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Spring is in the air, so there’s no better time to head out of town and enjoy the flowers, wine and perfect weather. Time your trip to catch one of these incredible events.

Bendigo Annual Tulip Display

Musical Moments

Get your tent ready because you can enjoy three days of tunes and the great outdoors at Queenscliff Music Festival (25–27 November). Baker Boy, RVG, Middle Kids and Isabella Manfredi headline. The Mildura Wentworth Country Music Festival (23 September – 1 October) sees artists like Paul Costa, Andrew Swift, Bec Hance and many more playing at venues all over town. +qmf.net.au +mildurawentworthmusic

festival.com Just the Drop

Check out the best of the Yarra Valley’s smaller, family-owned vineyards when they throw a party during Shedfest (8–9 October). Taste the sweet life at the King Valley’s La Dolce Vita Festival (19–20 November), and celebrate new releases of prosecco and other Italian varieties paired with family-style hospitality. Discover the diversity of wine and food being produced in the Macedon Ranges at Budburst Festival (19–20 November). More than 30 wineries welcome visitors to their vineyards to taste the drops usually only available at the cellar door. +yarravalleysmallerwineries.

com.au

+winesofthekingvalley.com.au +macedonrangeswine.com.au

Floral Infusion

When the warmer days appear, so too do Bendigo’s famous blooms. During the Bendigo Annual Tulip Display (mid-September – mid-October), more than 50,000 flowers bloom along Pall Mall and in the Conservatory Garden open. The best of the High Country will be on display at Bright Spring Festival (22–31 October). Open gardens, markets and a grand fireworks display are all planned. +bendigoregion.com.au +brightspringfestival.com.au

On the Move

They’ll be taking to two wheels in Beechworth for Gravelista (3–4 September). Cyclists take the road less travelled while the town hosts an expo for riders and supporters. +gravelista.cc

A Signature Experience

Whether you’re seeking world-class wineries or welcoming cafes, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges has it all.

Just an hour from the Melbourne CBD, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are synonymous with awardwinning wineries, cellar doors, hatted fine-dining restaurants and farmgate experiences. Take a few days and enjoy it all.

Taste Everything

Truly a culinary destination, the Yarra Valley is blessed with producers, winemakers and chefs who are dedicated to serving guests the very best of everything. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion with a fine-dining degustation accompanied by sweeping vineyard views or want to wake to a baristaserved coffee and a hand-crafted pastry from one of the incredible cafes and bakeries, you’ll find it here.

Signature Series

Each of the cafes, bakeries, fromageries, ice-creameries, restaurants, wineries, cellar doors and farm gates in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges has something special waiting to be discovered – a signature dish if you will. Give yourself the time to discover them and the unique stories behind what makes each so special.

French chef Auguste Escoffier may have made the first Peach Melba in 1892 to honour Dame Nellie Melba, but you can still devour it at the opera singer’s former home, Coombe Yarra Valley. Be sure to arrive early for lunch and take the time to explore the property’s exquisite gardens. At Punt Road Wines, try a mulled cider made from apples grown in the onsite family orchard. Finish a meal at Dominque Portet’s bistro with a decadent classic French crème caramel.

Something Special

There are also more affordable signature experiences to be had at various farm gates, cafes and wineries, from bee stings at Beechworth Bakery Healesville to waffles at the General Food Store in Emerald and everything in between. Find out more about the regions incredible Signature Series and view all the amazing experiences to be had at the region’s website. +visityarravalley.com.au

TarraWarra Estate

Coombe Yarra Valley Rick Liston

Four Pillars

Located in Healesville in the heart of the Yarra Valley, the newly expanded Four Pillars Distillery is set to become one of the world’s leading gin destinations.

The new site has almost tripled the capacity for gin fans, with the addition of a stunning new copper bar and a botanical-filled gin garden overlooking the bottling line so you can enjoy a drink while watching the gin-making magic happen. The original space and new building are surrounded by a ‘veil’ made of raw copper tubing that helps to cool water from the gin distillations and reduce overall energy consumption. This veil, alongside other initiatives including reducing glass waste by piping gin directly into the main bar, has helped to make Four Pillars the home of Australia’s first carbon-neutral gin.

Stop by the tasting bench, book into a Gin Masterclass, or try your hand at making your own gin in a Maker Session. It’s good times and great drinks guaranteed. 2 Lilydale Road, Healesville Train: Lilydale Line to Lilydale Station, then bus 685 to Healesville Open: Sun–Thu, 10:30am to 5.30pm, Fri–Sat, 10:30am to 9pm (Closed New Year's Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day) t: 1800 374 446 (1800 FPG GIN) w: fourpillarsgin.com Find us on:

Healesville Sanctuary

Enjoy a bushland haven for Australian wildlife, set in the stunning Yarra Valley wine region. See a variety of native reptiles and amphibians, as well as majestic birds of prey and magnifi cent parrots on full display at our world-renowned fl ight area. Wander along the tranquil trails and spot kangaroos, koalas, emus and critically endangered species. Don’t miss the daily Spirits of the Sky free-fl ight bird presentation, or the Wurundjeri Walk, which celebrates the life of Elder William Barak. Enjoy free keeper talks, outdoor picnic spots and nature-play areas for the kids. Kids visit free on weekends and school holidays. Open: Daily, 9am to 5pm Glen Eadie Avenue, Healesville t:1300 966 784 w: zoo.org.au/healesville

Global Ballooning Australia

Global Ballooning Australia has shared a sunrise with more than 120,000 people since 1992. Gently fl oat over the world’s most liveable city or the countryside – travelling with the breeze means every journey is diff erent. Our award-winning balloon fl ights take in Melbourne city, Yarra Valley and Mansfi eld. Yarra Valley is a stunning wine region, located only a 50-minute drive from Melbourne. Local producers of food, wine and cider will tantalise your tastebuds and keep you wanting more. Return CBD transfers available. Use code OVG10 for 10% off any WEEKDAY Yarra Valley adult fl ight. T&C’s apply Global Ballooning Australia operates 364 days a year, weather permitting. t:+61 3 9428 5703 w:www.globalballooning.com.au Find us on:

Phillip Island Nature Parks

Be in awe of nature’s true spectacle – watch little penguins waddle home every night at Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. Spot koalas, wallabies and birdlife in their bushland habitat at the Koala Conservation Reserve, and experience the heritage working farm, historical grounds and gardens at Churchill Island. Learn stories of conservation, climate resilience and what lives in the deep, with the interactive and immersive experiences at the Antarctic Journey. Make the most of your whole day out on Phillip Island and help us protect nature for wildlife by purchasing our best value ticket, the 4 Parks Pass. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island Nature Parks is a self-funded organisation. Revenue raised through our attractions is invested in vital research, environment and education programs. Open: Daily from 10am. Penguins arrive at sunset. 1019 Ventnor Road, Summerlands, Phillip Island t: 03 5951 2830 w: penguins.org.au Find us on:

Around and About Travel and Planning

See the Great Ocean Road the right way and spend two full days along this amazing coastline. Around and About off ers award-winning ecotourism experiences as part of its Ultimate 2 day Great Ocean Road itinerary, including Wildlife Wonders, a sanctuary that off ers guests a unique glimpse into the wild Otways. Let us show you the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Wilsons Prom, Gippsland, the Grampians, Mount Macedon, Daylesford, Yarra Valley and many other wonderful places Victoria has to off er. Around and About Travel off ers you the chance to see Victoria on a small group tour limited to a maximum of 11 passengers. Book now to receive a discount. We pick up from most Melbourne city hotels and hostels. t: 0414 637 072 w: aroundandabout.com.au e: info@aroundandabout.com.au Find us on: