In town for the long weekend? You don’t need to be. Here are six areas to visit all within an hour and a half radius.
The ring of steel is a lockdown memory but most Melburnians are still inclined to stay within the city limits or fly interstate or overseas when they travel. As of March 2023, 65 per cent of Melburnians had not visited regional Victoria overnight in the previous 12 months, according to Visit Victoria. That’s down from 70 per cent last September but it’s far from a ringing endorsement for the state’s charms.
“People don’t realise what’s on their doorsteps,” says Zach Tinsley, a Melbourne chef who is running pop-up lunches at Avani Winery on the Mornington Peninsula this long weekend. “You can get out of the city really quickly,” says Marion Leith, owner of Passing Clouds Winery in Musk, 120 kilometres north-west of the city. “From the northern suburbs it’s not even an hour and a quarter to us.”
No car? No problem. “Catch the train in the morning and go back in the evening,” says Pete Dillon, owner of Ballarat’s Hotel Canberra. “There are cheap fares now ($9.20 a day) and Ballarat is easy to explore on foot.” Ferries are an option if you’re heading to the Bellarine Peninsula. “Ferries run directly from Docklands to Portarlington, which is five minutes from us,” says Luke Purcell, cellar door manager at The Whiskery gin distillery.
Want to daytrip like a king? Here are some ideas.
Bass Coast
Sharon Georgiou runs the produce store at Macca’s Farm, 100 kilometres south-east of Melbourne in South Gippsland’s Bass Coast shire. Have a glass of wine in the company of farm chickens then fill a basket with hydroponic produce grown on site and the farm’s own free-range pork and beef.
“Our part of the world is relaxed and has so much to offer,” says Georgiou. Nearby Bassine Specialty Cheeses serves its own cow’s milk cheese. Twenty minutes away, Loch is one of Victoria’s prettiest towns and has its annual food and wine festival this Sunday: wander through for hot snacks and local produce. “We’re also close to The Gurdies Winery, which has fantastic water views and a beautiful fireplace,” says Georgiou. You also can’t miss Loch Brewery and Distillery for whisky, gin and bottled cocktails ‒ it’s in the century-old red-brick bank building in the gorgeous main street.
Yarra Valley
“When Coldstream is minus 1 degree, Gateway Market is 23 degrees,” says Phil Stevenson, manager of the innovative pick-your-own produce hub and cafe at the city end of the Yarra Valley, an hour’s drive east from the CBD. It’s summer every day in the climate-controlled growing room. “We have heirloom tomatoes, capsicums, cucumber, eggplants, lovely bok choi and a fantastic array of chillies,” he says. “Our dog-friendly section is by the salad wall, which is full of fragrant basil plants.” Start with coffee and sausage rolls here then explore the region. Nearby St Hubert’s Winery is doing wine, whisky and smores around the campfire throughout June, and Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville has a new garden for gin tasting paddles.
Mornington Peninsula
Chef Zach Tinsley’s pop-up dining room is at Avani Winery at Red Hill, an hour from the city. The ex-Congress chef is serving lunch by the fireplace each day of the long weekend. The $95 set menu includes hit dishes from his previous restaurants and each course can be matched with the estate’s biodynamic wines. He’s been impressed by craft rum distillery JimmyRum in Dromana, which is open for tastings and food, and not far from Mr Little Cider. He’s also a big rap for Point Leo Estate for food, wine and its sculpture park. “The whole region is studded with gems,” he says.
Macedon Ranges
This time of the year is lovely to drive to the Macedon Ranges, says Marion Leith, who has just opened a restaurant at her Passing Clouds Winery. “Our cellar door is open all long weekend,” she says. “We have a beautiful new shiraz and sparkling to try, and you can look at the vineyard through misty clouds.” She recommends building out a day-trip with a spin through Woodend, Trentham, Musk and Daylesford. “They’re all gorgeous towns, lovely for walks and family friendly,” she says, making special note of the cosy Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham, which has a fireplace.
Ballarat
“Ballarat is so much closer than people think,” says Pete Dillon, owner of Hotel Canberra. “It’s an hour and 20 minutes by car or train and there’s so much to explore that’s not old, gold or cold.” He recommends a drink or lunch at his cafe then putting on a scarf to walk the lake or head to the Art Gallery of Ballarat. “It’s very explorable on foot,” he says. “Come in the morning, go back in the evening: it’s easy.” All within strolling distance in the town centre are Pencilmark Wine Room for local drops and excellent charcuterie, 1816 Bakery for sourdough joys and Aunty Jack’s Brewhouse which uses the same local grain as 1816 to brew its beers. Nearby Fika can sort out your caffeination needs.
Bellarine Peninsula
“We’re spoilt for choice on the Bellarine,” says Luke Purcell, cellar door manager at The Whiskery, which welcomes dogs but not children. Sample the distillery’s gins and whiskies then continue exploring. “We have five wineries within 10 minutes. Scotchmans Hill has the most history, Bennetts is rustic and laid back and Jack Rabbit is great for lunch overlooking the bay. Port Phillip Ferries leave Docklands for Portarlington and driver service Wine Wheels still has cars available. “It’s easy to have an amazing day,” says Purcell.
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