Trentham Falls, Victoria, Australia - An easy day trip from Melbourne for families

Trentham Falls

Trentham Falls is one of Victoria’s most spectacular waterfalls and boasts Victoria’s highest single drop of around 32 metres. The waterfall is only a couple of kilometres out of Trentham in the Coliban Scenic Reserve between Daylesford and the the Macedon Ranges and about an hour’s drive from Melbourne.

The top viewing platform is only 70 metres from the car park and the scenic picnic reserve. The walk down to the lower falls is officially closed however you may see a constant stream of walkers heading down to the what is arguably the best view of the waterfall. The cooler months are probably the best time to visit because the Coliban river will probably have a constant flow that will showcase he best cascade over the falls. It can dry up a bit in the summer.

This is an easy accessible waterfalls for families with small kids. However the path to the lower falls is not maintained and is prone to landslips so if you do risk it take care.



Instagram: @shaneonthego

Trentham Falls on Parks Vic

Olinda Falls, Victoria, Australia - A Day Trip From Melbourne for everybody (and families)

Olinda Falls

Olinda Falls in the Dandenong Ranges is about one hour's drive from Melbourne. Wonderful for a family day trip from Melbourne. The falls are a short shady walk under the cool rain forest canopy.

It is an easy 800 metre walk for families with small children. It is a beautiful green walk to the falls but, let's face it, they're not the most spectacular falls in the world. Iguazu should feel pretty safe with its mantle as one of the world's most scenic falls. Even Turpins Falls, check out last video, north of Melbourne makes this one look little more than a splash and trickle.

However as a destination for a bush walk and to get a taste of the great Aussie bush it is a day well spent. Because of its accessibility from Melbourne the lower reaches of the Dandenong Ranges National Park can overflow with visitors so just keep driving for a few minutes more to get to the Olinda Falls reserve. It won't be anywhere near as crowded and you will be rewarded with seeing some of the largest trees in the world - the mountain ash.



Instagram: @shaneonthego

Olinda Falls on Visit Dandenong Ranges

Day trip to Turpins Falls

Turpins Falls

Turpins Falls is a waterfall on the Campaspe River about an hour north of Melbourne; about 10 kays from Kyneton. The waterfall flows into a secluded pretty billabong that seems brilliant for swimming. In the summertime it can be packed with swimmers however Parks Vic don't recommend swimming there because of the "cold water". I don't know what the hell that means. Many people have been killed or seriously injured falling or jumping from the rocks though. I suspect that is the real reason they don't recommend swimming. In fact the top of the falls is supposed to be closed but that doesn't seem to stop anybody clambering up there.

It is a perfect place to take the family for a picnic though. You're allowed to take dogs there because it is a public reserve and not a National Park.

There are dozens of waterfalls within an hour or two of Melbourne. Turpins Falls in one of the most accessible and is an easy day trip from Melbourne. If you're looking for a family day out Turpins Falls isn't bad.

We visited on a beautiful Winter's day in July. The video below is the result. Please enjoy. 

The Little Press & Cellar

The Little Press & Cellar is part of George Calombaris' Press Club empire but leaning towards the wine bar end of the restaurant spectrum. Smaller, more intimate, and more casual than the Press Club. The restaurant serves smaller dishes, they're a bit like Greek tapas, and a couple of larger dishes to share.

Making use of Melbourne's fine rail transportation system to get into town.
I had got the address wrong and so we trekked half way around the city looking for the Press Club. Luckily I was only a block out so the poor ol' dears and the pregnant lady weren't too inconvenienced.





Prawns - Kataifi wrapped, avocado, attiki honey dressing. I can honestly say I've rarely had prawns as good as these.

I can't find this on the latest version of the menu but it was a rabbit terrine like thing with little toasts and cherries (can't remember exactly what dried fruit it was either). Whatever, it was outstanding.

Octopus with olive oil and lemon juice.

A big bottle of beer to myself. Bridge Road Brewers Saison. No-one else liked this one - a little sweet for beer was the consensus. Me, I like sweet beer.

Squid ink risotto with wagyu bresaola, pistachios and beetroot puree. Another outstanding dish. Pity we had to share.

Another beer no-one liked - Samichlaus Doppelbock. When it is 15% alcohol who cares what it tastes like. I like these dark beers but it was a little too sweet.

Another dish not on the on-line menu but this was a roast chicken dish for two to share. A whole succulent chook cut into pieces with a delicious sauce and coleslaw like salad.

Salad - beetroot, pistachio, celery and goats cheese (labne?). Delicious.

Goat slow cooked for many hours with 40 cloves of garlic for two. Michelle and I insisted that everyone try the goat. Goat can be hard to find so whenever we get a chance to try it we do. I think one or two of the others were a little reluctant to try it but it was pretty good. Maybe a touch dry in parts but excellent overall. Both the chicken dish and the goat were supposed to be for two to share but really you could feed an army with both dishes. Really generous serves so 75 bucks for the goat isn't as expensive as it sounds.


Sokolatopita - salt caramel, peanut praline, vanilla ice cream and the pudding itself. As soon as someone says salty caramel I am there. Fricking rich this was. We also had the cheesecake (Tsizcake - citrus, passionfruit) which was divine and an upside down fruit pastry (Kydonopita - hot quince pie) with vanilla ice cream which was also reported to be pretty bloody good.



Flinders Street railway station.


The baby's fed and we're on the way home. Of course you'd be smiling.

Or you could be getting some zees.

The Little Press & Cellar is at The Press Club, 72 Flinders Street
Melbourne. I don't think it has a Good Food Guide hat but after tonight's meal I think it probably deserves one. Definitely up there with the better meals we've had in Melbourne.

Grand Final Replay day... and Moira's birthday at Restaurant Jacques Reymond

Because of the draw between the Magpies and the Saints in last week's Grand Final we have a replay this week. The AFL has changed the rules for the replay so that there will be extra time at the end of the game in case of another draw. No such luck though. The Pies flogged the Saints.
Collingwood 16.12.108 defeated St. Kilda 7.10.52
I thought it was all over at quarter time. There's an old adage says everyone's favourite team is whoever they barrack for or whoever is playing the Collingwood Magpies. We're all losers today. I reckon there'll be 50,000 new Magpie supporters in 9 months time.

What better way to get over a big footy loss than a party. My little sis, Moira, is celebrating her 40th birthday today and she has organised a party for her closest friends and family (that were able to make the trip - sorry Ben and Sonja) at Restaurant Jacques Reymond.

We, me Michelle and Moira, sussed out Jacques a few months ago and had one of the better meals we've ever had. We new we'd be in good hands if Moira booked Jacques' for he birthday and we were.





Dob and Lan

Is it time to dance yet?


Who the hell invited the bloke with the camera?

Anthony and Trish

Speech - thanks for coming and leave your money on the fridge.




Marg, Moira and Lan.

Jasmine, Gerard, Anthony and Trish

Pop and Ma


Me, Michelle (and yet to be named 28 week old bun in the oven) and Nick.

Two tastes of scallops with seasonal flavours, a cerviche with swede, artichoke chips and lemon myrtle, seared scallops with beetroot, apple and cider emulsion.

Delice soufflé of cottage cheese and aged comté, a stinging nettle and watercress sauce.

The ocean, flounder and oysters, fresh wasabi warm flounder 'sashimi' with fresh grated horseradish and togarashi, a natural oyster and sea water, a warm oyster with wasabi dressing, crispy tempura of white anchovy.

The room to ourselves.

Sweet and sour pekin duck like tucupi, a spiced nougatine of flaked salt and ginger, a lemon sauce, sourness of wilted sorrel and crisp duck skin salad, four pepper squid and yoghurt.

A new taste and technique of presenting prime eye fillet of Angus beef, warm salad of seared and slow poached beef reinventing the classic beef a la ficelle, millefeuilles of potato aioli with sesame, grandmother garnish and shiitake, natural cooking juices.

Roasted snapper, espelette pimento and mustard seed butter, a white onion tart, fluffy parsnip and yabbies, textures of enoki and Australian pure virgin olive oil, a green lettuce emulsion.

Chocolate - White chocolate créme brulèe, mild spice cacao sorbet, milk chocolate millefeuilles, dark chocolate soufflé.

Spice Strawberries - Poached fresh strawberries in a port and cassis infusion of mild spices, liquorice and bourbon vanilla ice cream, chocolate mint mousse, four pepper crispy tuille.

Lan, Moira and Gab

Subtility around a Pear - Baked to order bosc pear tart, fisherman's friend and pear delicacy, pearls of pear, yoghurt and saffron sorbet.

Really?

Monica and Con

Nick and Moira

Nice strong coffee - a piccolo latte.

Petit fours.

Moira and Jacques Reymond.

Marg, Jacques and Moira

Marg, Jacques and Barry

Gabrielle and Gareth.

Ah, sweet relief.

Top people, top night, top food. I hope Jacques wasn't too upset by our mobbing him like culinary rock star (he is a culinary rock star though). I tried to restrain my fan boy squeeing.