The sun is shining, flowers are blooming and fresh produces are abundantly ready for harvesting. Yes, spring is here for the win offering a fresh sight for sore eyes and promising joyful days under the warm sun.
Below are some ideas on how to spend your weekend under the spring sun around Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula area, an easy to reach destination about an hour drive from the big smoke.
Canola Farm sighting in the Lake Connewarre, near Barwon Head.
Who doesn’t like flowering canola farm? With striking yellow colour, the flower is so contrast with vast blue sky… oh so Instragrammable!
In Australia, Canola flowering season reaches its peak in the middle of October and you might find few areas on your drive out of town from Melbourne including toward Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine region. A Canola Farm in Connewarre near famous tourist destination of Barwon Head is organising a special event called Canola Flowering Festival this month inviting public to not only enjoy the beautiful space up close but also to help raise fund for drought affected farmers.
The main Festival is scheduled for Sunday, 14th October from 9am-3pm with entry free from $5 for adult or $20 for family. Bring a picnic rug, enjoy the live music and other kids entertainment like jumping castle and face painting, walk in Golden Heart shaped area and take plenty of pictures. If you can’t make it to the big day, the farm is also open for earlier crop viewing on the Saturday, 6th October and Sunday, 7th October.
For more info, check their Facebook page at: Canola Flowering Festival or website http://www.canolafloweringfestival.com.au/.
Beach/Bushwalking in the Surf Coast
People are usually attracted to Torquay for its world class surfing breaks. Bells Beach is well known for its oldest surfing competition held at Easter time sponsored by global surfing company Rip Curl. But for us Indonesians who are better at surfing the web, a nice beach walk is probably preferable. Whether you want to have short and easy or a more substantial distance, Surf Coast Walk that stretches for 44 kms from Point Impossible in the main town of Torquay to Ayres Inlet offers many choices. Easy walk from Torquay foreshore to Spring Creek boardwalk is a perfect option if you have a little walker in the group. Continue on toward Bells Beach (8KM one way from Torquay) for breathtaking views of Jan Juc cliffs and some wildlife sighting. If you game, opt for Bells Beach to Anglesea (15KMs one way) that provides magnificent views of waves at famous Bells and Addiscot Beach, calming bush with native plants along Ironbark Basin forest and Otway National Park. As a local living here, I personally love this track for a special occasion when friends or family visit us. Finish the walk at McGain Nursery café for a refreshing smoothie and decadent cake while waiting for a family member to take us home.
Easy Day at Wineries
Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast regions surprisingly offer a wide range of wineries to indulge on a sunny weekend.
You don’t have to drink alcohol to enjoy wineries as they serve non-alcoholic beverages and nice nibbles. For families with young members, it is also an easy space to run them down in a nice afternoon that can guarantee a good night sleep. Mt Duneed Winery is technically in Geelong but it could be a good stop over on your way home to Melbourne. Or to start the weekend break as you get in the coast. It offers indoor play area in case of a rainy day. Bellbrae Estate on the Great Ocean Road just before Anglesea often offers live music on Sunday afternoon.
If you focus your weekend exploring in the Bellarine, Jack Rabbit winery never disappoint. At Spring, you could enjoy lovely views of golden canola field, ocean and hilly You Yangs while gobbling on their scrumptious lunch. Basil Farm, Oakdene and Terindah Estate are other family friendly options.
Texts: Agustina Wayansari
Foto : Canola Flowering Festival FB page, www.cellardoorscore.com, www.surfcoastwalk.com.au
