'Bourne to Summer Edition

Tourism Victoria 15 December 2009

'Bourne to Summer Edition - Dec 2009/Jan 2010

As the Brits wrap up warm and brave the winter chills, summer is in full swing in Melbourne and the beautiful state of Victoria. With new openings including from gastro pubs, new animal attractions at Melbourne Zoo and Melbourne Museum and spa developments, now is time to experience Australia's most compact and diverse state.

WHAT'S NEW: wining and dining in Melbourne

NEW GASTRO PUB - The Palace (opening December)
The Palace is the highly anticipated new ‘gastro pub' from global restaurateur and one of Australia's leading chef exports, Luke Mangan. Inside, there's a dining room, bar and lounge area, two private function spaces as well as an outdoor beer garden. The menu is Mangan's Modern Australian take on traditional pub food. In the restaurant, meals are predominantly meat-focused with a selection of premium grain-fed steaks, as well as pan-fried gnocchi, seared baby snapper and char-grilled chicken, complemented by a refined wine list. The bar area, lounge and sprawling beer garden will offer cocktails, boutique beers and a casual, fuss-free menu. www.palacehotelmelbourne.com.au

COFFEE THE WAY YOU LIKE IT - New bespoke coffee experiences
Iconic coffeehouse St Ali has a new high-end coffee experience - the Slayer Espresso. One of only 10 in the world, The Slayer Espresso is the ultimate traditional barista machine, featuring geometric pressure-altering technology, which ensures that individual taste profiles of each region are celebrated and fully enjoyed. St Ali's owner, Salvatore Malatesta, is also opening two more venues - Outpost (South Yarra) and Sensory Lab in David Jones (CBD), which will act as "coffee cellar doors", where customers can select their preferred coffee of choice and also choose their preferred brewing method, from Japanese siphon bar to French press techniques. The ultimate goal? Taking home a bag of coffee 100 percent tailored to your tastebuds. www.slayerespresso.com

HISTORIC HOTEL GETS A REVAMP - Middle Park Hotel opening 2010
The historic Middle Park Hotel has been transformed into a boutique accommodation and culinary destination with luxury rooms, ‘gastro pub' dining and one of the largest freestanding bars in Australia.

Built in 1889 at the height of the Victorian Gold Rush, the hotel now blends 19th century grandeur with 21st century contemporary style after a renovation by hip Melbourne architects, Six Degrees. The 25 boutique accommodation rooms, due to open in early 2010, have bay, lake or city views, plus complimentary wifi and broadband access, iPod docks, plasma TVs, in-room spa services and the ‘most fun-filled mini bar imaginable'.

The hotel dining room, its walls adorned with English Oak and Queensland Maple panels that once furnished the walls of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) long room, opened in October with a new down-to earth pub menu designed by acclaimed chef Paul Wilson (ex-Quaglino's London, Botanical) in association with new head chef David Marshall. The meals are made entirely from Victorian-sourced produce. The hotel's huge ‘island bar' boasts 45 beers on tap and, at 70 metres long, is one of the largest free-standing bars in Australia.
www.middleparkhotel.com.au

NEW FOR DECEMBER - Asian dining and retail hub
Set to open this month, 206 Bourke Street will feature an exciting mix of fashion, food, shopping and vibrant public spaces to rival the famous shopping and entertainment centres of Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai. The complex is located on the former Village City Centre site, between Swanston and Russell Streets, and aims to be a one-stop entertainment complex, including a huge karaoke parlour.

The centre is set to become an Asian dining hub with renowned Chinese restaurants Dynasty, The Bund and ex-Melbourne Lord Mayor John So's Dragon Boat all opening on-site. Nan Xing Steam Bun and an opulent Japanese restaurant will also be part of the experience. www.206bourke.com.au

MELBOURNE ZOO & MELBOURNE MUSEUM - Wild new attractions for summer
Two new animal-themed attractions will be a major hit for families visiting Melbourne this summer.

Wild Sea, a massive new marine precinct highlighting Victoria's coastal environment, will open at Melbourne Zoo on December 9. And the Melbourne Museum has just launched Wild: Amazing Animals in a Changing World, a new permanent exhibition.

Wild Sea is a $20 million development that will include new homes for the zoo's Australian Fur Seals and Little Penguins. It will also enable the zoo to expand its diversity of marine life and will include several marine species native to Victoria such as Port Jackson Sharks, Fiddler Rays, and colourful Port Phillip fish species such as the Blue Devil. The development also features a pier built from recycled timbers, a spacious seating area for keeper talks and large windows to provide underwater viewing of both the Little Penguins and the seals. www.zoo.org.au/wildsea

At Melbourne Museum, Wild: Amazing Animals in a Changing World features more than 700 mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world, plus native animals such as the Mountain-Pygmy Possum, koalas, Regent Honeyeater and Malleefowl. New multimedia technologies will help visitors get an in-depth understanding of how these animals live and issues of climate change are also explored. www.museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/

PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS - Multi-million dollar spa expansion opens its doors
On 2 December, the highly anticipated second stage redevelopment at Peninsula Hot Springs opened to the public, offering 39 new experiences.

Among the new facilities is a new mothers and babies bathing area that caters for infants from one month to a year old and features special baby pools carved from limestone. For older visitors there is a new deep lakeside hydrotherapy pool which is ideal for warm water exercise. Other options include a thermal reflexology walk; cave pool, Turkish steam room, underground sauna, cold plunge pools and a hill pool with spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding area.

The Spa Dreaming Centre provides a private escape with hot mineral pools and baths, a steam infusion room, massage and spa treatment rooms and quiet places. Services include Kodo full body massages, facials, mud treatments, foot and hand treatments and ancient healing stone therapy. This centre has its own kitchen with spa cuisine designed by chef Andrew Blake. www.peninsulahotsprings.com

CONSERVATION WALKS - Walk the walk and contribute to conservation
Naturewise Conservation Holidays and renowned Victorian walking tour operator bothfeet have come together in the spirit of conservation, sustainability and adventure to offer an experience of a lifetime.

The Great Ocean Walk Naturewise Conservation Holiday combines conservation work with stunning walks along Victoria's dramatic southern coastline.

The small-group experience includes two fully guided bothfeet walks on the Great Ocean Walk, from Castle Cove to Johanna (8km) and from Princetown to the Twelve Apostles (6km); and daily, hand-on participation in conservation projects, which aim to protect this precious pocket of wilderness.

The fully inclusive package includes two nights accommodation in Victoria's only purpose-built and eco-friendly walking lodge, delicious chef-prepared meals, experienced guides, supervised conservation work and return transfers from Melbourne.

Tours start in January and are scheduled monthly. www.naturewise.com.au

New Mornington Peninsula tours
Award-winning tour operator Bunyip Tours has launched several new day tours showcasing the myriad attractions of the Mornington Peninsula:
· The Mornington Peninsula Tour includes a visit to Point Nepean National Park, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm and the Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, as well as a picnic lunch with a glass of wine at Mantons Creek Winery.
· Animal lovers will be excited by the Peninsula Discovery and Penguins Tour, which includes Moonlit Wildlife Conservation Sanctuary and the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. The tour also stops for lunch at Mantons Creek Winery before visiting Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm and Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens.
· Adventure is on offer with the Dolphin, Seals and National Park Tour which includes a visit to Point Nepean National Park and a three-hour Port Phillip Bay Cruise to see dolphins and seals.
· The Bush and Beach Horse Riding Tour includes a visit to the recently expanded Peninsula Hot Springs.
www.bunyiptours.com

Gardens and Wine in High Country
A new winery tour in Rutherglen and three new garden tours of Beechworth are giving visitors even more reason to explore Victoria's High Country:
· Behind the Scenes Guided Winery Tours in Rutherglen offer a rare glimpse into the inner sanctums of four of the region's wineries - Pfeiffer Wines, Campbell's Wines, Rutherglen Estates and Cofield Wines. The tours, which are free of charge, are run once a week at each participating winery. Visitors are taken to areas not normally open to the public to meet the winemakers and discover how the wines are made. Visitors can also experience a barrel sampling of current vintages and take a look at rare Rutherglen fortifieds.
· Beechworth Town and Country Walks and Tours offers three different garden-focused tours, providing the perfect introduction to the botanical treasures of one of Australia's best-preserved heritage towns.
· The Beechworth Public Garden Walk is a stroll through four of the town's most significant public gardens and a chance to learn about their plants and designers.
· Beechworth Private Gardens Tour provides an opportunity to see some beautiful private gardens. Self-drive, guided coach tours and one to three day itineraries are available.
· The Backyard to Farm Gate Productive Gardens Tour offers visitors a chance to see a range of productive gardens in and around Beechworth. On the way you can sample produce at cottage industry as well as larger scale growers.
www.beechworthonline.com.au; and www.rutherglenvic.com

Get Trapped at Sovereign Hill
On 26 December, to coincide with the anniversary of the Creswick Mine Disaster of 1882, Sovereign Hill will unveil their new underground mine tour. Trapped, a multi-sensory experience, tells the story of the disaster that took place almost 130 years ago.

In 1882, a new shift of miners went to work searching for alluvial gold but their routine was shattered by a sudden and massive inrush of water. Extraordinary efforts to rescue the trapped men were unsuccessful. Twenty-two men were lost-still one of the biggest mining disasters in Australia's mining history.

The Trapped experience at Sovereign Hill incorporates storytelling technology using sound, projection and special effects that recreate the moment of disaster, the valiant rescue efforts, the stoicism of the townsfolk, and the aftermath. Suitable for children aged 10 or above (accompanied by parents), Trapped begins with Sovereign Hill's Inclined Tramway experience, which takes visitors underground. Bookings are essential. For further information: www.sovereignhill.com.au

Fothcoming events

Melbourne

2010 NEC Master of the Amateurs, Yarra Yarra Golf Club, 10 - 14 January
One of the most prestigious amateur golf tournaments in the world, the 2010 NEC Master of the Amateurs is ranked Australia's number one amateur tournament by the Royal and Ancient (R&A) Golf Club. See the world's hottest unsigned golfers do battle to win the title of Master of the Amateurs and wear the coveted ‘green jacket'.
www.masteroftheamateurs.com.au

NAB Taste of Tennis, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, 15 January
Melbourne's top chefs and the world's greatest tennis players will join together to showcase their culinary skills at the NAB Taste of Tennis. In addition to amazing food and signature cocktails, this three-hour party will feature a variety of interactive stations, full open bar, great music, and a not to be missed silent auction that benefits Starlight Children's Foundation.
melbourne.grand.hyatt.com

2010 Midsumma Festival, Melbourne, 17 January - 7 February
Midsumma is Victoria's premier gay and lesbian arts and cultural festival, showcasing the finest queer performing arts, visual arts, cabaret, spoken word, film, forums, food and wine and family events. Presented over five municipalities and in more than 60 different venues across Melbourne and Victoria
www.midsumma.org.au

2010 Australian Open Tennis Championships, Melbourne, 18 - 31 January
Summer, January and Melbourne add up to tennis at the Australian Open. Renowned internationally as the people's grand slam, this event provides two weeks of colour, movement, frivolity and world class tennis action at the spectacular Melbourne Park precinct.
www.australianopen.com

Australia Day Celebrations, Melbourne, 26 January
Join in the many, mainly free, activities across Melbourne to celebrate Australia Day. The formal flag raising will start at 10.30 am, outside Melbourne Town Hall, followed by the People's March. Vintage cars and activities will fill the Kings Domain and the Waterfront City Stage will offer a range of family and multicultural entertainment. www.australiaday.vic.gov.au

The Suzuki Night Market, Queen Victoria Market until 24 February
Enjoy a memorable evening at the Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday nights (except Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) from 5.30pm - 10.30pm. The night market showcases cuisine from around the world accompanied by wines from regional Victoria.
www.qvm.com.au

KFC Twenty20 International, 5 February, and Commonwealth Bank One Day International Series, MCG, 7 and 19 February
The KFC Twenty20 International against Pakistan is followed two days later by the opening Commonwealth Bank Series match against the West Indies. Fans can get behind their team at the iconic MCG.
www.ticketek.com.au or www.cricket.com.au/travel

Summer Fun in the City, Melbourne, until 14 February
Melbourne is the place to be this summer with the City of Melbourne hosting its annual Summer Fun in the City program jam-packed with 12 fun and exciting interactive events. Best of all - it's free! Staple summer favourites include the highflying Aerial Antics, the Sunset Concerts with groovy melodic sounds and the popular Mr Sandman built from golden sands and erected in the Docklands.
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

St Kilda Festival, St Kilda Foreshore, 6 - 14 February
This year the St Kilda Festival presents nine days of entertainment. The festival culminates with Festival Day on Sunday 14 February when more than 50 bands perform.
www.stkildafestival.com.au

Sidney Myer Free Concerts, Melbourne, 17, 20, 24, 27 February
The annual Sidney Myer Free Concerts series is one of the highlights of Melbourne in summer. Presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra the concerts feature glorious music and talented Australian and international artists. Gates at the Myer Music Bowl open at 4pm and the shows start at 7pm.
www.mso.com.au

Beyond Melbourne

Pyramid Rock Festival, Phillip Island, 29 December - 1 January
The Pyramid Rock Festival will be held over the New Year's weekend and will feature top national and international musical acts performing rock, hip hop, blues and roots, dance and electronic music.
www.thepyramidrockfestival.com

The Rock & Vines Festival 2009, Hanging Rock and Rochford Winery, 31 December
The Rock & Vines Festival 2009 is a double NYE party like no other, with ticket holders having the chance to enjoy celebrations at Hanging Rock or Rochford Winery or both, on the same evening! Choose the venue that best suits you or book a Rock & Vines ticket with helicopter transfers and fly between both venues.
www.visityarravalley.com.au

2010 Yamaha Superbike World Championship, Phillip Island, 26 - 28 February
Phillip Island's Grand Prix Circuit stages Victoria's prestigious and challenging Yamaha World Superbike Championship. The Superbike World Championship provides the best competition racing in the world, while bringing together the seven major motorcycle manufacturers, production bike technology and high-profile international riders.
www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

The Age Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock, near Mount Macedon, 28 February
More than 100 small food and wine producers from around Victoria gather to promote, sell and showcase their delicious array of goods against the magnificent backdrop of Hanging Rock. Taste exotic barbecue flavours, magnificent regional wines, unusual cheeses, fine preserves, full flavoured ice-cream and a great variety of delicious small goods.
www.harvestpicnic.com.au

- Ends -

For media enquiries contact Amy Skelding, Lucy Pennington, Debbie Hindle askelding@bgb.co.uk / lpennington@bgb.co.uk / dhindle@bgb.co.uk 0207 9022990

For media images please register online at www.visionsofvictoria.com

 

---

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• reddit
• StumbleUpon
• Twitter

---

Tourism Victoria case studies

Tourism Victoria news