In This Issue:

Beechworth Ghost Tours
A 19th century asylum might initially seem an unlikely place to take tourists, however, the popularity of attractions such as the Old Melbourne Gaol and Shipwrecked! sound and laser show at Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Maritime Village demonstrate, places with a history of scandal, hardship, tragedy and conflict are eternally fascinating for travellers.

World cooking classes in Mornington Peninsula
George’s B&B and Culinary Retreat, a stylish architecturally-designed guest house located at Arthur’s Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, is hosting a program of culinary weekends that combine quality accommodation and ‘hands on’ cooking classes.

Sovereign Hill offers visitors a real-life ‘night at the museum’
Sovereign Hill has taken a lead straight from Hollywood with a unique new product that allows visitors to literally spend ‘a night in the museum’.

New Melbourne hot spots
This month three city establishments - Madame Brussells, MoVida Next Door and the Red Hummingbird - add new adjacent venues to their alcoholic arsenal.

Mantra Deep Blue Warrnambool welcomes whale-watching season
Warrnambool has excitedly welcomed the arrival a southern right whale, affectionately known as ‘Big Lips’, and her calf to its Logans Beach whale nursery, marking the beginning of the whale-watching season which runs until the end of September.

Luxury and style for budget travellers in Melbourne
The Pensione Hotel Melbourne is a new boutique hotel specifically designed for budget-conscious leisure and corporate travellers seeking style and comfortable accommodation.

New Moonlight Sanctuary bus service for day and night visits
Moonlight Sanctuary has been enticing visitors to the Mornington Peninsula for the past six years with its eco-accredited tours showcasing the region’s unusual and endangered wildlife species, such as the Southern Bettong (a miniature kangaroo) and Giant Fluffy Glider.

New Murray River Escape cruises
MV Maryann, Echuca's famous Murray River cruising restaurant, has launched a new ‘Murray River Escape’ cruise for those seeking a luxury boat holiday with a difference. 

Wangaratta festival draws big names in jazz
Victoria's High Country will be in the spotlight when top international and local musicians (including John Scofield, Joe Lovano and Duke Robillard) descend on Wangaratta for the 2008 Wangaratta Festival of Jazz from 31 October to 3 November.

It’s skidget time
A new online 'widget' (or ‘skidget’) has been launched on Tourism Victoria’s skivic.com website to keep keen snow bunnies in the loop with regular snowfall reports.

Melbourne struck with spring fashion fever
Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2008 will take over the CBD from 1 to 7 September, celebrating the latest looks for spring and summer and Melbourne’s hottest retailers, boutiques, laneways, bars and venues.

Melbourne’s Art Deco gems
This winter Melbourne has been seized by Art Deco fever, with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) reporting almost 63,000 visitors to the international blockbuster Art Deco 1910-1939 exhibition during its first 25 days.

Hunt for vintage treasures on new tour
Those with a penchant for vintage fashion and retro home wares will be in their element on the brand new Vintage Outing tour – the latest offering from Melbourne’s Hidden Secrets Tours.

Every Month:

Special Packages:
This winter, Great Aussie Holidays and Tourism Victoria have teamed up to offer some fantastic packages to Melbourne.

Important Diary Notes

© 2009 Tourism Victoria