Worth getting out of bed for
You don't have to venture far to get your culture fix. Stroll the Sculpture Walk to view past winners of the Helen Lempriere Awards, or check out the hotel's striking collection of contemporary, indigenous and Zimbabwean artworks, or take time to smell more than 5,000 blooms at the Victoria State Rose Garden (K Road; www.vicstaterosegarden.com.au). If sport is more your schtick, tee off at Werribee Park Golf Club (350 K Road; +61 (0)3 9742 1397; www.werribeeparkgolf.com.au), giddy up at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre (170 K Road; +61 (0)3 9741 7672; www.wpnec.com.au) or have a flutter at Werribee Racing Club (Bulban Road; +61 (0)3 9741 1800; www.countryracing.com.au/clubs/werribee). Budding David Attenboroughs will delight in the Werribee Open Range Zoo (K Road; +61 (0)3 9731 9600; www.zoo.org.au/werribee), which is home to lions, zebras and hippos – oh my! The guided safari tours in open-top buses are a great way to get up close and personal with the wildlife.
Local restaurants
The Mansion Hotel & Spa's own eatery, Joseph's Restaurant & Bar, is the hottest table in town, so we wouldn't blame you for staying put. Should you feel like straying further than the ground-floor dining room, Shadowfax Winery (+61 (0)3 9731 4420; www.shadowfax.com.au) offers wine tastings in its cellar door, and tasty wood-fired pizzas and antipasti in the restaurant.
Local cafés
In Werribee, Moka Patisserie and Café (Shop 1/169, Watton Street; +61 (0)3 9741 8923; www.mokapatisserie.com) serves up breakfast muffins and eggs Benedict, lunchtime sandwiches and wraps, and a pretty selection of cakes and pastries, including scones baked to order. A short trot from the Equestrian Centre, Wyndham Cache Café (1 K Road, Werribee; +61 (0)3 9742 1526; www.wyndhamcache.com.au) is a local favourite for its wicked milkshakes and juicy wagyu burger with the works.
Diary
January–March Drumming workshops, tribal beats and roaming wildlife combine for Rhythm of Africa at Werribee Open Range Zoo (www.zoo.org.au/werribee). February The Weerama Festival sees Watton Street in Werribee come to life for a weekend of music, dance and comedy performances (weerama.org.au). March Frock up for the Werribee Cup (www.countryracing.com.au/clubs/werribee), part of the spring racing carnival. November Bring a blanket and spread out on the lawn for the Age Harvest Picnic at Werribee Park (www.harvestpicnic.com.au).
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