22 Jun 2021
There is lots to look forward to for the return to Victoria, Australia's smallest mainland state, which has a range of new offerings for guests to enjoy. New luxury cabins on Phillip Island, known for its incredible little penguin colony, have just opened; and Echidna Walkabout has launched new multi-day tours for visitors to enjoy a longer, more in-depth experience in the beautiful rural landscapes of Victoria. Meanwhile, Melbourne has rolled out six new Art Trams that showcase designs from six artists of indigenous heritage – riding until mid-2022.
GOOD NATURED VICTORIA
NEW: Echidna Walkabout launches multi-day tours
Echidna Walkabout has recently introduced new multi-day tour offering guests the ability to tour for 2-14 days and enjoy a longer, more in-depth experience in the beautiful rural landscapes of Victoria. There are a range of options for guests including The Koala Recovery Experience (working with the Koala Clancy Foundation), as well as the Wildlife Journey tour, which is a four day trip to help wild animals in East Gippsland. Activities include removing ghost nets from beaches, conducting bushfire-recovery wildlife surveys in the biodiverse forests, and at the end of the journey all participants will receive a certificate of thanks for helping wildlife conservation, a full species list of everything they have seen, and the satisfaction of knowing they have given something back to the environments and animals visited. www.echidnawalkabout.com.au
Sea All Dolphin Swims
Sea All Dolphin Swims offer dolphin and seal swims, wildlife sightseeing tours and surf lessons in the beautiful Port Phillip Bay, just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. In 2020, the team started working with a not-for-profit organisation called Southern Ocean Environmental Link (SOEL), with the aim of improving the health of the ocean through recycling, research and conservation. This resulted in the creation of Victoria's first plastic recycling workshop – an interactive way to combat the issue of plastic pollution. The workshop is designed for school students, where rubbish is turned into something reusable. This allowed the team's marine educators and scientists to find a path for employment outside of the traditional season. Sea All also offers a range or further activities including South Channel Fort Tours, Shore Snorkel, Beachcombing & Coastal Revegetation, Port Phillip Bay Sightsee Cruise and an Introduction to Scuba and Introduction to Snorkelling. www.dolphinswims.com.au
FOOD AND DRINK
NEW: Restaurant celebrating Indigenous culture to open in Melbourne - Mabu Mabu Big Esso
Mabu Mabu is a saying in the Torres Strait that means 'help yourself' and is a saying that's referenced before digging into a big meal with friends and family. The owner of snug Yarraville café 'Tuck Shop', Nornie Bero, is set to open a second venue in July that champions Indigenous-inspired cuisine at the heart of Melbourne, Federation Square. Mabu Mabu Big Esso will be a modern all-day bar and kitchen where guests can expect a strong emphasis on sustainably caught seafood and Islander culture, with dishes using native produce such as blue swimmer crab and pepperberries. Continuing this locally inspired ethos throughout the dining concetp, all drinks served are soured from Australia with a wide range of wines to the beers available, and the artworks displayed will all be by Indigenous artists. www.mabumabu.com.au
ACCOMMODATION
NEWLY OPENED: Five Acres opens as new luxury cabin offering
In 2018, husband and wife duo Rom and Katie Lamaro, moved into a beautiful five-acre block on Phillip Island, 90 minutes outside of Melbourne. Since purchasing the land, they have transformed what was a rundown property into a picturesque and functioning micro-farm – Five Acres. Nestled amongst rolling farmland with uninterrupted sweeping views over Western Port Bay, sit three standalone luxury cabins for visitors to book, all exquisitely crafted with individual personality. Named Barley, Clover and Rye, each cabin offers immaculate interiors inspired by the muted tones of the landscape, high-end finishes and a handcrafted concrete outdoor bath with sweeping coastal views. Prices range from $540 - $700 per night. www.fiveacres.com.au
NEWLY OPENED: The Sebel Yarrawonga
A new luxury boutique hotel has just opened on the Murray River, near the shores of Lake Mulwala. The Sebel Yarrawonga is located on a waterfront precinct, offering studio accommodation and luxury apartments with a choice of three dining and bar venues. Stock & Barrel, a casual bar and dining venue with modern Australian cuisine and an emphasis on local and indigenous ingredients has been created by award winning chef, Logan Campbell. Golf enthusiasts will revel in the chance to play the Peter Thomson-designed 18-hole Black Bull Championship Golf Course situated adjacent to the hotel, while an array of outdoor activities including water skiing, swimming, boating and fishing are all on the doorstep. Rooms start from $430 per night. https://www.silverwoodsyarrawonga.com.au
ONE TO LOOK FORWARD TO: The Standard Hotel Fitzroy
Melbourne is set to welcome international hotel brand, The Standard, with a new $60 million 127-room property opening in the city in 2023. The brand's first Australian outpost will feature an industrial look and be located in Fitzroy, Melbourne's artistic suburb, with seven levels including a rooftop bar or restaurant offering.
OTHER NEWS
NEW: Six Melbourne Art Trams designed by Victoria's First Peoples are unveiled
Highlighting Melbourne's intrinsically creative culture, the city has welcomed a number of Art Trams, showcasing designs from six artists of indigenous heritage. The art of 'tram wrapping' allows artists to showcase their works to those living in and visiting the city, with the new designs covering a range of concepts from personal stories to the environment. The first tram design is titled 'Mookies around the watering hole', and has been created by respected artist and cultural teacher Aunty Zeta Thomson (Wurundjeri/Yorta Yorta). The Art Trams will be on the roads for the next year until May 2022.
