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Former Neighbours star’s stunning Yarra Valley wedding

In a celebration filled with love, laughter and music, singer and former Neighbours star Bonnie Anderson tied the knot with her beau, Samuel Morrison, in a breathtaking ceremony at the enchanting Acacia Ridge Vineyard in Yarra Valley, Victoria. The 29-year-old songstress and her landscaper husband exchanged vows in the presence of their closest family and friends, marking the beginning of a beautiful journey together. The radiant bride walked down the aisle in a sleeveless, halter-neck lace gown crafted by the talented Australian designer Jason Grech, while the dashing groom looked ever so handsome in a classic black tuxedo. The picturesque vineyard provided the perfect backdrop for this special day, creating an atmosphere of pure magic and romance. Sharing their joy with the world, Anderson captioned the first wedding photo on Instagram with the simple yet powerful words, "Mr and Mrs Morrison." The newlyweds flooded their social media with countless photos and videos, giving fans a glimpse into the magical celebration of their love. During the reception, the talented bride took the stage once again, not only as a singer but as a romantic lyricist. Anderson serenaded her new husband with a heartfelt song she had written especially for him, creating an unforgettable moment as their guests gathered around to witness their love story unfold. The celebration continued inside a marquee on the sprawling estate, where the bridesmaids, adorned in elegant black satin gowns, kicked off the festivities with a rehearsed entrance set to the iconic Beyoncé hit, "Single Ladies". Dinner was served, and the atmosphere was electric as the bride treated the guests to her musical prowess before the DJ took over, transforming the evening into a dance-filled extravaganza. In a pre-wedding interview with the Herald Sun, Anderson expressed her desire for the celebration to be a "big party" filled with entertainment and music, and she certainly delivered on that promise. Life may be chaotic as a mum, singer and wedding organiser, but for Bonnie Anderson, the chaos is well worth the joy that comes with looking forward to the future. The couple, who had already welcomed their bundle of joy, Bobby, in December the previous year, radiated happiness and love throughout the day. Anderson, who found fame at the tender age of 12 as the first winner of Australia's Got Talent in 2007, has come a long way, gracing the screens of Neighbours from 2018 to 2021. Now, as Bonnie Morrison, she begins a new chapter in her fairy tale alongside Samuel. As they dance into the rest of their lives together, Bonnie and Samuel Morrison serve as a testament to the enduring power of love, the magic of music, and the joy of sharing life's grandest moments with those who matter most. Cheers to the newlyweds, and may their journey be filled with endless love, laughter, and, of course, more unforgettable music! Images: Instagram

Relationships

Rare Yarra Valley winery with intriguing history up for sale

A sprawling homestead - complete with its very own winery - has hit the market for the first time in 40 years, and comes with owners with an unusual story. Sitting on over 36 hectares in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, the Gracedale Hills Estate and accompanying Hill Paddock Winery first came to be in the late 1990’s, after a chance meeting between Australian wine writer and critic James Halliday and Dr Richard Gutch OAM, the man who delivered Olivia Newton-John. As the doctor to Netwon-John’s mother, Irene, Dr Gutch brought the famed Aussie singer and actress into the world on September 26, 1948, in Cambridge, England. Years later, he and his wife Verna purchased the property in Healesville, with the intention of retiring, from Newell Cowan, who established the neighbouring Eyton on Yarra and Rochford Wines. At Eyton’s opening in 1996, Dr Gutch sat next to James Halliday, who advised him to plant vines on his estate. “Because of the northeastern slope, James Halliday said: ‘You’ll never get a frost’, and we never have,” Penny Gutch, Richard and Verna’s daughter, said. Ms Gutch, who turns 60 next year, has been managing her late father’s property with her husband Chris and said she has decided it’s time to sell. Hill Paddock Winery produced its first wine in 2003 under the Gracedale Hills label, going on to release 100 cases of shiraz, chardonnay and rosé until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Now, the winery is leased under a ten-year agreement with well-known Yarra Valley winemaker Mac Forbes, where he produces the Gracedale Hills “Hills Paddock” wines and his own. Ms Gutch said the new owner of the estate - about half of which is separately leased to farmers for animal grazing - could decide to get involved in the winery or let it operate under the lease. But its farming and wine-making qualities aren’t the only highlights, with the three-bedroom house located on the estate boasting 360 degree views of Mt St Leonard and The Great Dividing Range. Trevor Lavigne, an agent with Philip Webb Real Estate, said he had received inquiries about the estate from local, interstate and international buyers, and that it could be used as an Airbnb or developed further, pending council approval. The estate has been <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi-rural-vic-healesville-140230475" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> with an asking price of $5.3-5.8 million, with private inspections available. Images: Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Major search underway for floating baby

Police have resumed a large-scale search in Sydney’s south-east following worrying reports of a baby seen floating in shallow water, on Monday morning. Officers were called to Yarra Bay, La Perouse, at about 5 pm on Sunday after a number of shocked witnesses claimed they had seen an object that appeared to be a baby wrapped in a plastic bag floating in the water. Police Marine Area Command, Polair, Public Order and Riot Squad, several rescue helicopters and NSW Ambulance all took to the area to search. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.696053736356px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839786/yarra-bay-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/92a241b7da9e460c9205fa62c552eab0" /> However, the search was called off at 7:45 pm on Sunday evening due to poor visibility. They resumed again at 7 am on Monday morning. Police are urging anyone who may know information about this to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or go to: <a rel="noopener" href="https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/" target="_blank">https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au</a>. Information is treated in strict confidence.

News

A tale of 2 rivers: is it safer to swim in the Yarra in Victoria or the Nepean in NSW?

Cooling off with a swim in the river is a popular summer pastime in Australia, particularly for people who live a long distance from the beach. But urban waterways often have poor water quality, and <a href="https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/bathing/annapolis.pdf">swimming in contaminated water</a> can pose health risks. Water-borne pathogens, if ingested, can cause <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/guidelines-managing-risks-recreational-water">infectious diseases</a> such as gastrointestinal illness. In <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/344/1/012016/meta">our recently published research</a> we compared a popular NSW river, the Nepean River in western Sydney, with the upper reaches of Victoria’s iconic Yarra River (from Kew in Melbourne to Launching Place in the Yarra Ranges). We investigated how safe these rivers were for swimming, based on levels of faecal bacteria. We also assessed what information is available to inform people of the rivers’ suitability for swimming. While the water quality is generally better in the Nepean River, NSW doesn’t provide guidance on whether it’s safe for swimming. So in this regard, Victoria’s Yarra River could be considered safer. What contaminates our rivers? Both the Nepean River and the Yarra River are exposed to many potential sources of contamination, such as faecal wastes from farm livestock, wildlife, and domestic animals, and pollution from urban streams and sewage. We calculated flows in the Nepean River can contain <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-of-us-are-drinking-recycled-sewage-water-than-most-people-realise-92420">up to 30%</a> treated sewage. However, the NSW Environment Protection Authority highly regulates the sewage to protect river water quality. Heavy rain reduces water quality as the rain mobilises pollutants and carries them into waterways. Water quality: Victoria versus New South Wales We generally use the presence of E. coli bacteria as <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/rwqc2012.pdf">an indicator of pollution</a> from animal and human faecal wastes in rivers. It also indicates the risk of swimmers contracting a water-borne disease. If people swim in water with highly elevated E.coli numbers, they have a greater chance of getting sick. NSW doesn’t have guidelines which stipulate safe levels of E.coli in freshwater rivers. But Victorian guidelines recommend E.coli in freshwater rivers and lakes used for swimming doesn’t exceed <a href="https://yarraandbay.vic.gov.au/weeklywatersamples?type=yarra&site=290400">260 organisms per 100mL</a>. It was simple to get advice on water quality for swimming at four locations on the Yarra River on the “<a href="https://yarraandbay.vic.gov.au/yarra-watch">Yarrawatch</a>” website. Swimming is prohibited in the lower, highly urbanised parts of the Yarra, but Yarrawatch provides daily updates on the safety of swimming in its cleaner freshwater reaches. Yarrawatch also documents the actual <a href="https://yarraandbay.vic.gov.au/weeklywatersamples?type=yarra&site=290400">bacteria concentrations</a>from weekly samples collected during the swimming season, which inform the safety recommendations. At the time we published this article all sites on the Yarra were “poor”, meaning not suitable for swimming. There was no similar information publicly available for swimmers in the Nepean River, so we obtained water quality data from NSW Government agencies. The Nepean River E. coli bacteria results showed river water quality was generally very good, particularly at the sites upstream of urban and agricultural development. We also compared bacteria results according to rainfall. After heavy rain in the previous week, the E. coli bacteria levels spiked. The Nepean River at Penrith Weir, a very popular swimming spot, often recorded hazardous E.coli results after more than 40mm of rain in a week. Swimmers need advice Our biggest concern is Nepean River users are not given any advice on water quality. Up-to-date guidance is important to enable people to make an informed choice about whether or not they should swim. For example, very young children have poorly developed immune systems and may be <a href="https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/health-daily-care/health-concerns/pool-hygiene">more susceptible</a> to getting sick from water-borne pathogens. Their parents and caregivers should be warned if E. coli levels are high at a particular swimming spot. In contrast, visitors to any coastal or harbour swimming beach in eastern Sydney can look up the NSW Government <a href="https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/water/beaches/beachwatch-water-quality-program">Beachwatch</a> advice. This guidance is updated daily based on regular testing of faecal bacteria and other factors, including rainfall. But in western Sydney, swimmers and other river users have no such guidance. The decision to go swimming in the Nepean River can therefore be a gamble. Faecal bacterial data is actually collected in the Nepean and other rivers by NSW government agencies. Yet they don’t make the results freely available to the public. The NSW government is failing in its duty of care in this regard. It must issue health warnings when it detects hazardous bacterial results in the river. So which river has the best water quality for swimming, the Nepean or the the Yarra? While the Yarra water quality may be poorer, authorities at least offer advice to river users to guide safe swimming. If you intend to swim in the Nepean, avoid swimming after rain. If you’re unsure, wait at least a few days, preferably a week, after significant rainfall. Written by Ian Wright, Jason Reynolds, Katherine Morrison and Michelle Ryan. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-tale-of-2-rivers-is-it-safer-to-swim-in-the-yarra-in-victoria-or-the-nepean-in-nsw-130791">The Conversation.</a>

Cruising

Why you need to visit the Yarra Valley

Melbourne’s Yarra Valley is a gourmet delight. It has everything that you love – wine, chocolate, cheese, beer and strawberries. Whether you go for a week, or a weekend, you will indulge. If you’re wondering where to start, Yarra Valley tourism has put together some great trail maps on its website based around loose themes such as wine, art and family-friendly excursions. Here’s our pick of the top 8 places you should see in the Yarra. But be careful, you may never want to leave. <a href="http://coombeyarravalley.com.au/">1. Coombe – The Melba Estate</a> Coombe was once the home of opera singer Dame Nellie Melba and, as you would expect, it’s a home of grandeur and elegance. Coombe is set on seven acres of stunning gardens. The restored motor house and clock tower now house a gourmet restaurant which serves up seasonal estate-grown produce for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea from Tuesday through to Sunday. Coombe also produces award-winning wines, which you can taste at the cellar door. Make sure you visit the gallery and the cottage garden ‘avenue’ where you will find the oldest swimming pool in Victoria. Open: Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 9:30am-5pm, Friday and Saturday 9:30am-3:30pm, open public holidays Where: 673-675 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream 2. <a href="http://www.gatewayestate.com.au/">Yarra Valley Gateway Estate</a> Who doesn’t love a fresh, hand-picked strawberry? At Yarra Valley gateway estate visitors can grab a basket and head into the indoor strawberry patch. Entry is free and you may pick as little or as much as you like. The strawberries are charged by weight. A normal 250-gram punnet costs around $4. Strawberries can be picked all year round, however, in winter there are times when the patch is closed to allow the plants to recover. Check with the estate ahead of time to ensure it’s open. Yarra Valley Gateway Estate also sells picnic hampers, local produce and fine wine. Open: Monday - Friday, 9am-5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9am - 5pm Where: 667 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream 3. <a href="http://coldstreambrewery.com.au/">ColdStream Brewery</a> Fancy a cold brew? Coldstream Brewery is housed in a former wool store on Maroondah Highway. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the large shivering man on the roof. According to the owners, the shivering man represents taking the plunge and doing something for yourself. Coldstream microbrewery creates handcrafted beer and cider. The best way to experience it is to taste your way through a paddle at the bar. Afterwards grab a pizza to share and maybe a pint of your favourite beer to linger over. Open: Sunday - Thursday, 11am-9pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am - 11pm Where: 694 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream 4. <a href="https://yvd.com.au/">Yarra Valley Dairy </a> Who doesn’t love cheese? Yarra Valley Dairy is renowned for producing award-winning fresh, soft cheeses made in distinctly Italian and French styles. The dairy farm produces both cow and goat cheeses. The one you must try is the Persian fetta. Of course, it’s only right to have a glass of wine with your cheese. The dairy has cheese and wine tasting, cheese plates, regional produce and coffee and tea. Head to the website and you will find some great recipes for using all the cheese you have bought. Open: Daily 10.30am-5pm Where: 70-80 McMeikans Road, Yering 5. <a href="https://www.yeringfarmwines.com/a/Yarra_Valley_Vineyard_Cellar_Door_Winery_Accommodation_Wine_Sales">Yering Farm Wines</a> Fancy sipping a glass of silky aged red in front of an open fire in a rustic woolshed? This is the place for you. Yering Farm wines specialise in limited release, handcrafted, boutique wines. The harvest typically commences with Pinot Noir in the first or second week of March and finishes with Cabernet Sauvignon in early May. This is a working farm. You can often wave to the owners as you come up the driveway and you can expect to see ducks waddling around. The rustic tasting room can be found in a shed. Pull up a stool or lean on the worn wooden bar and sample some of the best wines this region has to offer. Open: Daily 10am-5pm Where: 19-21 St Huberts Road, Yering 6. <a href="https://visityarravalley.com.au/tarraWarra-museum-of-art">TarraWarra Museum of Art </a> This gallery is the cultural jewel of the Yarra Valley, an award-winning architectural building that sprawls over rolling green hills with commanding regional views. But what is inside is just as wonderful. TarraWarra has seasonally changing exhibitions of modern art. More than 70 temporary themed exhibitions have been presented to date, including the collections of the gallery’s founders, philanthropists Eva Besen AO and Marc Besen AO. <a href="http://twma.com.au/exhibitions.%C2%A0">Click here to find out about current exhibitions</a>. Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-5pm, open 7 days a week from Boxing Day to Australia Day Where: 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Tarrawarra <a href="https://visitdandenongranges.com.au/activity/william-ricketts-sanctuary">7. William Ricketts Sanctuary</a> William Ricketts spent much of his life living with aboriginal communities in central Australia. Ricketts believed that Australians could learn from the Indigenous people and should adopt some of their practices, particularly in regard to the environment. He created this sanctuary as a place for quiet reflection and replenishing the spirit. More than 90 scultpures are distributed through the property, carved into rocks and tree trunks or dotted along paths. You just have to see it to believe it. Open: Daily 10am-4:30pm Where: 1402 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Mount Dandenong 8. <a href="https://www.yvci.com.au/">Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery</a> We promised you chocolate and here it is. Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery has free entry and free chocolate tastings. It would be impossible to work your way through the thousands of different kinds on offer. Watch as European chocolatiers handcraft the creations on site. If you can drag yourself away from the chocolate, head to the cafe. Grab a seat and admire the view over the expansive lawns, wetlands and sculpture gardens. Open: Daily 9am-5pm Where: 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen Have you visited the Yarra Valley before? If so, tell us about your trip in the comments below. Written by Alison Godfrey. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/what-to-do-in-the-yarra-valley-food-wine-chocolate/">My Discoveries.</a>

Domestic Travel

This city council has cancelled Australia Day celebrations

Last night, Yarra City councillors voted to stop referring to January 26 as Australia Day, cancelling future celebrations and banning citizenship ceremonies from being held on that day, starting next year, out of respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The proposal passed unanimously, despite pressure from the federal government against the move. Councillor Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei said it was an important step forward, saying the current date simply isn’t inclusive. “It’s really an opportunity to engage with the community and to educate them on indigenous affairs,” she said. This morning on the Today show, host Karl Stefanovic spoke out passionately in support of changing the date, but revealing it took some time to change his mind. “There is an argument in this country for Australia Day to be moved,” he began. “What do you think? My initial response is what many would think ... ‘C'mon, leave it alone. Indigenous and Torres Strait islanders, this is our day, all of us. Everyone come together. Commemorate but also celebrate. After all, that’s what we do on Anzac Day." “But I’ve changed my mind. Having spoken to several people from those communities, I empathise. As hard as some want to ignore it, January 26 marks a day this land changed forever for one of the oldest and most beautiful cultures in the world." “To this day, mortality rates for indigenous and Torres Strait islanders are alarming. It wasn’t until March 1962 the Menzies government finally gave the right to vote for all Aboriginal people. We look back at the horror of the Stolen Generation ... Earlier in the 20th century, the White Australia Policy, then we look at what happened in Tasmania." “They are all facts and all incredibly painful. If we are to truly follow through with the apology and move forward together hand in hand, arm in arm, then I believe it must change. So let’s do it together. Certainly let’s debate it together.” While there is certainly support for the idea of changing the date, Yarra Council’s vote has angered Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke, who has responded by urging other councils not to make the same decision. “Local councils are now on notice that if they politicise Australian citizenship, the government will see it as a breach of the (Australian Citizenship Ceremonies) code and take the appropriate action,” he warned. The threat doesn’t worry Mayor Amanda Stone, however, who told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/yarra-council-scraps-australia-day-celebrations-wont-hold-citizenship-ceremonies/news-story/de3f0b228d3d9f30476ef1e7f3de3780" target="_blank">AAP</a> there was nothing in the code that said councils were required to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day. “The code actually says you shouldn’t use a ceremony to promote a political agenda or a religious agenda or commercial agenda,” she explained. “We wouldn’t be intending to do that. We are simply considering changing when we hold our first citizenship ceremony of the year.” Do you think the date of Australia Day should be changed? If so, which date do you think would be more appropriate? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

News

Destination focus: Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges

It’s been Victoria’s favourite holiday destination for more than a century and there is still plenty to love about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Do Many people believe the ancient forests of the Dandenong Ranges are full of magic and looking at the lush rainforest, hidden glens and trickling streams leading to fern-fringed waterfalls, it’s easy to see why. There are many walks winding through the forest, ranging from easy strolls of just a couple of kilometres to the 40-kilometres Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail. Listen for the distinctive call of the lyrebirds that inhabit the forest, as well as curious wallabies, wombats and echidnas. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34667/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (148)"/> See Coombe, the sprawling home of opera legend Dame Nellie Melba, has only recently opened to the public and is one of the hidden gems of the region. The beautifully restored house sits in seven acres of garden and has a world-class restaurant, as well as a small museum filled with priceless Melba memorabilia. Book a guided tour to get the full experience. You’ll also find one of the country’s most innovative and groundbreaking museums in Yarra Valley, the Tarrawarra Museum of Art. The building itself is architecturally arresting and the contemporary art exhibitions inside change with the seasons, so it’s always a good time to visit. Drink The Yarra Valley is the birthplace of the Victorian wine industry, with vineyards dating back to the 1830s. It’s still one of the closest wine regions to a capital city and there are more than 50 wineries producing some of the finest wines in the country. Almost 40 of these have cellar doors where you can sample some excellent cool climate wines and many have fine restaurants or art galleries attached. If you tire of wine, there’s also a cider and ale trail that takes you to the region’s leading breweries. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34668/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (149)"/> Stay Step back in time and spend the night at the Yarra Valley Grand Hotel, built in 1888 and recognised as a landmark historic hotel by the National Trust. The luxurious Chateau Yering dates back even further, to the 1850s, and is surrounded by one of the oldest vineyards in the state. There are plenty of great accommodation options on vineyards, from small self-contained cottages to stylish modern studios. What’s your favourite thing to do in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges? Share in the comments below. Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=content&utm_content=link1&utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a> For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.

International Travel

100-year-old converted log cabin in Yarra Valley cottage

From converted <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/04/train-carriage-transformed-into-luxury-airbnb/" target="_blank">train carriages</a> to <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/06/melbourne-airbnb-treehouse/" target="_blank">rainforest treehouses</a>, we’ve seen a lot of incredible properties from the folks at Airbnb. But today’s property is a little bit special. Just 10 minutes from some of the best wineries in Australia with a view worth of any postcard, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/5457104/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_yarralogcabin" target="_blank">Kennedy’s Lodge</a> is a 100-year-old log cabin that has been converted into delightful holiday accommodation for a night, weekend or maybe even more. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/5457104/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_yarralogcabin" target="_blank">Kennedy’s Lodge</a> is located on seven acres of glorious bushland in the heart of the Yarra Valley with a range of wildlife to be found on the property including sheep, dogs, cat and horse along with the odd kangaroo, blue-tongued lizards and lots of bird life. <img width="500" height="290" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/24070/yarra-valley-2-view-_500x290.jpg" alt="Yarra Valley 2 (view ) -"/> The cabin itself has been studiously converted to make it comfortable for travellers of all ages and tastes, and features all the modern amenities you would expect. Just scroll through the gallery to see how great a job they did! The Yarra Valley is home to some of Australia’s best wineries, most spectacular scenic views and lushest National Parks and you will be in a prime position to enjoy it all when you stay at Kennedy’s Lodge. You’ll also be close to cafes, restaurants and country pubs. The sights and sounds of the region are all easily accessible with Warburton 10 minutes, Healesville 20 minutes and Yarra Glen a half hour drive away. To have a look at Kennedy’s Lodge and admire some of the best views you will see in an Airbnb property in Australia, scroll through the gallery above. And to find out more about this property, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/5457104/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_yarralogcabin" target="_blank">click here</a>. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60" target="_blank">Whether you want to make money by renting your place or to find affordable accommodation options and stretch your travel budget further, head over to Airbnb now and have a look around.</a> Related links: <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/06/seniors-retreat-in-tasmania-swiss-village-grindelwald/">Seniors retreat in Tasmania’s Swiss Village</a> <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/06/melbourne-airbnb-treehouse/">Live among the trees an hour from Melbourne with Airbnb</a> <a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/06/6-perfect-airbnbs-for-getting-back-to-nature/">6 perfect Airbnbs for getting back to nature</a>

Accommodation

Life in the clouds a dream in Yarra Valley

It is like a scene from a dream. Nothing but a golden sun and a fluffy blanket of cloud in my sight. I can barely resist the urge to leap out of my hot-air balloon basket and dive among the cushions around me. Ballooning delivers some surreal moments and my brief peek above the morning fog above the Yarra Valley, Australia, has been particularly hair-raising. And not for the reason I expected. Wind, it turns out, has little effect on those travelling with it, making many thick clothes unnecessary at altitude. It's one of a few instances where my quick pre-flight assumptions about ballooning are pleasantly ruled out once we are in the air. Another poor assumption is there is no fun in cruising at a slower speed. Sure, catching glimpses of landmarks are possible from the window seat of a plane. But those fleeting flashes cannot compare to the gentle meandering over farmland, tidy rows of grapevines, and the Yarra Valley's wandering rivers and creeks. The third wrong assumption is that ballooning in the Yarra Valley would be anything but first-class. Kiff Saunders, the one-time lumberjack piloting my balloon, has been at the burners of balloons all across the world for the past 30 years. In the past 12 months, he's flown in Brazil, Ireland and, after tethering a balloon to a Russian icebreaker, at the North Pole. But, despite the calls for him to remain overseas, Saunders has kept his base in Melbourne and played a part in the Yarra Valley's revival. The state's first wine region failed to see out the Great Depression but the industry was resurrected in the late 1960s by a few curious winemakers. Once Moet et Chandon, De Bortoli and McWilliams came knocking in the 1980s, the region quickly expanded and is now home to more than 80 labels. <img width="500" height="250" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/23872/shutterstock_140165680_500x250.jpg" alt="hot air balloon yarra valley"/> One of those to set foot in the area was Bendigo winery Balgownie Estate in 2002. Set on 12 hectares of undulating terrain outside Yarra Glen, the label's Yarra Valley site has quickly built a satisfying list of locally-produced wines. Its pinot noir has made the leap to the winery's premier Estate label for the first time in 2013, a cause for celebration for the Valley vineyard. "It may not be a big deal for everyone but we're really proud," says sales manager Melanie Watson. Balgownie Estate sets itself apart from other boutique wineries with its seamlessly-integrated first-class resort. A minute on the property is enough to see how it snapped up the award for Victoria's best regional accommodation by Tourism Accommodation Australia last year. An indoor pool and gym can help do away the guilt of consuming a few too many wines, while those looking for relaxation sans alcohol can step inside the day spa and health club for a soothing massage. As for food with views, few guests turn down the opportunity to watch the sun set over the vineyards as they dine at the on site restaurant. But the most valuable player on the Balgownie team is the courtesy driver, Mark. Worry about who should be designated driver ends with Mark who makes visiting several cellar doors and the tantalising Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in all in a single a day more than possible. To some, that's the dream. Doesn’t that sound like an incredible trip? Have you ever visited the beautiful Yarra Valley, and what was your favourite part of the experience? Let us know in the comments. Written by Luke Costin. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/australias-most-spectacular-hot-air-ballooning-locations/">Australia’s most spectacular hot air ballooning locations</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/04/mcg-melbourne-greatest-stadium-in-world/">Is the MCG the world’s greatest stadium?</a> <a href="/travel/international/2015/11/weird-australian-events/">8 wacky Australian events not to miss</a>

International Travel

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Former Neighbours star’s stunning Yarra Valley wedding