Exploring Victoria....The Great Grape Road

At first when I heard about The Great Grape Road I laughed...who invents tours that involve driving and wineries?  I've never been a big fan of the taste and spit part of wine tasting.  Drink for effect not flavour has always been my philosophy!  

I'm joking (only slightly).

If you have a responsible adult with you, then the Great Grape Road touring route is a fantastic scenic circuit through the Pyrenees, Grampians and Ballarat wine regions of western Victoria.

This is the ultimate hedonistic experience.  Eat, drink, be merry.

This post will provide you with a general route and a list of all the vineyards that you can visit.  Each has its own cellar door opening times, but because there are so many available to you I'm sure the experience will be amazing regardless of what you visit.

Local cellar door experiences range in style from sophisticated tasting rooms to barrel-side tastings in underground tunnels.  Remember, this is a hedonistic road trip...it's all about eating and drinking.

Winemakers are keen to share their experiences and their produce.  These people put their blood, sweat and tears into producing their wine.  It takes months and sometimes even years to produce a wine that you are proud to put your name on.  Indulge them.  Enjoy.  Appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making a single bottle of vino.

Most cellar doors have adjacent cafes that allow you to indulge in a great drop then taste some of the local produce.  Think great local cheeses and other mouth watering snacks.

The scenic countryside around Ararat, Buangor, Great Western and Hall Gaps is home to outstanding wineries such as Seppelt's and Best's Great Western and newer vineyards such as Mt Langi Ghiran and Montara.

Grampians wines are known for their strong berry flavours and soft tannins.  Just surveying the vineyards while you taste the local drop is a memory you can't replace.  

Fratin Brothers Vineyard

Grampians Estate

Kimbarra Wines

Montara Winery

Mount Langi Ghiran

Norton Estate Wines

Seppelt Great Western

The Gap Vineyard

After leaving the mountainous terrain of the Grampians, the Great Grape Road swings east toward the soaring Pyranees, a splendid backdrop for a tasting at the region's excellent wineries.

The rich purple berry flavours of the region's cabernet sauvignon and shiraz offer hints of mint and eucalyptus.  It's chardonnay sauvignon blanc show soft stone fruit flavours and a refreshing acidity.  It's amazing how within such a small distance, there is such a large variety of delectable wines to savour. 

Amherst Winery

Berrys Bridge Vineyard

Blue Pyrenees Estate

Counterpoint Vineyard

Cullenya Winery

Dalwhinne Wines

Dogrock Winery

Eurabbie Estate

Jardine Wines

Kara Kara Winery

Mount Avoca Vineyard

Neds Vineyard

Peerick Vineyard

Pyren Vineyard

Pyranees Ridge Vineyard

Quoin Hill Vineyard 

Redbank Winery

Shays Flat Estate

St Ignatius Vineyard

Summerfield Wines

Taltarni Vineyards

Warrenmang Vineyard Resort

Wimmera Hills Winery

From the Pyranees, the Great Grape Road swings south to the nine wineries of Ballarat region, where the climate is ideal for chardonnay and pinot noir.  The long growing season here produces complex and subtle wines - flint and citrus in the chardonnay and spice and rich berry character in the pinot noir.

Captains Creek Organic Wines

Eastern Peake

Gold Fields Winery

Michael Unwin Wines

Mount Beckworth Wines

Mount Buninyong Winery

Mt Coghill Vineyard

St Anee's Vineyard

Whitehorse Wines

This drive takes around 3 days.  If you have the time, take a few more days and indulge.

The list of vineyards is amazing.  The girls at Luxury Oz Stays can suggest some great accommodation to rest your weary head after all that vino.  Or even find you a driver so you can indulge in the lap of luxury.

Once again folks, eat, drink, be merry.

You only live once.



Thank you to  http://www.visitvictoria.com for the great information.

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Exploring Victoria...Inspired by the Winter Games...

The 2010 Winter Olympics Games are currently underway in Vancouver, Canada (currently Australia has one silver medal, woot woot!)

I don't know about you but for those of us sweltering in the Australian summer, the images of all the supporters frolicking in the snow and more so, the fairytale Whistler resort...

makes me yearn for a skiiing holiday with the family.  Such a fairy tale setting!  Makes me want to pack my suitcases and grab the next flight to Canada. 

Until I realised I'd have to spend 22 hours on a plane.  With my children.

Um...maybe not. 

Time to check out what's available in good ol' Oz.

We took the kids on a snow trip a few years back and it was one of the best family holidays that we've had.

Although there is great skiing in New South Wales too, I think Victoria offers a better variety of snow fields and the snow is within easy access of Melbourne.  Whether you're a beginner or a pro, or simply want to throw a few snowballs at the kiddies, there are plenty of options to satisfy your inner snow bunny.  

We chose not to stay on the actual resorts (it can get pretty pricey), but picked a few different destinations so that we could drive around and explore the region.  That way we had the option of hitting the ski fields for a day and then relax doing other activities the next.  Snow is lots of fun but it can also be wet, miserable and cold.  Keep your options open!

Basically, the higher the mountain, the better the snow quality and the more chances of there being snow.

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges let you enjoy some of the best cross-country skiing in the country, tobogganing, snow play and alpine landscapes at Melbourne's closest snow fields.

In Gippsland, Mt Baw Baw and Mt St Gwinear offer the chance for you to enjoy skiing or snow boarding.

The High Country has some of Australia's most beautiful and accessible alpine regions.  Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Stirling, Lake Mountain and Dinner Plain give you a variety of destinations to choose from.  

You just need to know what sort of activities tickle your fancy and let someone recommend the best destination and accommodation.

PS.  And if you're not a fan of snow, the Australian Alps are great to explore in summer too!

Time to check the medal count, Go Australia!

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The Great Family Road Trip

Australia has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.  We have the beaches, the mountains, the desert, the rainforest.  So much to see and do.

And what better way to explore this country than in a good old fashioned road trip!  You know you want to try it.

See this on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria.

It seems most parents face the family road trip with some trepidation.

You can almost hear it now.

"He touched me."


"I did not."


"You did too."


"You're lying."


"He touched me again."


"You did it first."


"Ow, quit it!"


"You quit it."


"MUM!"

Forget everything you've seen.  Your trip doesn't have to be based on National Lampoons Family Vacation.

Here are some tips for your survival.

1.  Do the prep work a few day before.  Try to minimise the clothes that you take.  Most kids are happy to live in the same clothes for days.

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money." - Susan Heller

Fill up the car with fuel.  Pack bags to put in the boot but also organise travel packs to keep in the car with you.

For you -

Wet wipes, an absolute god send.  Kids get pretty grimy, even if they're buckled in.
Lip Balm
Drinking water
Hand cream
Eye cream
Hand sanitizer
Mints
Fashion magazines or a fat book
Travel pillow
A thermos of coffee.
Sunglasses
Your favourite music.  A car trip is a great way to get the kiddies acquainted with your favourite tunes.  Sing.  Loudly.

YOUR CAMERA.  Document the heck out of your trip.  You never know what you'll see on the road.

For the kids -

Try to avoid a DVD player.  Chat to your kids, sing, play games and prepare activity bags.  Fill them with books, stickers, stuffed toys.

Change of underwear.  Trust me it happens.

A pillow and their favourite blanket.  The car is a great place for a nap.

Water

Snacks and bribes.

For everyone -

Snacks.  Stock up on supplies to stifle even the heartiest appetite.  Include fruit, sandwiches and treats.  You'll save lots of cash and avoid the dreaded service station sandwich.

Water

More wet wipes.  Trust me, they come in handy for everything.

2. Leave at the crack of Dawn.  We're talking 5am.  The roads are clear and the kids will still be sleepy. A few hours napping in the car and you're off to the perfect start.

3.  Most important tip -


Relax.

Be prepared to change your plans.  Have a rough itinerary but remember things happen.  If you have any problems, let someone else organise your accommodation.

Enjoy it.

Road trips with the family are often a great adventure and will provide you with memories for a lifetime.

What are your tips?

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WISH I WAS HERE...

Well the school holidays are finally upon us.

Seven weeks of quality family time.

God help us all.

Even though I'm actually looking forward to having all the little critters running around the house (no more school runs! No more lunches!) I know the next 7 weeks are going to be a little...um...trying on occasions.

So please, today, let's indulge and pretend there are no children. Mummy needs to relax.

I have literally found a SPA TOWN. Why hasn't anyone ever mentioned this to me? I would have moved out of the suburbs years ago! Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you Dalesford - Hepburn Springs aka Spa Town.

Located in central Victoria, this place is the ultimate word in hedonistic indulgence. Massages, treatments, pampering...no children...

Where was I?

Oh yes.

Spa Town. And I've found the most divine place to stay.

Kudos Villas. Channelling Rachel Zoe...Oh. My. God. I. DIE. 5 star luxury.

Welcome to Kudos Temple.

There are 8 Villas to choose from, all drawing inspiration from the elements essential to life. And as mummy has decided to have a zen moment, I'm showing you Kudos Temple. Just imagine soaking in that spa with a glass of wine.

Wine that you chose yourself after visiting the cellar door at Ellender Estate.

The Temple Lounge

And just so the hubby and I can get re-acquainted...I bring you the Kudos Love Seat.

Throw in a little Micheal Buble and mummy is in heaven.

Cheers!

Enough daydreaming...let the school holidays begin!

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