source : the age
From mud-brick cottages to revamped Surf Coast motels – not to mention sleek, spartan villas and luxe alpine lodges – enjoy 17 weekend stays in Victoria, for a serious change of place, pace and perspective.
The Apiary
902 Berrys Creek Rd, Mirboo North; 0423 244 107
THE LOCATION Find this off-grid getaway in the heart of the Strzelecki Ranges in South Gippsland, about 150 kilometres east of Melbourne.
THE PLACE This mud-brick former art studio took three years to craft into a stylish cottage. Navigate down the driveway, thread through a hazelnut hedge and park under the spreading oak tree at the gate. Stone pavers lead to a bright-yellow front door complete with a bee-shaped knocker. Inside, the compact space is packed with thoughtful details: an open living area and well-provisioned kitchenette anchored by a (currently decorative) Raeburn wood heater, a carpeted bedroom with queen bed, and a light-splashed bathroom in calming sage tones. A pull-down ladder reveals a secret reading nook in the loft.
THE EXPERIENCE Time slows down here. You share the property with thousands of buzzing neighbours in adjoining hives, along with rescue chickens, quirky Indian Runner ducks, and native birds flitting through the trees. The breakfast provisions celebrate local produce: freshly baked sourdough from Trulli in nearby Meeniyan, Gippsland Jersey butter and milk, local jam, eggs from happy hens, and of course, farm honey. Unwind with books, board games or just relaxing beside the firepit.
DON’T MISS For an additional $60, zip into a bee suit as master apiarist Peter Gatehouse introduces you to his winged charges.
FROM $280 a night. Roslyn Grundy
Cambria at Heathcote Wine Hub
146 High St, Heathcote; 0434 390 979
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION Find this retreat on Heathcote’s main road, about 1.5 hours north of Melbourne (90 seconds from Gaffney’s Bakery).
THE PLACE Cambria, the cosy retreat Heathcote has been crying out for, is a Country Road catalogue come to life. Textured walls are painted in chocolate, chestnut and beige, reflected in the linens draped over queen-size beds in each of the two bedrooms, while a leather couch and armchair dominate the warm lounge. A private, gravel-covered courtyard provides space to spend time outside, while a basic kitchenette will do the job for a continental breakfast.
THE EXPERIENCE If you’ve ever settled in at a cosy wine bar and thought to yourself, “I could stay here all night,” there’s good news. Cambria is on the same property as Heathcote Wine Hub, a bar and cellar occupying an 1855 timber church. The accommodation is also set in an old church, though this one was built with bricks in the 1950s, and now offers plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the fruits of the local restaurants, wine region and beyond.
DON’T MISS Book in for lunch at Chauncy, Heathcote’s two-hatted restaurant, an absolute must.
FROM $290 a night. Ben Groundwater
Zoarii
5 Victoria Rd, Ventnor; (03) 4054 5005
- EV charging
THE LOCATION Phillip Island, best known for its adorable Penguin Parade, is two hours’ drive from the Melbourne GPO. On the quieter, opposite side of the island, above the wild waves of Berrys Beach in Ventnor, sits Zoarii.
THE PLACE This two-bedroom, two-bathroom house on a flat, bare, ocean-fronting block is similarly spartan and sleek indoors, with polished timber floors in the common areas and cream carpet in the bedrooms. All the necessary appliances are hidden in a large and well-appointed black granite kitchen, stylistically matching the cast-iron, suspended-teardrop fireplace. There are floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere, offering views that might include frolicking wallabies.
THE EXPERIENCE Wellness is the primary driver behind Zoarii. A stone’s throw away from the house is a private gym with free weights and pulleys, plus a bone-chilling, stainless steel cold-plunge pool and infrared sauna, along with an open deck for yoga. Back at the house, there’s a large stone outdoor bath tub – big enough for two – in a private nook just outside the master bedroom, adding a flourish of relaxation.
DON’T MISS Grab a cheese board and a glass of pinot for lunch just around the corner at Phillip Island Winery, then drive over the island’s undulations to the main town of Cowes for dinner at Isola di Capri.
FROM $850 a night; two-night minimum stay on weekends. Konrad Marshall
Surf Hotel
35 The Esplanade, Torquay; (03) 5261 2503
- EV charging
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION Surf Hotel overlooks the southern end of Torquay Front Beach, 95 kilometres south-west of Melbourne at the beginning of the Great Ocean Road.
THE PLACE With its ’80s brown-brick facade and red neon signage, Surf City Motel was showing its age after 40 years of salt and sunshine. Now, the 16‑room property has been given a major glow-up and relaunched as Surf Hotel. That neon sign may be gone, but new owners have kept other original elements, including the brickwork, while lifting the low ceilings and adding skylights in rooms. Interiors are filled with nods to Torquay’s beaches and surf culture, including sand-textured walls featuring mounted surfboards. A four-bedroom penthouse on the floor above reception and the restaurant includes an entertainer’s kitchen, open-plan living area and stellar views across the foreshore.
THE EXPERIENCE Award-winning chef Jo Barrett, formerly of Little Picket at Lorne Bowls Club, has brought her zero-waste ethos to the Surf Hotel’s eponymous restaurant. The menu leans nostalgic (fish finger sandwiches, anyone?) while adding sustainable touches to crowdpleasers like spicy dimmies made from wild-caught boar. The beach opposite is an easy choice for a nap after lunch, but guests can also hire a surfboard from the hotel, or explore Gilbert Street’s gelaterias and bakeries.
DON’T MISS Torquay’s About Time Bathhouse offers cold-plunge pools, magnesium soaks, and a wood-fired sauna.
FROM $340 a night; two-night minimum stay in peak periods. Justin Meneguzzi
Villa Minto
41 Wombat Gully Rd, Flowerdale
THE LOCATION Find this large, modern, off-grid stay on a flower farm about 90 minutes north of Melbourne.
THE PLACE You can’t help but be impressed as you sweep up the gravel drive and see this one-bedroom, black-clad villa perfectly positioned halfway up a hill. The all-in-one space is big enough for the bed, lounge, two-seater table and long galley kitchen to have their own discrete zones; the bathroom is huge.
THE EXPERIENCE The real beauty of the place is looking down over the flower farm below across the so-called Valley of a Thousand Hills from the deck or large windows as the sun sinks. When it does disappear, there’s a firepit down the hill. Further afield, The Strath Creek General Store (aka The General) has a cosy fireplace and great food and coffee. The Flowerdale Hotel has real country charm. Yea, a 20-minute drive away, has a handful of decent pubs. But really, it’s those endless rolling green hills that you’re here for. How’s the serenity? Stay on a Saturday from January to April and you can join the farm’s Gather & Bloom Twilight Pick.
DON’T MISS Strath Creek Falls is well worth the drive and short walk; make sure to stop at Murchison Gap lookout for the best views in the area.
FROM $490 a night. Karl Quinn
The Monty
109 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea; (03) 5263 1472
- EV charging
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION The Monty is in Anglesea on the Great Ocean Road, directly opposite the Anglesea River, and a short walk south to Anglesea Beach.
THE PLACE This 1980s-built roadside motel has been reimagined as a Palm Springs resort – mid-century Americana meets Mexican desert. Sixteen rooms feature plenty of pastel colours, velour settees, locally commissioned artwork, and mint-green tiled bathrooms. Outside, there’s a breeze-block pool area surrounded by cacti and succulents; the onsite Mexican cantina, Nina, offers margaritas and Baja-style snacks.
THE EXPERIENCE You might come to The Monty just to hang out. After all, Anglesea is right in the sweet spot when it comes to the beachside village vibes the Great Ocean Road offers in parts. But you can also use it as a base to venture further. This region is called the Surf Coast for a reason: there are several world-class beaches and point breaks within a 30-minute drive, including Jan Juc, Bells and those around Lorne. Closer, fantastic walking trails (both partly wheelchair-accessible) run alongside and loop around the Anglesea River, where you can scope the local birdlife from viewing platforms.
DON’T MISS Try kayaking on the Anglesea River. You can hire kayaks directly across the road from the motel; just ask reception.
FROM $150 a night; two-night minimum stay in summer. Tim Elliott
Olive Cottage Rutherglen
152 High St, Rutherglen; 0494 325 607
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION Rutherglen, renowned for pioneering wineries producing award-winning bold reds, luscious fortifieds and slick whites, is a three-hour drive north from Melbourne and 40 minutes from Albury Airport.
THE PLACE Melbourne-based owners Denise and Pete Healy, who grew up in north-east Victoria, added an architect-designed extension with a soaring vaulted ceiling to this charming 1890s cottage. It now comprises a light-filled, open-plan living area with honey timber floors, along with three bedrooms. The main bedroom has a marble en suite and there’s also a large family bathroom for everyone else. A well-equipped, galley-style kitchen has Smeg appliances and everything you need to create a feast.
THE EXPERIENCE Idle on the black leather couch in the family area or spin ABBA’s hits on the turntable in the middle living room as the open fire crackles. If pedalling the Rutherglen Loops cycling track appeals, E-bike hire is across the road. The town’s newly hatted Grace Bar + Eatery and award-winning Victoria Hotel are a two-minute stroll away on the main street, which is lined with historic buildings.
DON’T MISS Come for one of Rutherglen’s major events including Tastes of Rutherglen (March 5-7, 2027) and Roam Rutherglen Winery Walkabout (June 12-13, 2027).
FROM $375 a night; two-night minimum stay. Sue Wallace
Nelse Lodge
17 Slalom St, Falls Creek; 0438 464 312
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION It’s a 4½-hour drive north-east from Melbourne or less than two hours’ drive south-east from Albury Airport to the prettiest alpine village in the Victorian mountains.
THE PLACE With its position in the centre of town yet surrounded by snow gums, it’s little wonder the site was chosen for one of Falls Creek’s original lodges. There have been numerous renovations and extensions, most recently with a sport and wellness emphasis under the current owners, who include former AFL players Craig Bolton and Michael O’Loughlin.
THE EXPERIENCE This is a lodge in the traditional style, with a guest lounge, guest rooms, bunk rooms and some apartments, and a restaurant and bar open to all comers. But Nelse goes beyond the traditional with the biggest gym on the mountain, a sauna that can fit 12 people and recovery pools for athletes or for skiers to soothe sore muscles after a day on the mountain.
DON’T MISS In winter, you can ski out the door and ski back home again; no need for walking. In summer, on the other hand, you can enjoy the walking or bike trails, or join one of the lodge’s expert-led training camps for sports such as cycling, triathlon and running.
FROM In winter, $390 a night. Jim Darby
Crowne Plaza Geelong
33 Smythe St, Geelong; (03) 4225 8800
- EV charging
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION Just a street back from Corio Bay, the hotel is an hour’s drive south-west from Melbourne on the M1, depending on traffic, and a 10-minute walk from Geelong’s V/Line station.
THE PLACE This is a hotel in a tower – no architectural triumph there – but the views from the inside forgive the design of the outside, and the attached Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre flows brilliantly with its surrounds (“Nyaal Banyul” translates as “open your eyes to the hills” in the language of the Wadawurrung traditional owners).
THE EXPERIENCE Sink back in a suite or a room with bay views and enjoy the sights: fishers on the piers below, yachts bobbing, oil tankers and grain ships coming and going, even the Spirit of Tasmania ferries glide into view. Nearby there are bayfront walks, Geelong’s galleries and botanic gardens; venture further afield and you reach the wineries and beaches of the Bellarine Peninsula.
DON’T MISS Drinks at the 10th floor Skyline Bar for the best bay views in Geelong, creative cocktails and a menu including oysters and grazing plates, crispy calamari and pork belly bites.
FROM $222 a night. Jim Darby
Hannah St Hotel
19 Walker St, Southbank; (03) 99446000
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION Tucked right beside the great concrete pillars of the Kings Way overpass at Southbank, this flatiron-shaped hotel is built into the base of The Queensbridge Building, a 65-storey residential tower.
THE PLACE The hotel may be surrounded on all sides by inner-city streetscape – roads, ramps (though there’s no on-site parking) – but thanks to the genuine glamour of the interiors by Flack Studio (who designed Troye Sivan’s Melbourne home, and Ace Hotel Sydney), the vibe is Gotham city rather than urban grunge. The 188 guest rooms come in nine categories of fabulous cocoon: rosy-peach carpet, a Victorian-focused mini-bar and, for some, a curved bathing nook. The originality and attention to detail is striking: audible poems in the lifts, seductive scent in the lobby, custom furniture in the rooms.
THE EXPERIENCE Not many hotels inspire the imagination: Hannah St does. The ground-level Hannah Bar – claret-coloured marble, bronze detailing, cane chairs, potted palms – seems custom-made for martini-fuelled confessions; a glance into Cocteau could accompany steak frites in the French Deco bistro Coupette. Ten floors up, contemplating the city from the sunlit, zebra-crossing tiled pool gives rise to thoughts of – well, nothing at all. Except, possibly, “Lucky me.”
DON’T MISS From the hotel, it’s a 20-minute walk to the NGV. In the opposite direction, slightly closer, is the South Melbourne Market.
FROM $345 a night. Amanda Hooton
Mega Geo Domes at Big 4 Park Lane Yarra Valley
419 Don Rd, Healesville; 1800 440 000
THE LOCATION Melbourne’s favourite valley town, Healesville, is just over an hour north of the CBD, and this popular holiday park is a further five minutes away, down fern-lined country lanes, close by the region’s top attraction, Healesville Sanctuary.
THE PLACE At this park, stays range from stylish cabins to safari tents and even old Melbourne trams. (Among these are some pet-friendly and accessible options.) The newest arrivals are three Mega Geo Domes. Each geodesic dome tent sleeps four – two in the king-size bed downstairs and two in singles up in the mezzanine – and includes a bathroom, all linen and robes, a full kitchen and heating/aircon.
THE EXPERIENCE With tennis courts, a swimming pool and pool tables on site, expect respite from the “I’m bored” chorus. A gentle lake walk becomes a wallaby-spotting exercise, and in the cooler months go full glamp and hire a fire pit at reception, which also stocks marshmallows, coffee, cheese and wine. Pull back the curtains on the geodesic tent to create an afternoon sun trap, ideal for snoozing, reading or contemplating the trees and sky.
DON’T MISS Join a Behind the Glass tour for a back-room peek into the vast holdings of the Eva and Marc Besen Art Centre at TarraWarra Museum of Art.
FROM $335 a night. Belinda Jackson
Queenscliff Hotel
16 Gellibrand St, Queenscliff; (03) 5220 4292
- Pet-friendly
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION Board the Searoad car ferry at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula and coast across the bay to Queenscliff for potential dolphin spotting and instant holiday feels. Otherwise, it’s a 90-minute drive from Melbourne to the Bellarine, the city’s “other” holiday peninsula.
THE PLACE Built in 1888, the grand dame’s red-brick facade and cast-iron flounces lead into stylish interiors, their restored period tiled floors and stained glass the result of a determined three-year rebuild. Twelve sleek suites – including one pet-friendly room – gaze out to Swan Bay or Port Phillip Bay, with marble bathrooms, ornate fireplaces and deliciously rumpled linens. Alongside the public bar, cafe and conservatory, the hotel retains the tradition of the guest lounge, with richly patterned carpets, deep sofas and stylised chess sets.
THE EXPERIENCE Essential to your stay is a booking at Miettas restaurant, which brings European service to its well-priced set menu (it’s named for legendary restaurateur Mietta O’Donnell, who once ran the hotel). Block out three hours to coo over butter-poached crayfish paired with Italian wine in its elegant dining room clad in vintage botanical etching-inspired wallpaper.
DON’T MISS Fifteen minutes away at Quiddity Place, the second cellar door for Oakdene Wines, Tin Liz Gallery exhibits a striking collection of First Nations art.
FROM $335 a night. Belinda Jackson
Bluestone Ridge
356 Honeys Lane, Whitfield; 0407 345 279
THE LOCATION The adults-only retreat sits on a 323-hectare cattle farm in the King Valley, at the foot of the Black Ranges, with views towards Mount Buffalo. It’s a three-hour drive from Melbourne and 35 minutes from Wangaratta.
THE PLACE Builder and farmer Marty Schoner has created two cosy standalone cabins, The Cow and The Goat, ideal for couples and friends. Between them sits The Hut, a restored rustic 1970s communal space, with the family house just uphill. Inside the cabins, an electric bed can be adjusted for stargazing through the skylight, while a sleek, ebony kitchenette and small sitting area make the most of the compact space. Shower in the en suite or shed your inhibitions and soak in the outdoor bath on the vine-laden timber deck, though the neighbouring cabin and family house aren’t far away. For more modest bathing, there’s a rough-hewn bathhouse nearby.
THE EXPERIENCE The aroma of fresh, homemade bread greets you on arrival. Explore the property’s 20-plus kilometres of farmland and bush trails, saying hello to residents including a Highland cow and miniature donkey, or join Marty for a farm tour to the summit for sensational views. Back at the cabins, gather around the outdoor fire pit or settle into comfy armchairs for fireside games in The Hut, once the family’s camping shack. Its bunk beds can also accommodate extra guests when the cabins are booked out.
DON’T MISS Nearby La Cantina, a Tuscan-style winery, offers preservative-free wines.
FROM $280 a night; two-night minimum stay. Sue Wallace
Hotel Sorrento
5-15 Hotham Rd, Sorrento; (03) 5984 8000
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION Sorrento is a 90-minute drive south-east of Melbourne, on Mornington Peninsula’s well-heeled western end.
THE PLACE From the first glimpse of its traditional limestone frontage on the clifftops above Port Phillip Bay, the mood is set: relaxed luxury with a nod to heritage. Family-owned and operated for three generations, Hotel Sorrento has transformed from a sleepy coastal pub into the crown jewel of the Mornington Peninsula. Now, across 58 rooms including two accessible options, the interiors embrace simplicity with warm travertine, white marble and blond timber soaked in natural light. The adults-only pool surrounded by parasols and cascading rosemary is a love letter to the French Riviera. It’s a setting destined for afternoon cocktails marking milestone celebrations or quality time with a loved one.
THE EXPERIENCE Kick off the weekend with happy hour in the Lobby Bar, an elevated guest-only offering overlooking the pool where the vibe is buzzy. Order the Sorrento Martini or the two-for-one Piper-Heidsieck champagne. Move on to the lawn and grab a table with sea views before tucking into some of the Mornington Peninsula’s best produce and cool-climate wines in the dining room.
DON’T MISS The region comes alive in summer but avoid the temptation to fill your schedule. Instead, peruse the historic village’s boutique stores and art galleries at your own pace.
FROM $400 a night; two-night minimum stay weekends and peak periods. Julia Naughton
Mount Monument Winery
1399 Romsey Rd, Romsey; (03) 5427 0703
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION Find these villas on a hillside in the Macedon Ranges, about a one-hour drive north of the Melbourne CBD.
THE PLACE Mount Monument Winery didn’t have to look far to find someone to design its retreats: the business is owned by Nonda Katsalidis, one of Australia’s most celebrated architects. His artistic touch is immediately apparent in the pressed-metal exteriors, sharp angles and floor-to-ceiling windows. In the two-bedroom Elektra retreat, plush sofas are set in front of the fireplace, while a hot tub at the edge of the ironbark timber deck is the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
THE EXPERIENCE Take advantage of the lack of Wi-Fi and switch off. Observe the crimson rosellas flitting past and the kangaroos loping by. Drink a cocktail in the hot tub. Stroll around the sculpture park in the bush behind you, or curl up in front of the fire with a good book. Duck into Woodend for dinner, or ask the winery restaurant to organise a meal to warm up in the kitchenette – or a private chef to prepare it.
DON’T MISS Stop in at the Mount Monument cellar door for a tasting, or book a table at the restaurant for a long lunch or Friday dinner.
FROM $600 a night; two-night minimum stay. Ben Groundwater
Pietro’s Residence at the Old Macaroni Factory
64 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs; 0409 645 237
THE LOCATION This landmark building sits on the main road of spa town Hepburn Springs, just under two hours north-west of Melbourne.
THE PLACE Brothers Pietro and Giacomo Lucini fled Italy as political refugees and built the Old Macaroni Factory in 1859, later operating both a pasta factory and the Roma Hotel. Attached to the side of the building, beneath a faded “Hepburn Democratic Club” sign, is Pietro’s one-bedroom residence, meticulously restored under the watch of Heritage Victoria. There’s hydronic heating throughout; a living area with a gas fireplace, and food-and-drink prep area; a queen bedroom and bathroom. Outside, beyond an ancient grapevine, a terraced Italian garden slopes down to a dry-stone creek bed with ponds.
THE EXPERIENCE Lie on the bed and admire Giacomo’s 1860s ceiling mural of a woman wearing a people’s cap, representing freedom, chained to a wall. It helps explain the building’s high heritage rating: the work is one of Australia’s few surviving historic political messages in a domestic setting. Giacomo’s paintings throughout give the residence the faded grandeur of a forgotten Italian villa. But the contemporary interiors, in pale blues, greys and greens, make it feel equally like a boutique stay in inner-city Fitzroy.
DON’T MISS A cosy meal or cocktail by the fire at the Daylesford Hotel, renovated by four young local restaurateurs who bought it in 2024.
FROM $350 a night; two-night minimum stay. Melissa Fyfe
Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
288 Little Collins St, Building 2, Melbourne; (03) 9968 8699
- Wheelchair-accessible
THE LOCATION Centrally located in Melbourne’s CBD, the hotel’s entrance is at the Little Collins Street end of Melbourne Walk.
THE PLACE It may be part of the IHG group, but Indigo has the vibe of a boutique hotel from the moment you set foot inside via a discreet, street-level entrance. Bold colours, striking art and carefully curated displays of local artefacts and bric-a-brac set a stylish tone in reception, which continues through to the 179 sleekly modern rooms. While there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the CBD, Fern Bar & Dining offers breakfast, lunch and dinner on site. Guests can also enjoy a courtyard drink at Fern’s Garden. Indigo is a solid choice for the traveller who appreciates aesthetics and location.
THE EXPERIENCE The property is perfectly positioned to make the most of Melbourne’s fabled laneways, shopping and dining: step out of the hotel and into an entrance of the three-level Mecca or four-storey Rodd & Gunn flagship. Venture slightly further afield and lose yourself in the network of lanes or use Melbourne Walk to connect you through to bustling Bourke Street Mall.
DON’T MISS The Block Arcade, with its quaint stores and Victorian-era architecture, and the Royal Arcade, where Gaunt’s Clock and its giant Gog and Magog figures chime on the hour.
FROM $243 a night. Melissa Stevens
* Writers stayed as guests of the properties.
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