Go West

Melbourne’s Neighbourhoods Go West

Life can be peaceful there, but plan your day properly and it can also be lots of fun.

Sassy Spotswood 19

Kids will love the incredible interactive exhibits at Scienceworks, but adults will appreciate the planetarium and its Dome Under Festival (9–10 October), showing the best fulldome films from around the world. Grab a table in the taproom and settle in to taste the offerings at Two Birds Brewing, which is, this year, celebrating its tenth anniversary. New to the suburb is Grazeland, a huge food park with flavours from all over the world and live music on the weekends. +museumsvictoria.com.au/

scienceworks

+twobirdsbrewing.com.au +grazeland.melbourne

Welcome to Werribee 20

There’s so much to see here, you could stay overnight at the gorgeous Lancemore Mansion Hotel – it has a fantastic day spa and restaurant – to ensure you don’t miss anything. Spend a few hours at Werribee Open Range Zoo communing with nature and cruising the savannah, before heading to the Victoria State Rose Garden to see more than 5,000 roses, many of them in bloom +lancemore.com.au +zoo.org.au/werribee +vicstaterosegarden.com.au

Newport Power 21

This is a suburb with an industrial history, and it’s been used to great effect at The Substation, which has been transformed into a contemporary gallery, performance space and dance studio. Newport Lakes was once a bluestone quarry, but is now the centrepiece for a 33-hectare park with a nature trail, picnic areas and abundant birdlife. +thesubstation.org.au

Victoria State Rose Garden

Two Birds Brewing

Grazeland SDP Media

Lancemore Mansion Hotel Newport Lakes

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Experience an African adventure on more than 200 hectares just 30 minutes from Melbourne. Enjoy a complimentary Safari Bus Tour spotting rhinos, giraff es, zebras, ostriches, antelopes and more. See lions, gorillas, meerkats and hippos on the Pula Reserve Trail. Don’t miss the new Australian Trail where emus, kangaroos, koalas and more roam. Make your visit extra special by adding a unique animal encounter or small group tours – from cheetahs to an early morning savannah tour. Train & Bus: Werribee Line to Werribee station then Bus 439 to Werribee South Open: Daily, 9am to 5pm K Road, Werribee t 1300 966 784 w zoo.org.au/werribee

Roses for days and the rolling plains of Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Where a Meerkat moment becomes a lifetime memory and wines have a worldfamous bouquet. Land your next adventure in the Werribee Park Precinct – world-class attractions all within easy access of each other. Located just 30 minutes from the City and on route to the Great Ocean Road. Shadowfax Wines Descend the red spiral staircase to enjoy a wine tasting in the underground barrel hall. Enjoy a Mediterranean inspired lunch or enjoy a picnic hamper in the adjoining gardens. Bookings Essential. Corked Wine Bar Unlock the hidden door at Werribee’s new ‘hidden’ wine bar. Discovering the location itself is half the fun.

DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW

Spring is for Birdwatchers World class sites for keen birdwatchers with thousands of migratory birds from as far as Siberia, Japan and Alaska making their way to the region each spring. Significant sites include Cheetham wetlands and the impressive Western Treatment Plant, considered second to only Kakadu for birdwatchers.