Mitchelton Hotel lobby
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ROARING fires. Ocean views. Rural living; is there anything more invigorating than a getaway stay for some much needed r&r (and adventure)?

If you’re thinking that the regional boom might have fizzled now that Covid is over, think again. Sure, international travel is back on the agenda (and more expensive than ever), but turning to the beauty of our own backyards looks as appealing as ever. While Melbourne is renowned for its rich culture that centres around some of the best offerings in food, drink, fashion, sport (and more), to add to its impressive repertoire, the city also boasts an abundance of luxury getaway stays, albeit just on the outskirts of this great city.    

Here, we take a look at the most wholesome weekend getaways within driving distance to Melbourne, for when you need to wave the hussle goodbye.


Mitchelton Hotel

Goulburn Valley

Mitchelton Hotel pool
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A leisurely 90 minutes from central Melbourne lies the Goulburn Valley, a region dotted with some of Victoria’s best wineries and produce. But here also lies Mitchelton Hotel and Winery Estate, a hidden gem from the team behind The Prince and Hubert Estate. 

The first thing you’ll notice about Mitchelton Hotel is its serene, picturesque location, set right on the banks of the Goulburn River. Mitchelton Hotel does well to balance its native Australian setting with a hotel that’s design-driven from the inside out. The minimal property comprises 58 stunning rooms with either a ‘river’ or ‘vineyard’ view, with personal amenities including a spa and wellness centre, and an impressive infinity pool that is the epitome of laid-back luxury. 

Weaving design, gastronomy and of course, viniculture into its humble surroundings, Mitchelton Hotel is the perfect retreat for those with a love for nature (and wine).

From $339 per night; Mitchelton Hotel 


Jackalope Hotel 

Mornington Peninsula

Jackalope pool
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Awarded some of Australia’s highest hotel accolades, Jackalope is an impressive feat set on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula amid a world-renowned wine region. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, Jackalope encapsulates a luxury stay that’s set in a tranquil working vineyard.

With design and character at the forefront of the hotel’s build, the property highlights a series of unique commissions by world-renowned artists and designers – you (literally) can’t go past designer Emily Floyd’s 7-metre Jackalope Sculpture at the hotel’s entrance. Local amenities include spa treatments, a spectacular infinity pool, and two onsite restaurants and cellar doors.

For an extra special experience to cap off your perfect weekend away, we recommend making a reservation at the hotel’s hatted signature restaurant, Doot Doot Doot.  

From $600 per night; jackalopehotels.com


The Farmhouse at Meletos 

Yarra Valley

Bedroom at The Farmhouse at Meletos
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Located in the heart of the Yarra Valley region, just an hour north-east of Melbourne, is The Farmhouse at Meletos. Situated amid beautiful rolling hills and an abundance of wineries, breweries and distilleries, The Farmhouse at Meletos stands out as the cosy getaway spot for couples looking for a romantic getaway.

The property at Meletos plays host to a regional café, providore and 23-room boutique guesthouse. With its beautiful walled gardens, rows of crabapple trees and raised vegetable beds, this once-abandoned farm building is now a reimagined boutique farmhouse that is every bit as quaint, rustic and peaceful as it sounds. 

From $370 per night; meletos.com


Five Acres

Phillip Island

Five Acres cabins
Marnie Hawson

This luxury coastal retreat is one of Victoria’s newest (and best) accommodation offerings. Set on a working micro-farm on Phillip Island, Five Acres consists of three cabins and a standalone guest house available on the property, each with its own sweeping views of the Western Port Bay. 

From the moment you check into your cabin — which comes equipped with a living space, bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom — you’ll feel completely at one with the stunning surroundings of rolling farmland juxtaposed with the ocean, which you just close enough to hear as you fall asleep at night.

From $590 per night; fiveacres.com.au


Brae

Birregurra

Brae guest suites
Kristoffer Paulsen

While not your typical accommodation offering — you’ll need to make a dining reservation first in order to stay at one of Brae’s guest suites — we can guarantee that a night’s stay paired with a meal at the three hatted Brae will be one to remember. 

Brae’s guest suites were designed by Six Degrees Architects and constructed using recycled materials, solar energy, harvested rainwater and a worm farm waste water system. Each suite comes fully decked out in the finest amenities, such as Ecolinen organic bed sheets, Jardan Furniture sofas, a Thorens turntable and vinyl record collection, custom artworks by artist Rhys Lee plus more. 

You’ll have exclusive views looking out to the rolling hills of The Otways and if you have the time, a walk amongst Brae’s farm, which includes orchards, and olive grove and plenty of veggie patches. 

From $755 per night; braerestaurant.com 


Drift House

Port Fairy

Drift House Port Fairy
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The whimsical coastal town of Port Fairy is known for many things, such is its thriving arts and music scene and pristine beaches. But at the end of Australia’s iconic Great Ocean Road also lies one of the best boutique hotels in the country: Drift House. 

Albeit small, this multi-award winning boutique hotel is a year-round destination, setting a new benchmark for luxury accommodation in this country when it first opened in late 2013. Today, it consists of six architecturally designed sun-kissed suites, and no two rooms at Drift House are the same. It remains a bucket list destination that you really must visit — at least once.

From $495 per night; drifthouse.com.au 


Lancemore Milawa

Milawa

Lancemore Milawa
Rhiannon Taylor

If you’re looking for peace and tranquility amongst endless vineyards that peak towards Mount Buffalo and beyond, then a three hour drive to Milawa—the gateway to Victoria’s high country—comes highly recommended. For it’s here in this sleepy little town that you’ll find Lancemore Milawa.

Having recently undergone a multi-million dollar restoration, the new Lancemore Milawa is sort of a bridge between a coastal-meets-farmhouse stay, which includes an on-site restaurant, pool, lounge room and communal spaces. It’s pretty and chic, offering premium amenities without being pretentious. It’s also the type of stay that’ll guarantee a reenergised soul at the conclusion.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the famous Milawa Cheese factory, as well as Milawa Mustards. For a beautiful degustation dining experience, you can’t go past Brown Brothers, just opposite the hotel.

From $796 per night; lancemore.com.au 


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