Ya know when you see a voucher that looks to good to be true $89 for a double room, two meals and complimentary wine. You buy it and think..Mmmm what is this going to be like, but hey for $89 who cares.
Well at GWA central we love a deal and we grabbed a special promoted by the Barwon Heads Hotel. This also was a great opportunity to head down to the surf beach that I grew up with as a kid. Well can I say..Wow, Barwon heads has come along way from the days when there was a pub, petrol station, post office and take away food shop. The little strip has a funky vibrant feel about it, while still having that beachy feel. I have posted a couple of photos on facebook and here for you to enjoy and will follow up with some reviews.
In the meantime we are sipping a taltarni shiraz at the Beach house…Mmmm!!

Well girls it’s confirmed, a new study of 300 Australian women by Klick communications on behalf of Vibe hotels; found that 2 in 3 women want to spend more time with their girlfriends but are tied up with work and kids!
The new study of 300 Australian women aged 25 to 34 reveals that:
• 2 in 3 women want to spend more time with their closest girlfriends, but blame work and kids as the main culprits for preventing them from doing so
• For both singles and women in a relationship a ‘lack of time due to work commitments’ topped the reasons at 39%, followed by a ‘lack of time due to family commitments’ at 21% for those in relationships
• When it came to travel, a staggering 3% of the women surveyed who were in a relationship spent their holidays with female friends versus 89% who spent them with their partner
• This is despite the fact that 68% of women in the survey had known their closest girlfriend longer than their boyfriend or partner
• Only 23% of the singletons we spoke to spent their holidays with female friends
Lisa Phillips, Director of Marketing at Vibe Hotels, said: “Our research confirmed what we already knew as busy working women ourselves; that Australian women are feeling the pressure of work and home life on their friendships. That’s despite the fact that our girlfriends are often the ones we’ve known for the longest.”

So you now have the research; you have access to the Girls Weekends Away website, blog and Facebook page; So what better excuse do you need to hang out with your besties?

Girls, we have found a new Australian Online shopping site. It has a huge range of items; from cheap to expensive. Ranging from kitchen appliances through to health and beauty. The best thing is that most of the items are shipped free.

Girls, are you trying to organise that dinner with friends, a little chat over wine and or a night away? You know the one that you keep talking about for months but never seem to get it organised! Well we have found a solution and have a great deal for you from our friends at Campaspe House in beautiful Woodend.

Why not Treat yourselves to a 6 course degustation dinner with matched regional Macedon Ranges wines in a private room in front of the open fire! Now that is what I call the ultimate girls getaway and its all for $150 per person (and it includes wines).

Reservations are essential. Dinner is $150 per person and includes a 6 course menu and wine and if you truly want to indulge for $499 a couple you get accommodation, Dinner and breakfast for 2.

Our friends at Campaspe House look forward to welcoming you to Woodend.

Girls why not take advantage of some of the cheap airfares and plan a Long weekend away at Hamilton Island. We recently visited Hammo (affectionate name given by the locals) and had a fantastic time doing research to provide you with some handy hints and tips on this great Island. For starters there is a great range of accommodation available, with everything from  self contained residences to Hotels. The advantage of self contained is that most of the residences come with a golf buggy which is a great way to get around the Island (as there are some steep hills).
When you stay in a self contained residence  we found that the best way to get groceries, including alcohol is to order Coles online. They will deliver directly to your door, otherwise you will fall victim to the Island tax, basically everything is more expensive because you are on an island. Also while on the subject of food, make sure you book restaurants in advance as they fill quickly.

There are some great ways to explore the Whitsundays and there are many tours to choose from that cater for all budgets. Just head down to the Marina where you will find the tour desks.  One really great value for money trip is at Dent Island (the golf Island) and for $75 pp you get a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine or beer while overlooking the beautiful Whitsundays. You can then jump in a buggy and do a tour of the golf course which showcases the great views (so be sure to bring a camera)

There is one Hairdresser on the Island so once again book ahead. If you want to spend some time at a day spa then you can choose from Spa wumurdaylin or Qualia which is on Hamilton Island or you can catch the ferry over to Daydream Island where they have the Rejuvenation Spa spa@daydream.net.au

So if a special is what you are looking for Whitsundays Holidays is offering the 6^th night free. Have a look at www.whitsundayholidays.com.au for more details

Well like most other merchants the big retailers have learnt that shopping online is so convenient. I have found this link that provides you with online discounts to Westfiled participating stores. Some stock may be last season, hey but its cheap.

Every Sunday afternoon, Campaspe  House offers a traditional High Tea in the lounges of their 1920’s oak paneled Manor House.  
Ladies of all ages and distinguished gentlemen too, are enjoying special occasions such as birthday’s, girls weekends, hen’s days or just enjoying a Sunday afternoon out in this stunning secluded setting.
You will be served a traditional selection of sandwiches, freshly baked cakes and scones as well as their  T2 Tea selection or coffee.
The cost is just $35 per person.
After indulging, why not stroll through through the magnificent Edna Walling gardens to complete the perfect afternoon.
Reservations are essential, so please call 5427 2273 to book.

HO HO HO…Are you thinking of planning a Christmas party for your staff. Well Campaspe house has put together a fun-filled Christmas party with friends and colleagues in stylish surroundings, with exceptional food and outstanding service. You can choose from perhaps a lunch served in the historic Edna Walling designed garden, on the pool terrace or in the grand 1920s manor house.
This is such a beautiful setting for a Christmas party, Here are some of the packages on offer:
Lunch Packages
Restaurant – Enjoy a 2 or 3 course menu in our restaurant – minimum of 12 guests & maximum of 50 guests.
Regional BBQ – Be tempted by our offering of gourmet barbeque items served with fresh salad, rolls and dessert – minimum of 20 guests & maximum of 50 guests.
Maybe the long days and warm nights are tempting you towards an evening function …
Dinner Packages
Restaurant – A variety of seated menu options are available in our restaurant – indulge your guests with the Christmas Festive Feast – minimum of 12 guests & maximum of 50 guests.
Regional BBQ – Be tempted by our offering of gourmet barbeque items served with fresh salad, rolls and dessert – minimum of 20 guests & maximum of 50 guests.
Visit the Christmas festvities page at : http://www.campaspehouse.com.au/site/index.cfm?display=46630
Campaspe House – A Country House Hotel & Restaurant
Goldies Lane, Woodend, Victoria, 3442
Phone: (03) 5427 2273
Fax: (03) 5427 1049
Web: www.campaspehouse.com.au

Picture this – a Sunday lunch, a group of eight women with money in their pockets. After viewing The White Wedding Dress exhibition at the Art Gallery in Bendigo, the girls had brought along photos of their own wedding and bridesmaid dresses from the years gone by to add to the fun over lunch. They love wine and food and were set to enjoy a great lunch together – a little reunion of sorts.

Imagine the laughter, stories and ‘cheers’ that would be had. 
And the lunch venue booking for 1pm was made with The Wine Bank in Bendigo. An old bank building with wine racks lining the walls and a dark but cosy feeling inside. We were led to the side function room – a separate room, with an old bookcase, open fireplace (not fired up) – a snug room for a table of eight, plus another little table of two we noticed. Now, let’s wait. And wait. For water, menus, wine lists. While we were waiting for 30 minutes, one of our table headed out to the main area just to check was it table service or did we need to come and read a blackboard and order. Sometimes you just don’t know, so it’s good to check. “Go back in! We’ll come and serve you!,” said someone behind the counter. OK.
 We waited some more. Then she arrived. “I don’t usually do this, I’ve just been roped in,” explained the woman serving us water. 
 We check the wine list of The Wine Bank. We order a bottle of bubbles which will be gone in one glass each, but it’s a starter. Nice. 
 A shared plate of pate arrives and we gobble that down.  Talking, laughing, looking at photos …. but waiting now for food. You know that period of time when you wonder: ‘Did they get our orders at all?’
 Meals arrived. Perhaps on the small side. Tasty and not so memorable.
 Bottle one of bubbles was well and truly gone so we ordered another to continue to enjoy with our meal. We waited. And waited. 
 We reminded them of our order and we waited some more.  Young waitress finally brings the bottle, opens it and then said “Will I pour it or do youse wanna pour it ya-selves?”  I took the bottle quick smart. Bute as the green bottle gently touched the palm of my hand, horror! It wasn’t cold. Bubbles not cold???!!!  We gave the bottle back and she said that was the last bottle of that type; we could order something else. Standing there, looking at us, waiting for our decision.  We suggested we’d need the wine list at The Wine Bank to make that decision. She left and returned with the wine list. 
We decided quite quickly. And then waited. And waited for a waitress to return to our table to take our order for our replacement bottle of hopefully cold bubbles. While we were waiting we thought, maybe that previous bottle had come off one of the many wine racks and was shoved in the fridge or freezer to chill while we were waiting. How else could it be so warmer-than-room-temperature on a chilly day in Bendigo?  And during our ongoing waiting, we realised we just needed to leave; it was well near afternoon tea time and we needed coffees. And we needed to make our return journeys to Melbourne and Ballarat. Could we stand to wait any more?
 We’d had great conversation, laughed at the photos of brides and bridesmaids, thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition, but the afternoon was dulled and dampened by the sad, slow and not-at-all-sorry service from a venue who’s surroundings are stunning but the service was oh-so-shabby. 

Contibuted by one of our followers Lynne
You can contribute to. Just e-mail us at contact_us@girlsweekendsaway.com.au and we will do the rest

Yes girls it once was a Mortuary but thankfully that was a very  long time ago. The only thing that remains now of this buildings past is it’s name. This establishment is quirky and oozes warmth and charm. I have eaten here a few times and can I say on this visit the food was outstanding, thanks to a new Chef. For entree my friend and I shared the duck confit and walnut croquettes with duck parfait  and shiraz black pepper jelly and Sesame and pepper calamari. The croquettes were  outstanding, so good in fact that I am still craving them now! For mains I had the Pasture Fed Gippsland Tenderloin which was cooked to perfection, it basically melted in my mouth. My friend had the Roasted Pork Belly which was served with cider stewed apples and a pickled mushroom salad, with each bite my friend almost replicated the scene from when Harry met Sally. The wine list had a good selection and the staff were friendly and attentive. I can’t wait to get back to try the roasted pumpkin risotto with almonds crème fraiche and honey or even the The  Hawthorn (a waygu burger).

This new menu is to die for…To visit the website and see the menue  Click Here