Eat, Stay, Play in Gippsland for The Village Takeover

STAY

The Village Feast SleepoverVisitors to The Village Feast can come for the event and stay for the weekend with an indulgent glamping experience. Foodies can camp in style with a glamping package, including two nights in an Under Sky luxury tent, a chance to see life on Gippsland Jersey’s dairy farm and participate in the morning milking, and tickets to The Village Feast. Guests staying the weekend can relax and unwind on Friday night with an optional dinner menu from Mamasita and breakfast menu from Hotel Jesus Collingwood. After a day of exploring the Village Feast on Saturday, visitors can venture out to explore the south Gippsland region on Sunday. 335 Main Jindivick Rd, Jindivick, Victoria, 3818.

Walhalla’s Star HotelLocated in the heart of the historic township of Walhalla, the Star Hotel features 12 larges suites. A reconstruction of the original gold-era Star Hotel which was destroyed by fire in 1951, Walhalla's Star Hotel has been designed for the modern visitor. Guests can enjoy the hotel's a la carte restaurant, which serves quality country style meals and a comfortable guest lounge where visitors can unwind with a book on a leather chesterfield. It’s the perfect time of year to visit Walhalla when the leafy town transforms with the spectacular red, orange and gold autumn colours. 130 Main Road, Walhalla, Victoria, 3825. (03) 5165 6262.

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MFWF EXPERIENCES

Jindivick may take centre stage on Saturday for The Village Feast however foodies can satisfy their culinary appetite with a host of unique gastronomical experiences curated for those visitors still hungry. After the Village Feast, Melbourne Food and Wine and Visit Baw Baw have partnered together to offer some incredible once-in-a-lifetime activities that will delight and inspire the senses, including:

PLAY

Toorongo FallsSurrounded by towering gums and lush ferns in the Toorongo Falls Reserve in Noojee is an impressive, tiered waterfall. Trekkers can take the 750-metre, mostly uphill, track to the viewing platform to watch the water tumble over the rocky cliff-face into the valley below. Visitors can immerse themselves in nature with a one-hour, 2.2-kilometre easy circuit walk to see both Toorongo Falls and neighbouring Amphitheatre Falls. The walk starts and ends at the Toorongo Falls day visitor area. Toorongo Falls Road, Noojee, Victoria, 3833.

Noojee trestle bridgeSet in beautiful tall forest, the majestic Noojee Trestle Bridge is the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria. The bridge is a legacy of the old railway that ran from Noojee to Warragul. It was originally constructed in 1919, but in 1939 was completely burnt down and rebuilt in the same year. The historical bridge spans 102 meters and is 21 meters high. Amidst scenic eucalypt and fern forest, the Noojee Trestle Bridge makes the perfect break for visitors to stretch their legs and enjoy the peaceful surrounds. The bridge also marks the starting point for walks and cycling. The Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail is a short scenic cycling trail that climbs gently for three kilometres along a smooth dirt or gravel track. The Noojee Trestle Bridge Walk is six kilometres return, taking around two hours to complete. Mount Baw Baw Tourist Road, Noojee, Victoria, 3833.

Brandy Creek EstateAfter over indulging in Gippsland’s culinary delights, visitors can complete their short break at Brandy Creek Estate’s day spa with signature spa packages designed to relax, restore and re-energise. With a peaceful valley outlook across rolling vineyards to the Baw Baw Ranges, Brandy Creek Day Spa offers five treatment rooms, a tranquil relaxation area, luxurious change room facilities and a Turkish Hammam. Those still hungry can enjoy the property’s tasty tapas dishes, paella feasts and churrasco barbeques with uninterrupted views over the vineyard, olive grove and neighbouring farms. 570 Buln Buln Road, Drouin East, Victoria, 3818. (03) 5625 4498.

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