Monday, May 23, 2016

Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong

We left the Pipemakers Park and started to head home, when I noticed an unusual property amongst all the modern apartment complexes at Edgewater Estate.
Jack's Magazine, MaribyrnongWe parked a little closer and set out on foot to explore. The old bluestone wall looked great against the bright colours of the modern apartments and we were treated to a fantastic view of the city skyline, but we couldn't tell what was behind the walls.Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong
The site was locked up and we couldn't see any signage from where we were, until a map search resulted in us discovering Jack's Magazine. Intrigued by the site, we kept an eye on their website and waited for an upcoming Open Day.
Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong
We arived early on a sunny Sunday morning in April and managed to join one of the first tours of the day. A guide from Working Heritage took us on a twenty minute tour, starting at the tramcar tunnel where carriages of gunpowder would once have made their way in and out of the building.
Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong
Inside one of the two huge bluestone magazines, we were told the history of the site, from its beginnings back in 1878. Gunpowder and explosives used in the Victorian goldfields were stored in the safe facilities here, as well as wartime ammunition supplies.  Post-war, it was used by local industry, but had been vacant since the early 1990's, and it was only as recently as last year that Working Heritage took on the management and proposed restoration of the buildings.
Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong
Back through the tunnel, we entered another room, filled with artefacts, photographs and equipment used at Jack's Magazine over the years. Working Heritage plans to have more Open Days throughout the year, starting with a recent one in May and the next June day now open for bookings.
Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong
Jack's Magazine, MaribyrnongThe tunnel leading to the second magazine is also the site of the biggest Prickly Pear I have ever seen.  
It would be great to see the place open to the public more often, and I hope a suitable business raises their hand to put Jack's Magazine to good use for the future.
Jack's Magazine, Maribyrnong
What: Jack's Magazine 
Where: Magazine Way, Maribyrnong
When: By appointment
Why: historic building
How Much: prices vary 
Nearby: Living Museum of the West

Living Museum of the West, Maribyrnong

The lovely old bluestone buildings on the edge of the Maribyrnong River were once a busy industrial site. Now home to the Living Museum of the West and its exhibition space, they're a great place to explore on Fridays and once-a-month Sunday.
Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong
The Museum is filled with photographs of the site in its heyday, when Australia's food production was plentiful and we were exporting to countries such as Britain and France.
According to the sign, this factory was at one time, the largest meat preserving plant in the world.
Living Museum of the West, Maribyrnong
The Meat Trail takes you past each building, with information signs dotted along the way.
Pipemakers Park, MaribyrnongPipemakers Park, Maribyrnong
Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong
























Many migrant workers were employed here from the factory's beginnings in 1868 to its closure in 1886.

Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong
Pipemakers Park, MaribyrnongThe buildings have been renovated over the years to create a unique exhibition space and function venue.

Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong

Pipemakers Park, MaribyrnongPipemakers Park, Maribyrnong 
Outside, the grounds are just as interesting, with native plants and succulents creating a wonderful palette of  brightly coloured flowers and lush greenery against the backdrop of faded grey walls and orange bricks.Pipemakers Park, MaribyrnongMy favourite place was this stairway...to nowhere in particular...
Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong

Where: Van Ness Ave, Maribyrnong
When: Friday, Sunday
Why: history
How Much: donation


Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong

We were thrilled to find this lush oasis on the edge of the city, especially when we discovered its wonderful historical side.
Pipemakers Park MaribyrnongBuilt in 1911, it was the biggest pipe factory in Australia, exporting their revolutionary style of pipe to the world. The pipes made here were used for irrigation, drainage and sewerage all around the country, until the business was relocated in 1979.
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong
There's a Pipe Trail to walk and a bazillion pipes to see. Long pipes, short pipes, big pipes, small pipes...
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong
...even picnic pipes.

Pipemakers Park MaribyrnongRuins of one of the former factory buildings have been transformed into a wonderful area to explore, the History of Land Garden. Giant mosaics add vibrant colour to the green landscape.

Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong 
The trail took us through a series of gardens with different themes. From the native plants of the Wurundjeri Garden, to the olive trees and concrete pipe archways of the Hume pipeworkers Garden, a tribute to the many Europeans who were employed at the factory.
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong
The remains of the old railway can still be seen...as can the resident Blue-Tongue Lizard, who gave me the fright of my life when I thought he was a snake!
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong 
   

An on-site open workshop, Cycle Saloon, for all emergency repairs (DIY) operates most days...
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong

...and there's also a fixed repair stand along the bike path. Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong


We took a walk along the river to the bridge, for a great view of the mighty Maribyrnong River...
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong
Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong River...and finished our visit back at the Pipemakers Park Jetty - apparently a good fishing spot. 
There's also  a boat that does cruises up and down here a few days a week. I hope to get back soon to see the parks and buildings from the water.

Pipemakers Park Maribyrnong River 
Where: Van Ness Ave, Maribyrnong
When: Daily
Why: historic buildings
How Much: FREE to walk around 
Nearby: Jack's Magazine




Thursday, May 19, 2016

Coombe Yarra Valley

Happy Birthday, Dame Nellie Melba, on this 19th day of May! 

We were thrilled to visit the former home of the opera legend recently and love that it is now open to the public.
Right next to the carpark, the gobsmackingly beautiful scenes begin, at an avenue of trees sprinkled with barrels of geraniums, and views of dams, paddocks and mountain ranges.
Coombe Yarra ValleyWe were met at the grand Cypress hedged entrance by the lady of the house, Dora. A shy, timid girl, she gave us a bit of a sniff and then decided we were ok. The next 10 minutes were spent patting and cuddling this gorgeous pooch. Highly recommended experience. Coombe Yarra Valley
The courtyard leads to the cellar door of Coombe Farm and a providore store selling all sorts of fab things, like these funky watering cans.
Coombe Yarra Valley The clock tower features a fox weather vane and the words "East West Hame's Best". 
I think it's a fox. It could be Dora the dog. 
Coombe Yarra ValleyThe tower sits atop the former motor room/garage, which has been transformed into a 150 seater restaurant.
Coombe Yarra Valley
Exposed brick and timber beams from a previous era meet modern industrial style lights. 
Coombe Yarra Valley 
Crispy Confit Duck Leg and the Yarra Valley Beef Burger were our mains choices, and we saved room to share a dessert. Peach Melba, of course.
Coombe Yarra Valley Peach Melba
Next to the restaurant, the Gallery is a mini museum of all things Melba. Portraits, paintings, photographs and luggage from Dame Nellie's collection are housed in the rooms. 
Coombe Yarra Valley Dame Nellie Melba
Glimpses of the garden and cottage can be seen from the restaurant, so we walked around the other side of the building, along the fence line and back to the carpark.
From here, we could see the wrought iron entrance to the Cottage...
Coombe Yarra Valley
 ...and the oldest swimming pool in Victoria.
Coombe Yarra Valley
We had arrived too late for the morning Garden Tour, and couldn't do the later tour, as we had school pick-up, but will definitely revisit for a better look at the gardens. Oh and the scones. With jam. And cream. I definitely want a better look at those.
A stop at the Coldstream Op-Shop on the way home scored us some seriously CHEAP books and these cool planter boxes, made from recycled fence palings by a local and selling at the very good price of $3 each.
We took  3 of them home, popped some seedlings in and they now sit in our courtyard, like portable vege gardens.
Where: 673-675 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
When: Daily
Why: history, dining
How Much: prices vary

Friday, May 13, 2016

Wining and Dining at the Healesville Hotel

We've visited the wonderful TarraWarra Museum of Art a few times now, the last time being their Open Weekend. While we were there, we entered a competition and lo and behold, a few weeks later my husband got a phone call saying he had won a voucher for the Healesville Hotel.

My tummy rumbled just at the thought of it, so FF a couple of months, on a sunny Autumn day, we found ourselves cruising up Maroondah Hwy for a lazy lunch.
Healesville Hotel, Yarra Valley
We were welcomed to the grand dining room by friendly staff and immediately felt relaxed and comfortable. The Autumnal decor was perfect, featuring a vase filled with Maple branches, their leaves a kaleidoscope of changing colours. 
Healesville Hotel, Yarra Valley Entrees of local fig, prosciutto and gorgonzola;eggplant, yoghurt and almonds. I noticed crispy chestnuts were featured on a chicken dish, and was thrilled that the Chef accommodated my request to add some to my chosen duck dish.
Mains were mouth watering dishes of Ocean Trout and Lamb.
Healesville Hotel, Yarra ValleyHealesville Hotel, Yarra Valley

Outside in the ivy covered courtyard, a Chef cooked chickens on the wood fired rotisserie as diners inhaled the aroma and enjoyed the alfresco setting.
Healesville Hotel, Yarra Valley
After our meal, we grabbed a takeaway bottle of something cool, waddled outside and headed next door to the Kitchen and Butcher store, where we purchased exotic cheeses from afar, as well as local produce like figs and pine mushrooms.

Healesville Hotel, Yarra Valley

We finished our time in Healesville with quick visit to my old school classmate, Tim, at Silvermist Studio. I hadn't seen Tim for many years, but recently reconnected with him on Instagram. Tim is a goldsmith and his jewellery making talent is evident in the beautiful pieces he creates on site and which are available for purchase. The gallery also sells works from other local artists. Beautiful, shiny things everywhere - worth a visit. 





Where: 256 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville





















When: Daily

Why: historic building, fine food

How Much:prices vary


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes

The former Clunes Primary School, turned Knitting Mill, is now home to the Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles.
Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes
Medlyn bought the house to store his bottles in and then bequeathed the collection to the town. A Committee was set up to look after the collection of over 6,000 bottles.
Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes
Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes  



The vast collection of bottles once contained liquids such as chemicals, poisons, soft drinks, cordials, coffee, dairy products, beer, spirits and medicines. The historic collection is a great glimpse into the past, when glass was widely used as a storage vessel and we lived in a mostly non-plastic world.





Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes
Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes





























Rows and rows of beautiful coloured glass, some etched with business names or intricate designs, fill the shelves.
The interior of the Museum has been turned into a recreation of a town, with aisles of shop fronts, store signage...


Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes
Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes
...and even a pub!

 Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes  

There's a section off the foyer, where bottles, jars and other assorted items can be purchased.  I can see that this could be the start of another collection for interested folks.

I wonder if my souvenir spoon collection will ever end up this huge...
I hope my husband isn't reading this...


Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes
The cosy fireplace is the perfect spot to warm up, before heading out into the crisp Autumn air.Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes

Where: 70 Bailey St, Clunes
When: Thurs-Sun 11-4 
Why: history, bottles
How Much: $5