Whats on in the Otways in October

Whats on in the Otways in October…..the fabulous Otways are coming alive as the prelude to summer fills us all with joy!

Whats on in the Otways this month?

The Great Ocean Road is still not completely open after last months rain…..check here for the latest news in that department.  You can still easily access both Lorne and the Great Ocean Road off to the left towards Torquay, as well as from Wye River to Apollo Bay and beyond to the 12 Apostles via the inland routes to Skenes Creek or via Turtons Track across to Lavers Hill.  No need to despair – everyone is open for business to give you the best opportunity to have a great time this October!    We fell particularly sad for Wye River who have not only been cut off for a good bit of September but who suffered so badly during the fires in December, so we’d love it if you decided to give them a visit and help boost them along!  Such a stunning part of the world and well worth the drive from Countrywide Cottages!

• October 8 & 9 – the premier event of the area – Birrregurra Festival and Art Show.  Don’t miss this amazing weekend of entertainment, fabulous food and wine of the region and activities for the kids.  So much to do!!  Have a look at their  website here
  

• October 8 & 9 – Drink Art Food Torquay hosting The Torquay Celebration – a 3 course lunch on October 8, 1pm-4pm.  And music, market and all sorts of activities at the Bell Street Fiesta 11am-5pm on the 9th.
  

• Also on October 8 – the Lorne model boat regatta at the Swing Bridge on the Erskine River, 10am- 12:30pm $5 to enter. Register on the day from 9:45am. A kid’s event open to ALL ages. Come along and enjoy the spectacle. Sail and powered boat categories included.

• October 16 – don’t miss Raven’s Creek Farm Spring Fair   Always a fabulous day amongst the berry canes with market stalls, amazing food and great music

• October 15 – Otway Estate Winery and Brewery, home of Prickly Moses handcrafted beer, is holding their ninth annual Otway Oktoberfest.  This year the event will feature 10 craft breweries from the Otways and Great Ocean Road region, as well as Bavarian food, brewery tours, talk and taste masterclasses, live oompah music, slap dancing and even a yodelling competition! There will also be prizes for best dressed and lots of other activities happening during the day to keep you entertained.For more information about Otway Oktoberfest or to buy tickets, click here

• October 14 – Otways Paddock to Plate dinner at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse in Apollo Bay.   6.30pm.   Enjoy a scrumptious three course meal showcasing produce sourced from the fertile soils of the Otways, as well as locally farmed pork and lamb, and seafood fresh from the ocean.  Tickets $65

• October 20 – “Me ‘N Me Mates” – local theater production at the Globe Theater in Winchelsea

• October 22 – Trick or Treat Kidz Festival at Barwon Park in Winchelsea.  9am-3pm. Always a HOOT!

• October 28 – 31 – the annual Winchelsea Art and Photography Show is on again at the Globe Theater in Winchelsea.  Tickets at the door.

• October 29 – 30 – the return of the fabulous Toast to the Coast Geelongs Wine Food and Music Festival.

Over two full days of Toast to the Coast, you have the opportunity to explore each of our three Geelong Wine sub regions. Visit one region, or two, or even all three, it’s up to you!  Each region boasts it’s own amazing differences and stunning scenery. Across the Bellarine, Moorabool Valley and Surf Coast, we have over 25 wineries participating and you can hop between them all weekend!  Meander through the vineyards, enjoy a scenic lunch and be entertained with the finest local musicians and most importantly, try our award winning wines.

You can book tickets on the shuttle bus service to get you from place to place throughout the day or convince someone to be your designated driver! Trains from Melbourne meet the buses in Geelong to take you on your journey and you can just hop on and hop off as you please.

Your weekend pass includes a commemorative take home Geelong Wine glass which is your passport to free wine tastings at all host vineyards. See which wineries are participating, plan your days and book your tickets now!

• And for the final excitement of the month….Dinny Goonan Wines reopens Cellar Door on the 29th – 4 star Halliday winery.  Medal winning wines, fabulous platter lunches under the trees and some of the best coffee you will sample in a long while!

Get ready to write with Linnet Hunter.

• How about a course in writing skills?  “I am a writer, poet and writing coach who lives in the Otway region. For over 20 years I have been a nonfiction writer for hire and have distilled all I’ve learned about the practice into my 10 terrific tactics for writing with clarity, grace and style (to be published later this year). I have used this model as the basis for developing and teaching more than 40 workshops on writing well.”
  • Includes group discussion writing activities ( you will come away having written something!)  tips and tricks worksheets to take home tea, coffee and biscuits.
    • October 17 – Where do I start? How to make a plan, work out what you want to achieve and put pen to paper. Bring your ideas, notebook and pen. Or tablet.
    • October 24 – Keeping on track. Learn about procrastination and motivation and how close to each other they are. Bring your best reason ever for putting off writing.
    • October 31 – Experience an orange writing from the senses. Did you know we have more than five? Way more. Tuning in and drawing from what you experience through your senses will enrich your writing faster than you can believe. Learn how. Bring your body.
    • November 7 – Tech tools to help you write. This starts with coloured textas and pretty post it notes and progresses onto appsSessions will be held at Christ Church Hall, Sladen St, in Birregurra.  $35 per session

To book your place email linnet.hunter@gmail.com or visit Linnet’s Facebook page

 Markets

•  Winchelsea Farmers Market Open 9am-12pm, 1st Sunday of every month at the Bluestone Bridge, Main St, Winchelsea.  Next on October 2, 2016
• Aireys Inlet Community Market – Open 9am to 1pm  Every second Sunday during the warmer months, from Spring through to Easter, at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall.  Next on October 9, 2016
• Torquay Farmers Market every Saturday all year round 8.30am-1pm in the carpark of Council offices, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay.  This is a genuine European style farmers’ market with no bells and whistles, just great fresh food and produce from around the region.  Running every Saturday morning, stallholder specialities include local and regional bread, cheese, wine, organics, eggs, vegies, beer berries, jam, honey and much, much more.  Next on October 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2016
• Torquay Cowrie Market Open 10am-3pm, 3rd Sunday of the month.  This iconic market is nestled amongst the majestic trees overlooking Zeally Bay on the Torquay Foreshore. Offering a friendly atmosphere with local music. Specialises in local art, craft, jewellery, vintage, plants and fresh produce. Next on October 16, 2016
• Apollo Bay Farmers Market Open 9am – 2pm, 3rd Sunday of every month at the Youth Club Hall, Moore Street, Apollo Bay.  Next on October 16, 2016
• Aireys Inlet School Fair.  Next on October 29, 2016
• Lorne Foreshore Market.  Next on October 29, 2016
• Anglesea Riverbank Market open 9am till 4pm, on the Great Ocean Road, Angelsea.  Next on Sun 30 October, 2016
• Birregurra Market Open in the morning, 2nd Sunday of every month, Main St, Birregurra.  Next on November 13, 2016
• Deans Marsh Market – next on November 27, 2016

And All month in the Otways:

• Gosling Creek Winery, just down the road has musical afternoons every Sunday – sip on their delicious wine and while away the afternoon to some great music.  It’s all under cover and there’s a cosy wood fire so you’ll be safe if winter is still showing it’s true colours.
• The amazing National Trust Barwon Park Mansion near Winchelsea is open Wednesdays, Satudays and Sundays 11am-4pm.  Well worth the visit into the lives of the Austins, proud major donors of the Austin Hospital.
• Lorne Visitor Centre – 9am-5pm Surfing 60’s Photographs exhibition from Victoria’s west coast on loan from the Australian National Surfing Museum
• Qdos Arts gallery in Lorne – 9am-5pm Thursday – Monday
• Edge Gallery in Lorne – Open 10am–4pm. Art of the Minds, exhibition October 8 – 20
• Eagles Nest Fine Art Gallery in Aireys Inlet – Fri – Sunday 10am-5pm

Tours and activities in the Otways:

• Australian National Surfing Museum Torquay – Open daily 9am-5pm Ph: 5261 4606
• Barwon Park Winchelsea – Open Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-4pm
• Cape Otway Lightstation – open 9am–5pm Discounted tickets available at the Lorne Visitor Centre
• GORATS Mountain Bike and Canoe Tours Lorne and surrounds.  Call Simon Williams on 0417 576 973
• Go Ride A Wave – Surf lessons in Lorne.  Bookings essential, Ph. 1300 132 441, www.gorideawave.com.au
• Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre – Discover the story behind the building of the iconic Great Ocean Road in this permanent exhibition at Lorne Visitor Centre. Open 9am-5pm daily. Entry FREE
• HAH Lorne beach – Lorne, bikes and surfboard hire on the Lorne beach in front of the pool.  Ph 0406453131
• Horse Riding: At Blazing Saddles Aireys Inlet- Ph. 5289 7322 or Spring Creek Horse Rides Ph: 5266 1541 Bellbrae.  Bookings required.
• Koala Walk and glow worms at Kennett River – 25 minute drive. For more information call into the information centre
• Local Lorne activities: Tennis or Golf facilities available at the Lorne Country Club.  On the foreshore – mini golf, trampolines, swimming pool, (weekends & public holidays) skate park and of course, the beach. Lorne Bowls Club – Barefoot bowls. Bowls provided. Contact Jeff on 0456 411 222 for more information.
• Lorne Walks & Waterfalls & Surf Coast Walk – Lorne walks cover a great variety of distances & environments.  There are more than 70 bush & coastal walks in the Surf Coast Region, and 10 waterfalls around Lorne.   Call into the Visitor Centre for a brochure.
• Otway Fly Treetop Adventures –Treetop walk, Zipline, abseil at Beech Forest. Open 9am-5pm (last entry at 4pm). Discounted tickets at the Lorne Visitor Centre
• Planet Mud Adventures – Paintball, Segway and Globe riding Outdoor Adventure Centre in Yeodene (40min from Lorne)
• Split Point Lighthouse Aireys Inlet – 45 minute tours begin on the hour: 11am-2pm. Open 7 days a week.
• Anglesea Golf Club is now offering 20 minute conducted tours of their resident kangaroos!  Tours run Monday – Friday  10.00am – 4.00pm.  Adults $10, Children $5, Family Pass 2 Adults & 2 Children Under 12 $25.00

So if you were wondering whats on in the Otways in October, we hope this helps!!!  Feel free to email us or check our availabilty here….at the time of writing, we still have some mid week as well as Melbourne Cup weekend availability here at Countrywide Cottages this month – have a look at our booking page here or contact us at stay@countrywidecottages.com.au for details

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