nowhere only to find you couldn’t get on a tour!
After an hour’s drive from Hobbiton, we arrived in Rotorua. Rotorua
Yes, it smells, but not all the time! Arriving bright and early, we took ourselves to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park. There are many different pools, smells and formations here.
There are also various spa facilities but we chose to just walk around the hot pools. Some of us (me) found them infinitely interesting, others wanted to leave because of the smell! I would have enjoyed going to more thermal parks, but I was promptly outvoted. The Redwoods Treewalk is about five kilometres from the centre of Rotorua. It’s a 700 m walk along 28 bridges and 27 decks suspended amongst the trees. At night we took the Nightlights Tour, the forest is gently lit with 30 giant wooden lanterns (up to 2.5 m tall) and 40 slowly changing colour spots. It was quiet, peaceful and amazing. Both the kids and the adults loved it and I definitely recommend taking this walk either in the day or at night or both like we did.
A highlight for the kids was Skyline Rotorua. After catching the gondola to the top, we spent quite some time riding the luge. There were several tracks of varying speeds, all of which were loads of fun.
After we had finished, we enjoyed a buffet dinner at the Stratosphere restaurant – so much food, so many choices, all of them delicious! I would also recommend booking this in advance as it was quite busy. Interislander Ferry – Wellington to Picton
As we were visiting both the North and South islands, we travelled on the interislander ferry that connects the two islands. There are several crossings a day between Wellington (North) and Picton (South) across Cook Strait. Taking Nicole’s, from Holiday and Cruise Centre's advice, we left our hire car at the ferry terminal in Wellington, checked our bags and boarded on foot. When we left Wellington, it was a little rough on Cook Strait, but when we entered Queen Charlotte Sound, it was all smooth sailing and very beautiful. Once in Picton, we disembarked and made our way to the car hire office and collected a new hire car for use on the South Island.
South Island Hanmer Springs Due to a road closure, we had to take the long route from the ferry terminal at Picton to our next stop at Hanmer Springs. It was a long and winding drive but very scenic and picturesque. That evening we visited the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. There were a variety of pools with different temperatures, including sulphur pools. It was freezing out of the pools but so warm in the pools themselves. I’d definitely like to return to Hanmer Springs and spend a few more days there.
Queenstown
There was certainly no shortage of things to do in Queenstown despite it not being the ski season when we were there. We took a lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, went on a KJet jet boat up the Shotover River, and visited Skyline Queenstown for more luge rides. Emma had seen the paragliders coming down over Queenstown and was adamant that she was going to do it. And do it she did. We watched her come down – slowly twisting and spinning and loving every second of it. This was the highlight of her NZ holiday.
The overnight cruise on Milford Sound was a huge highlight of the trip for all of us, which we had booked on Nicole’s recommendation. The coach transfers from Queenstown gave us a break from driving and the coach was comfortable with large windows so you could take in the scenery. The driver provided us with interesting and informative commentary on the way there. We made a number of stops – toilet breaks, lunch break and sightseeing stops/ quick walks – which broke the journey up for us.
The scenery was wonderful and also included a drive through the 1.2-kilometre, one-lane Homer Tunnel. Once on the boat, we all (60 passengers plus staff) gathered in the dining room for a safety briefing before we were given the keys to our cabins. Some cabins had twin beds; others had double beds – all had ensuite bathrooms. When the cruise departed later in the day, there were very few boats on the water besides ours. The cliffs of the Sound were breathtaking – so big that you lost all sense of scale. We travelled briefly out into the Tasman Sea then back into the Sound. Waterfalls, birds and seals were the sights we saw that afternoon. The mountains were majestic as they rose into the sky, often shrouded in cloud. Once we arrived in the cove where we were to spend the night, passengers had the option to go kayaking or travel on a motorised aluminium boat. The food was delicious and plentiful and everything was very well organised. Breakfast was early and when we set sail back to the port, again, we were one of the few vessels on the water. One of the highlights of the cruise was being joined by a pod of dolphins who swam around us and surfed at the bow of the boat for quite some time. Once we arrived back at the port, the same driver/coach was waiting for us to take us back to Queenstown. I’d happily take the coach again as it was so easy. I look forward one day to going back and doing the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise!
Driving in New Zealand
There were some days with lots of driving, much of it on curving and winding roads. I didn’t mind that too much, though, as the scenery was all gorgeous. Even the children didn’t mind being in the car. I would suggest, however, that you allow extra time to get to places – distances in NZ take a little longer to drive than they do on our flat, straight roads in Australia. I’d also recommend hiring a GPS from the car hire company. We relied on our phones for navigation on the North Island but had a GPS on the South Island. It was much easier and we didn’t have to rely on phone coverage as much. Rail Journeys
Nicole had suggested that we leave our hire car in Greymouth and catch the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch, where we were departing from to fly back to Australia. The journey was lovely; it was raining and misty for about half the journey but the scenery was still amazing. After we passed through the 8.5-kilometre Otira Tunnel, the weather cleared and the view was even more spectacular! This journey is a must-do.
We also travelled the Taieri Gorge Railway on a train from Dunedin to the Taieri Gorge. This four-hour rail journey negotiates the winding gorge, travels through 10 tunnels and across numerous bridges, including the famous Wingatui Viaduct – the second-largest wrought-iron structure in operation in the world. On this train we were able to enjoy the open-air platforms, too. During the trip the train stopped at the tiny siding at Hindon, where everyone disembarked to take photographs and have a brief walk around. At the turnaround point at Pukerangi, we were once again able to disembark and watch while the engine was detached and reattached to the other end of the train. Franz Josef
The week before we were to depart Australia, Nicole advised that a torrential downpour and subsequent flooded river had destroyed the Waiko Bridge at Franz Josef, closing access from Queenstown, with the bridge having to be rebuilt. We flew out of Australia, knowing that if the bridge wasn’t completed in time that Nicole would change our arrangements, which would, unfortunately, result in us missing out on landing on the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers and taking the rail journey from Greymouth to Christchurch. Amazingly, they had the bridge rebuilt in record time and our travel plans didn’t need to be changed. The roads between Queenstown and Franz Josef were gorgeous but you could see the damage that had been caused by the once-in-a-century downpour. The single-lane Waiko Bridge, rebuilt with wooden slats/planks, was all the more impressive given the speed with which it had been replaced (they got the army in to get the job done in record time). It made an interesting sound when we drove over it! Nicole kept in touch with me throughout our journey to update us on the progress of the rebuild, which made our journey less stressful, knowing that she could change our arrangements for us without it taking time away from what we were doing.
New Zealand has a multitude of great family accommodation options, with many cabin parks, motels and hotels available. We stayed in two-bedroom accommodation throughout the holiday, which ranged from 3 to 5 star. Some of our favourite spots were the Settlers Inn at Hamner Springs and Glenfern Villas at Franz Josef. The staff were so helpful and friendly and made our stay much more pleasant. Thanks to Nicole and the team at the Holiday and Cruise Centre for making our trip a memorable one.
Dancing with Our Stars
Words by Ricci McGreevy.
Shelley Ross is the one of the masterminds behind Ballarat’s latest offering to the entertainment calendar, Dancing with Our Stars. This exciting event will take on a similar format to the vastly popular TV show, Dancing with the Stars, and will feature 10 local identities as the stars.
As an expert in all things ballroom dancing, Shelley certainly has an impressive dance card. She began dancing at nine years of age and had turned professional by the time she was 15. After dancing in the finals of the Australian championships at 16, Shelley began her career as a ballroom dancing teacher. She is the owner of the Dance Studio, a dance school known for being the most experienced and successful in teaching ballroom and Latin American dancing in Ballarat for 25 years. To say that Ballarat’s stars are in safe hands really is an understatement. Over the coming weeks, Shelley will put 10 local people through their paces and prepare them to perform at the Dancing with Our Stars gala event at the Civic Hall on Saturday 22 June. Local identities who are being fast-tracked to learn the dances include local teacher and footy legend Shaune Moloney; real estate extraordinaire Mark Nunn; Madame Mayor, Samantha McIntosh; Canberra Hotel owner Malcolm Roberts; chief medical officer for Ballarat Health Services Rosemary Aldrich; Clarke Cleaner owner and personal trainer Dylan Lesock; Rotary member Robyn Upton; AFLW player Amy McDonald; IT expert George Fong; and photographer and blogger Liana Skewes. Dancing with Our Stars is a major fundraising event for the Ballarat Foundation who will use the proceeds for those in need in Ballarat and surrounding areas. The foundation is committed to alleviating the cycles of disadvantage that exist in our community, focusing on early childhood, youth success, food security and housing security.
Shelley says that all the dancers are doing really well so far and have committed to about two hours of training each week. “I’m impressed with the dedication of each star, but they are probably feeling the pressure a bit as well,” she says. Each star has been matched with a trained dance partner who will support them through their dance journey. Shelley adds, “Liana is doing really well and is practising a lot at home. Her dance is the samba, which is very technical with lots of hip action, but she has a great sense of showmanship about her.” Some of the other dancers have already been hit with illness and injury, including tendon trouble, a broken toe and a rolled ankle. But Shelley says that is all part of a dancer’s life and is just another thing the stars will have to endure along with the blisters and sore feet!
As an industry expert, Shelley already knows all about the pressures of dancing with her wealth of experience over the years in shows and competitions. A few of her own dancers, including her daughter, Abbey, have participated on Dancing with the Star's. Abbey danced with Chris Hemsworth in Season 6 and in its most recent incarnation, studio teacher Jared danced with Olympia Valance. Several of Shelley’s students have also won competitions at national level. “I always have a huge sense of pride when my students achieve; it is the best thing about teaching,” she says.
Shelley understands that the gala night put on by the Ballarat Foundation is a fundraising event and sees it as part of her responsibility to help raise as much money as possible. Winners will be chosen through the people’s choice award and voting has already begun. George Fong has led the charge from the outset, with Malcolm Roberts and Robyn Upton close behind. While the stars battle it out with the votes, Shelley is not sure who will be crowned winner on the dance floor. She comments: “You never know how someone is going to perform on the night. Some people really excel on the big floor once the adrenaline starts pumping; you just have no idea what is going to happen.” In any case, Shelley hopes that the night will be a huge success. “I hope that the stars have a blast on the dance floor. The dancers set the mood for everyone else; if they are enjoying themselves, the audience will feed off that excitement.”
A lot of thought has been put into the structure of the night, including the choreography and the music to set the tone and mood for the night. As Shelley explains, “every dance has its role to play on the night. The first dancers will come out with a bang, then each dance will work through different emotions and build a story right through till the end.”
Shelley Ross’s knowledge and experience in ballroom dancing will ensure that Dancing with Our Stars will be a spectacular night. To vote for your favourite star or to book tickets to the gala night, visit www.ballaratfoundation.org.au.
A Day Trip to Beaufort
Words by Lisa and Lucy.
This quaint goldrush town continues to celebrate its riches in a vast and unexpected manner.
74 Beginning with a necessary coffee hit from local café Pyrenees Pantry, we polish off our lattés and stroll onwards to the delightfully named Magnolias Wine Bar and Café. Providing a much-appreciated service for the locals, this new establishment has quickly become a refuge for late-night cheese and wine bingeing, (which is one of our favourite pastimes).
After an early-morning tipple (when in Rome), we stumble upon an unassuming brick façade that houses a rather remarkable secret. Margaret is the owner of Beaufort’s hidden Imperial Egg Gallery, which has a treasure trove of fascinating finds dating back over 60 years. We fall in love with the stories behind this astonishing collection. Our standout? Humphrey Bogart’s mother’s miniature set contained in an egg.
Like in any self-respecting small town, we were chuffed to discover the local Art Trax Gallery, which adjoins the town’s railway station. Enjoying a relaxed wander through, we learn of the rather large Pyrenees art exhibition that is held in Beaufort every June. A must-see, by all accounts! We take five in the lush, green surrounds of the memorial garden. A hamper of home-baked treats from the Pyrenees Pantry provides the perfect picnic requirements for refuelling.
Located a short distance away, we are pleasantly surprised to discover a repurposed church filled to the brim with Christmas goods. (Note to self – Santa hasn’t left the building!)
Our next stop reveals itself as a complete craft cottage tucked behind a weatherboard frontage. Renée, the talented owner, dyes her own threads and creates the most exquisite quilts to suit all tastes. She is a regular at expos and a prizewinning crafter, and her store contains the complete package for a quilt-making lover’s paradise. Surely we have nearly seen it all at this point? Not even close!
The Lake Goldsmith Goods Shed Museum is an important historical base that brings the past to life in a large shed on the edge of town. We take a quick tour through the assortment of vintage collectables. A part of this living museum is also the highly acclaimed Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally, which takes place in May and November each year. It has become a huge affair that attracts thousands of tourists.
A short drive out of town and we are in the natural wonderland of Cave Hill Creek. It has a well-established camping facility, and the grounds also boast comfortable “glamping” provisions to cater for the full spectrum of accommodation needs. The bushland surrounds provide the perfect tranquil retreat. The last stop on our day tour through this remarkable region is at the captivating Eurambeen homestead. A large tree trunk imposes itself on the car park as a stark natural sculpture, which is an Instagrammer’s dream.
Jane, from Mountainside Wines, meets us on the grounds and we soon gather in the gallery cellar for an afternoon of wine tasting. We can deal!
Sarah Beaumont, the owner of Eurambeen, escorts us through the Edna Walling-designed gardens and shares elements of the property’s stunning transformation with us. Buzzing from the enormity of the day, we head home after our visit with Sarah.
Lisa and Lucy were guests of the Beaufort Progress Association. A special thank you to Liza and Heather for their warm hospitality on the day.
Photo by Peter Kervarec
For highlights of this day, check out @uncovervic on Instagram. Quirky fact: The creator of Vegemite, Cyril Callister, was born nearby and spent a chunk of his childhood growing up on the outskirts of Beaufort. His humble family abode remains there to this day.
The full list of our adventures is as follows:
1. Pyrenees Pantry 2. Magnolias Wine Bar and Café 3. Michael Unwin Winery – Cellar Door 4. The Imperial Egg Gallery 5. Art Trax Gallery 6. Beaufort Lake 7. Beaufort Christmas Shop, Gifts and Café 8. Renée’s Craft Cottage 9. Memorial Garden 10.Goods Shed Museum 11. The Vegemite Sign 12. Cave Hill Creek – accommodation/ wedding location 13. Eurambeen Historic Homestead with Mountainside Wines
To see more about Beaufort, visit the @visitbeautfort instagram page.
