BOTANICA
Farm Accommodation Adult Retreat
When George Bass found the large tract of water which he
Facilities Include:
named Western Port in 1798, the most westerly port thus far
ˇ Private entrance overlooking your own
discovered, he would not have envisioned that it would become
established garden with rolling lawns
the centre of a thriving wine tourism industry it is today.
ˇ TV & CD player, Bar Fridge & BBQ
ˇ Breakfast, tea & coffee making facilities
Western Port is entered from Bass Strait, named after the great
ˇ Continental style breakfast or
explorer, which provides one of the truly stunning coastlines in
ˇ Cooked breakfast by request
South Eastern Australia.
ˇ Dog friendly (on leads please)
The French Connection
ˇ Horse paddock (BYO horse!)
Whilst explorers such as George Bass were the first Europeans
BOTANICA FARM ACCOMMODATION Home of Flinders Organic Produce
into Western Port, it was cartographer Faure and sailors from Le
Bankcard/Mastercard/Visa welcome
55 Gwenmarlin Rd, Flinders 3929 PH: (03) 5989 0774 Mob: 0408 391 694
Naturaliste who discovered and named French Island, in the middle
of the bay. The English thought it part of the mainland.
The French would have been pleased at recent progress with
FRENCH ISLAND BUS TOURS
visitation to the area which is at the forefront of what is being called
culinary tourism - the matching of food and wine - they have of
course been doing this for years.
with LOIS AIRS (a fourth generation islander)
Wineries and restaurants sit on the rolling hills around the region.
Tues & Thurs 8.30am or 12pm, Sun 10am or 12pm
They use local produce from the hinterland and the sea to good
Public Holidays and Sat in School H/days 10am or 12pm
effect. Especially entrancing are Peninsula wines, at the forefront of
ENJOYMENT FOR ALL AGES
- Steve Robin
cool climate viticulture.
Stops for viewing koalas, echidnas, birds, flora. Biodynamic walk and talk.
The Cape Schanck Lightstation is a handy base from which to
Devonshire teas at 1890's Bayview Chicory Kiln museum, memorabilia of former
explore the region. Phone. 5988 6184.
prison, friendly farm animals. Talk on llamas, olives, apricots, wine, honey, astro,
B&B and Perseverance School.
Mystery Island
Adult $18, Con $15, Child $10 (ferry fares extra)
Groups, Cyclists & Campers welcome daily at our farm.
If you are curious about Western Port's mystery
Biodynamic Lunch: Tues, Sat. (advanced Bookings) Ad. $34 Con $30 Child $20
island, or seeking an alternative, rewarding natural
Bookings 5980 1241
experience, you are invited to visit French Island,
Bring ad for $5 refund per adult with child
Melbourne's own backyard wilderness. To get to
French Island travel (by car or train) to Stony Point,
just south of Hastings for a relaxing 15 minute ferry
cruise to Tankerton jetty, to be met by a friendly tour
FRENCH ISLAND
For your next weekend
or accommodation operator.
getaway, social party
TORTOISE HEAD LODGE
French Island has something for everyone, whether
or work retreat, consider our
you or your visitors are local, international, individuals or a group
3 star lodge, now under new
such as schools, corporate (work retreats) or social clubs. You can
manager Rod Johnston.
burn up energy cycling, bush walking, koala or bird spotting, or
ˇ Magnificent views
perhaps enjoy a game of tennis, go fishing, or of course take a tour.
from every room
To help you make your choice of where to
ˇ 2 cosy fires, 3 function rooms
stay please refer to our individual property descriptions
ˇ 4 en-suite cabins,
6 shared facility rooms
ˇ Only 250 m from the jetty
THINGS TO DO
ˇ Victorian Tourism Award
phone. (03) 5980 1234
Winning Manager
IN WESTERN PORT
ˇ Self or full catering available
The Wineries of Western Port spill down the foothills of
Red Hill to the beach. See Wine Country pages 68-105.
Accommodation & Eco Tour packages from $100 pp
ˇ IN FLINDERS & CAPE SCHANCK
Explore hidden inlets and rock pools, secluded beaches or
browse local shops. Visit The Blowhole, Flinders Pier or enjoy
a round at Flinders Golf Course. Explore Flinders Fine Art
Gallery, the Hugh Galleryand the Studio at Flindersor take
Get EXCITED about Melbourne's own Eco-Island
a stroll along the boardwalk & Lighthouse at Cape Schanck.
with French Island Eco Tours, Victorian Eco-Award
Enjoy fresh bread right from the bakers oven, The Flinders
winners and fully accredited tourism operators.
Bakehouse Café has restored and reopened the orginal
historic bakery in Flinders.
ˇ Choice of morning or afternoon tours
includes a tapas lunch at McLeod Eco Farm
ˇ IN SHOREHAM - Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens,
(former reform prison)
Australia's largest hedge and rose maze.
ˇ Tours depart Stony Pt & Cowes Sundays only &
ˇ IN SOMERS - Coolart Historic House and Wetlands
other days by arrangement (Closed August).
ˇ IN TYABB - A COLLECTORS DELIGHT
The Tyabb Packing House, Tyabb Village and Grain Store
P. 1 3 0 0 3 0 7 0 5 4 o r M . 0 4 2 9 1 7 7 5 3 2
Antiques, the Guild Gallery, Topez & the Tyabb Antique Centre.
104
Peninsula Visitor . . . Autumn 2008
