. 34 - Sunday, February 21, 1999 ~ North Shore News north sh ore news womonis UNTES Hd efeitos Photo David Wishart MELBOURNE is like Montreal: old, reiaxed and fashionable and the best place to eat in Australia. Own Under Lots to see and | do on the Sydney to Melbourne corridor Si MELBOURNE — The Sydney-Melbourne cor- ridor is as well-trav- elled as Toronto to Montreal, mostly by air, but the drive makes for a grand trip. We came down the coast road, dropping in at resort towns such as Bateman’s Bay and Eden. These are family resorts offering a wide variety of water sports, golf and great seafood. I got there at a time when » the eh markets could hardly give it away duc to the sea being rich in feed and several Asian markets having dried up due to their economic problems. Golf courses are wide open, to the point that many don’t take reservations. We found a good course at Lakes Entrance where there was no wait at 2 p.m. and the green fees were just $18. Local hazards included Barney’s Billabong and kookaburras that laughed at bad shots. The drive cffers some won- derful sea views, even kanga- roos on one beach. At the Tathra Beach eatery, a real find, there was kangareo on the menu, as well as Wapengo oysters and fig and ginger pudding. The countryside was casv ~on the eye, mile after mile of handsomely-treed pasture with cattle, sheep and horses. This can come as something of a surprise because many tourists assume that when they leave the beach they will soon be in desert. =" Not so, and on our return by a more direct, inland highway we were soon into wine-growing areas stich as Rutherglen, near Albury. Rutherglen, a pretty “little “town and unchanged for generations, is the base for many wineries open to the public for tastings and sales. We stopped at the Campbell's place although none of the family was avail- _able. We were told they were “Joing seminars in Switzerland. Business must be good. Moderation in tippling is le trips recommended because Australian policemen not only have random breathzlyz- er checks but they automati- cally test every driver they stop for the most minor infraction. Nevertheless we had lunch at Plunkett’s Winery Cafe at Avenel, a colonial-style mud brick farmhouse offering fresh food and friendly service. It was the antithesis of the bland, brand-name highway restaurant. At Albury we found 4 wonderful motel, the Best Western at Thurgoona, locat- ed mght on a fine golf course where the green fees were $20. The motel managers and the golf club pro, Brian Hill, were the wonderful, salx of the earth Aussies you had come to mect. Dinner that night was at the Bahn Thai, a Victorian house in Albury. Thais in Australia have a knack of finding nice old Victorian houses and filling thera with potted plants, not to mention delicious aromas. Then there was Melbourne. If Sydney has the feel of Toronto then Melbourne is like Montreal. It is old, relaxed and fashion- able, probably the best place to cat in Australia and still offering a large number of BYO (bring your own) restaurants where you can plonk your own bottle on the table. The gleaming Southgate Centre on the Yarra River is See Windsor page What are YOU doing after graduation? We've got some great ideas! Cali us now! ROSEW/AY TRAVEL 926-4344 email: roseway @direct.ca www.rosewaytravel.com Attention: Mature Travellers! Are you over 50 looking to be pampered? Travel the world in style. High quality escorted tours, New brochures are now available. CALL THE PROFESSIONALS ROSEWAY TRAVEL! 926-4344 email roseway @direct.ca Wiww.rosewaytravel.cont THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL Luxury Cruising is about sailing co Idyilic destinations on intimate ships; finding the perfect cruise to suit your budget and style Exotic & Adventure Travel means excitement. Whether you dream of a luxurious safari or a wilderness escape, call us. ; Our Concierge Planning department offers fee-based vacation design for busy people. Private consulting by appcintment only. Let our Specialty Tour planners customize your group's itinerary. We do foreign workshops, incentive & . team travel — at competitive rates. Family Travel is about sharing precious time and priceless memories. It's about perfect destinations for a - party of individuals. 8 Edgemont Office CALL FORAN 986-2262 APPOINTMENT ; Ambieside Office Cast your vote in today’s paper! ie Bay TRAVEL” PRESENTS LAS VEGAS & COASTAL oo iw POD 00 P.P. 6 night package May 1-7, 1999 DISNEYLAND & COASTAL ~~ from $7692 09 PP. 6 night package May 1-7, 1999 926-851 Inside $799.00 * Outside $919.00 3rd & 4th from $739.00 Highlights Include: © Airfare from Vancouver to Las Vegas © 3 nights accommodation at the Excalibur ¢3 night cruise aboard Holland America’s Veendam from Los Angeles to Vancouver © Hotel Porterage © AirporvEotel/Pier Transfers Tax $150.00 per person Inside $769.00 ¢ Outside $889.00 3rd & 4th from $619.00 Highlights Include: © Airfare from Vancouver to Las Vegas © 3 nights accommodation at the Howard Johnson © 3 night cruise aboard Holland America’s Veendam from Los Angeles to Vancouver er ® Hotel Porterage } © Airport lotel/Pier Transfers Tax $160.00 per person