Chilly start to a stunning winter's day

Sunday 21 June was a very chilly start, even our kangaroos were perplexed with all the frost on the grass, however, once the sun poked through it was a stunning winter's day in the valley.

gracedale used for backdrop in Dulux ad campaign

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In June we were approached by Annika Fleur. www.annikafleur.com to use gracedale yarra valley in an ad campaign for Dulux.  It was really intersting to see how the crew assembled the props and put the ad together on our front deck.

 

The idea behind the ad is; once the painter finishes the job or takes a break, they get to have a cuppa with one of the free enamel mugs from Dulux received when purchasing 30 litres of weathershield, and of course they enjoy that feeling of  'your everyday GETAWAY'. 

 

The ad can be seen in print at Dulux trade stors and inspiration centres.

Our favourite shot is the one with our cattle on the hillside and the sunlight shining through.  The shot with the tradie on our front deck is pretty cool too! 

 

We won't give you free enamel mugs when you stay with us, but we will give you a great GETAWAY.

Cute arrivals at Healesville Sanctuary

These adorable tropical dingo puppies have just arrived at the Healesville Sanctuary.  There's a naming competition for these two beautiful sisters,

http://www.zoo.org.au/naming-competition

also puppy playtime experiences for up to four people at a time.  So cute!

What a wonderful 'wedgie'

I know this morning was misty but I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I saw this amazing raptor sitting on one of our fence posts. It's a magnificent wedge tailed eagle.  We occassionaly see them in pairs soaring high above, so to have this one drop in by itself and stay for a while was an impressive sight.

Helicopter flight from gracedale yarra valley

What an amazing advenutre for our Sydney guests who took a helicopter joy flight from our property yesterday.  After the flight acrosss the valley, they landed at Stones of the Yarra Valley for lunch for a very special celebration.

Congratulations Kellee and Mick on your engagement!  Top marks to Mick for organising this complete surprise for Kellee and popping the question just before the chopper landed.

Also, many thanks to Sam, our pilot, from JamCo Helicopters who did an fantastic job in making this surprise adventure come true. www.jamcoaviation.com.au.

If you're staying at gracedaley yarra valley and you'd like to experience a joy flight with the luxury of being picked up and dropped off, we'd be happy to organise it for you.

Wine & Widlife at the Sanctuary

Enjoy a gourmet experience with a wild difference!
This winter, Healesville Sanctuary is bringing together incredible wildlife experiences with the gourmet tastes of the Yarra Valley over one exciting, long weekend.
Cosy up by the campfire or admire the faux snow falling as you get up close to the wildlife and sample the Yarra Valley's best wines, ciders and chocolates.

Where:  Healesville Sanctuary.  When:  Queen's Birthday long weekend June 7 - 9. 
Tastings from 11am - 3pm daily, Sanctuary open 9am - 5pm.  Cost: Free with general admission, kids under 16 free all weekend.  www.zoo.org.au/wineandwildlife

Russell Drysdale - Defining the Modern Australian Landscape

The renowned Tarrawarra Museum of Art which we are so fortunate to have in the Yarra Valley is currently exhibiting some magnificent works by Russell Drysdale.  Amongst the paintings being exhibited is the famous "Cricketers", a painting which all Australians easily associate with Drysdale.  Others are: The Rabbiters, Broken Mountain, Evening, Saddling up at the Coen Races and Murphy's.

This unique and important exhibition runs from 19 October 2013 to 9 February 2014 at Tarrawarra, 311 Healesville - Yarra Glen Road, Healesville  www.twma.com.au

 

Rusell Drysdale - Murphys

Extras for breakfast this morning!

We thought we might have a few extras for breakfast this morning. What an amazing sight to have these magnificent balloons gliding past our windows at 6:30am.  They actually landed in our neighbours property across the road - hope they had the kettle on!

It's Gumboot Season in the Yarra Valley

Yes it's Gumboot Season in the Yarra Valley - 1st July to 31st August 2013

There’s a chill in the air, the sky’s grey, and it’s wet underfoot but every year in the Yarra Valley, winter becomes Yarra Valley Gumboot Season. It’s all about dry feet, warm coats, and cosy hats. It’s all about rugging up and putting on your best gumboots and having a splash around the Yarra Valley’s wineries and restaurants. It’s all about warm welcomes at Cellar Doors, hearty winter food at cosy restaurants and brisk walks in the country. It’s all about open fires and relaxed conversations with winemakers who’d far prefer to be inside talking to you about their wine instead of out in the vineyard pruning. Most of all, it’s all about you getting off the sofa, getting yourself out to the Yarra Valley and having some fun in the wintery fresh air. Yarra Valley Gumboot Season – warm up in a cool place... BYO scarf!

Check out what's happening at the official website www.gumbootseason.com.au

This weekend, Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July, Punt Road Wines are participating in Gumboot Season with a Winter Weekend Wine Sale and special discounts and prizes to guests who visit the cellard for all of July and August. For more details visit www.puntroadwines.com.au

Don't forget your gumboots!

 

 

 

 

Australian Steelband Fesitval - Marysville April 12 - 14, 2013

The Australian Steelband Festival, Marysville 2013 is the first of its kind in Australia. 

Steelbands from all over the country and abroad will join to celebrate the versastility of the steel pan and its power to bring joy and delight to diverse communities across Australia and New Zealand.

Travel up the magnificent Black Spur to Marysville and see for yourself how Steel Pans have played an enormous part in the Marysville recovery, and enjoy the unique sound of the pans on a weekend of music, fun, food & drinks, and a Caribbean atmosphere which promises to be an amazing event.

For full details checkout www.ozpans.com

The Archibalds are back at Tarrawarra

Don't miss the 2012 Archibald Prize exhibition on again at Tarrawarra Museum of Art 9 June - 8 July.  See this year's controversial winner by Tim Storrier, a self portrait, without a face!

Also, the Packing Room Prize by Raelene Sharp, a portrait of John Wood, a local favourite.

Tarrawarra is located at 311 - 315 Healesville Yarra Glen Road, Healesville, for more information contact  www.twma.com.au

new mobile website for gracedale yarra valley

At gracedale yarra valley we’re excited to announce our new mobile website which enables you, our valued customers, faster and easier access to our luxury accommodation.

As you know, websites are built for viewing on computer screens and they don’t present well on mobile phone screens, they’re much smaller and slower to load. Mobile sites are specifically designed to be easy to read and navigate.

So now you can find us quickly on your mobile phone at www.yarravalleyluxuryaccommodation.com  and with a touch of your finger you can call, text, email and get directions instantly and of course you can still reach our other website www.gracedaleyarravalley.com.au from our mobile phone site. 

Thanks to John Kuhn of Mobile Websites Australia for bringing this cutting edge technology to our attention.  For any businesses wishing to do the same, contact John at www.mobilewebsitesaustralia.com and mention gracedale yarra valley and he’ll offer you a discount on your site.

Check us out on your mobile and see how quickly the site loads and how easy it is to contact us: www.yarravalleyluxuryaccommodation.com

merry christmas from gracedale yarra valley



gracedale Christmas tree 2011

We hope you like our Christmas tree, we were so pleased to discover a Christmas tree farm in Wandin where we could select the right size for the Grand Room.

Every best wish to you and your loved ones for a Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and safe 2012. 

Jenny & Richard

gracedale yarra valley

gracedale yarra valley aerial view

Thank you Val & John, our lovely guests, for taking this wonderful aerial shot of gracedale yarra valley on Tuesday morning whilst being flown across the beautiful Yarra Valley by Andy from Yarra Valley Helicopters.

Nice one Andy, what an amazing helicopter!

Happy honeyeaters at gracedale yarra valley

This year the flax plants and Kangaroo Paws at gracedale yarra valley have been exceptional and the honeyeaters are having a lovely time in the garden.  It's such a beautiful sight first thing in the morning whilst we eat our breakfast watching them enjoying their breakfast and of course they keep at it throughout the day!

New arrivals at gracedale yarra valley

Check out these cuties who've just arrived at gracedale yarra valley.

Our beautiful angus steers have a lot of work ahead of them as the grass is so green and lush!

Baby ducks first swim at gracedale yarra valley

Mum and Dad are happy to take their little ducklings for their very first swim on the front dam at gracedale yarra valley.

Something really special

Are you looking for something really special to share with your someone special?  Maybe you're wanting to pop the question or maybe  you'd like to celebrate an anniversary, or maybe you'd just like to spoil yourselves.

At gracedale yarra valley we pride ourselves in taking care of our guests and are happy to make your stay and celebration as individual as you are.  So if you're looking for something  out of the ordinary,  just ask us and we'll arrange it for you.

Yarra Valley Open Studios 2011

It's time to start planning your weekend of art and visit the annual Yarra Valley Open Studios.  This year it's over two weekends, 10 & 11 September and 17 & 18 September.  Why not start your tour with the amazing group exhibition at Sticks Winery, Yarra Glen?

For more details visit: yvopenstudios.net.au

Grab your best art loving buddies and come and stay at gracedale yarra valley for the weekend, you'll need two nights and days to fit in all the valley has to offer.  www.gracedaleyarravalley.com.au

Healesville Railway Heritage Festival 2011

Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 September 2011, 10:00am - 4:00pm.

Healesville is set to turn back the clock with the Yarra Valley Railway playing host to the 3^nd Annual Healesville Railway Heritage Festival.

Highlights of the weekend will include a vintage bus operating free shuttle trips into town, beautifully restored steam road engines and some of the state’s most talented blacksmiths at work.

The festival caters to an incredibly diverse range of interests and is the perfect way to kick off the school holidays and educate the next generation about the machines and lifestyles of past era.Entry to this incredible day out is by $5 per person and children under 12yrs are free with all proceeds used to help further the restoration of the volunteer driven Yarra Valley Railway.

For more information visit the YVR website www.yvr.com.au