Day 1. Sunday April 6th

We will have a wide range of arrival times for everyone

For those of you arriving at the same time. I will endeavour to get airport transport.

I will be at the hotel in the early afternoon. If you arrive before me rooms are under my name.

We will meet at the Cullen Art Series Hotel around 4.30 for an introduction and a glass of wine.

Dinner- Entrecote – French

Accommodation : Cullen Art Series Hotel

Day 2 . Monday 7 April

Mornington Peninsula

Drive from Melbourne:

Garden visit to Heronswood House and Garden, onto a wine tasting and probably by accompanied a Pizza lunch before arriving at our hotel in Sorrento.

Accommodation: Sorrento Hotel

Day 3. Tuesday April 8th

Mornington Peninsula

Have some time to explore the Sorrento township before heading to Point Leo Estate for a wine tasting, lunch and walk around their sculpture park.

Accommodation: Sorrento Hotel

Day 4. Wednesday April 9th

Travel Day: Mornington Peninsula Dandenong Ranges Yarra Valley

Stop at Olinda in the heart of the Dandenong’s for a coffee

Visit - Cloud Hill Garden.

Lunch – Japanese Tea House.

Walk in the Dandenong Gardens.

Wine Tasting and Dinner at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley

Accommodation : Balgownie Estate

Day 5. Thursday April 10th

Gardens and Gin

Lunch and Gin Tasting at Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville.

After lunch a chance to wander through this interesting town with many eclectic shops on offer.

Chandon wine tasting Famous in the Yarras Valley and great way to end the day.

Free Night: Basically you have to eat at Balgownie – since we are in the country.

Accommodation : Balgownie Estate

Day 6 Friday April 10th

Garden Day:

Antique Perennials Nursery Visit – I am so excited about this visit - These guys are at the top of their game and so inspirational.

We have a bit of a drive through the Australian countryside to visit the Artist and Gardener Ralph Bristow. I have been following his Instagram site and his garden is inspiring.

Meletos for Dinner

Accommodation : Balgownie Estate

Day 7. Saturday April 12th

Travel Day

Stopping at quaint villages on the way like : Lancefield

This is a quant classic old pastoral working village, with picture-perfect mid-18th century architecture along the main street of town and glorious deciduous trees putting on a serious Autumn display.

Kyneton - Charming Kyneton also has a wonderland of historic buildings and its character tells of the wealth of the gold rush. Sporting stunning bluestone buildings, charming gift shops, outstanding restaurants and cafes, and a superb, historic Botanic Gardens. We are having lunch at Botanik which is totally fun and very unique

Dinner at Hotel

Accommodation : Balgownie Estate

Day 8,. Sunday April 13th

Daylesford

Morning Exploring Daylesford and this won’t be hard

Antique Market / Shops / Walk Wombat Hill / Peregrine Lane Art Studio and Garden.

Lunch at the famous Convent / Art Gallery overlooking Daylesford.

Afternoon visit to the Garden of St Erth -

Accommodation: Bellinzona

Day 9 . Monday April 14th

Trentham for morning coffee

Lunch Annie Smithers – Annie has made huge changes to her property since our visit last year. I am still waiting for her to confirm our visit to her extensive potager garden and new changes to her farm buildings. Lunch maybe here or her restaurant du Fermier

Accommodation: Bellinzona

Day 10. Tuesday April 15th

Morning coffee stop at Woodend. A town that is set under wide verandas along the boulevard of the Old Calder Highway. Another cute town full of country-style bakeries, cosmopolitan cafes and brilliant pubs. Surprisingly there is also a great selection of bookstores and shops with an eclectic mix of old and new wares. ‘

This area is stunningly beautiful in Autumn. The quiet, leafy country village on the base of Mount Macedon’s southern slopes has some of the most gorgeous houses and gardens you will see. It is also the result of the discovery of gold in 1851 and over the years, wealthy Melbournians flocked to Macedon, building large homes and grand gardens.

Today we pray for a sunny day since we will be having a picnic in the garden grounds of Vicki Hawkens - Viewfield Garden

Many years ago I went to a master Class at the Melbourne Food and Wine festival. It was with Alla Wolf Tasker and I have never forgotten the simple rolled terrine she made and I still make it often. She is an icon in the food world and so is her restaurant and hotel. We can’t leave Daylesford without a meal here

Dinner – Lake House

Accommodation: Bellinzona

Day 11. Wednesday April 16h

Stopping at my favourite garden nursery Lambley - they are experts at gardening in dry arid conditions without watering.

Onto Streathem where you can find a café for lunch.

We are heading to the southern end of the Grampian’s National Park to a small town called Dunkeld.

Primarily so we can experience the magnificent natural Australian landscape but underlying is the acclaimed Royal Mail Hotel. They are world famous and it’s the home of fine-dining restaurant – Wickens, which was awarded 2 Hats in the 2019 Good Food Guide Awards,

Later in the afternoon, we have a Wine Cellar Tutorial - tasting and a tour of the biggest wine cellar with its 28,000 bottles of wine.

Dinner - First night we will eat casually at ‘The Parker Project ‘

Accommodation: Royal Mail Hotel

Day 12. Thursday April 17t

This morning we will be escorted through the hotels extensive gardens by one of the hotel chefs.

Afternoon choices: Visit to the local arboretum, wildlife viewing, self-guided walk.

Fine-dining experience - Awarded 'two hats' Wickens has been rated as :

“undoubtedly enjoy one of the most memorable and delectable food experiences in Australia”.

So… with the stunning backdrop of the Grampians we will immerse ourselves in this incredible dining experience where they emphasise the celebration of food, wine, people and place.

Accommodation: Royal Mail Hotel