Happy Holidays!!!

Christmas is getting closer! I don't know about you but I'm getting excited.

Here at LooknBook, we have been working at a feverish pace, gathering information about all the things you can do during your holidays in Docklands and Phillip Island.










What's on in Melbourne Docklands?

Christmas Shopping at Harbour Town
Haven't done your Christmas shopping yet? Have no fear! At Harbour Town shopping centre you will find a present for everyone.

Harbour Town Christmas on Ice
Santa can skate and he's doing it at Medibank Icehouse from the 2nd to the 24th of December. There are a number of FREE activities for the kids as well as the ice skating show.

Magical Christmas Wonderland at Wonderland Fun Park, Harbour Town
See the Christmas elves and visit Santa's stable. The ticket price includes a family photo and a gift for each child, until the 24th of December.

Christmas in Melbourne Docklands

Christmas Twilight Market
The Docklands Sunday Market is holding the Christmas Twilight Market on December 14th. Let the kids create their own Christmas card bt taking part in the free art competition. Art supplies provided FREE of charge.

Carols at Docklands
Christmas Carols in Docklands start at 6pm at the Waterfront City Piazza on December 24th. The event is FREE and also includes a Kids Canival with Face Painting, Jumping Castle and Fairy Floss, Skate Comp, Games, Giveaways, Santa, etc.

Santa Scubadiving at Melbourne Aquarium
Not too far from the Docklands, Santa will also be diving with the sharks and sting rays at the Melbourne Aquarium!!

New Year's Eve Celebration
Celebrate New Year's Eve on the Waterfront City Piazza. Enjoy a great dinner, some bubbly and watch the fireworks at midnight. Event starts at 6pm, see website for details.

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Docklands, Melbourne

What's on in Phillip Island?

Carols By the Bay

Sing your favourite Chritmas carols with the family at The Amphitheatre on the Esplanade on December 21st 2010. There will be children's activities, followed by carols and the evening will end with the Cowes Community Fireworks display.

Phillip Island Wildlife and Penguins

Now is the perfect time to take the family out to see the wildlife and penguins at Phillip Island.

There are a number of places you can go to. More information available at the Phillip Island Nature Parks.
 

Holiday Fishing Clinic

On the 28th of December at Inverloch, learn fishin with the Learn to Fish Clinic, run by the Anderson Inlet Angling Club Inverloch. Fishing equipment supplied.

Woolamai Nippers Summer Program

The Woolamai Nippers Summer Program will be running from 29th December 2010 - 7th of January 2011. This is a fun, safe program that teaches the kids the basics of Surf Life Saving and Water Safety Awareness. Ages are primary school aged children, 5-12 years.

Pyramid Rock Festival

Pyramid Rock Festival returns to Phillip Island for the 7th year in a row to bring in the New Year from 29th December 2010 until 1st January 2011. The festival is located in between picturesque Cape Woolamai and Phillip Island's famous landmark and the festivals' namesake Pyramid Rock.

Pyramid Rock Festival

Win a dinner for two at Melbourne Docklands

Another competition for our readers this month, this time in collaboration with Destination Docklands.

New Quay, Melbourne Docklands

Destination Docklands and Docklands Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring Docklands businesses, workers and residents an exciting new loyalty program in early 2011.

Yet to be given a name, the loyalty program will be exclusive to all those that work and live in the Docklands – more than 25,000 people! Free for cardholders, they will get special access to a web page listing offers from participating businesses. These offers will change monthly, rotate randomly and the best offers will be emailed out to members every month.

Readers are invited to submit their ideas for naming the new loyalty program to michelle.kemp@destinationdocklands.com.au by Thursday, December 23, 2010.

The reader who submits the chosen name will win a fantastic dinner for two at Platform 28!

Winner of the Ford Escape Competition Announced

A lucky winner has finally been announced for the Ford Escape competition. The prize was an opportunity to drive a Ford Escape for a week as well as 1 week of free accommodation in Phillip Island (compliments from yours truly)!

Melbourne Docklands hosts the annual car display by Car Club Victoria

Monaro Car Show in Melbourne

Also at the end of November is an opportunity to attend the annual car display of the Monaro Club Victoria. See those beautiful Monaros at the Waterfront City Piazza on November 28th from 9am to 3pm.

Drive a brand new Ford Escape for 1 week and win 1 week of FREE accommodation in Phillip Island

LooknBook is still offering a week of FREE accommodation in Phillip Island as part of a competition with Westpoint Ford. All you have to do is go to the Westpoint Ford website and tell us why you want to win a holiday and drive a brand new Ford Escape for 1 week! Be quick as the competition ends at the end of November.

Escape to Phillip Island courtesy of LooknBook and Westpoint Ford

Our competition is still going strong. Until the end of November, you have a chance to win a week in Phillip Island in a Ford Escape from Westpoint Ford, as well as FREE accommodation for a week from LooknBook.

Time to plan that escape!

Gourmet Holiday on Phillip Island – 4th Saturday of each month

If you are into a gourmet holiday, why not consider Phillip Island on the 4th weekend of any month? This is undoubtedly the best time to come down.

The famous Farmers Market comes to town and sets up its stalls on heritage and scenic Churchill Island, a beautiful island just off Phillip Island a few kilometers further on as you drive over the bridge at Newhaven.

Churchill Island

Churchill Island is the perfect setting for a Farmers Market.  If you know Churchill Island you will know that you drive across a narrow causeway (keeps the rabbits out!) and along a track through paddocks full of Highland Cattle and Cape Barren Geese.

Once there you are directed to a suitable car spot (no pets please – I should mention) where you can walk to the market and the Heritage Home on Churchill Island.

Milk a cow at the Heritage Home on Churchill Island

 
Churchill Island Farmers Market is open from 8am to 1pm – and don’t be late you will miss out! On offer is a range of local produce from fruit, vegetables, breads, chutneys, cheeses, cold and fresh meats, wines and juices. Also on offer are a variety of yummy take away food and coffee, as well as herbs and plants.


So, why not get yourself to Churchill Island nice and early. Select the produce you need for an excellent lunch. Choose from the wide variety of produce and and head back to your nearby accommodation and relax for the rest of the afternoon.


If you did not find everything you needed, then why not visit the Island Food Store in Cowes tucked away behind Coles at Shop 2 75 Chapel St. Here you will be able to buy local and regional wines, a variety of local and imported cheeses, tempting cakes and delicious eat in or take home meals.  All meals and dressings are home prepared.

Enjoy some great wine and cheese

 Whilst on the Phillip Island Gourmet Trail you might also like to call in to the Rhyll Trout and Bushtucker Farm where you can catch your own trout or purchase prepared trout and bush tucker products in the shop. The Phillip Island Winery and Purple Hen winery offer you a chance to sample and buy local wines.

We are offering special weekend package deals at our properties:

• Manuka Lodge – $700 5br sleeps 12
• The Burrow $500 4br sleeps 9
• Foreshore Haven   $800 5br sleeps 12
• Carajac Lodge $800 5br sleeps 8
• Colonades Beach House $700 4br sleeps 10
• Brise Marine   $400 3br sleeps 8
• Mariners Rest  $400 4br sleeps 8

Why not visit WestPoint Ford for an opportunity to win a Ford Escape for a week with a holiday package on beautiful Phillip Island courtesey of looknbook.com.au

Australian Moto Grand Prix Phillip Island 14th October to 16th October 2010

Phillip Island is bracing itself for four days of Motorcycle fever. This time every year, the island becomes a massive carnival of motorcycle enthusiasts as they come to see the annual Moto GP sponsored by Iveco for 2010. 

This year drawcards the world's leading riders including Rossi, Stoner, Pedrosa and Lorenzo. You can view what's happening throughout the 4 days.

(Source: www.motogp.com)

(Source: www.motogp.com)

Whether you're an avid MotoGP fan or new to the sport you'll experience an unforgettable weekend at the home of Australian Motorcycle Racing. The Island has a reputation for being one of the most unique and breathtaking destinations on the international circuit - with panoramic ocean views and great spectator vantage points all around the track.

There is plenty of Offtrack Activities to entertain you throughout the event. These include:

• Scenic Helicopter Flights
• Bikes and Displays at Gardner Straight
• Grid Girls
• Late trading and live entertainment every night in Thompson Avenue, Cowes

In the lead up don't miss out on some of the spectacular gatherings of man and machine as large groups of Motorcyclists converge on Phillip Island.

October 13th: The 8th Barry Sheene Tribute Ride 

The 8th Barry Sheene Tribute Ride starts with a tribute dinner on Wednesday 13th October at the Bairnsdale RSL before more than a thousand riders depart Bairnsdale at 9.30am travelling in convoy along Prices Hwy to Morwell for lunch.

At 12.45pm the ride continues through the winding hills of the Strzelecki Hwy heading through Inverloch, Wanthaggi and on to San Remo. The riders regroup in San Remo ready to ride to the Grand Prix Circuit for a lap of honour around the track at approximately 3pm.

October 16th: The MRA Cranbourne GP Run

On Saturday 16th October another motorcycle ride commences from Cranbourne. 

MRA CRanbourne Run 2009 (Source: City of Casey - www.casey.vic.gov.au)

This is the annual MRA Cranbourne GP Run. From 8.15am on the day, the Cranbourne Community puts on an event not to be missed.

Families traditionally head to Cranbourne early to be part of the traditional Celebrity Wave Off when thousands of motorcyclists get ready to travel en masse to Phillip Island.

This year Olympic Champion Cathy Freeman will be waving off thousands of gathered motorcycles around 10am. You can just imaging the roar of powerful engines as they rev up in anticipation of the get-set, go! There will be plenty of entertainment to keep the whole family amused with a variety of children's actvities, food stalls and entertainment right through until 11am.

Phillip Island accommodation during the Grand Prix

Carajac Lodge (Source: www.looknbook.com.au)

Accommodation on Phillip Island is at a premium during the Grand Prix with hotels, motels and Self-Contained Holiday Houses filling up and going for a premium price. On the other hand there are plenty of campsites both on the island and around the Grand Prix Circuit. There will be a special bus service put on during the Grand Prix to facilitate traffic to and from the Circuit.

If you are a motorcycle fan then Phillip Island is the place to be next week.

Property of the week: The Burrow, Phillip Island

The Burrow, located on Phillip Island, is a beautiful 4 bedroom home located only a short stroll to a safe sandy secluded beach

The undercover outdoor entertaining area at The Burrow

Features include:

• A great outdoor entertaining area with pool table
• A good sized rear back yard 
• 4 bedrooms - 2 double beds, 2 singles and a double/single combo bunk bed

The property can sleep up to 9 people and would be perfect for that family getaway you have been planning for so long.

Located midway between Penguin Parade, Nobbies, GP track and vibrant Cowes. 

Special Rates:

• 10% off the normal weekend price for our readers - $450 per weekend (min 2 nights)
   
• Mid week special - Monday to Thursday night until the end of November - min 2 nights at $400 - 3 nights at $550 - 4 nights $700

Win a FREE night at Apartment 509 by Listening to Gold 104.3 FM

Apartment 509 will be participating in the Destination Docklands radio campaign which started on  Monday 13th September 2010. This campaign aims to bring more people to Melbourne Docklands and discover the many restaurants, shops and activities there.

A lucky listener will be able to win a night in Apartment 509. The property is a spacious 2 bedroom which offers magnificent views of the harbour. 1 car spot is included in the prize.

So keep your ears open LooknBookers and you could be our lucky winner!

Happy Spring in Docklands!

It's finally spring! 
The sun is peeking out, the skies are blue and we can start saying goodbye to the cold.

Spring is also a great time to take on some new activities with family and friends.

Things to do this spring in Melbourne Docklands:

• Have a delicious meal and a glass of wine at one of the many restaurants at the New Quay waterfront
• Visit the Amazing Bodies exhibition in Waterfront City, and be amazed at how human and animal bodies work
• Go for a shopping spree at the factory outlets found at Harbour Town shopping centre
• Learn how to sail at the Docklands Yacht Club
• Treat the kids and yourself to some ice skating fun at the Icehouse
• Sit back, relax and enjoy some of the best water views in the area from Apartment 509. It's even better when enjoyed with good company and some bubbly

Image from freeimages.co.uk

V8 Supercars - Phillip Island September 10th, 11th and 12th

Phillip Island is once again host to the L&H 500 V8 Supercars the weekend of 10-12 September 2010. This is the kick off to the V8 Supercar 'Season of Endurance' for 2010.

Competition gets underway every year when the V8 Supercars roar into Phillip Island. This being the first of three major endurance events.

The Phillip Island circuit is world famous for its magnificent Ocean backdrop and always provides spectacular motorsport action.

More information on booking this event is available at the Phillip Island Circuit website. We still have limited accommodation ranging from 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms.

Stay at Apartment 509 in Melbourne Docklands

Apartment 509 is a beautiful two bedroom apartment located in Melbourne, Docklands. The property contains all the comforts of home and offers a breathtaking view of the harbour.



Well located close to all amenities, such as shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues

Etihad Stadium is only a few minutes walk away if you are attending a sporting event or concert. Melbourne CBD is easily accessible by car or public transport: tram stops are literally in front of the building and Southern Cross Station is within walking distance. The Docklands New Year's Eve fireworks can even be enjoyed from the apartment itself!

This property is recommended for families looking for comfortable and spacious accommodation, business people who want to be close to Melbourne CBD and anyone who wants to discover and explore Melbourne Docklands.

Read more at www.509.com.au