www.lakespost.com.au 13 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Couples looking to celebrate Valentine's Day in style can indulge in a four-course dining experience at the Bairnsdale International, with a menu specially created by Chef Regel Navarro. The exclusive menu, priced at $99 per person, features a range of gourmet dishes designed to impress, with an optional wine pairing available for $40 per person. Diners can choose from two seatings at lunch and dinner, with limited spots available for each session. Bookings must be secured at the time of payment. Highlights of the menu include: - Pacific Oyster Amuse Bouche with tempura, crème fraiche and chives - Grilled Local Prawns with chorizo crust, nduja butter, lemon aioli and frisée salad - Honey-Glazed Duck Breast with sour cherry jus, roasted walnut, red sorrel and beetroot purée - Main Course Options including lamb chops with butter bean cassoulet, salsa verde and maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, or slow-cooked salmon with shaved asparagus, chat potato confit, spinach, sun-dried tomato velouté, pepitas and lemon zest - Desserts including fudge brownie with butterscotch and vanilla bean ice cream, tiramisu, and strawberry panna cotta with strawberry gastrique The hotel is also offering discounted accommodation for those wishing to stay overnight on Saturday, making it a complete Valentine's getaway. Bookings can be made directly through the hotel or via their website. With limited availability, couples are encouraged to call 5152 8300 to secure their table. Chef Navarro said the menu was designed to provide a memorable dining experience for couples: "We've created dishes that celebrate fresh, local ingredients and bold flavours — it's a Valentine's experience you won't forget." ESCAPE TO ROMANCE at BAIRNSDALE INTERNATIONAL BOOK NOW Valentines Day 4 COURSE SET MENU ONLY $99 PER PERSON ADD $40 FOR A WINE PAIRING SATURDAY 14TH FEB LUNCH & DINNER AVAILABLE 5152 8300 | Bairnsdale International, 355 Main St, Bairnsdale | bairnsdaleinternational.com.au
www.lakespost.com.au 14 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 GIVE A TASTE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY THIS Valentine’s Day This Valentine's Day, skip the ordinary and celebrate love with a little friendly competition, a lot of laughs, and unforgettable fun at E5 Playzone. Whether you're planning a date night, a family outing, or a fun catch-up with friends, E5 Playzone offers something for everyone under one roof. Step onto the lanes and challenge your Valentine to a game of bowling or duckpin bowling, where big fun comes in a slightly smaller (and seriously entertaining) package. Duckpin bowling is fast-paced, quirky and perfect for couples or groups looking to try something a little different, with plenty of laughs guaranteed. For those who love lights, sounds and classic fun, the arcade games at E5 Playzone bring out everyone's competitive side. From nostalgic favourites to modern hits, it's the perfect place to rack up points, win prizes and share a few playful bragging rights. And when it's time to steal the spotlight, karaoke is where the magic really happens. Belt out your favourite love songs, relive classic hits, or cheer each other on as you take the mic. It's fun, it's entertaining and it's a guaranteed way to create memories you'll be laughing about long after Valentine's Day is over. This Valentine's Day, E5 Playzone is all about experiences, not just gifts. It's about spending time together, trying something new, and celebrating love with energy, excitement and a whole lot of fun. So gather your favourite people, lace up your bowling shoes, grab the mic and let the games begin. At E5 Playzone, love is best celebrated with a strike, a high score and a standing ovation. the ULTIMATE DATE NIGHT For Paul and Leanne, the owners of High Country Hooch, the philosophy of a good life is simple: it begins and ends with a campfire, a full belly, good company, and a cup full of quality hooch. After travelling the length and breadth of Australia - from the rugged coastlines to the vast interior deserts - the pair eventually followed their hearts back to the place that felt most like home. In 2021, they settled in Glenaladale, purchasing "Squatters Run," a stunning 123-acre property nestled at the foothills of East Gippsland's High Country. It is here, inspired daily by the sweeping views of the Alpine National Park, that their craft distillery was born. Drawing on memories of flavours from their many camping trips across the country, Paul and Leanne have spent years mastering recipes that capture the essence of the High Country in every bottle. However, distilling is only part of the story at Squatters Run. When they aren't at the still, Paul and Leanne are busy farming Black Angus cattle and Aussie White sheep, working tirelessly to restore the historic farm to its former glory. Conservation is also a core pillar of their operation. Deeply committed to the local environment, the couple has fenced out 25 acres of their land to create a livestock exclusion zone. Paul and Leanne, owners of High Country Hooch, first came to the area in 2021, purchasing a stunning 123-acre property known as “Squatters Run” in Glenaladale. This initiative preserves the vital creek running through the property and protects the surrounding old-growth forest, ensuring the natural beauty that inspires their spirits remains for generations to come. For those looking to experience the High Country flavour firsthand, the couple has converted an old shearing shed into a rustic, inviting tasting room. With over an acre of the property fully licensed, the space is perfectly suited for functions and events of all sizes. Locals and tourists can find High Country Hooch at various regional markets, or visit the distillery directly to sample their range - the perfect gift for Valentine's Day. The tasting room is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. From Tuesday to Friday, visits are available by appointment. For more information or to book a function, visit Paul and Leanne at Squatters Run in Glenaladale and experience a true Gippsland welcome. PAUL - 0411 581 086 | 125 Swift's Rd, Glenaladale h.c.hooch@outlook.com | highcountryhooch.com.au Cheers to love & local Hooch - Tasting room is open - Book your private function
www.lakespost.com.au 15 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Romance MADE EASY There are plenty of gift ideas to give to your loved one for Valentine’s Day this year. Whether you are looking for something traditional, a unique experience, or a budgetfriendly gesture, here is a list of Valentine’s Day gift ideas categorised to help you find the perfect fit: 1. The classics (timeless and romantic) Flowers: A bouquet of red roses is the standard, but consider a “forever” preserved rose or their favourite specific flower. Artisanal chocolates: Move beyond the supermarket box and look for a local chocolatier or a luxury brand. Jewellery: A locket with a photo inside, an engraved bracelet, or simple gold/ silver studs. Scent: A favourite perfume or cologne, or a high-end scented candle for the home. 2. Experience-based (building memories) Cooking class: Sign up for a local class (sushi making, pasta, or pastry) to do together. Wine or gin tasting: Visit a local winery or distillery for a guided tour and tasting. Concert or theatre tickets: Look for upcoming shows at local venues like The Forge Theatre or the Stratford Courthouse. A “day trip” adventure: Plan a picnic at a scenic spot like the Silt Jetties, Lake Tyers, or a hike in the Colquhoun Forest. Spa day: A voucher for a couple’s massage or a facial at a local wellness center. 3. Personalised and sentimental Custom photo book: Collect photos of your best memories from the past year. “Where we met” map: A framed print of the exact coordinates or street map where your relationship started. Custom illustration: Commission a local artist to draw a portrait of the two of you or your pet. Personalised playlist: Create a digital or “mixtape” style playlist of songs that define your relationship. 4. Practical and cozy Luxury loungewear: A high-quality silk or fleece robe, or a pair of premium slippers. Weighted blanket: Perfect for a partner who loves a cozy night in. Coffee lover’s kit: A bag of locally roasted beans, a stylish French press, or a temperature-controlled mug. Silk Pillowcase: A small luxury that improves sleep and skincare. 5. Hobby-focused For the gardener: A new indoor plant (like a String of Hearts) or high-quality gardening tools. For the bookworm: A special hardback edition of their favourite book or a gift card to a local bookstore (like Book Orchard). For the techie: Noise-canceling headphones or a portable power bank for their next trip. For the home cook: A high-end chef’s knife or a cast-iron skillet. 6. Budget-friendly and DIY The “home restaurant”: Print out a custom menu and cook a three-course meal at home. Love coupons: Create a booklet of “vouchers” they can redeem. A handwritten letter: In the digital age, a long, heartfelt letter on nice stationery is often the most cherished gift of all. Scavenger hunt: Leave little notes around the house or town leading to a small final prize. 7. Last-minute (but thoughtful) Subscription box: A one-time or monthly box for wine, coffee, snacks, or even “date night in” kits. Digital gift card: To their favourite clothing store, Kindle, or Audible. Picnic basket: Buy some local cheeses, crackers and fruit, and head to the park. Every year on February 14, millions of people worldwide exchange cards, flowers, and chocolates to express their affection. While today’s celebration is defined by grand romantic gestures and heartfelt messages, the origins of Valentine’s Day are far more complex, rooted in a fascinating blend of ancient Roman traditions, Christian history and medieval folklore. Long before it bore the name of a saint, the middle of February was marked by the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. This fertility celebration, held annually from February 13 to 15, honoured Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture. The festival included matchmaking and rituals intended to bring good fortune and fertility to the city. In the late fifth century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. At the time, the day was not yet associated with romantic love; it was intended as a day to honour Christian martyrs. The identity of the holiday’s namesake remains shrouded in mystery, as the name “Valentine” likely honours one or more Christian martyrs. However, several popular legends have come to define the spirit of the day. One widely told story features a Roman priest named Valentine who lived during the third century. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he banned marriage for young men. Legend has it that Valentine, realising the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and eventually executed on February 14, around 269 AD. Another popular account suggests that while Valentine was in prison, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. Before his death, he is said to have sent her a letter signed “From your Valentine” - a phrase that has endured for nearly 2000 years as a signature of devotion. The transition of Valentine’s Day into a romantic holiday truly took hold during the Middle Ages, particularly in England and France. During this era, there was a common belief that the mating season for birds began in mid-February. This connection to the natural world’s “season of love” helped cement the date as a time for romance. By the 14th and 15th centuries, the tradition of exchanging written love notes, or “valentines,” became popular. Over time, these simple tokens evolved into the elaborate cards and gifts we see today. In the modern era, Valentine’s Day has become a global phenomenon. What began as a pagan ritual and a solemn religious feast has transformed into a day dedicated to celebrating love and appreciation in all its forms. Whether through a simple card or a grand gesture, the enduring legacy of the holiday remains the same. While its exact origins may be a mix of historical fact and poetic legend, the spirit of devotion continues to define the middle of February for lovers around the world. UNLOCKING the SECRETS of FEBRUARY 14 (03) 5144 6599 25 - 41 Princes Highway, Sale THIS VALENTINE’S DAY! KARAOKE BOOTHS • ARCADE GAMES • TENPIN BOWLING • DUCKPIN BOWLING •
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTU5ODU=