Best regional attractions visit in 2021

Ever wanted to go glamping at the hot springs, sign up for cheese school or sleep in a sky barrel? Here’s your chance with the best attractions to try in 2021.

The grounds of the Mitchelton Winery will be dotted with iconic vintage-style Airstream RVs offering a new way to enjoy the vineyard.

Ever wanted to go glamping at the hot springs, sign up for cheese school or sleep in an airstream caravan?

Here’s your chance with the best attractions to try in 2021.

LONG PADDOCK CHEESE SCHOOL

Castlemaine, January

Central Victoria will be home to Australia’s first “artisan cheese university” opening in the new year. Renowned French cheesemakers Ivan and Julie Larcher have relocated to Victoria and will teach courses for beginner cheesemakers, five-day courses for professionals, and a year-long degree for those wanting to become a professional cheesemaker, that are uniquely offered within a commercial facility. The accompanying Long Paddock cheese shop is already open at The Mill Castlemaine, where the range of artisan soft and semi-hard cheeses are available.

MITCHELTON AIRSTREAMS

Nagambie, December

With its unique Robin Boyd architecture, stylish modern hotel and Australia’s largest commercial gallery dedicated to indigenous art, Mitchelton Winery has long been synonymous with grand design. This summer, the grounds will be dotted with iconic vintage-style Airstream RVs, which will offer a new way to enjoy the Nagambie winery in the heart of the vineyard. The fully equipped Airstreams come with their own private deck and barbecue areas and are stylishly decked out with local design touches.

HOT SPRINGS GLAMPING

Mornington Peninsula, December

After washing away your cares you can now fall into the deepest of sleeps at the popular Peninsula Hot Springs. The new premium glamping option offers total relaxation nestled in the hot springs’ bush surrounds, with private decks, ensuite bathrooms, continental breakfast and exclusive daily wellness experiences.

Skybarrels at Clifftop at Heburn will open in June next year.

SKYBARRELS

Mount Buninyong, June

The team behind Clifftop at Hepburn — which has added “Woodstock glamping” yurts and domes, and a private cliffside cinema to their award-winning accommodation — is doubling down on the “wow factor” with their new Skybarrel rooms. Built on the side of Mount Buninyong and promising “the best views in Ballarat” — one of the barrels will be a vertigo-inducing 16m in the air.

METUNG HOT SPRINGS

Gippsland, Christmas 2021

A visit to the picture-perfect village of Metung is about to become even more serene with the opening of a new year-round natural hot springs attraction. Backed by the creators of Peninsula Hot Springs, the new Metung Hot Springs will be set on the shores of Lake King. Visitors will sink into geothermally heated mineral waters while gazing out across undulating hills and spectacular water views. The first bathing experiences are planned to open in December next year at the Metung Golf Club. More attractions will follow in 2022, including a family-friendly bathhouse, steam caves, floating saunas and inland beach.

GRAMPIANS PEAKS TRAIL

Halls Gap, January

Due to be completed by Parks Victoria in early 2021, the Grampians Peaks Trail will offer a

13-day, 160km hike through the backbone of a mountain range famed for its dramatic scenery and Aboriginal heritage. Stage one is already open with a 36km, 3 days/2 nights hike through the rugged interior of the national park, beginning and ending in Halls Gap.

GLAMPING IN THE GROVES

South Gippsland, December

Perched atop the rolling hills of the Bass hinterland and in the sprawling olive groves of Gippsland’s aptly named The Grove, a new glamping offering is an immersive estate experience. Enjoy a pre-dinner walk through the sculpture park to make room for a four-course meal making the most of the produce of the area and the estate before retiring to your tent. A breakfast hamper delivered in the morning will get the day under way in glamorous glamping style.