Day three of our Victoria State tour began with a canter along a deserted beach bestride a handsome horse and progressed to include some exceptionally fine food and wine.

We saddled up at the state-of-the-art Gunamatta Equestrian Centre on the Mornington Peninsular before setting off on a leisurely two hour ride, the stable’s signature St Andrew’s Beach and Bush ride. When I say “we” saddled up I actually mean one of the very experienced staff did 99 percent of the work saddling my handsome steed, a 15 hand, eight-year-old gelding named Maverick. He was utterly bomb-proof and even quite obedient sometimes but he knew the way far better than me so why bother was my approach.

For the best part of an hour we made our way along tracks through rough shrub land till we reached lofty sand dunes. The almost eerie silence was interrupted only by the rhythmic, hypnotic clip clop of the horses and the occasional shrill bird song.

Just as we were traversing the dunes, swaying in the saddle, the early morning cloud began to disperse and as the sweeping beach and the ocean came into view. It was a magical moment and we could almost sense the horses’ excitement at taking to the beach, clearly their favourite part of the ride. Mine too! Picking up the speed we trotted along the hard sand of the shoreline the waves more lapping than crashing.

The sounds, the feelings, the smells and the setting were all just magical. Overall, ride was excellent - unrushed, unfussy and unforgettable. Highly recommended

See www.gunamatta.com.au for more information.

Lunch was to be partaken at the famed Tuck’s Ridge Winery home to some of the most renowned wines in Australia and arguably the world. Overlooking the rolling vineyard, hills and a lake, the restaurant, billed as a café for some reason, is an exercise in understated elegance. At Tuck’s Ridge there’s a refreshing lack of stuffiness found in establishments of a similar quality in Europe. The menu showcases the best of the freshest, seasonal, local produce and of course the vineyard has the perfect accompanying wine for each and every dish. I had a goat’s curd and olive bread starter followed by smoked duck breast and with a char grilled, grain fed beef for main. We had three outstanding wines but the piece de resistance was a big pinot, every sip was a trip.

See www.tucksridge.com.au for more information.

Before heading back to Melbourne, replete and sleepy we called in at Red Hill Cheese to sample some of the locally produced, artisan cheeses. I had a tasting plate that encompassed sheep, cows and goats cheeses going from soft and subtle through to hard and strong. Many of the cheeses have won many awards and it’s not difficult to understand why. I was bowled over by the Port Nepean with Cumin, a complex mature cheese, quite unusual and very eatable. Great washed down with crisp but not too dry white.

See www.redhillcheese.com.au for more information.

Too soon it was time to hit the road and make for Melbourne and our accommodation for the night was to be at the Grand Mercure Swanston Hotel. Slap bang in the centre of where this most happening city is happening the Swanston is a piece of work. The utterly beguiling lanes and arcades area is right there on the doorstep, the river is close by and there are many transport hubs within an easy walk, notably train and tram. But that’s if you wish to leave the hotel which, once suitably ensconced, is not an appealing prospect.

See www.theswanstonhotel.com.au for more information.

Refreshed and revived, having checked in and showered, we had a dinner date at the Shark Fin Inn on Little Bourke Street a mere hop skip and a jump from the hotel. And so onto something completely different, but entirely in keeping with Victoria State, the quality on offer at Shark Fin Inn is manifestly evident. With a long tradition of Chinese living in the state it’s no surprise that Shark Fin Inn is as authentic as it gets. It’s also utterly without the slightest pretence and is even quite reasonably priced.

See www.sharkfin.com.au for more information.

What a day! Horse riding on a beach, fine wines and haute cuisine, artisan cheeses and fun Chinese before bed in the Swanston, you got to love Victoria State.

NOTE: This article is brought to you by Tourism Victoria