Ask pretty much any of your friends what their idea of an out-of-town jaunt involves and we bet you'll hear some of these words in response: food, wine, art and road trip. Well, lucky for you, we've found a tour that ticks all the boxes — and has the added bonus of celebrating some pretty rad female producers, too.
Leaving a Legacy is a luxury two-day tour around Bendigo. Designed by the owner of restaurant Masons of Bendigo, Sonia Anthony, this interactive experience will introduce you to the stories of a bunch of women who've done a lot of good for the local community.
You'll start with lunch at Oak Forest in Harcourt prepared by Jane Grylls, a food stylist who also runs a kitchen garden program at a nearby primary school. Over the next few hours, you'll take part in a workshop on indigenous plants run by elder Aunty Julie; sample bready treats by baker Jodie Pillinger; attend a wine tasting at Sutton Grange Winery with Melanie Chester; and finally, enjoy a Slovenian dinner prepared by Sonia herself. After spending the night in The Residence of MacKenzie Quarters, a gothic revival-style family estate run by Rhianwen Seiter, you'll nab an exclusive tour of the Bendigo Art Gallery the next morning, hosted by curatorial manager Tansy Curtin. It's a two-day affair with a good measure of girl power.
Leaving a Legacy tours will run on Thursday, March 21, Thursday, May 16, Thursday, September 19 and Thursday, October 24. Tickets cost $425 per person and include all food, wine tastings, tour costs and accommodation. To make a booking, visit the Bendigo Tourism website.