Go Swiss, Italian style

RICHARD Hughan steps back in time as he explores the Swiss-Italian heritage of Victoria's Central Highlands, including the historic settlement of Lavandula.

Pretty in pink ... An original Swiss-style barn, now a souvenir shop, on Lavandula farm in Victoria / AAP

A SLICE of Switzerland Down Under is how to describe the Swiss-Italian settlement at Shepherds Flat, in central Victoria.

In the 1860s, immigrants selected farmland to the north of Hepburn Springs, establishing a typical Swiss-type farm where they built solid sandstone buildings, grew food crops, ran a small dairy herd, fattened pigs and lived as they did in the old country.

Several generations of the family lived here for more that 150 years, retaining a lifestyle of another world.

Today, Lavandula is alive and well, thanks to Carol White who, since buying the property, has painstakingly restored the old buildings, created a European garden and returned farm animals and poultry to the paddocks.

There's no need to travel halfway around the world to experience a Swiss-Italian lifestyle.

It's all here, just a few minutes from the tourist locations of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.

Several times a year the property highlights its heritage with festivals.

Each January, just as they prepare to hand harvest, it's the Lavender Harvest Festival (January 13).
Each April all the Swiss-Italian flavours are experienced at the Autumn Harvest Festival.

Probably the most ideal time to capture the best of Lavandula is the first couple of weeks in January. Lavender is at its best and in full colour.

Still, throughout the year the historic property continues to attract large numbers of visitors who stroll the gardens, sample al fresco dining at La Trattoria and do a spot of gift shopping at the barn.

The Swiss-Italian thing is a key attraction in this part of Victoria, but to sample something more Australian, drive a few hundred metres to the north and there's more history.

It is Cricket Willow, where willow trees supply the right timber for Crockett bats.

This location boasts the only place in the world where visitors get to follow the process from bud to bat.

In other words, it's here where buds grow into willow trees to provide the timber for craftsmen to hand make bats.

If accompanied by the family, spend some time hitting runs on the venue's oval.

If staying overnight in the Central Highlands there is plenty of accommodation to choose from in Hepburn Springs and also Daylesford. Dining options are also plentiful.

A recently restored guesthouse, now renamed the Grande Private Hotel, is close at hand, in Hepburn Springs.

Likewise, Peppers Springs Retreat is another option, as is the recently opened Saltus. Each is set within walking distance of the famous mineral springs.

Sunday Mail (SA)