Bass Coast Wine Trail
Credit: Dark Skies, Scott Kingman, 2022 Milky way
With whale watching and southern lights season in late autumn/winter, time to dig out my research for Wine Gippsland Itinerary. Explore the Bass Coast wine trail – wet the whistle before being awed by the majesty of nature.
The Gurdies Winery Google Map
Views of Westernport Bay from the vineyard and winery, between The Gurdies and Hurdy Gurdy Creek Nature Reserves. Planted 40+ years ago, taste Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rosé, and Sparkling Red. Local farmers Wendy Heaney and Bruce Preston have made this a must visit on the Bass Coast, with cosy vibes around the fireplace in the cool months, as you take in the views.
Friday-Monday, 11am–5pm. Features/ Accessibility: Family Friendly, Pet Friendly (enquire first), Free Wi-Fi, Accessible, Bar.
215 Gurdies-St Helier Rd, The Gurdies VIC 3984, (03) 5997 6208
Web thegurdieswinery.com.au Instagram @thegurdieswinery Facebook @thegurdieswinery
Bass River Winery Google Map
Vignerons, the Butera Family, have owned this pioneering winery since 1983, by the Bass River and the southern end of the Strzelecki Ranges. Owner, Pasquale’s son, Frank Butera is winemaker (and Len Evans Tutorial scholar). They combine southern Italian roots, with Frank’s physics and winemaking qualifications to make an evolving range of Brut, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Merlot, and even Ice Wine and Limoncello for the sweet tooth.
Thursday-Monday, 10am–5pm
1835 Dalyston-Glen Forbes Rd, Glen Forbes VIC 3990, (03) 5678 8252
Web bassriverwinery.com Instagram @bassriverwinery
Silverwaters Vineyard Google Map
Located in San Remo, overlooking Westernport Bay, where the water is known to shimmer shades of silver. Vignerons Emily and Hercules bought the vineyard after trip to Phillip Is., with local legend Marcus Satchell making the wines. The 7-acre vineyard was established in 1995 and has Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Friday-Saturday, 12pm–5pm
215 Phillip Island Rd, San Remo VIC 3925, 0402 619 377
Web silverwatersvineyard.com.au Instagram @silverwatersvineyard Facebook @Silverwatersvineyard
Phillip Island Winery Google Map
Nestled in Ventnor on Phillip Is., the cellar door includes and Atrium, restaurant, and space to spread a picnic rug, with beautiful views over the countryside down to Berry’s Beach. Drop in for a tasting of their Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Fumé Blanc, Rosé, Shiraz, and Cabernet Merlot, and stay for a grazing board, oysters and mussels, locally raised meat, and share plates. Browse the local artisan shop at cellar door.
Monday-Sunday, 11am–5pm. Features/ Accessibility: Family Friendly, Non Smoking, Pet Friendly (enquire first), Accessible, Bar
414 Berrys Beach Rd, Ventnor VIC 3922, (03) 8595 2155
Web phillipislandwinery.com.au Instagram @phillipislandwinery Facebook @PhillipIslandWinery
Purple Hen Winery Google Map
Located in Rhyll, on the sheltered eastern side of Phillip Is., with views of Swan Inlet, Churchill Island and Denne Bight. Named after the local Purple Swamp Hen. Rick Lacey and Maira Vitols planted vines in 2002, mostly Pinot Noir and Shiraz, with smaller parcels of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay. Enjoy the changing blackboard menu of cheese platters, tasting plates, sourdough bread, Duck Rillettes or Chicken Pate or Pork Terrine while you taste. Live music on Sundays in summer.
Thursday-Monday, 11am–5pm, 7 days a week, 27 Dec to 31 Jan and school holidays.
96 Mcfees Rd, Rhyll VIC 3923, (03) 5956 9244
Web purplehenwines.com.au Instagram @purplehenwines Facebook @purplehenwines
Grenache Wine Bar Google Map
A one-stop-shop for wine lovers in Cowes, Phillip Is, with casual wine and cocktails at the front and dining at the back. A great local-focused wine list and Modern Australian menu, with 150+ gins to try for the gin aficionado.
Friday-Sunday 4pm–10pm, Tuesday-Thursday 5pm–10pm
55a Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922, 0408 483 129
Web grenachebar.com.au Instagram @grenachebar Facebook @Grenache-Wine-Bar
Ocean Reach Brewing Google Map
Est. 2016 by the Bismire family, the independent craft brewery drawing inspiration from the coastal environment, especially the famous surf break at Cape Woolamai. They’re committed to sustainability, sending spent grain to local farmers for livestock feed, and powering the brewery with 50 solar panels. At the tasting room, taste 8 beers on tap (plus cider, wines, spirits, spritzers, or soft drinks), with the Food Van serving up burgers, wings, and kids' meals.
Wednesday-Friday 4–9 pm, Saturday 12–9 pm, Sunday 12–4 pm
47 Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922, 0401 250 977
Web oceanreach.beer Instagram @oceanreachbrewing Facebook @oceanreachbrewing
Phillip Island Brewing at Rusty Water Google Map
Rusty Water Brewery Restaurant & Bar is home to Phillip Island Brewing Co. Located in Cowes, taste handcrafted ales, beer and wine, and locally sourced produce, after you have enjoyed spectacular coastal scenery, world-renowned nature parks and pristine surf beaches of Phillip Is., taste their winning beers from Independent Beer Awards, incl. Chicory Stout (Gold), Churchill ESB (Bronze), Black Cockie Shiraz Porter (Gold), Pinnacle Amber Ale (Bronze), Chicory Stout (Bronze), and Shipwreck IPA (Bronze).
Opens 11:30 am, Closes Friday 9 pm, Saturday 9:30 pm, Sunday–Thursday 8:30 pm.
Features/ Accessibility: Free Wi-Fi, Accessible, Bar
1821 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes VIC 3922, (03) 5952 1666
Web rustywaterbrewery.com.au Instagram @rustywaterbrewery Facebook @rustywaterbrewery
Stargazing and Aurora Australis
With 360-degree horizon views and clear night skies, Gippsland has some of Australia’s best stargazing locations. Tiny villages and low-level light mean perfect views of the Milky Way all across Gippsland. Incl. Bruthen, Buchan, Cann River, Cape Conran, Dargo, Lake Tyers, Loch Sport, Mallacoota, Marlo, Nowa Nowa, Omeo, Orbost, Point Hicks. The best time to view Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) is during the cooler months (May to August) and during the spring equinox.
Stargazing, all year round.
Aurora Australis, best viewed in cooler months (May to August) and during the spring equinox.
Whale Season
From late autumn to winter, head to Gippsland with your beanie, thermos, and binoculars for whale season. The giants from the deep, including humpback and right southern whales, migrate from the deep south along the Gippsland coast to warmer waters; as well as killer whales. Keep a look out for solo creatures or pods up to 5 whales, as they wave of a fin, a blow of water, tail slap, or if you’re lucky, a full breach, jumping right out of the water. Head to whale viewing hot spots (Whale Watching), like Phillip Is., Bass Coast, Wilsons Promontory, Port Albert, Ninety Mile Beach and Lake Tyers Beach.
Late autumn and winter.
Web visitgippsland.com.au/news/whale-season
Penguin Parade
Phillip Island is home to the biggest Little Penguin colony in the world. Visit any night of the year, to watch these gorgeous seabirds waddle their way from the ocean to their burrows. Visitors can book a spot at the grandstand overlooking Summerlands Beach, as well as guided tours, and underground viewing, and eco-tours for the whole family.
Penguin Parade Visitor Centre currently opens daily at 12pm. Bookings essential.
Web penguin-parade
Phillip Island Beaches
Phillip Island is a beach and surfing hotspot. Try kayak or stand-up paddle boarding in Cowes, take the Penguins to Prom Drive, from Phillip Island’s Little Penguins to the majestic Wilsons Promontory, trek the 7km George Bass Coastal Walk that hugs the clifftops between Kilcunda and San Remo. Or bring your surfboard to the Summerland Peninsula for some of the island’s best reef breaks; Cape Woolamai’s world class beach breaks with up to 2 metre waves (for experienced surfers); or the barrels at Smiths Beach, which hosts surf schools.
French Island Vineyards Google Map
Take the ferry across from Mornington Peninsula, for a warm welcome from Andrew and Peter Hatton. French Is. is 60 km from Melbourne. It’s nearly the same size as Phillip Is. but is mostly a National Park, which teems with birds and native animals. The historic vineyard was first planted in 1998, making Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Closed for winter, so plan to visit for wine tastings, grazing platters and pizzas from the wood fired oven during spring, summer, and early autumn. Bookings essential.
Sundays from September to April. Bookings essential.
Long Point Rd, French Island VIC 3921, 0434 330 806
Web frenchislandvineyards.com.au Instagram @frenchislandvineyards