Mooltan Guest House

Season Of Mist and mellow Fruitfulness

2011-07-22T16:59:00.010+10:00

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run" Keats Ode To Autumn

We are back to the winters of the early 1990's, but looking to a great spring. The mists have set in and around the fire is a very popular meeting.

But there is an exciting new option for a winter lunch and that is Wombat Hill House, at the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens.

Having established Lake House in 1984, Alla Wolf Tasker presents this new incarnation - the 'house in the gardens'.

They offer simple seasonal food, sourced locally wherever possible and served in one of Daylesford's most beautiful locations.

Take home 'heat & eat' food, pantry provisions and gifts available from the store. Wine by the glass and bottle to enjoy on the premises.

AND HERE IS ANOTHER HOLIDAY OPTION . YOU CAN BOOK THE COTTAGES THROUGH PARKS VICTORIA

The Gabo lighthouse is particularly lovely. Constructed from pink granite quarried on site and never painted, with a delicate vertical curve . And it’s solar powered.

The houses and fences are built of the same stone. Geoff does four weather reports each day. A discussion about how

to describe the rain : are the showers occasional, intermittent,

scattered, isolated? No debate about the wind : it’s continuous.

Where the weather happens

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

The garden looks amazing

2010-11-27T13:58:00.006+11:00

What a year we are having in the garden. The rain never stops and everything keeps growing. Last year in November we had a major catastrophe when one of the huge cypress trees came down across the front lawn two days before our niece Katrina's wedding. We are still cleaning up after that. But it did create new opportunities.

In the autumn we planted three manchurian pears, a crab apple and a Japanese maple, so they have got off to a wonderful start. This year the irises have been the best ever and the roses have had a huge flush of flowers, and with this rain they will be good for a second round.

At last Our New Apartments are ready

2009-12-03T12:13:00.006+11:00

We have extended our ensuite rooms to create new self-contained apartments, fully self-catering with hand-made furnishings by local craftsmen and women. In the bedroom bi-fold windows open on to a secluded and tranquil setting overlooking our extensive garden, tennis court and the Mineral Springs Reserve. The modern kitchen facilities allow you to prepare a meal and we are in easy walking distance of Hepburn Springs collection of charming shops, restaurants, day spas and a short drive to neighbouring Daylesford.

The sleek modern bathrooms now have a specially imported deep japanese bath and separate shower.

So come and relax in sun-filled rooms with a cup of tea, plunger coffee or a glass of wine, and feel the outdoors come inside. And of course there is a flat screen TV and wireless broadband connection.

The Hepburn Springs Swiss Italian Festa is COMING

2009-10-02T18:14:00.005+10:00

So Many Events To Choose

So Little Time

Some of our recommendations but check the program for yourself.

Some of Victoria's finest community choirs will perform alongside our own Daylesford Primary School Choir, with the special drawcard of THECHOIR directed by Jonathan Welch (formerly of the Choir of Hard Knocks.) All choirs will entertain with 25 minute brackets hich include at least one song by an Italian composer.

Sunday 11

The program includes well known Italian choral groups Coro Furlan, Le Canterine Del Fogalar and Gruppo Culturale Italiano, an outstanding regional choir - the Sweet Mona's and the return of 3 outstanding performers from last year - The Keytones, the Pollyphonics and the Brimbank Multicultural Choir, with the Finale by THECHOIR led by Jonathan Welch.

Sunday 18

This is the time for our local Daylesford Primary School Choirs to shine along side such great choirs as Willin Wimmen, Singularity, Western Region Concert Choir, Gruppo Culturale Italiano and the much loved Trade Union Choir.

CUCINA NOSTRANA October 17 Daylesford Town Hall

In Ticino, the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, you will find thisunique type of restaurant. The grotto is a rustic eatery, fashionedfrom old wine caves. Add to this a feast of entertainment, eclectic as the surroundings, and you will be transported to that magic part of Ticino.Three-course meal with fabulous entertainment featuring local bandRicketty Bridge. Local chef Gary Thomas will cook a seasonal andregional risotto and the feast includes produce by local producer Istra Smallgoods and fabulous desserts. Dance to Ricketty Bridge - Folk music brought them together but they soon found lots of other flavours, spices and stories bubbling underneath.They let their voices and fingers follow their hearts and now they are world travellers.

Masked Ball Returns Saturday October 10
The Palais is proud to announce the long awaited return of oneof the Festa's biggest events. Come dressed for historicalhysteria as we commit our town's willingness to frock upand make for one big decadent party night!!! With music by The Brat Pack and Big Swing Band with Dean Martin hits.

THE BIG FOOTBALL MATCH

2009-07-15T09:37:00.002+10:00

Some people think Geelong v. St Kilda was the match of the year. Don't believe them. Hepburn v.Daylesford this Saturday July 18 will show you what serious rivalry is about. This year it might even be played in real mud. For many years these 2 teams played in different leagues and you could barrack for both , but more recently they are back in the same league, so you have to choose! Of course we support Hepburn and will be there to cheer them on.

But if golf is your "thing", Give Golf A Go clinics are being offered at Hepburn Golf Club. Sponsored by VicHealth and Womens Golf Victoria, they are being held on Friday and Wed July 22 Ring 53482718 for details.

At the Palais this week on Friday July 17 Steve Hoy does Country, Americana, folk from differing perspectives, and on Saturday July18 Wagons. See details on the Palais website.

Another date to put firmly in your calendar

On Sunday July 26 the ever-popular and very successful Glenlyon Fine Food and Wine Fayre is happening again. You can even enter in the Closet Cook's event with your very own creation.

School Holidays and how to beat the Recession we haven't had yet

2009-06-27T10:53:00.005+10:00

A good time to have a break away from the routine, and keep the "World Wide Financial Depression" at bay.

Come to Hepburn Springs and spend some mid- week time at the Hepburn Bath House , which has savings compared with the weekend. Another advantage of a mid-week break is the "locals" nights at various restaurants. Great value. Some of our favourites are Monday night at Mercato, Tuesday night at Cosy Corner and Thursday night at the Palais.

Next Sunday 5 july you could pick up some bargains at the Burnt Hill Farm Clearing Sale as well www.stevegrahamauctioneer.com

We go to the local football to watch Hepburn, and the BIG match is coming up soon between Hepburn and Daylesford, so if you really want to see if you are ready to do the "tree change" spend a Saturday at the footy. You can still have your pie and sauce, but get up close to the real action, not cocooned off in airconditioned comfort, watching celebrities stut thier stuff.

But we are not without our BrunswickStreet options

The Palais has top class entertainment, and next Saturday 4 July it is Pete Ross

Having relocated twelve months ago from Melbourne to Italy, Pete Ross (the former guitarist from highly popular Dan Brodie & The Broken Arrows – then known as Peter Cicciari), has done just that….tracing his musical and family ancestry, after he packed up his life and moved in a quest to find all these things and more. Pete was in a sense following his fathers’ footsteps (Peter Ciani is an iconic 1950s Italian pop star, and made history in the Australian Music industry in 1963 when he emigrated to Australia and EMI released worldwide his first Australian disc with two of his own compositions in Italian). Pete has rapidly forged his own career in Italy by signing to Steamroller record label and has been touring extensively to an ever-expanding and adoring Italian crowd. His Australianness is a curiosity to his fans, but his Sicilian roots have embedded him in the local culture. Performing at various summer festivals in Southern Italy, as well as numerous television appearances, including three performances on RAI International, gaining him immense exposure, Pete has also toured France, Spain and the UK.

On Sunday July 19 A Perfect Drop Wine and Food Lounge is doing Slow Roasted Sunday- a banquet lunch and mulled wine in front of the open fires Ph 53483373

The Rain and We Love It

2009-06-13T15:39:00.003+10:00

We have had normal rain for this month at last. It's COLD, but it didn't snow . So a great time for sitting by the open fire reading a book, then down to the Hepburn Bath House for a relaxation swim in their warm mineral water pool.
And still things continue to happen.
On Sunday 14 June at 2pm, the new Choir (of Hard Knocks) now known as THECHOIR will be singing at the Daylesford Town Hall
Hepburn Springs and Australia’s Spa Capital is under the spotlight in 2009 when Australia’s oldest Italian building turns 150 years! Celebrations focus on bringing the families of original settlers and history lovers back to our picturesque village to reflect and celebrate the gold prospecting that brought so many Swiss and Italians and other nationalities to the region, the finding of mineral water and the establishment of Australia’s first macaroni factory. Please click here for further information on various events throughout the year being held at The Old Macaroni Factory.
Special Touch Wedding & Event Services
The fourth annual Daylesford Wedding Expo is to be held on Saturday 22 August 2009. Bettina Ralph 0423 630 674. For further details please on this event go to http://www.hrta.org.au/Event/57.

Another Long Weekend

2009-06-01T18:03:00.005+10:00

Thank goodness- winter is here and we had more rain today.

First day of winter and feeling like it. What better way to get into the winter mood than spending time in Hepburn Springs. Sit by the fire and read your book. Go for a walk around the Blowhole. Have soup at the Red Star or seafood chowder at the Chowder House, and go down to the bath house in the late afternoon for a relaxing swim in the heated pool, before dinner at Cosy Corner or the Grande.

But you should not miss these opportunities either.

As part of the Melbourne Italian Festival , the regional offshoots are very exciting.
Dinner Under The Frescos Friday, 5 June 2009 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
The Old Macaroni Factory presents a delicious 2 course dinner with glass of wine for $40 as part of its 150th anniversary. Dine in the historic cafe under the colourful restored frescoes and hear some of the fascinating Lucini Family history. 64 Main Road, Hepburn Springs Maria and Matt Viola PH: 5348 4345 or mariaviola@bigpond.com
Sunday, 7 June 2009 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Photographic Exhibition: From Lago Maggiore to Spring Creek an Old Italian Turns 150
Launched first in Melbourne at Federation Square, this exhibition moves to The Convent Gallery.A photographic exhibition of The Old Macaroni Factory, Australia's oldest Italian building that this year celebrates 150 years. This Exhibition is presented by The Melbourne Italian Festival and includes photographs taken by photographer Chelsea Sipthorp, who had permission to photograph the historic property throughout the year. Some of the photographs are for sale. The Exhibition also includes historic images from the Lucini Family.

The Convent Gallery, Cnr Hill & Daly Streets, Daylesford Maria Viola PHONE: 5348 4345EMAIL: mariaviola@bigpond.com

CUCINA ALTO BORGHESE Saturday 6th June 2009 & Sunday 7th June

CUCINA ALTO BORGHESE alla Fattoria Ellender (wine-farm)Lunch, samplings and tastings celebrating the closing of the Melbourne Italian Festival. Experience the hospitality of Ellender Estate’s working winery and vineyard at Glenlyon. (10 mins from Daylesford).12.30 pm to 3.00 pm A weekend of traditional family recipes from the Lombardia and Piemonte regions of Italy matched with Estate wines - six courses from $12.00 per course
3.30pm and 4.30 pmTasting Sessions: Discuss and sample Italian cheeses and wines from the Lombardia and Piemonte regions - $15.00 per personPhone: 03 5348 7785 jenny@ellenderwines.com.au www.ellenderwines.com.au

As well we have our regular events

Saturday 6 June A terrific farmers' market 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Daylesford Primary School, Vincent Street, PH: 0421458891
Fresh local produce available every month from local farmers and producers. Everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to wine to sweet treats to coffee to plants. You will even find worms, chooks, ducks and quails to name a few! So come and support your local farmers market every month. Regional Farmers Markets monthly fee goes to the Daylesford primary Schools kitchen garden program - you'll also find the school there doing a snag sizzle every month and the Daylesford Rotary Club assisting at the monthly market as well.
Creswick Woollen Mills Cutest Cria Competition Saturday, 6 June 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Did you know that an Alpaca’s baby is called a Cria?Creswick Woollen Mills will be holding their annual cutest Cria competition this June. Come along to meet the cutest alpaca babies from many local, and interstate breeders and enter the peoples choice award. Choose the baby alpaca you think is the cutest to win a luxurious Creswick prize. Speak to the breeders and learn about the Alpaca industry from the animal, to operational machinery to the luxurious end products. Creswick Woollen Mills PH: 03 53452202
So much to do or so little Please yourself.
Jenny & Eddie Beacham

The Hepburn Springs Bathhouse has Reopened

2008-09-16T14:22:00.005+10:00

A Big Day-The Bath House has reopened after nearly 2 years
On Friday 19 September 3-7pm an Open Day will be held at the Mineral Springs Reserve to celebrate the re-opening of the Hepburn Bath House & Spa and Pavilion Café.
Live music, sausage sizzle, entertainment for the kids, and regular tours of the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. Bring a picnic, sample the mineral waters, and start the weekend on a relaxing note.
Be in the draw to win a double pass into The Bathhouse & The Sanctuary
Since 1895, the Hepburn Bathhouse has been a ‘must-do’ when visiting Australia’s premier spa destination. Open daily, visitors can select from a range of indoor heated pools, spas and bathing environments all providing the health-giving benefits of the abundant local mineral springs.
Renovated in 2008, the Bathhouse & Spa now also provides a magnificent day spa facility, offering the finest in massage, facials, body treatments and private mineral baths. With over 30 treatment rooms there is a range of relaxing and rejuvenating experiences perfect for everybody.

Providing traditional communal bathing, you can select from the mineral relaxation pool in the Bathhouse or opt for the saltwater float pool, spa couches and steam room in The Sanctuary. Relax and allow the healing properties of warm mineral waters to soothe away your stresses.