What’s hot for 2011 in Melbourne and Victoria
Melbourne promises to offer the discerning traveller a range of fabulous experiences in 2011 with a new dining mecca set to open at the top of Melbourne’s former Observation Deck and a new wine cellar door that will take the shape of an ‘upside down house’ on the Great Ocean Road.
Victoria’s capital has also been crowned the Aussie favourite since Australians rated Melbourne higher than Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide on a number of key tourism indicators in a recent research study by Roy Morgan.
A highlight on any foodie’s events calendar, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is being held between 4 and 14 March. 2011 will also see a touch of the UK at the festival as Nigella Lawson is set to take part in the Langham’s Melbourne MasterClass series on 12 and 13 March. There will be more than 250 gourmet events with free tastings and the world’s longest lunch held at a mighty 400 metre long table. melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Vue de Monde, one of Melbourne’s most highly acclaimed restaurants is soon to be housed in one of the city’s most iconic buildings, right at the top of the Rialto Towers. This exclusive dining mecca is tipped to become Melbourne’s most glamorous restaurant choice and will benefit from a seven million dollar makeover when it is housed in the former Melbourne Observation Deck. Diners will be treated to chef Shannon Bennett’s modern French cuisine and wine served from the on-site above-ground cellar, whilst admiring the stunning views across the city. The opening of Vue de Monde signals the transformation of the Rialto Towers into the city’s hottest dining and accommodation precinct. vuedemonde.com.au
Sport fanatics are in for a treat in 2011 as Melbourne hosts the President’s Cup at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club between 14 and 20 November. The event will reunite golf legends Fred Couples and Greg Norman, who competed against each other at the same tournament in 1998, and will showcase Victoria’s world-class golfing opportunities. pgatour.com/tournaments/presidentscup
Oakdene Vineyard and Restaurant has just started work on an exciting and innovative new cellar door facility which will take the unusual shape of an 'upside down house' and is due to be completed several weeks before Christmas 2011. There are also plans to create a new, more casual outdoor dining area serving up pizza and pasta in the coming year. Located on the Bellarine Peninsula near the start of the Great Ocean Road, Oakdene offers visitors fine dining, cellar door, accommodation, vineyards, olive groves, lavender gardens and cooking master classes with a food and wine matched dinner to follow. oakdene.com.au
The Retreat at the Lake House Daylesford is set to open over the new year and will offer two sumptuously decorated bedrooms tucked away amongst private gardens with direct access to the lake. In addition, the Waterfront Suites have been given a fresh new look and now feature superior king beds and a whole host of other plush furnishings. The suites are also home to resident artist, Allan Wolf-Tasker and his work can be admired throughout the hotel. The Lake House complex boasts one of Australia’s best restaurants, an internationally awarded wine cellar and the blissfully relaxing Salus day spa. lakehouse.com.au
Finally, all those staying at home will be able to enjoy a selection of specialised Australian plant species in the UK with Victoria’s acclaimed Australian Garden accepted to take part in the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2011. Melbourne will be represented by award-winning landscape designer Jim Fogarty, who will take the Australian Garden’s theme of ‘the journey of water’ to London, showing Australian flora never previously seen at the show. The Australian Garden is located at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, just 45 minutes from Melbourne. Since it opened in 2006 it has received 17 international, national and regional awards for landscape design, tourism and sustainability. The final stage of the garden will open next year. rbg.vic.gov.au/australian-garden
More dates for the diary:
Australian Open, Melbourne Park, 17 – 30 January 2011
Thousands flock to Melbourne Park as the world’s greatest tennis players compete in the Australian Open grand slam tournament. The 2011 event promises to deliver the best spectator experience yet with more free entertainment and ground areas adding to the fun and exciting on-court action. australianopen.com
L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Docklands, 14 - 20 March 2011
One of the largest consumer fashion shows in the world, the L’Oreal Fashion Festival includes runway shows, business forums, performances, art exhibitions, film screenings, retail events and, of course, plenty of glamorous parties. Imff.com.au
Formula One Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, 24 - 27 March 2011
Australia’s premier sporting event, the Australian Grand Prix is set to showcase some of the biggest names in motor racing in 2011. There is plenty of entertainment, both on and off the track, making the Australian Grand Prix the perfect day out. grandprix.com.au
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 30 March – 24 April 2011
Australia’s largest festival and one of the three biggest comedy festivals in the world, the 25th Melbourne International Comedy festival will boast over 300 events in 120 venues across the city and surrounds of Melbourne in 2011. comedyfestival.com.au
For information on visiting Melbourne and the Australian state of Victoria please go to: visitmelbourne.com/uk