Aireys’ lovely winter begins

WINTER is here, and the Aireys Inlet community is inviting everyone to celebrate the season with its annual festival from this weekend.

Love Winter in Aireys, which runs from June 11-19, will attract locals and visitors alike and features a fabulous array of food, drink, art and wellness events designed to nurture your heart and soul.

The event is in its 11th year and will officially launch this Saturday, June 11 with the annual Soup in the Garden event at the Aireys Inlet Community Garden.

“After two uncertain years, we are thrilled to run our winter festival again and showcase what Aireys Inlet has to offer,” event organiser Anne Dansick said.

Love Aireys in Winter will feature art exhibitions, gin celebrations, markets, wellness events and many more opportunities to connect with Aireys’ many friendly locals.

Coinciding with World Gin Day (June 11), craft gin aficionados will be able to taste the region’s finest gin while listening to live music performances in Aireys’ boutique tasting room.

For those wishing to indulge their body and soul, Love Winter in Aireys will run a drop-in wellness retreat, offering free massages, ayurveda cooking and massage workshops, yoga and pilates classes as well as an introduction to meditation and strength training.

A special tour has also been scheduled to allow festival attendees make their way up and around the world-famous Aireys lighthouse to enjoy spectacular bird’s-eye views at sunrise from the balcony.

For foodies, Great Ocean Road Gin will host a special dinner, Tastes of Home, in their new restaurant The Gin Kitchen.

Tastes of Home will be a five-course bespoke dinner featuring favourite traditional dishes from Vietnam, led by head chef Andre, made to nurture the heart.

Each course will be matched to one of Great Ocean Road Gin’s signature gins, made to nurture the soul.

For anyone seeking to nurture their creativity, head to Eagles Nest Gallery for their special life drawing event.

Participants will be guided by artist Pamela Reid through a series of drawing exercises while a model poses. Complimentary wine on arrival, tutor, model and drawing materials will be provided.

Ms Dansick is inviting everyone from far and wide to visit Aireys this winter.

“Winter on the Surf Coast is a magical time of the year, best spent rugged up outside and cosy, creative and well-nourished inside,” she said.

Love Winter in Aireys is presented annually by the Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association, with support from Surf Coast Events.

For event details and registrations, head to iamaireysinlet.com.au or follow the Aireys Inlet Facebook page for updates.