Dandenong Ranges Booking Service

The Courtyard at Sassafras

johnc — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:20:04 +0000

If you prefer high quality, traditional hand crafted furniture, made with natural products rather than the standard mass produced utility furniture then make a beeline for The CourtYard, a beautiful new fine furniture boutique located just outside of the popular village of Sassafras.

The newly opened showroom which is housed in a seven room meandering hills weatherboard property offers consumers the highest standard bedroom, dining and occasional pieces at affordable prices.

The furniture exclusively showcased in Sassafras is from iconic UK company Frank Hudson Ltd, (which dates back to 1947) and is sold extensively throughout the UK including Selfridges and John Lewis stores.

In each of the seven rooms you can find beautiful room settings coupled with an eclectic collection of homewares and gifts sourced from Australia and overseas to achieve a contemporary Australian style.

So whether you want to completely re-decorate your bedroom or simply add a few new decorative features to your living room, The CourtYard is a great place to visit – you will be inspired, surprised and will be sure to fall in love with some of the unique pieces on offer!

The CourtYard – Traditional, Contemporary, Inspiring

Tree Frog Cafe

johnc — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:39:29 +0000

Come in and visit us at the Tree Frog Café…..

Light lunches and snacks available, scones with cream & jam, sandwiches, healthy wraps, cool drinks,
tea & coffee, fresh fruit, hot chocolates, home made soup and much more….

In a rush or need to get to work? Take-away items also available for your convenience.

The Tesselaar Gardening & Plants Expo April 6 – 7

johnc — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:24:59 +0000

An unmissable weekend for green thumbs and budding gardeners.

Unearth some gardening treasures and meet the people who grow the plants at this unique and exciting market.

Tesselaar Gardens 357 Monbulk Rd Silvan 3795

Mel 123 B5 (Ample FREE off-street car parking. Toilet and Disabled facilities available)

Wild About Tours

johnc — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:33:08 +0000

Chauffeur Driven full day tours with lunch and rates ranging from $85 to $135 with Jilly Syme

Evergreen Winery Tours

johnc — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:28:42 +0000

Choice of Chauffeur Driven, Bus, Balloon, Helicopter or the Flight and Flute Tour in a Balloon.

Run by Yarra Valley Local Geoff Cooper who is also well versed in the local wine industry.

Pick up and return from your accommodation in the Dandenong Ranges or Yarra Valley.

Half Day and Full Day Tours priced between$95 and $495.

Flight and Flute Tours a little bit more than that.

Grape Escape Tours

johnc — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:54:49 +0000

We offer a choice of:

Chauffeur Driven
a Bus for groups
The Ultimate Winery Tour in a Helicopter.

Led by local popular Yarra Valley icon Bill Hughes who is well versed in the machinations of the wine industry, will pick you up and return you to your suite at The Loft in The Mill.

Full and Half Day Tours, with and without Lunch or Afternoon Tea, choice of designing your own tour if desired, rates range from $85 to $285, and for the Helicopter a bit more than that.

Elle Naturale Massage Spa – Olinda

johnc — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 23:17:30 +0000

Come and experience the blissful serenity of our coccoon rooms at massage spa Elle Naturale – Olinda. You will be attended to by the most experienced massage therapists who care about how you feel throughout the whole treatment. As well as really great massage, we offer body polishes, mini facials and hand/foot scrubs – with all treatments we use totally natural ingredients – good enough to eat!

Appointments are necessary. We are located right in the Olinda Village, we are easy to get to and have parking out the front.

You will also be able to purchase locally made natural skin products and heat/cool packs.

Olinda Guest House – Mount Dandenong

johnc — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 05:43:55 +0000

Olinda Guest House has all the necessary creature comforts to make your stay as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, including:

Keyless entry for maximum safety and convenience. No formal check in or out, or annoying keys to carry. All you need is the security code to access the property.
Large 40” (102 cm) LCD flat screen tv, bluray player and stereo.
Internet and wifi connection.
Apple TV.
Private car park and driveway to fit three vehicles.
Gas log fire – instantly sets the mood to give a cosy, romantic feel.
Complimentary bottle of wine and handmade fine chocolates.
Ducted gas heating throughout to keep you warm at nights.
A large, well appointed kitchen with all essential cooking and dining equipment including a large fridge, microwave, gas stove, fan-forced oven, crockery, cutlery, cookwear, tea and coffee making facilities, and generous gourmet breakfast provisions. Perfect for longer stays.
Breakfast provisions include bacon, eggs, cereals, milk, juice, fruits, jams, fresh bread, coffee and various premium teas.
The master bedroom as a king-sized bed with breathtaking views to the forest, a walk-in-robe and ensuite for additional convenience and privacy.
The second guest bedroom has a queen-sized bed, plenty of storage space and private views to the side garden.
Third bedroom has two single beds and views to the front garden.
Sleep in superior comfort on our latex mattresses, memory foam pillows, pure cotton bedding and wool quilts.
Large private balcony overlooking the rear private garden and magnificently tall gum trees. The perfect spot for having a cup of tea or coffee and watching the birds.
Fluffy bath towels, waffle kimono-style robes and slippers provided.
Luxurious MOR bathroom toiletries, hair dryer and a ceramic hair straightener in each of the main bathroom and ensuite.
A collection of selected movies and books to keep you entertained if you decide to stay in. If requested, a list can be emailed to you before your arrival so you can plan ahead.
Washing machine, iron and ironing board, laundry detergents and clothes airer.
Massages, facials and pampering packages can be arranged by request, onsite or elsewhere.

We provide a completely self-contained guest house with no formal check-in or check-out procedures for ultimate convenience and privacy. There is no on-site reception or management but management can be reached by telephone for assistance and personal attendance if necessary.

Note the property is not suitable for children under the age of 8 years.

Maison de Emily Koenders – Artist

johnc — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 04:00:28 +0000

Emily Koenders’ relationship to the icon of the art world – the Dutch Master Vincent van Gogh – explains her talent and passion for art, as she is his Grt Grt Grt Grt Niece!
The provenance of her heritage from Vincent has now added extra value and fame to her artworks. Her family are the only known living relatives of van Gogh in Australia.

Emily Koenders has art in her blood and with her artistic gene pool, it is no wonder that her paintings are brilliant and expressive. This gifted artist has painted since she was a child and has now been painting for over 29 years, Emily often quotes “I was born on a palette!”

She is now a renowned professional wildlife artist with an established career.
Another parallel with Vincent is her immense love and appreciation of nature. It is well documented that van Gogh went on many field trips, as Emily does to collect reference material for painting. Having spent countless hours in nature, studying the most meticulous details of the intriguing world of ornithology, she is fascinated by every speckle, fleck and splash of colour which adorn birds and animals.

Emily commenced her professional art career at only 14 years of age, and won many awards, competing with senior artists. So, even though only still a young woman – she has over 19 years of a professional career behind her, and a wealth of experience, inconsistent with her tender years.

During her career she has won many awards -

Victor Harbor Rotary Club (S.A.,) Rotary Club ofWarragul
Bellarine Penninsula Art Exhibition Rotary Club of Leongatha
Rotary Club of Bayswater Rotary Club of Chirnside Park
Royal Melbourne Art Exhibition Tarwin Lower Art Show
Leopold School Art Fair Chelsea Art Show
Rotary Club ofWarrnambool Rotary Club of Alexandra
Tyers Art Exhibition Rutherglen Artist’s Society
Tallangatta Arts Festival Rotary Club of Box Hill
Rotary Club of Horsham East Welshpool Art Exhibition
Rotary Club of Korumburra

Emily has sold her artwork to the former Chairman of the National Gallery of Australia, who purchased paintings for his private collection, her work has been purchased throughout England, Holland and Europe. She has been
honoured to judge art shows as well as being invited to Feature Artist at many Exhibitions.

Fueled by her eternal desire to paint wildlife, Emily is also inspired as a realist artist to depict birds and animals for future generations.
Unfortunately, at present there are many endangered species, and perhaps more to come.
Emily hopes that by using her brush as a voice and her canvas to carry the message people may become educatedand inspired to preserve our national heritage.

Sweet Ride Mustangs

johnc — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 03:44:03 +0000

Whether it is for your wedding day, a romantic weekend away or a girls winery tour, when you hire one or both of our Mustangs for your ride, your experience will be all the more memorable.

Sweet Ride Mustangs is all about sharing the passion of classic Ford cars and the commitment to each and every one of our guests who want to ride with us.

Sweet Ride Mustangs are based in Melbourne and offer chauffeur-driven Mustangs for hire. They are beautifully presented and are there for you to enjoy — the only limit is your imagination.

Our cars are available for:

Weddings
Formals
Special Events such as Deb Balls and Graduation Ceremonies
Engagements
Birthdays
Day trips such as winery, city, scenic trips
Just about anything you can think of!

Wedding packages are inclusive of a full service incorporating ribbons, flower bouquet on the front of each car, champagne, refreshments and red carpet. I can also provide a reception transfer service, at the end of the evening, to complete your special day by cruising into the starry night!

Wish to take that special someone for a cruise to remarkable locations in or around Melbourne, The Dandenong Ranges, The Mornington Peninsular or the Yarra Valley?

Tour services are built around the needs for each of our guests. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride to your favourite restaurant, winery or picnic destination. If your not sure I can recommend one of mine to you. I can also arrange one of our special picnic hampers, or if you prefer, I can also make up a hamper to your requirements.

If you are having a birthday, anniversary or a party, or just want to do something special, give me a call and together we will work out that special trip.