From the Source

Right across Victoria, summer berries and other delicious produce are ripe and juicy. But you don’t have to buy them from the shop. Get out in the sunshine and pick your own.

CherryHill Orchards

Cherry Bomb

Summer means cherries, and if you head to the Yarra Valley on an overnight adventure be sure to head to an orchard and fill a bucket. At CherryHill Orchards, which has both Coldstream and Wandin East locations, cherry season is in full swing and lasts through January. Buy your ticket online before you arrive then pluck the juicy fruit from its branches for two hours. You can also head to Blue Hills Berries and Cherries at Silvan where you can purchase local berries or pick some more delicious cherries. +cherryhill.com.au +upickberries.com.au

Strawberry Kisses

You know what’s better than a plump, juicy strawberry? One that you’ve picked from the plant yourself. About 10 kilometres from Cobram, near the Murray River, you’ll find The Big Strawberry. Of course, you can have your photo taken in front of the eponymous fruit, but there’s plenty more to do once you’ve filled your bucket with fresh strawbs. Try the strawberry wine, get a strawberry icecream, check out the indoor beehive, and let the kids wear themselves out in the adventure playground. +thebigstrawberry.com.au

Pick Your Own Sunflowers

Blue Hills Berries and Cherries

Sweet Pickings

The town of Stanley in the High Country is famous for its apple orchards, but during summer you can fill your baskets with all types of berries. At High Grove, depending on exactly when you’re in the area, you can find blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, raspberries and more. While you’re there grab some of owner Carmelina Iaria’s homemade preserves. If you love the experience, revisit Stanley in autumn when the apples are ready to pick. +highgroveberriesstanley.com.au

CherryHill Orchards

Brighten Your Day

If you’ve eaten your fill of fresh fruit, head towards Ballarat near the end of February. At a farm at Dunnstown the fields are filled with incredible blooms that you can pick and take home. Pick Your Own Sunflowers is a magnet for Instagrammers and flower lovers. Check out the Facebook page for bookings. There might be the chance to pick some fresh sweet corn while you’re there. +facebook.com/sunflowerpicking

TAKE TIME TO DISCOVER

GRAMPIANS WINE

Grampians In a Glass

Best’s Wines

Mount Langi Ghiran Robert Blackburn

For more than 150 years, the Grampians has produced award-winning, distinctive, cool climate wines, made to stand the test of time.

Just a two-hour road trip west of Melbourne, the region impresses serious wine drinkers with its mix of large and boutique wineries dotted about, from the acclaimed Mount Langi Ghiran in the east, to Moyston’s hidden gem, Clayfield Wines. +langi.com.au +clayfieldwines.com

The Shiraz

Yes, it’s fair to say the Grampians is serious about its wine. And notably, its Shiraz. There are both extra special bottles you’ll take home and covet until a momentous occasion and quality drops at reasonable prices, so irresistible that they must be opened right there and then.

The History

Wine and history go hand in hand in the Grampians wine region. From the labyrinth of underground tunnels built in 1865 that are The Drives at Seppelt, to the historic Nursery Block within the Concongella Estate at Best’s Wines.

Clayfield Wines

+bestswines.com +seppeltgreatwestern.com.au

The People

Some of Australia’s oldest vines, and in turn, most seasoned cellars sit in this region, all with a passionate aficionado waiting to tell you the story behind a bottle that has been labelled with pride. With the majestic Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park as your backdrop, take time to discover Grampians wine.

SOL Wellness

at The Sebel Yarrawonga

SOL Wellness Centre at The Sebel Yarrawonga Andrea Sissons Looking for a serene respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Drawing inspiration from the land itself. The salt, sun and clay come direct from mother nature – ensures each individual will feel enlightened by their wellness experience.

SOL Wellness is the perfect escape to retreat, relax and indulge in much needed self-care. The organic skincare and spa treatment protocols, chosen to calm, heal, soothe and repair, you will leave relaxed, revitalised and looking forward to your next visit with us.

Take time to reflect upon the rippling water views across Lake Mulwala and the stillness of our private sunlit garden enclaves adjoining each Spa Suite.

Reset your mind and body with a range of therapies from our comprehensive spa menu that allows guests to choose from existing services or create a bespoke experience.

SOL Wellness Centre at The Sebel Yarrawonga 40 Silverwoods Boulevard, Yarrawonga t 03 5745 9103 w thesebelyarrawonga.com.au Find us on:

Echuca Moama

Silo Arts Trail

It’s the closest Murray community to Melbourne at just 2.5 hours drive, and the Echuca Moama region is home to three spectacular art silos and one art water tank.

The Silo Art Trail takes in the small towns surrounding the Echuca Moama region, showcasing their art, cultural experiences and wine regions, with wineries located just 15 minutes drive from the Colbinabbin Art Silos.

Rochester GrainCorp Silos

Visit the Iddles Lane mural commemorating former Victoria Police homicide detective, Ron Iddles. Also check out the town's mural park with its selection of oversized art created as part of the annual Rochester Mural Festival.

Colbinabbin Art Silos

Grab a coffee and some local produce at the Colbinabbin General Store, or experience a traditional pub meal at the Colbinabbin Country Hotel. You can also visit one of the nearby wineries in the award-winning Heathcote wine region.

Kyabram Goulburn Valley Water Tank

Stop by The Kyabram Town Hall Gallery showcasing regional artists, touring exhibitions and a changing exhibition program of vintage clothing. Visit the nearby town of Tongala and marvel at the 40+ street murals painted on buildings and fences around the town centre.

Picola Art Silo

Visit Barmah National Park and take an eco boat tour through the narrowest part of the Murray with Kingfisher Cruises.

Colbinabbin Art Silos

Rochester GrainCorp Silos

Visit echucamoama.com to view the Silo Art Trail itinerary and video tour, and discover all the arts and cultural experiences you can see along the way.

Show and Tell

Art, nature and local history get top billing in Greater Shepparton this summer.

Victoria Park Lake

Aboriginal street art Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Building

It’s always been a city with a creative edge, but now with the Shepparton Art Museum’s (SAM) new building now open there’s an extra reason to visit. This new five-storey gallery, set on Victoria Park Lake, will be a beacon for arts and culture in the area.

Join the Celebration

Everyone is welcome to visit SAM now the new gallery has opened its doors. Come and see the nation’s leading collection of historic and contemporary Australian ceramics.

Don’t miss Kaiela Arts, a gallery that presents local Indigenous work, and get ideas about what to do in the region from the friendly team at the Greater Shepparton Visitor Centre, all located within the SAM building.

The region invites you back to the cultural hub that is the SAM building for a unique and memorable community celebration, with an event planned for 2022.

Art Escape

Make the most of the sunshine and explore Dana Djirrungana Dunguludja Yenbena-l, a series of local Aboriginal street art murals. More colour can be seen in the form of 90 life-sized painted cows scattered around the region that make up Moooving Art.

Venture Outside

Stretch your legs on a stroll around Victoria Park Lake. There’s a twokilometre walking track, as well as barbecue facilities, skate park and all-abilities playground. For local Yorta Yorta history head to The Flats, which became home to many Aboriginal people after the Cummeragunja Station walk-off in 1939. Interpretive signage along the Flat’s walk shares stories and facts from the walk-off and about life there.. +visitshepparton.com.au