There’s nothing more freeing than frolicking through a field of flowers, and this official walk makes it easy to do so.
We’re slowly emerging from the depths of a particularly cold winter, and it’s time to reignite our excitement about the wonders of spring: baby animals, warmer weather and flowers galore. Sprawling fields around Victoria and Canberra will soon be covered in a golden yellow blanket of canola flowers – some you can visit, and some that you can’t, without trespassing on private farms. So there’s no better place to start than the Cornella Canola Walk.
About an hour’s drive from Bendigo – or two hours from Melbourne – in the Heathcote region, you can wander through more than 40 hectares of canola fields surrounding Shiraz Republic and Cornella Brewery (handily, at the same location). This special track and viewing platform provides a full 360-degree view of the flowers, and drones are welcome. Along the way, you’ll find places to stop for your new profile picture, like a working piano and a rusted-out ute.
Be sure to pack a camera for your walk. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
This is the only walk-through canola experience in the state, and it’s been designed to protect the crop while allowing revellers to soak in the landscape up close. So you can feel good about doing it for the ‘gram.
Like any good walk, the best part is a cold drink at the end of it (even when it’s relatively short and completely flat, like this one). So it’s great news you can end the trail with wine or beer and woodfired pizza at Shiraz Republic’s cellar door. Sit down in the rustic vineyard setting and even enjoy some live tunes on weekends.
End the walk by treating your taste buds. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Want to really make a trip of it? Book a stay at Shiraz Republic’s single or double bedroom private units to wake up with golden views. Each is self-contained, fitted with a full kitchen, bathroom, living area and decking overlooking the vineyard.
This is a working farm, so while dogs on leashes are welcome, be sure to stay on the provided track. The Cornella Canola Walk is open from 29 August to 28 September, from 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per kid, or $30 for a family of two adults and kids.
Stop for a moment by the piano. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
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Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
From rust-coloured foliage and foodie experiences to stunning sunsets, this part of Victoria is best explored as the mild days of winter arrive.
As the heat of the summer sun subsides and the milder days roll in, the stunning landscapes of Geelong and the Bellarine add pops of colour. The slight chill in the air will stir your taste buds and invite you to explore the peninsula’s foodie hotspots, while the vivid sunsets and cooler evenings will draw you to cosy fireside chats and evening adventures to watch the stars appear one at a time.
Just over an hour from busy Flinders Street, or a short 25-minute drive from Avalon Airport, Geelong is Melbourne’s cooler, more laid-back cousin with a sparkling marina, stunning surf beaches, impressive museums and a lively foodie scene.
Winter is the perfect time to see local sights.
It’s also the perfect starting point from which to explore the Bellarine Peninsula. Packed full of jaw-dropping scenery, inviting townships and over 40 cellar doors serving up local cool-weather wines, winter here is distinctly beautiful with its change of colours, temperatures and produce.
Whether you drive or catch the short but incredibly scenic ferry from the Mornington Peninsula, it’s no surprise this region offers up one of Australia’s best long weekend destinations. Here’s how to soak it all up.
Day 1: Explore Geelong with the locals
Morning
Start the day by grabbing breakfast and strong coffee from Pavilion Geelong (try the braised mushrooms on toast) while watching the gentle waves lapping the edge of Corio Bay. After brekkie, join the locals walking along the scenic Art Deco waterfront to explore the historic piers, beautiful beaches and gleaming white yachts in the marina.
Start the day at Pavilion Geelong.
Afternoon
After a morning in the sun, venture to the recently refurbished Federal Mill precinct, a grand old woollen mill built in 1915. Explore the industrial history of this area, as well as the gourmet produce on offer, before pulling up a table at the popular Paddock Bakery. Famous for their wood-fired sourdough and tasty pastries, this cafe serves up tasty dishes like their Crème Brûlée doughnuts. Chase your lunch down with an afternoon of gin tasting at Anther Distillery.
Try the Paddock Bakery Crème Brûlée doughnuts.
Night
For an evening of frivolity and decadence, head back to Geelong for dinner and a show at the newly reopened Geelong Arts Centre. Later, enjoy a mini Negroni with a scoop of Black Pearl Oscietra Gold caviar at the sleek Non Disclosure Bar.
Day 2: A foodie-centric day in Moorabool Valley
Morning
Wake up with the soft winter sun and cooler temperatures, then travel to the lush farmlands and stunning landscapes of Moorabool Valley, the home of Meredith Farm Store. Choose a seat outside in the leafy courtyard and enjoy a tasting platter of fresh produce among the flowers.
Afternoon
To explore the area, visit the cellar door at the Moorabool Valley Wine Collective, which encompasses three award-winning winemakers, before stopping by Austin’s Wines for lunch. Not only can you taste over 10 local wines at the dedicated tastings bar, but you can also curate your own cheese platter to eat outside on their shaded deck.
Stop by Austin’s Wines for lunch.
Night
Continue on your foodie quest with dinner in Newtown at the Asian fusion Two Noble restaurant, or, inside the same venue at Sawyers Arms Tavern, dive into the European flavours of Eileen’s Charcoal Grill on your way back to Geelong.
The chef’s hatted Two Noble restaurant is waiting.
Day 3: Adventures in The Bellarine
Morning
For a light breakfast, head 20 minutes out of town to the rustic Ket Baker, an artisan bakery known for their 100% sourdough croissants. Grab a hot cuppa under the gum trees and enjoy the morning chill in the air. Then spend the morning on the foodie-focused Bellarine Taste Trail, visiting local producers like Bellarine Smokehouse, Flying Brick Cider House and FarmDog Brewing.
Enjoy a light breakfast at Ket Baker.
Lunch
There’s no better way to enjoy lunch than to make it from scratch. With Harvest Experience’s Pasta & Pinot cooking class, you’ll have a genuine farm-to-plate experience as you learn to make fettuccini and filled ravioli from scratch. Once cooked, sit down, relax and enjoy your hard work with a glass of Bellarine Peninsula pinot noir.
Afternoon and night
Burn off your lunch with an afternoon trip to the bayside town of Portarlington, where Australian blue mussels are harvested offshore. Stop by the quirky Ducks Nuts and peruse the trinkets and treasures before making your way to the restored Portarlington Grand Hotel. Built in 1888, this beautiful building now houses four distinct dining experiences, including the new open-air spaces of The Atrium and Lawn, where you can enjoy a local gin as the sun sets over the bay.
