Our new video: Manuka Lodge, Phillip Island

Discover Manuka Lodge, a beautiful holiday home located close to the beach on Phillip Island.

Manuka Lodge is close to all of Phillip Island's attractions such as nature parks, penguin parade and Churchill Island.

For more informatiion about Manuka Lodge and for bookings, please visit www.manukalodge.com.au.

To read our other posts about activities on Phillip Island click here.

Book a holiday in the Docklands: sunsets and waterviews included

Sunset from Apartment 509

Imagine this:

You are staying in a spacious 2 bedroom apartment in the Docklands, Melbourne. 

The apartment is on the fifth floor so you are enjoying great views over the New Quay marina. Restaurants and shops are across the road, the CBD is only a few minutes away. Your plan tonight is to watch a majestic sunset from the apartment as you savour the moment with a glass of bubbly..... 

Sounds like a perfect dream? Maybe not! 

Your perfect dream can come true at only $200 per night if you stay between June 6th and June 10th 2011. This is a limited offer so call us today.

To read more about Apartment 509 please go to www.509.com.au and send us your enquiry.

Good news from the Docklands

This article appeared today in Docklands News and is written by the one and only Good News Bill. We love it and know you will too!

Spreading the word about the ‘Docklander Deals’ loyalty program brings me into contact with many retailers throughout Docklands and I get to see and hear plenty.

It is no secret that the many Docklands retailers are relying on foot traffic to come through their doors. In many cases, they are looking to the sky for the great wheel to bring them that traffic.

But wait, there may be other ways. Some retailers in Docklands tell me their customers actively look for them. Customers come from far away places to visit Docklands because these businesses are here. Brand loyalty in action.

Libby Moore at the the LEGO Education Centre runs school holiday programs, birthday parties and excursions for school students. These are proving very popular.  Customers come from all over to find them. This has to be great news for Docklands.

Gwendoline, the owner of Just Lashes, says her customers look for her salons that are nearest to them. They make appointments and come. If the nearest outlet is fully booked they will go to the next nearest available salon. Just Lashes reports good business in its Harbour Esplanade location through this customer brand loyalty. Another example of good news for Docklands.

I am hearing more exciting news. Right now the owners at Wonderland Fun Park are putting up a proposal for a Docklands

Town People Mover to the City of Melbourne to consider.  They own a trackless train and carriage and they want to operate a tourist train, much like one in Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

This idea is reported elsewhere in this edition of Docklands News and is great news for Docklands as it has the potential to transport people between Victoria Harbour, Batman Hill, Central Pier, NewQuay, Waterfront City and Harbour Town. Speak to Colin or Melissa at the Fun Park if you want to add your support to this great idea.

If you are in the vicinity of ANZ Wharf near Victoria Harbour or Yarra’s Edge on a Thursday or Friday between 12.30pm and 3pm, you could jump on a river taxi now being operated by the businesses in the area.
The taxi will ferry you between ANZ Wharf and the World Trade Centre Wharf. This is an experiment at the moment and if it proves to be a popular mode of transport, this could increase the scale of the operation. Give it a go!

NewQuay Promenade has some great restaurants offering some great lunch-time deals. Watch out for Bobby Valentine performing live at the Lounge – go down to NewQuay Promenade and see what is happening. Get to know Docklands!

Watch out for more great news in the Docklands News – the good news stories are here.

Bill Reid

More info:

Docklands News

LEGO Education Centre

Just Lashes 
 
Wonderland Fun Park

Arts and Culture in Melbourne

If you like the arts in all its shapes, Melbourne will definitely not disappoint. We have handpicked a few favourites for you to see during your holidays - enjoy!

National Gallery of Victoria

Artwork from the exhibition Vienna: Art & Design

The National Gallery of Victoria (ngv) was founded in 1861 and is Australia’s oldest public art gallery. There is always something going on – if you are interested in indigenous art the Ian Potter Centre will thrill you. If you are more interested in international art, visit NGV International. More information. 

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (acmi)

Magnificent Obsessions series available in May

acmi is a great place for adults and kids to enjoy the seventh art and its evolution over the years. Several exhibitions, talks and events are happening over the next few months. Tickets can be bought online or onsite.

Tip: take a friend and enjoy a nice glass of wine at one of the many restaurants nearby before going for a movie. More info: www.acmi.net.au  

Outré Gallery

One of the many artworks you can see at Outré

This is an amazing place to visit if you are a fan of contemporary art. The gallery is a real treasure trove, and we promise you won’t know where to look because everything is just so wonderful! Outré has shops in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and sells paintings, rare books and magazines.Click for more info.

The Comic's Lounge

Located in North Melbourne, The Comic’s Lounge is perfect for drinks with friends after a nice dinner. Every week, a variety of artists perform their acts and it is never boring! Tickets are affordable and the atmosphere is great. Well worth a second or third visit so go to their website now.

Opera in Melbourne

From Puccini's La Bohème

For those who love opera, the 2011 season in Melbourne will showcase operas by Verdi, Bizet and Mozart to name a few. Dress up and invite a few friends to go with you for an unforgettable experience. For more information about what’s on, visit the Opera Australia website.

The Australian Shakespeare Company brings Macbeth to life in the Docklands

Macbeth is a tragedy about ambition, greed and human nature. The main protagonist, Macbeth, is driven to kill because of his ambition but is ultimately unable to escape his guilty conscience. Expect witches, blood and war!

Portrait of the very talented William Shakespeare

For those who are not familiar with the verses of William Shakespeare, he is probably one of the most talented and most cited figures of British literature. Shakespeare's plays have been made into several movies, and even now he continues to thrill and fascinate artists from all over the world.

Event details

Dates: Wednesday 11 – Saturday 4 June 2011
Evening shows: Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursday to Saturday at 8pm
Matinees: Wednesday 1pm matinees on 11, 18 and 25 May
Where: Shed 4, North Wharf Road, Victoria Harbour, Docklands
Prices: adults $40, concession $35, groups 10+ $35, children (5-15yrs) $25, $6.60 booking fee applies per order

Want more info: Visit the Australian Shakespeare Company website.

Mother's Day in the Docklands, Melbourne

It's nearly Mother's Day and many of us still haven't thought of a gift for mum. Flowers would be nice...but this year you want to be more original... Well, we have the right suggestions for you. There's plenty of things to dazzle mum in the Docklands and this is just a short list of gift ideas.

Take Mum out for a sumptuous meal in the Docklands

What Mum could be eating at Mecca Bah, Docklands

Docklands restaurants will have Mother's Day special menus available this Sunday. Butcher's Grill and Meccah Bah for example are both offering a glass of sparkling wine as well as a Family portrait voucher to all mums. For more information please visit www.docklandsmelbourne.com.au.

Mother's Day Jazz Cruise - Docklands

This special deal includes a 3hour cruise, gourmet cocktail menu, a complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival and a chance to relax and appreciate the Rita Satch Jazz Trio. For more information please visit the Victorian Yatch Charters website. 

Cost: $90.00 per guest. Children under 16yrs.: $40.00

Eyelash extensions for her at Just Lashes

Just Lashes Mother's Day promotional flyer

Here's an original idea: why not get her eyelash extensions or something wonderful from the Just Lashes range of beauty services? For more information and to book an appointment for mum, visit www.justlashes.com.au. Just Lashes lounges are located in Docklands, St Kilda, Moonee Ponds, Geelong and Newcastle.

Book a special getaway for mum - Apartment 509, Docklands

Apartment 509, Docklands

This apartment is spacious, clean and has wonderful waterviews. Apartment 509 is well located close to Docklands restaurants, bars, river cruises, shops and public transport. Still available on Sunday 8th of May 2011. For more information visit www.509.com.au.

Mother's Day Competition - Harbour Town, Docklands

Win two tickets to Hoyts La Premier, as well as a double pass to take mum ice skating at Medibank Icehouse by entering this competition. Runner up prize is a family pass to Wonderland Fun Park - how cool is that? This competition is open to children aged 16 and under. More information on the Harbour Town website.

Mother's Day Classic - May 8th 2011

Mother's Day Classic is the biggest community fundraising event for breast cancer in Australia. 

Big crowd at the Melbourne Mother's Day Classic 2010

The event will take place on Mother's Day on May 8th 2011 and includes fun runs, walks, volunteer opportunities which aim to raise funds for cancer reasearch. All proceeds go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

As Mother's Day celebrates extraordinary women, let us also show our support to organisations that work towards providing health solutions to those women and everyone else who is at risk. 

Register and participate

You can register to participate in the various events for the Mother's Day Classic by going to the Mother's Day Classic online registration website. Events include runs and walks of 4km or 8km. Registrations close on Wednesday 4 May 2011 12:00pm for Melbourne. Vist the website for details about other states.

Be a volunteer

Volunteer opportunities are available all over the country so hop onto the Mother's Day classic website for a volunteer opportunity close to you: http://mothersdayclassic.com.au. 

Fundraise

The Mother's Day Classic website also allows individuals to create their own online fundraising page or donate to their friends' pages. This is a great way of spreading the word about the event and informing the world about breast cancer. You can even get someone to sponsor your walk or run. Read for more details.

Melbourne Mother's Day Classic 2010

Facts about breast cancer in Australia

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Australia, with more than 13,600 new cases expected this year – new diagnoses are also expected in 106 men .

• The National Breats Cancer Foundation estimates that 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85.

• Early detection is the best method for reducing deaths from breast cancer.

• Survival is improving due to better detection and improved treatments which are the result of excellent research.

• Breast cancer survivors can experience a range of difficulties, ranging from physical limitations to psychosocial problems. These issues are now emerging as new targets for researchers.

 For more facts about breast cancer go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation website.