Modern 911 Register Run to Killara Estate

Sunday 12th March dawned fine for the Modern 911 Run, although a little overcast, and 18 cars arrived for the start of the run. We met at The Stonehouse Café in Warrandyte, a very welcoming place and one we will definitely return to, to enjoy the vista while having a leisurely breakfast at a later date.

At the briefing there were a few new members that Kon introduced who were welcomed by the group with a round of applause. We left the café at about 9.15 and headed out towards Kangaroo Ground through Panton Hill and Whittlesea to our stop for morning tea at Flying Tarts Bakery & Café. Some members caught a tart or two, which were scrumptious, or one of their renowned vanilla slices which I am told were hard to put down when you only had the intention to eat half and save the rest for later.

On the next leg it was fortunate that one couple were scanning the road ahead and admiring the countryside as they spotted a kangaroo about to take its life in its hands and cross in front of the line of Porsches approaching. They slowed down and he crossed in safety. The roads were very “Porsche friendly” with some long straight portions and some of those lovely challenging, twisting & curving stretches. Not too many cyclists on this run thank goodness as the roads were narrow in places. However, at one point we met a chain of motorbikes coming the other way and to say that they had more than their fair share of the road was an understatement, as one approached us on our side of the white line! We passed through Kinglake and Toolangi and travelled south to Healesville, always a lovely area to travel through with beautiful scenery.

Lastly a short stretch on the Warburton Highway we arrived at the Killara Estate, a casual place to enjoy food and wine in a warm, welcoming and relaxing setting with magnificent views of the mountain ranges, sloping hills and sweeping vines across the Yarra Valley.

We were made very welcome, and the cars were given pride of place on the lawns below the winery. We sat down to an Italian feast with a plentiful selection of antipasti followed by arancini, prawns, pizza, lasagne and gnocchi. You certainly didn’t leave feeling hungry.