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Silverwater Blog
Bringing the news to you!
There are some that say Phillip Island is a bare landscape when it comes to food but I would have to disagree.
The Island is changing- perhaps highlighted by the recent entry into the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival arena. Local forward thinking business owners combined resources to create one of the best reginal experiences of this year.
Our focus at Spice Island is on providing visitors the best in local ingredients, selected seasonally and managed with respect. Our Cafe, Spice Island Pantry offers simple food in a bright and dynamic environment, Our Cooking Schools offer guests the chance to work with great cultural dishes in a relaxed, fun environment. Our catering is high end, with a focus on unpretencious food and our accommodation offers the best in boutique, traditional Bed & Breakfast style accommodation.
We've recently begun to push the 'green' barrow and are now striving to improve efficiencies in our business and to work with guests to empower them to do the same with all of their food choices.
This time fo year the focus is on fabulous figs, fantastic eafy vegetables and rich curries. With Easter coming, we're also playing with goat this weekend as well as some slow cooked dishes to warm the cockles of everyone's hearts.
Paul Stafford
Director, Spice Island
www.spiceisland.com.au
Smiles everywhere
Incredible place
Lovely facilities
Very friendly
Enjoyable time
Relaxing resort
Welcoming staff
Awesome kids club
Terrific times
Everyone is friendly
Recommend to everyone
Really fun
Excellent views
Stylish units
Organised activities
Remembered forever
Times you will remember
Olivia Simpkins xox
My Trip To Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island
In January 2011, my family and I came for a holiday at Sillverwater Resort.
When I found out I was quite excited as I had previously seen it on 'Getaway' and it looked so fun! We arrived at the resort and it was everything I expected and more. As we made our way around the resort we discovered all the great facilities that Silverwater had to offer like an outdoor and indoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, a gym, a restaurant and kids club.
Kids club sounded like great fun so my cousin and I decided to book in. After booking we each received a free gift. We did many fun things at kids club including cooking, making musical instruments, paper plate animals, fairy wands and visits from the snake man. I got to hold a huge snake, and we also got a visit from some barn animals.
Whilst staying at the resort was fun, there were also many other things to do. These things included A Maze 'N Things which was so fun, Panny's Chocolate Factory which was so delicious, The Grand Prix Circuit where you can go Go-Karting, the fairy penguins (they are soo cute), gingo to the beach and having fun exploring all the different parts of Phillip Island.
In the end we had an awesome holiday, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Daisy Ekert xoxo 12 years
Yes, I know you hear it all the time .... work / life balance. As a manager you spend a lot of time ensuring that the team below you have balance, or should I say strive to have balance. Lead by example you say to your staff. Yes I am guilty, I have forgotten what the word work / life balance means.
I have lived at San Remo for over 3 years now and look at the water each day thinking how great it would be to get out there. Well I now have, I bought myself a kayak and am regularly paddling out on Westernport Bay.
How great it is out on the water around Phillip Island! I haven’t braved the surf yet and have been staying close to shore. The first time I put the kayak in just over the bridge from San Remo at Newhaven, had a great paddle around the corner of Newhaven and up to the bridge leading over to Churchill Island.
On the second trip from the shore I could see a bird caught up in fishing line on a floating jetty. I had a knife in my car, so I paddled out to the jetty to see if I could help. Luckily I was able to get the fishing line away from the leg, unfortunately the bird is going to have to deal with the fish hook. Hopefully it will find its way out, it was cut free and off it went, my good deed done for the day.
The next few paddles I have been launching at the San Remo Foreshore and paddling under the bridge back up along the shoreline past Silverwater Resort towards Andersons. I’ll have to find a way to have the Chef drop me down a sandwich and cold drink as I paddle past the resort. I have also had a paddle at Rhyll, but word of warning to all – be sure to look at when the tide is going out. I had to wrestle through the mud to get back to shore, lesson learnt, speak to the locals so you know how to get home.
All in all, I am glad that I finally said it is time to get on the water. It has given me a different perspective of the Island and I still have a lot of spots to discover, paddle around Churchill Island, Cowes and Ventnor. Work / life balance..... I am catching up
- Ivan Skidmore, General Manager
While Phillip Island is not typically known as a foodies paradise, those who stop to explore will find some little gems in the local area. In such as small area there are some sensational food and wine locations that definitely warrant a visit! Theres something for everyone…
One of my favourite stops is Spice Island’s Pantry located in San Remo. Here Paul & Rachel Stafford run the café open for hearty breakfasts and delicious lunches, not to mention great coffee. While the menu is limited, you will find something that will have your tastebuds screaming for more. At ‘The pantry’ you will also find Spice Island cooking school which operates certain days of the week and offer a wide range of cooking styles. Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment and make sure you have someone drop you to the school – the local wines are as much a part of the school as the food is!
Infused in Cowes offers a modern menu, and whilst on the main street has a very pleasant warm setting. Enjoy a beverage out on the terrace before moving in to the restaurant for some local delights. Dining here had me wanting Oysters for the first time ever. The guests joining me for dinner opted for mixed dozens which allowed them to try the many different and incredible ways in which the chef prepares the oysters! Try the red curry coconut oysters with seaweed and water chestnuts!
The Foreshore in Rhyll is another favourite with great views over the bay in the sleepy seaside town of Rhyll. Enjoy the warmth of the rustic yet modern restaurant with a glass of wine in the lounge or a sumptuous meal in the restaurant. The Foreshore buzzes on the weekends and is a must to visit for their mussel dish!
Watermark @ Silverwater Resort offers relaxed dining with sensational bay views. Enjoy local & imporrted wines and share tapas on the expansive deck while watching the sun glisten over the water; or opt for a tasty three course dinner. The executive chef, William Mclean, makes the most of the local produce which regional Victoria is famous for…
The two wineries on Phillip Island offer some great options and a wide variety. Purple Hen in Rhyll has award winning wines from grapes grown on the property. Rick and his team will welcome you to their property for some tastings. Make sure you try the Viognier and Sparkling Red! Phillip Island Wines are located between the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the Penguin Parade, and have sensational white wines for tasting…. And you’ll find it hard to resist purchasing a bottle or two.
There are so many other options on Phillip Island to visit – White Bait Fish & Chips In Woolamai, The Westernport Hotel for a delicious pub meal, Harrys on the Esplanade for some seafood, Pino’s in Cowes for pizza with the family…. You really are spoilt for choice, but word of warning – on a weekend make sure you book!
And don’t forget to stop in and take home some of the most important food type of all – Chocolate at our very own Phillip Island Chocolate Factory!
Having worked for Silverwater Resort for the past two and a half years I thought I had been exposed to all of the amazing attractions and sites in Phillip Island and the local area. As part of my position it has been important to understand what Phillip Island has to offer to the corporate market for team building and events, so I have spent a lot of time familiarzing myself with the Island, and must say have been amazed at the myriad of activities and attractions that such a small destination has to offer. There are so many things to do, from adrenalin pumping hot laps, go-karting and helicopter flights; taste sensations at the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, Churchill Island Farmers Market, and Spice Island cooking school; to family fun at Amaze'N Things and Rhyll Fishing Park.. Just to mention a few.
But something I have just discovered that has flown under my radar for the past few years, are two sensational walking tracks in the region. As someone who enjoys trying to keep fit I have spent many hours in the resort gym on the treadmill. However someone recently recommended I enjoy the great outdoors and walk the Cape Woolamai track. Getting to the Cape is somewhat spectacular in itself as you wind your way through the sand dunes to find yourself landing at the Woolamai beach and surf club. From here you step onto the beach to find a sometimes wild ocean filled with local surfers challenging the waves. A left turn and a few hundred metres along the beach takes you to a staircase which leads to the cape walk. From this high vantage point on the cape (the highest on Phillip Island) you look around to see the vast stretches of beach, a few kilometers on you’ll find beautiful rock formations on the cape known as the pinnacles. The longest walk is 8 kilometres, with the shortest option being 4kms, all of which you’ll experience the incredible coastal landscapes of the Phillip island region.
The second walking track I have discovered is by far my favourite, (although somewhat more grueling when you are trying to beat the hour challenge set by your brother), and is known as the George Bass Walk. This moderate walk took me from Kilcunda along the Bass Strait coastline to Punchbowl Road in San Remo. This track is well maintained and easily found, and took me up and down hills (sometimes steep) and along beautiful green pastures, to a long stretch of beach only accessible by foot, before returning to the green pathway and along the cliff edge to San Remo. The scenery on this walk was phenomenal with incredible views to both Phillip Island and Cape Woolamai, and in the opposite direction along the Bass Coast Coastline towards Cape Patterson, and if you time your visit you might just see some of the whales on their journey down south. When the sun is shining and the sky is blue this walk is definitely a must for anyone visiting the area – however give yourself two hours so you can stop and enjoy the incredible natural wonders along this spectacular coastline!
Pyramid Rock brings the best in for 2010!
For the seventh year in a row, Pyramid Rock Festival returns from 29th December until 1st January to the picturesque cliff top location on Phillip Island, just 90 minutes south east of Melbourne.
Showcasing an eclectic mix of local and international acts, the 2010 lineup is easily the best that Pyramid has seen yet. Featuring over 55 bands from across the globe, international guests making the venture down under include N*E*R*D, Arrested Development, Chromeo, Mystery Jets, Gypsy & The Cat, Koolism, Gold Panda & Neon Indian.
Among the local talent set to take stage are The Temper Trap, Xavier Rudd, Gyroscope, Midnight Juggernauts, Little Red, Miami Horror, Urthboy, Jebediah, Wagons, Horrorshow, Hungry Kids of Hungry, Ernst Ellis & Stonefield.
Tickets are still available but selling fast, jump online to www.thepyramidrockfestival.com. Prices start from $270 (non-camping) to $305 for camping tickets. Discount tickets for 2009 attendees apply.
If you’re coming from out of town, make sure you allow a few days post festival to unwind check out the local sights & spectacular beaches of the Bass Coast. Whether it's relaxing and enjoying local seafood & flavours, adrenalin filled sky diving, surfing along the South Gippsland coastline or a fishing adventure, Phillip Island offers an endless array of areas to discover and explore!
As I am only new to Silverwater Resort, having arrived 10 days ago and armed with little to no knowledge of Regional Victoria, my experience is not dissimilar to that of our guests.
Having said this, I began my exploration of the local Phillip Island area by reviewing the myriad of brochures available at reception. A quick chat to the friendly receptionist for directions accompanied with a little pointing on my behalf, and I was ready to unleash my tourist urges.
I drove out of the car park heady with the many options available throughout the Phillip Island & Bass Coast regions. As I deliberated on which site to attend first it soon became apparent that all my careful preparations had evaporated and I was readily driving on instinct. My long suffering partner has experienced this phenomenon previously and has become well accustomed to going with the flow. Unlike previous attempts, both domestically and abroad, where this behavioural flaw has ended in tears, the savoir for me is the fact that you can’t go too far wrong in this area. We ended up on a lovely drive up the coast road to Inverloch with its rugged coastline and scenic outposts. Had anti pasta on the beach at Cape Patterson, a brush with the local wildlife including a rogue kangaroo,o and on the return leg stumbled across a charismatic little pub for a late lunch on the waterfront at San Remo. To be honest, I couldn’t have planned it better.
Stuart Kentish
Executive Assistant Manager
Check out Silverwater Resorts latest special – ‘RECEIVE A FREE WEEKS HOLIDAY’* when booking and confirming your 2010 conference by 31st December2009! Have your colleagues enjoy a Silverwater Resort experience for their next conference, with spacious apartment accommodation, plenty of fresh country air and clear starry nights, and light filled conference rooms with modern AV equipment – not to mention the spectacular bay views! *Conditions apply and free stay is based on room nights booked.
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