Ben Tyers, Author at The Local Rag

Combine Footy Fever and a Grampians Getaway with Tiny Away’s Grand Final Escape

As the AFL Grand Final approaches, fans are being offered the chance to experience the big day in an unforgettable way. Tiny house accommodation provider Tiny Away has launched an exclusive AFL Grand Final escape package at their Grampians Edge tiny home, combining the thrill of the game with a serene getaway in the heart…

2 days ago2 minRead time

Food & Drink

Where to Find the Best Meat Pies in Australia

The meat pie is synonymous with Australia. Described by NSW Premier Bob Carr as Australia's 'national dish', the meat pie has been held in the hand of hungry Aussies for more than 100 years, with evidence of Sargent's producing meat pies way back in 1891. Popular pie manufacturers around Australia include Four 'n Twenty, which…

6 September 202417 minRead time

Food & Drink Victoria

South Australian Bakery Takes Out the 2024 Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph Merbein

The vanilla slice is an icon. The classic 'snot block' can be found, and enjoyed thoroughly, in any small town bakery around regional Australia. With so many options all around Australia, it's hard to pinpoint exactly which vanilla slice is the best. That is, of course, unless you pay attention to the annual Great Vanilla…

26 August 20245 minRead time

Food & Drink Victoria

Red Gum BBQ Sauces Win Big at 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards

Red Gum BBQ has once again proven its culinary excellence at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards, clinching prestigious accolades for three of its new sauces. Known for their dedication to authentic southern-style barbeque, Red Gum BBQ earned a silver medal for Grandma Mildred’s Gold Sauce, marking the second consecutive year it has received…

22 July 20245 minRead time

Events Victoria

Inverloch Jazz Festival Celebrates 30 Years of Jazz by the Sea

Get ready to cosy up and groove to the beat as the Inverloch Jazz Festival marks its 30th anniversary. Running from Friday, 2 August to Sunday, 4 August 2024, this iconic festival promises a spectacular musical journey through classic jazz, soulful melodies, and contemporary beats. From its humble beginnings in 1994, the Inverloch Jazz Festival…

20 July 20242 minRead time

Victoria

Palais Hepburn Has Closed

The years post the COVID pandemic have continued to be rough for venues in regional Victoria. Many venues are struggling to find staff, get enough customers through the door, and some are even having to resort to the final hurdle of closing. The latest venue to close its doors in regional Victoria is the iconic…

10 July 20241 minRead time

Victoria

The Best Bakeries in Regional Victoria

There's nothing quite like a country bakery. Quaint, laden with baked goods, and adorned with stickers from when they won 'Best Vanilla Slice' in 2007. Victoria is a big place and has a plethora of excellent bakeries, but here we're looking for the absolute best bakeries in regional Victoria. ALSO READ: Where to Find the…

12 June 20249 minRead time

Events Food & Drink Victoria

The East Gippsland Winter Festival Returns This June For Its Fourth Year

East Gippsland is set to tantalise taste buds with the return of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, running from 21 June to 21 July 2024. Now in its fourth year, the festival promises a month-long celebration of the region’s culinary creativity, offering a diverse range of food experiences that cater to all tastes and ages.…

11 June 20243 minRead time

Pubs Victoria

Regional Victoria Pubs Win Big at the 2024 AHA State Awards

In what will not be a massive surprise to readers of The Local Rag, pubs from around regional Victoria have come out on top in the annual AHA State Awards for Excellence. The awards night took place on May 20 at Crown Palladium and saw awards across plenty of categories including Excellence in Service, Chef…

21 May 20242 minRead time

Events Victoria

Grab a Cuppa and Enjoy the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival

Growing up in South Gippsland, I knew Fish Creek for two things. The town had a football team in the Alberton Football League, and the pub in town had a giant fish perched atop its roof. Fast forward to 2024, Fish Creek is gearing up for its 7th biennial Tea Cosy Festival, kicking off on…

15 May 20242 minRead time

Events Victoria

Sorrento Writers Festival Returns Bigger and Better in 2024

The Sorrento Writers Festival is back for its second iteration, promising an even grander experience for bookworms and literature enthusiasts. The festival, which runs from April 25th to 28th, coincides with the Anzac Day long weekend, offering attendees a chance to combine a literary pilgrimage with a relaxing getaway on the Mornington Peninsula. This year's…

23 April 20241 minRead time

Events Tasmania

Feasting, Frolicking, and Freezing on This Year’s Dark Mofo Agenda

Tasmania's renowned winter festival Dark Mofo is back for 2024, bringing a program of icy delights designed to chase away the chills. Festival organisers promise "feasting and frolicking" with a focus on Tasmanian produce, music, and art experiences. Winter Feast Makes a Mouthwatering Return The star attraction is the Winter Feast, a two-week culinary extravaganza…

12 April 20242 minRead time

Victoria

Why Marysville Is the Best Place to See Autumn Leaves

Autumn, in my opinion, is the most beautiful time of year. There's a bit of crispness to the air in the morning, I actually don't mind a light morning and an early fall of night, and of course, the autumn leaves turning to orange and red throughout autumn is pure magic. There are plenty of…

10 April 20241 minRead time

Events Victoria

Trentham’s Beloved Spudfest Expands to Two Days for 16th Edition

The tiny town of Trentham, Victoria, is known for its charming main street, cascading waterfalls, and fertile volcanic soil that produces exceptional produce. But every autumn, Trentham shines a spotlight on its most famous crop—the humble potato—at the beloved Great Trentham Spudfest. This year marks the 16th iteration of the festival, taking place over the…

9 April 20243 minRead time

History Victoria

Gold Prospecting in Victoria, Where to Strike it Rich

The allure of gold has captivated humanity for millennia. In Australia, the discovery of gold in Victoria in 1851 triggered a historic gold rush, forever shaping the state's social and economic landscape. Today, Victoria remains a popular destination for recreational gold prospecting, also known as fossicking. Recent years have seen a significant increase in gold…

6 April 202414 minRead time

Ben Tyers

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