One Friday afternoon we set out for Melbourne - a couple of hours flight from Sydney - spent the night at the Notel for a "glamping" experience and then ventured into the countryside the following morning.
Gippsland is Victoria's dairy country and all you see around is cows and more cows! It's also Melbourne's ambitious sibling and is rapidly coming up as a gourmet food and wine destination (so we were told).
If you are not into regional cheeses, jams, pastries, local brews and fine wines, you can soak in Gippsland's remote wilderness - walking, swimming, hiking and even skiing!
Below is an itinerary that we followed and I totally recommend it if you enjoy long drives... beware that odd roo or koala on the road!
Disclaimer - This trip, made last year, was sponsored for my husband by Victoria Tourism. I paid my own so this blog is unbiased!
Day-1 : We landed in Melbourne at 3.30 pm and hired a big beast from Avis Car Rental at the airport. We headed straight for Notel.
"Comprising six chrome air-stream trailers perched on the roof of a Melbourne city carpark, Notel is anything but a conventional hotel. With a hidden entrance, keys delivered via smartphone and a virtual guide in place of a concierge, this new take on accommodation offers a luxury alternative to traditional hotels and is not quite glamping either. "
"Comprising six chrome air-stream trailers perched on the roof of a Melbourne city carpark, Notel is anything but a conventional hotel. With a hidden entrance, keys delivered via smartphone and a virtual guide in place of a concierge, this new take on accommodation offers a luxury alternative to traditional hotels and is not quite glamping either. "
My take - It was certainly a unique experience, certainly not for budget travellers though. Melbourne has hundreds of "hotels" so you can certainly skip this one if glamour-camping or glamping in not your style!
Inside Notel
Dinner at Higher Grounds (650 Little Bourke Street Melbourne)
"The team behind some of Melbourne’s most popular cafes (Top Paddock, and The
Kettle Black) has opened its first city venture. Higher Ground brings the
neighbourhood-style cafe to the centre of town, with 150 seats, split over two levels
and a mezzanine. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week and
also for dinner Thursday – Saturday.The heritage-listed 19th-century powerhouse in
which it is housed retains an industrial feel, with 15-metre ceilings and plenty of
natural light during the day. Upstairs, a lounge invites visitors to sit back and relax,
with a coffee and book in hand."
Day 2: Early start. We left Melbourne for Warragul - about 1 hour 30 mins drive away - and stopped at Wild Dog Winery by mid-day for lunch. It was one of the best meals of my life!
"Situated just 3km from Warragul (100km east of Melbourne), the Wild Dog Restaurant incorporates modern design with exquisite
views of the surrounding vineyard and picturesque Gippsland landscapes."
My take- I tend to love cellar door restaurants. Don't ask why. I just do. This restaurant had a pretty non-descript menu but one that would rollick your taste buds. (As a vegetarian, even the most elaborate menus look small to me!) The dessert options were comprehensive though but we still stuck to our good old favourite which can never go wrong - brownie with vanilla ice cream!
Pit stop 2 - Loch Brewery & Distillery: We didnt taste anything here but it was a nice stop. The owner Craig Johnson is very friendly and showed us around his humble brewery, which if I am not mistaken, used to be a butchery once upon a time!
Pit stop 3 : Foster - The last possible place to grab some food for dinner before we headed for our accommodation deeper into the countryside. Lots of small eats, we settled for a homely pizza place and some lemonade.
Overnight stay at Limosa Rise
Very well appointed, luxury unit and a great base for the grand Wilsons Promontory. Highly recommend this place, again not if you are on a budget.
Day 3-Early start for Wilsons Promontory National Park, or 'The Prom', as it is affectionately known. It is the southernmost point of mainland Australia and is a much-loved holiday destination. Stunning coastal scenery, pristine wilderness and an abundance of native wildlife make Wilsons Prom a wonderful place for a holiday.
Pitstop 2: Phillip Island. Wish we had more time here.
"Surrounded by some of the best surf beaches in Victoria and with seaside villages to explore, Phillip Island has a reputation as a coastal getaway with a bent for family fun. Here, you can see penguins, seals and koalas in their natural habitats, explore heritage and natural attractions or soak-up the stunning coastline, including the striking Cape Woolamai Pinnacles walk. In October, Phillip Island switches gear for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix."
Night stay at RACV Inverloch
My take: It was an OKish experience after staying at other wonderful/unique places. But the location is a big plus. We dined at the hotel restaurant and again it was alright, nothing fancy!
Day 4 - Final day.
Pit stop 1- Quick visit for coffee/brunch at Kilcunda General Store.
"Quality local produce, attention to detail and a sense of adventure are the hallmarks of this gem by the surf."
My take: Great knick knacks, sandwiches, muffins and coffee. A must do.
My take- I tend to love cellar door restaurants. Don't ask why. I just do. This restaurant had a pretty non-descript menu but one that would rollick your taste buds. (As a vegetarian, even the most elaborate menus look small to me!) The dessert options were comprehensive though but we still stuck to our good old favourite which can never go wrong - brownie with vanilla ice cream!
Pit stop 2 - Loch Brewery & Distillery: We didnt taste anything here but it was a nice stop. The owner Craig Johnson is very friendly and showed us around his humble brewery, which if I am not mistaken, used to be a butchery once upon a time!
Pit stop 3 : Foster - The last possible place to grab some food for dinner before we headed for our accommodation deeper into the countryside. Lots of small eats, we settled for a homely pizza place and some lemonade.
Overnight stay at Limosa Rise
Very well appointed, luxury unit and a great base for the grand Wilsons Promontory. Highly recommend this place, again not if you are on a budget.
Day 3-Early start for Wilsons Promontory National Park, or 'The Prom', as it is affectionately known. It is the southernmost point of mainland Australia and is a much-loved holiday destination. Stunning coastal scenery, pristine wilderness and an abundance of native wildlife make Wilsons Prom a wonderful place for a holiday.
Pitstop 2: Phillip Island. Wish we had more time here.
"Surrounded by some of the best surf beaches in Victoria and with seaside villages to explore, Phillip Island has a reputation as a coastal getaway with a bent for family fun. Here, you can see penguins, seals and koalas in their natural habitats, explore heritage and natural attractions or soak-up the stunning coastline, including the striking Cape Woolamai Pinnacles walk. In October, Phillip Island switches gear for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix."
We had lunch at a modest Thai place (sorry the name is escaping me now) and it was very delicious, one of the best Thai foods we've had in Australia!
Visit options:
- Churchill Island : Australian heritage farm, also nice for lunch
- Pelican feeding at San Remo, 12 pm
- Phillip Island Chocolate Factory - (good one if you have kids but otherwise easily skip worthy)
- A Maze N Things: A Maze N Things
My take: It was an OKish experience after staying at other wonderful/unique places. But the location is a big plus. We dined at the hotel restaurant and again it was alright, nothing fancy!
Day 4 - Final day.
Pit stop 1- Quick visit for coffee/brunch at Kilcunda General Store.
"Quality local produce, attention to detail and a sense of adventure are the hallmarks of this gem by the surf."
My take: Great knick knacks, sandwiches, muffins and coffee. A must do.
Pit stop 2 - Bassine Specialty Cheese: A small cheese making factory on a working farm on the Bass Coast. We bought some cheeses and relishes from them, they also stock stuff from other local producers so there are jams and pickles too. We were spoiled for choice!
And, after all that we were at the airport around 3 pm for our flight back to Sydney! It seemed like a very packed itinerary but at no point were we scrambling for time. Although our overall experience was so nice that we were disappointed when it all got over. Whether you live in Sydney or Melbourne this trip should certainly be on your to-do list!
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