It only took an hour and a half from Melbourne to be in holiday mode. A friend recommended that we lunch at Ocean Eight winery until our Airbnb house was ready for us. A splendid suggestion. We picked a beautiful spot under a gum tree and unloaded our camping chairs, low table and even spread a Turkish towel as an elegant cloth and to stop our wine glasses sliding. The buttery Chardonnay was a splendid match for the plate of spiced St Helen’s oysters recommended by owner Mike Aylward. The rest of the family pulled up minutes later and we tucked into steamed prawn and ginger dumplings, and soft spring rolls, expertly prepared by Bia Hoi BBQ.

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