VIBRANT VICTORIA’S TOP 7 MUST DO’S

Talk about a long amazing holiday to beat the Delhi heat. Since I had never been to Australia before and the country is beautiful, it seemed just the place to go. My first stop was Melbourne of course, which is absolutely picturesque; the people are gorgeous, exceedingly helpful, and friendly with a great sense of humour. There is a general upbeat atmosphere to the town, with music spilling out from the pubs and people walking about. Anyways, my tale is about exploring the state of Victoria in all its glory and here is my list of the Top 7 Must do’s when in the State of Victoria….

HIDDEN SECRETS TOUR

The best way to explore any city is by foot so off we set for the ‘Lanes and Arcades’ tour. Soon I discovered that Melbourne has such a unique character with all the hidden arcades, lovely little street cafes and quirky shops. Our guide did a great job mixing history, fun facts and typical Melbourne stories! Interestingly there were even a few locals on the tour who kept saying ‘I never knew this was here!’ What caught my fancy was the Block Arcade a 19^th century heritage shopping centre and a small lane between Bourke street and Little Lonsdale street called ‘Hardware’ which housed many restaurants and cafes that served local food and I especially fell in love with the cupcake shop.  The guide traced our walking route on a little map which came in handy for my backtracking trip to many of the great shopping opportunities! Truly this tour is a wonderful way to get your bearings in Melbourne!

FAST FACTS

Hidden Secrets, PO Box 1280, Melbourne VIC 8006

Tel: +61 3 9663 3358

More Info: www.hiddensecrettours.com

YARRA VALLEY CHOCOLATIERE & ICE CREAMERY

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Set on 16 hectares, it combines striking architecture with a unique food experience amidst picturesque valley views. I absolutely enjoyed watching the art of chocolate making from hand crafting to hand packing, and the best part was the abundant free tastings besides indulging in decadent desserts and ice creams and exploring the landscaped garden, orchard and wetlands. Six qualified chocolatiers especially recruited from Belgium and France hand craft from the best produce. The 150 different varieties of chocolates feature truffles (showcased in a specially created cabinet to house 2 500 truffles), pralines, chocolate bars, nut clusters, rocky road, nougat, macaroons, fudge, biscuits, chocolate sauces and spreads. Giant chocolate freckles, choc coated jelly snakes and chocolate baby animals have been created for the younger and young at heart visitors.

FAST FACTS

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, 35 Old Healesville Rd (corner Melba Highway), Yarra Glen Victoria

Timings: 9am -5pm every day (except Christmas Day).

Entry- Free with generous complimentary tastings in the showroom. A café serves breakfast, morning tea; light lunch an afternoon tea, with sweet treats and ice creams a specialty.

SEGWAY FUN AT ROCHFORD WINERY

The tour starts with training by the experienced guides, post which one is ready to explore the vineyard on two wheels alongside learning about grape growing and wine production. For those who do not know the Segway is a two –wheeled self-balancing personal transporter that looks somewhat like a scooter. You have to stand on it and tilt it in the direction you desire to move and turn the handle bar to go right or left. Before I knew it I was cruising effortlessly and enjoying the unique freedom that a Segway provides. We finished our experience with an included meal in the Rochford restaurant surrounded by picturesque vineyards.

FAST FACTS

Timings & Cost: Tours depart Rochford winery 10: 30 Am & 2.30 pm weekends and public holidays. Group tours for other days are by prior appointment. 140 $ which includes lunch.

City Transfers: Wednesdays only. Depart Federation square 11 Am sharp and return 4-30 Pm, this costs approx. 10 $.

Tel: 1300 112 147

For more Info: www.segwayvictoria.com.au

MAX'S AT RED HILL ESTATE

Sitting high on the southern side of the serenely beautiful Mornington Peninsula, the restaurant boasts panoramic sweeping views over precision planted vines, out to Westernport bay and Phillip Island beyond. The glass walls on three sides provide optimal scenic views from each table and an open fireplace warms the room in the colder months. Suggested wines are matched to each course of the award winning Australian menu from the Red Hill Estate range. The focus here is on the finest local produce as well as Max’s own range of produce, which includes 100% Mornington Peninsula Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Morello Cherry Balsamic Vinegar, Aged Morello Cherry Balsamic and Dukkah.  With the most breath-taking views on the Mornington Peninsula, exquisite food and wine and a relaxing ambience, this truly is a journey worth taking.

FAST FACTS

Max’s Restaurant, Mornington Peninsula

Make a Booking: info@maxsrestaurant.com.au

More Info: www.maxsrestaurant.com.au

PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS

We made a  stop was the Peninsula Hot Springs, where in we had a relaxing  dip in one of its private, open air thermal pools where entering is like stepping into another world, here the mind and body are calmed by the stream, the sound of running water and the casual banter of bathers. Then we headed to a villa to enjoy a short but relaxing massage based on Australian aboriginal styles and techniques…. Aah life’s simple pleasures!!

FAST FACTS

140 Devonport Drive, Fingal VIC 3939

Tel: +61 3 5950 8777

More Info: www.peninsulahotsprings.com

TREE SURFING AT THE ENCHANTED MAZE

Home to magical mazes and gardens, giant topiary creations and over a hundred pieces of sculpture, this place is a winner. I stopped by for a tree-top nature tour like none other. The thrilling Tree surfing and Zip line allowed me the perfect aerial vantage point to experience 50 obstacles and 5 different levels. I soared through the tree tops so many feet off the ground (under the watchful eye of expert guides). I braced myself for the sensation of the flight as I Zip lined smoothly through at a speed of up to 25 miles per hour or so I guess. After all that hiking and adventure on rope bridges, strength challenges and zip lines it was time to have a hot chocolate amidst the beautiful enchanted gardens.

FAST FACTS

Enchanted Maze Gardens, Purves Road, Red Hill South VIC 3937

Tel: +61 3 5981 8449

More Info: www.enchantedmaze.com.au

A PENGUIN PARADE IN PHILLIP ISLANDS

A day trip to see the fairy penguin parade is a must. I found it rather amazing huddling up on the windy beach as the sun went down waiting for the first brave penguins to emerge from the waves to make their way up the shore to their burrows. It is quite comical yet sweet to watch. They are very unsure of things and dive in and out of the water as if deciding on whether or not to start walking up the beach to their homes. They get into little groups and make the journey up the beach and walk right past where you sit. They look absolutely adorable waddling up the beach as fast as they can and stumbling over at times. It’s overwhelming to watch them from the boardwalk as they make their way up across the sandy dunes to their burrows.

FAST FACTS

Booking: Tel:  +61 3 5951 2830 or bookings@penguins.org.au

How Much? 69 $ (INR 3900)

FAST FACTS

·Best Way to reach- Fly Malaysian Airlines to Melbourne, Cheapest and shortest and the best part is one can carry 30kg even in Economy Class.

·Visa and currency- Indians need an Australian Visa to visit Australia. The currency used is the Australian Dollar. 1 AUD equals to 55 INR approximately.

·Best Place to Stay- Park Hyatt Melbourne provides exquisite accommodation, fine dining and exceptional levels of personalised service in the cosmopolitan city centre or The Olsen Art series Hotel in South Yarra which is right near the famed Chapel street.