Hot Vintage Bikes – 27th and 28th March

The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle National Rally is being held at the Healesville Racecourse again in 2010. The VJMC is a worldwide club and non-profit community association. Visit www.vjmc.org.au or call 0411 051 902 for more details.

Sexy Hot Rods – 28th March Only

It’s ‘Hot Rods on the Green’ at Rochford Wines on the corner of Maroondah Hwy and Hill Rd in Coldstream. This is great day featuring over 500 custom built cars, great food, great Yarra Valley Wine and entertainment by Rock and Roll band ‘Itchy Fingers’. Visit www.rochfordwines.com or call 5962 2119 for more details.

Racing Picnics – 3rd April

With school holidays in full swing the Healesville Racecourse becomes an exciting picnic setting for the whole family with plenty of kids activities and racing action. Plenty of beautiful lawn space to spread your picnic rug and enjoy a great day out. Visit www.healesvilleraces.com.au or call 5962 4506 for more information.

Hot Cycling Event – 11th April

For Cycle enthusiast this is great time to combine your love of cycling, great Yarra Valley views, gourmet food and wine tasting. ‘Just Cycle Yarra Valley’ sees Rochford Wines become home base for two great cycling rides. The 45km recreational ride through picturesque Yarra Valley or the 20km Nemisis challenge up Mt Donna Buang. There will also be plenty of activities for the kids plus live music and entertainment for the whole family. Visit www.rochfordwines.com or call 5962 2119 or visit

A Hot Salsa Night – 11th April

Rochford Wines gets all sizzling hot and goes Salsa. Featuring Melbourne Salsa Dance Lessons followed by a South American band in the Vineyard Restaurant and a DJ in the barrel room. Enjoy open fires, toasted marshmallows, spit roast and hot mulled wine. Visit www.rochfordwines.com or call 5962 2119 for more details.

Make a weekend of it and stay at Strathvea!

The Alowyn Gardens in Yarra Glen are the unofficial botanical gardens of the Yarra Valley. The garden consist of six areas; perennial, dry, edible, forest, parterre and display. This is truly an awe-inspiring garden that spent 10 years in making before it was opened to the public.

Alowyn is one of those reals gems, a unique Yarra Valley Garden that will absolutely take your breath away at any time of year.

In 2010 they will be playing host to the Yarra Glen Art Show over the four-day Easter Weekend and a perfect time of year to visit the Yarra Valley. While the art show is currently in its eighth year, this is a new home and a match made in heaven.

“Yarra Glen Art Show at Alowyn Gardens
Easter Long Weekend 2010″

Alowyn Gardens caters for its visitors with coffee, tea, cakes and cool drinks overlooking the garden and a giant playable chess board. Plants are also available from their nursery.

Alowyn Gardens are situated at 1210 Melba Highway just 3.5kms North of Yarra Glen. Opening hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 10am till 5pm but they will of course be open for four days over the Easter long weekend in 2010 (April 2-5).

Yarra Valley beer is flowing at a little brewery in Lilydale.  In Feb 2009 the original Hargreaves Hill Brewery was burnt to the ground in the tragic Black Saturday fires. The brewery had been standing for five years on a property in Steels Creek and prior to the fires it was brewing five days a week and serving its beer through its own cellar door restaurant in Yarra Glen (the old National Bank building).

The Hargreaves Hill Brewery is still a major must visit destination for beer lovers and visitors to the Yarra Valley and the new brewery is situated in Lilydale. With so much emphasis on wine in the valley one should not forget that this is also the home of some great beer and this is one Yarra Valley Brewery that makes it even harder to resist with their six beer tasting paddles for just $7.

So lets take a quick peek at some Yarra Valley Beer!

• The Hefeweizen
  A pale malted wheat and barley beer with a complex taste.
• The Kellerbier
  Served fresh, this is an unfiltered pilsner with a creamy texture.
• The ESB
  A popular and modern representation of an English ale.
• The Abbey Dubbel
  Inspired by the beer Trappist Monastery beers of Europe, this is a rich red malt beer.
• The Stout
  A complex palate of flavours that any stout connoisseur will love.
• The Pale Ale
  A bright floral beer with a balance of hop, yeast and malt flavours.

The Hargreaves Hill outlet is located right in the heart of Yarra Glen. A pleasant drive from the Strathvea Guest House with many wineries and shops to visit along the way.

Here’s Cheers, to Simon Walkenhorst, and Beth Williams for bring back Yarra Valley Beer and putting a snowy cap on a golden autumn in the Yarra Valley.

Prize and redemption details and conditions…

http://www.strathvea.com.au/guest_house_22.html