Victoria – tour the culinary delights of regional Victoria with V/Line
Ideal for a day trip or a weekend away
Media release
Castlemaine
Victoria is renowned for its thriving culinary scene, with a rising wave of excellent dining experiences emerging across the state. Some of the most unique dining experiences can be found in regional Victoria, where skilled chefs prepare dishes made with the freshest local produce procured from regional farmers or harvested from their own kitchen gardens. The Royal Mail Hotel (now with three Chef’s Hats in The Age Good Food Guide 2012) is a great example of the quality dining that can be found outside metropolitan Melbourne.
Ideal for a day trip or weekend away, V/Line offers convenient and affordable transportation to some of Victoria’s outstanding food and wine regions including Bendigo, Castlemaine, Woodend, Kyneton and Geelong.
With a number of restaurants within a 10-minute walk of the V/Line train station, fine dining in regional Victoria has never been easier.
There is no need for a convoy of cars and obligatory designated drivers – V/Line offers foodies the chance to relax and observe the beautiful Victorian countryside on the trip up, and a contented snooze on the way back.
So board a train and set off for a culinary adventure to remember!
Woodend
The Village Larder is a cafe and food store started by Marika (former Head Chef, Melbourne Wine Room) and Ben Oost (Bar Manager, Public House). Created to evoke memories of children stepping back in time into their Grandmother’s kitchen, The Village Larder serves up retro comfort food with a modern twist – including favourites such as baked golden syrup dumplings and lamingtons.
Top-quality Victorian produce features, sourced from artisan producers in the region, alongside organically grown heirloom herbs, vegetables and fruit from the community. Serving breakfast and lunch, as well as a range house-made bread, cakes, slices and other specialty Australian produce. Food books and cooking equipment are also available.
The Village Larder is open from 8am to 4pm, seven days a week. It is a short 10 minute stroll from Woodend Station.
81 High Street, Woodend
Ph: (03) 5427 3399
Price range: The breakfast menu ranges from $5 to $17 and the lunch menu ranges from $18 to $24.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: Special mention
Getting there with V/Line
Woodend is a one hour journey from Melbourne on the Bendigo line.
- An adult full fare ticket is only $13.40 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession ticket is only $6.60 return ($9.40 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is only $26.80 return during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation enquires:
Geelong
Situated at the top of historic Moorabool Street, Jack and Jill Restaurant offers an original dining concept where guests select multiple meals from an ever changing menu that uses the freshest seasonal ingredients and cutting edge trends in dining. A selection of local and imported wines and boutique beers complement the food offerings, and Jack and Jill have also recently introduced a boutique lounge bar serving boutique beer, wines and cocktails, and live music from 8:30pm.
Jack and Jill Restaurant is open for lunch from Wednesday to Friday from 10am, and for dinner from Monday to Saturday from 6pm. The boutique lounge bar is open from Thursday to Saturday from 4pm, and on Sunday from 1pm.
Jack and Jill is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from Geelong Station.
247 Moorabook Street, Geelong
Ph: (03) 5229 9935
Price range: $29.50 for a three course lunch/dinner or $34.50 for a four course lunch/dinner.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: Special mention
Getting there with V/Line
The trip to Geelong takes around one hour from Melbourne.
- An adult full fare ticket is $13.40 return to Melbourne during off-peak times;
- An off-peak concession ticket is $6.60 return ( $9.40 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is $26.80 return during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation enquiries
Kyneton
Located on the renowned Piper Street in Kyneton, Annie Smithers’ Bistrot is set in a 1860s bluestone and brick building overlooking the picturesque main street. The focus of the restaurant is classically cooked, bistro-style French dishes using fruit and vegetables grown in the restaurant’s kitchen garden in Malmsbury, which provides up to ninety per cent of the produce used in the restaurant at specific times of the year. The meat and poultry are ethically sourced from local producers that place an emphasis on environmentally friendly farming, with the same care applied in the kitchen to create beautifully flavoured dishes. Dining at Annie Smithers’ is a simple yet elegant and memorable experience.
Annie Smithers’ Bistrot is open for lunch Friday to Sunday from 12pm and for dinner Thursday to Sunday from 6pm. Annie Smithers’ Bistrot is a 25 minute walk from the station.
72 Piper Street, Kyneton
Ph: (03) 5422 2039
Price range: All entrees are $19.50, all main courses are $36.00 and all desserts are $16.50 on the a la carte menu.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: One Chef's Hat
Getting there with V/Line
The journey to Kyneton is approximately one hour and 15 minutes from Southern Cross Station.
- An adult full fare ticket is $17.40 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession ticket is $8.60 return ($12.40 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is $34.80 return during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation enquiries:
Ballarat
Despite its name, Phoenix Brewery is not a brewery but a versatile eatery that offers alfresco dining and a blue stone cellar bar in the historic Camp Street arts precinct in Central Ballarat. The menu changes seasonally, and makes use of the fresh produce from the region. From Wednesdays to Saturdays, Phoenix Brewery also offers tapas in the Cellar Bar from 4pm.
Phoenix Brewery is open on Monday from 5pm till late, and from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am till late. The brewery is also open on Sunday for group bookings by appointment only.
Phoenix Brewery is a short 10 minute walk from Ballarat Station.
10 Camp Street, Ballarat
Ph: (03) 5333 2686
Price range: The tapas menu ranges from $8-$18. The lunch menu starts at $10 to $17 for starters, $18 to $24 for mains and $12 to $15 for desserts. A two course lunch with wine offering is also available and costs $45. The dinner menu is $68 for two courses and $88 for three courses.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: Special mention
Getting there with V/Line
The journey to Ballarat is about one hour and 20 minutes from Melbourne.
- An adult full fare ticket is $21.60 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession ticket is $10.80 return ($15.40 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is $43.20 during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children).
Accommodation enquires:
Castlemaine
The Good Table offers a wonderful yet humble take on European drinking and dining, set against the beautiful backdrop of Castlemaine. Here, patrons will find an enticing selection of dishes, where free range, organic and sustainable produce with an emphasis on locally sourced and foraged food is championed. The Good Table is entirely run on green power, and their philosophy includes sourcing produce from farmers that are dedicated to ethical techniques. Diners are encouraged to share dishes with single meals also available.
The Good Table is open for lunch and dinner Thursday to Sunday, midday to midnight. The Good Table is a short 5 minute walk from Castlemaine Station.
233 Barker Street, Castlemaine
Ph: (03) 5472 4400
Price range: The six course tasting menu is $50 a head excluding beverages. Dishes are $6 to $30, with desserts from $8 to $11.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: Special mention
Getting there with V/Line
It takes approximately an hour and a half to travel to Castlemaine from Melbourne.
- An adult full fare ticket is $23.80 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession ticket is $11.80 return ($17.00 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller ticket is $47.60 return during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation Enquires:
Bendigo
Set in the old Royal Bank (circa 1908) overlooking Rosalind Park and the beautiful Alexandra Fountain, Whirrakee is a stunning restaurant serving contemporary cuisine with a French influence. The freshest produce from the region is used to create Whirrakee’s dishes, and are complemented by an extensive list of local and imported wines.
Whirrakee Restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch (12pm to 3pm) and dinner (6.30pm until late) and is approximately 10 minute's walk from Bendigo Station.
17 View Street, Bendigo
Ph: (03) 5441 5557
Price range: Lunch is $30 for two courses and $45 for three courses. The a la carte menu starts from $15 for entrees, $22 for mains and $15 for sweets. Dinner starts from $17-$20 for entrees, $30 to $59 for mains, and $17-$20 for desserts.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: One Chef's Hat
Getting there with V/Line
Getting to Bendigo from Melbourne takes approximately two hours.
- An adult full fare ticket is $32.40 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession ticket is $16.20 return ($23.20 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is $64.80 during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation enquires:
Echuca
The award-winning Oscar W’s overlooks the stunning Murray River, with views of Echuca’s famous red gum wharf and paddle steamer fleet. The contemporary Australian cuisine offered at the restaurant champions the regions produce – including milk fed veal, salt bush lamb and kangaroo, prime beef, redfin, yabbies, quail and rabbit.
Oscar W’s Wharfside is open from 11am until late, seven days a week, with an all day menu to cater to patrons at any time of the day. The restaurant is a 20 minute walk from Echuca Station.
101 Murray Esplanade, Echuca
Ph: (03) 5482 5133.
Price range: The all day tapas menu ranges from $7.40 to $29.80 and includes little plates, larger plates, sweet plates and cheese plates designed to be shared. Lunch is $6.80 to $29.80 for starters, $15.80 to $19.90 for entrees, $22.90 to $37.50 for mains, and $14.90 to $16.90 for desserts. Dinner is $7.40 to $29.80 for starters, $13.80 to $22.90 for entrees, $24.70 to $43.50 for mains, and $14.90 to $17.50 for desserts.
The Age Good Food Guide rating: One Chef's Hat
Getting there with V/Line
Echuca is approximately a three hour and 20 minute journey from Southern Cross Station.
- An adult full fare ticket is $42.20 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession is $21.00 return ($30.00 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is $84.40 return to Melbourne during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation enquiries:
Dunkeld
The acclaimed Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld is one of Victoria’s best regional dining experiences, offering an exquisite menu with a focus on seasonality, location and purity of flavour. High quality organic produce and culinary technique shine through the dishes, which also lend a nod to Head Chef Dan Hunter’s tenure at the two Michelin-starred Mugaritz in San Sebastian. Diners will experience novel textures and flavours that delight.
The highlight of the Royal Mail Hotel is its tasting menu, which centres on organic and heirloom produce from the restaurant’s expansive kitchen garden and local artisan producers.
Another focal point is the Royal Mail Hotel’s elaborate and carefully tended cellar – noted as being one of the best in Australia. The award-winning cellar houses an astounding collection of Australian and international wines, which can be selected with the assistance of the Royal Mail’s experienced wine team.
The Royal Mail Hotel is open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday. Bookings are essential.
98 Parker Street (Glenelg Hwy), Dunkeld
Ph: (03) 5577 2241
Price range: The omnivore menu is $160 per person and the vegetarian menu is $130 per person for a 10-course degustation (accompanying wines are $115 per person).
The Age Good Food Guide rating: Three Chef's Hats
Getting there with V/Line
The journey to Dunkeld takes approximately three and a half hours from Southern Cross Station. Board an Ararat-bound train to Ballarat Station. A V/Line bus service bound for Hamilton or Mt Gambier will then take passengers from Ballarat Station to Dunkeld. The Dunkeld bus stop is less than a five minute walk from The Royal Mail Hotel.
- An adult full fare ticket is $55.00 return to Melbourne during off-peak times
- An off-peak concession is $27.40 return to Melbourne ($40.80 on weekends)
- A V/Line Family Traveller is $110 return during off-peak times, including weekends (valid for two adults and up to four children)
Accommodation enquiries:
The Royal Mail Hotel offers beautiful accommodation next to the restaurant
Other fantastic regional restaurants in The Age Good Food Guide include:
Ballarat
- Gallery bistro – 5 mins walk from the station
- L’espresso – 10 mins walk from the station
Bendigo
- Bouchon – 12 mins walk from the station
- GPO – 15 mins walk from the station
- Victorian Wine Room – 10 mins walk from the station
- Wine Bank on View – 15 mins walk from the station
Castlemaine
- Apple Annie’s Bakery – 10 mins walk from the station
- Public Inn – 15 mins walk from the station
Geelong
(To name just a few...)
- Black Bull Tapas Bar & restaurant – 10 mins walk from the station
- 2 Faces – 5 mins walk from the station
- Mr Hyde – 10 mins walk from the station
Kyneton
(All approx 25 mins walk from the station)
Traralgon
- Neilsons – 5 mins walk from the station
Woodend
- Campaspe Country House – 15 mins walk from the station
- Colenso – 15 mins walk from the station
For more information about daily timetables to regional Victoria including destination guides and how to purchase tickets
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