27 Jun 2018
Melbourne and the state of Victoria continue to thrive during the south hemisphere's winter months with a number of world-class restaurant and hotel openings and the start of the exciting whale watching season. This season, visitors to Victoria can indulge themselves at Australasia's best restaurant (Attica), spend the night at Australia's Boutique Hotel of the Year (Jackalope) and spot humpback whales and orcas around Phillip Island.
Victoria welcomes its whale watching season
Until early October, Victoria's spectacular southern coastline is prime spotting territory for humpback whales, southern right whales, blue whales and orcas – as they make their annual pilgrimage from the feeding grounds of Antarctica to give birth before raise their calves in Australia's warmer waters. The creatures can be spotted out at sea all along the Great Ocean Road and along Gippsland's south coast. However, the best viewing opportunities are found in and around Portland, Warrnambool and Phillip Island. Visitors can watch from purpose-built viewing platforms, clifftops and rocky outcrops along the coast or join a wildlife cruise or scenic flight to get a closer look of these mammals.
http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Things-to-do/Nature-and-wildlife/Wildlife-and-zoos/Whale-watching
The Museum of Modern Art, New York comes to Melbourne
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), in partnership with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, is hosting a major exhibition of modern and contemporary masterworks from New York's iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Until 7th October, “MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art” will showcase renowned art and design from a line-up of seminal artists including Paul Cézanne, Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Edward Hopper, Jeff Koons, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Lyubov Popova, Mark Rothko and Vincent van Gogh. The exhibition features around 200 works including some never-before-seen in Australia, and is the largest instalment of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, for the first time traversing the entire ground floor of NGV International.
FOOD & RESTAURANT NEWS
Victoria's Attica named the best restaurant in Australasia in World's 50 Best Restaurants 2018
Melbourne's world-famous restaurant, Attica, has leaped up in the rankings for the World's 50 Best Restaurants. The small Ripponlea venue, led by innovative chef Ben Shewry, has climbed 12 positions compared to last year's rankings – from number 32 in 2017 to number 20 in 2018, making it the best restaurant in Australasia. It is the first time that Attica has been placed within the top 20 of the popular list, known as “the Oscars of the food world”. Attica, located just a 20-minute drive from Melbourne's CBD, is considered one of Australia's premier dining destinations and Chef Dan Hunter's Brae in Birregurra placed at 58 in the list.
http://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Melbourne/Food-and-wine/Restaurants/VV-Attica.aspx
New restaurant offering contemporary Australian cuisine opens in Melbourne
Matilda is the newest venue by renowned Melbourne chef and restaurateur, Scott Pickett – located in South Yarra. Named after Scott's daughter, Matilda pays homage to the businesses ethos – focussing on community, comfort and warmth. Across the road from the Royal Botanical Gardens Victoria, the design of the two-storey restaurant reflects the natural assets of the gardens, bringing in earthy textures and tones. Matilda's menu features contemporary Australian food with items such as Kangaroo Tartare and Lakes Entrance Octopus, Macedon Ranges Duck, Blackmore Bavette with wattle seed. Matilda is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and has a brunch menu for weekends.
Cape, Mornington Peninsula's latest luxury cuisine offering
Mornington Peninsula's latest hotel, Cape Schanck, has recently opened the luxurious Cape restaurant and bar. Located on the peninsula's southern-most tip, overlooking Fingal Beach, Cape's slick leather-clad dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows offers enviable views out over the peninsula, wending its way to Port Nepean in the west. Designed by Executive Chef Josh Pelham, the menu of the 160-seat restaurant showcases seasonal food and the finest-quality produce from the region, such as the delicious Sher Wagyu porterhouse. Cape's wine list includes local legendary winemakers, utilising its position within the Mornington Peninsula's wonderful vineyard region.
ACCOMMODATION NEWS
Bellarine Peninsula to welcome new boutique hotel, Campbell Point House
The Bellarine Peninsula is set to welcome a new boutique hotel in September 2018. Nestled beyond the quiet and secluded hamlets of the area, Campbell Point House will offer luxury accommodation for just 24 guests at a time. The property was originally built as a private mansion home in the style of a French Chateaux and, after its conversion, it will feature 8 luxury suites and facilities including an infinity pool, tennis courts and day spa. Only booked guests will be able to access Campbell Point House, ensuring they have a peaceful and relaxing time in the natural beauty of the Bellarine Peninsula.
https://campbellpointhouse.com.au/
Jackalope and Lake House come out top in the Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Awards
Victoria has recently seen two hotels win at the Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Awards. Mornington Peninsula's vineyard-lair Jackalope winning Boutique Hotel of the Year (as well as the coveted gong for Best Club Sandwich), whilst the pioneering Lake House, in the Victorian spa town of Daylesford, won Regional Hotel of the Year. The awards are part of the 2018 Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Guide, which features the country's top 50 hotels.
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About Victoria
Victoria is Australia's second-smallest state and features a wealth of diverse regions and attractions which are easily reached from its lively capital Melbourne: from national parks teeming with wildlife to one of the world's most scenic coastal drives (Great Ocean Road) – plus superb wineries and dining options.
For information on visiting Melbourne and the Australian state of Victoria please go to: www.visitmelbourne.com/uk and www.australiaroadtrip.co.uk
For media enquiries contact Harriet Webb, Enrique Martín and Debbie Hindle at Four Communications: VisitVictoria@fourcommunications.com / 020 3697 4200
