The best weekends away in Victoria

Those looking for a short break in Victoria are spoilt for choice – farmhouse adventures, seaside drives and eclectic discoveries await.

Let the view wash over you at Chalet 5.Credit: Emily Weaving

Chalet 5

Whitehorse Village Rd, Mt Buller; [phone]; whitehorsevillageaccommodation.com.au

THE LOCATION Three hours’ drive north of Melbourne, these new three-bedroom apartments are perfect for an alpine jaunt to Mt Buller during any season.

THE PLACE This is high-end, ski-in, ski-out luxury, with a truly wild and unimpeded view of the snow-dusted Bluff and nearby high-country peaks. One bedroom has bunk beds and trundles to accommodate six kids, so this is a family-friendly place. But it would also be perfect for a couple or two on a snow weekend or summer alpine adventure.

THE EXPERIENCE You’ll be mesmerised by the incredible vista as you drink champagne on the heated balcony or while soaking in the master bedroom’s bath. And if you ever tire of that – and how could you? – watching skiers sashay down the slopes from the kitchen window is also surprisingly relaxing.

DON’T MISS Walk down the middle of the Bourke Street ski run under the stars for dinner at The Villager, and do the early-morning dash across a freshly groomed terrain for a caffeine fix at the Coffee Garage.

FROM $600 a night in summer; $1900 in peak ski season; two-night minimum stay. - Melissa Fyfe

Luxury meets minimalist industrial chic at Ross Farm.

Ross Farm

84 Hewett St, Meeniyan; 0408 991 872; rossfarm.com.au

THE LOCATION This country escape is just under two hours’ drive from Melbourne, amid the rolling green pastures of South Gippsland on the way to Wilsons Promontory.

THE PLACE Three separate spaces have been lovingly built from scratch by interior designer Andrea Moore and her handy craftsman dad, Lindsay, on the site of an old dairy farm. There you’ll find the one-bedroom Cabin, two-bedroom Barn and three-bedroom Dairy, each a minimalist, modern vision of industrial chic. It’s a strikingly original project that recycles existing materials – raw wood, linen, steel, glass and concrete – to create a pseudo-Japanese-meets-Aussie aesthetic.

THE EXPERIENCE Stoke the pot-bellied fire, chill on the leather lounge, open a bottle of wine and cook your own feast in the well-equipped kitchen.

If you’re expecting all the bells and whistles of a polished hotel chain you might be disappointed, but this is arguably one of the most inspiring and original accommodation offerings in Australia. Groups can rent the whole place for $850 a night.

DON’T MISS Nearby Meeniyan is a relaxed, friendly town with several great food options, including the upscale Meeniyan Pantry & Cellar, a delicatessen/restaurant/bottle shop which can provide meals at Ross Farm during your stay.

FROM $217 a night, two-night minimum stay. - Michael Harry

Polperro Farmhouse

64 Donaldsons Rd, Red Hill; [phone]; polperrowines.com.au

Polperro Farmhouse, Red Hill.

THE LOCATION A 1950s three-bedroom brick farmhouse has been re-imagined as a swanky weekender. On the same property as Polperro Wines’ lovely restaurant, it’s the ultimate winery escape, accessible by a quiet bush road but an easy trip to the Red Hill shops.

THE PLACE The Hecker Guthrie interior appears so effortlessly retro-chic that you know it took ages to craft. It’s supremely comfortable with three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a bright, appealing kitchen with a fancy coffee machine and lovely crockery. The house is set in a large garden with mature trees, expansive lawns and an outdoor kitchen.

THE EXPERIENCE This is a stage set for perfect moments; perhaps reclining in a robe on
the 1950s-style sofa, leafing through a Phaidon tome, the sunset artfully framed through the windows, while a handsome friend makes aperitifs at the drinks trolley.

DON’T MISS A night spouting aphorisms around the firepit while a T-bone sizzles on the barbie. The next morning, take a 10-minute wander to Hothut, Polperro’s own yoga studio.

FROM $2000 for a two-night minimum stay. - Dani Valent

Drift House

98 Gipps St, Port Fairy; [phone]; drifthouse.com.au

Drift House, Port Fairy.

THE LOCATION The seaside village of Port Fairy, 300 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, wears its Irish immigrant past proudly in its preserved 19th-century architecture, a pretty piece of which is inhabited by Drift House.

THE PLACE When an Edwardian weatherboard cottage came up for sale next door to their existing three-suite inn, Drift House owners Colleen Guiney and John Watkinson saw an opportunity. They have added two new suites, turned the freestanding garage into a reception area and created a new steel-and-glass pavilion, The Salon, with sunken lounge and fireplace.

THE EXPERIENCE

Architects Multiplicity helped create a wonderful synergy between old and new styles without compromising either. The new suites are alive with intriguing detail – recycled timbers here, beautiful textiles there, Guiney’s artworks sprinkled throughout – but the spaces are supremely restful. Each has a separate entrance and luxurious touches such as big bathtubs and working fireplaces. Watkinson also whips up a wonderful breakfast, served in The Salon.

DON’T MISS Nearby Killarney is home to the Great Ocean Road region’s only winery, Basalt Vineyard.

FROM $445 a night, including breakfast; two-night minimum stay Friday and Saturday. - Julietta Jameson

Wentworth House

38 King St, Daylesford; 0438 332 655; wentworthhouse.com.au

Wentworth House, Daylesford.

THE LOCATION You’ll find this refurbished 1850s homestead, 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, after rolling through Wombat State Forest, over a bridge and into the Goldfields village of Daylesford.

THE PLACE A quaint miner’s cottage facade belies a modern rebuild at the back – a sprawling extension with three lavish suites (two king, one queen). The traditional appearance gives
way to a colourful wonderland of luxurious furnishings and fixtures, and it’s easy to see why the owner describes her style as “maximalist”. It’s luscious without being gaudy – a point of difference in the town’s otherwise faux-rustic aesthetic.

THE EXPERIENCE Equally suited to families, couples holidaying together, or a group of friends, the house is well-priced considering its quality. The property is just 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Daylesford and virtually next door to the famed Lake House restaurant, but why not stay in? Light a fire, enjoy a beer brewed by the owner, then make use of the splendid chef’s kitchen and long, moody dining room.

DON’T MISS Be sure to have a soak in one of the ultra-deep en suite spa baths.

FROM $535 a night; two-night minimum stay on weekends. - Konrad Marshall

The Sheltered Glamping Co.

493 Berrys Beach Rd, Ventnor, Phillip Island; 0412 222 632; shelteredglamping.com.au

The Sheltered Glamping Co. on Phillip Island.

THE LOCATION These low-tech, high-comfort canvas tents are in a creek-bordered hollow, eight minutes’ walk from pristine Berrys Beach.

THE PLACE All six tents are different, but the common theme is thoughtful eco-style: neutral colours, natural fibres and locally made furniture, combined with mod cons like solar lights and bluetooth speakers. All have fans and heating, kettles and coffee.

THE EXPERIENCE The tents are pitched close enough for a wave, but far enough for privacy. There’s also a shared canvas pavilion with barbecues, eskys and a cast-iron firepit. Most power is solar, all toilets are dry composting; and the owner, Randall Joseph, plants a tree for every booking. Excellent coffee (from cafe G’day Tiger) is nearby in Cowes; Phillip Island Winery is a stroll up the road.

DON’T MISS The array of island activities: not only penguins and beaches, but also a koala tree-top walk and historic Churchill Farm.

FROM $200 a night; two-night minimum stay. - Amanda Hooton

Big Sky Ridgeview

34 Walkers Ln, Bright; 0418 813 971; bigskyretreats.com.au

Big Sky Ridgeview is located in Victoria's High Country.

THE LOCATION Some 3½ hours from Melbourne, leafy, lovely, food-focused Bright is in Victoria’s High Country, within striking distance of the ski fields and the Rutherglen wine region.

THE PLACE Set on a steep hill above town, the Ridgeview is one of three Big Sky Retreats in Bright. The decor borrows heavily from Montana (“Big Sky Country”) and its ski lodge and national park culture. The building is large and modern with high ceilings, and can accommodate 10 people across four bedrooms.

THE EXPERIENCE

It’s all about comfort. There’s the Coonara fireplace to keep you toasty inside, and a raised steel firepit for a bonnie at night. In summer, there’s ample deck space and a shipping container pool. And for the disciplined, a workout room with Pilates and boxing gear, and bike maintenance station.

DON’T MISS Rent an electric bike and cruise a stretch of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, which runs from Wangaratta to Beechworth and Bright.

FROM $750 a night; two-night minimum stay. - Konrad Marshall

Alkina Lodge

35 Parkers Access Tk, Wattle Hill; [phone]; alkinalodge.com.au 

Driving along the Great Ocean Road? Stop at Wattle Hill's Alkina Lodge.

THE LOCATION Triple-check your packing list and the car battery: this isolated 40-hectare property on the Great Ocean Road is 25 minutes’ drive from the nearest town, with distant views of the Southern Ocean over the treetops.

THE PLACE Designed by Australian architects Glenn Murcutt and Wendy Lewin, each of the three luxurious but eco-friendly, four-bedroom lodges combines slate floors, vintage Turkish rugs and an astonishingly well-equipped kitchen.

THE EXPERIENCE If you’ve ever fantasised about switching off the mobile phone, lighting a log fire, cranking up the Bose sound system and cooking for a dinner party, this light-dappled lodge is the place. With few distractions other than the kangaroos outside the back door and a cupboard stocked with books, boules and board games, enjoy the chance to put the Porsche knives, Gaggenau cooktop and Wedgwood tableware to use. Follow with a soak in a deep Villeroy & Boch bathtub (the property uses triple-filtered rainwater).

DON’T MISS One of the managers is a former chef, so if you don’t fancy cooking, you can order a ready-to-reheat meal or book the deluxe barbecue experience.

FROM $655 a night. - Roslyn Grundy

Rotten Point House

155 Evans Tk, Johanna; [phone]; rottenpointhouse.com 

Rotten Point House is the perfect place for a digital detox.

THE LOCATION Set on 40 hectares of bushland between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell along the Great Ocean Road, three hours’ drive from Melbourne, this is Victoria’s rugged south-west coast at its most spectacular.

THE PLACE Built from compressed soil, concrete and glass, the house is a minimalist’s dream, with views of the ocean from three of the four bedrooms, as well as the expansive common area. It sleeps up to eight.

THE EXPERIENCE The cooler months are the best time to take advantage of the under-floor heating and the double-sided open fireplace. Open a red and pop a roast in the oven of the superbly stocked kitchen. Just don’t pack in too many plans, as the house itself is the experience. Ignore the Wi-Fi code and let your phone battery run out as you hunt for migrating whales on the horizon, or watch the storms roll in.

DON’T MISS If you must leave the house, the 4.5-kilometre Elliot River Loop Walk in the nearby Great Otway National Park, about 30 minutes’ drive away, makes a scenic warm-up before a lobster lunch at the famous Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.

FROM $800 a night; two-night minimum stay. - Melissa Singer

The Provincial Hotel

121 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat; [phone]; theprovincialballarat.com.au 

The Provincial Hotel in Ballarat is owned by TV journalist Gorgi Coghlan and her locally born husband, Simon.

THE LOCATION Opposite Ballarat train station, this grand gold-rush-era hotel was given a city-chic makeover less than a year ago in line with the whole town’s quest to shed its “old, cold and gold” image.

THE PLACE Owners Gorgi Coghlan, a TV journalist, and her Ballarat-born husband, Simon, used a vibrant blue colour wheel to playfully transform this unloved landmark, installing a mix of eras and objects, including locally sourced antiques upholstered in eclectic fabrics.

THE EXPERIENCE Many of the generously sized rooms open onto huge curved balconies perfect for enjoying a pre-dinner tipple overlooking the strangely gracious station. Downstairs is anchored by Lola restaurant, named after a courtesan popular with the 1850s goldmining crowd. There is nothing quite as racy about the menu, overseen by former Royal Mail sous chef, Andre McLoughlin. Breakfasts are a standout; we’d go back for the chargrilled local bread and house-made baked beans alone.

DON’T MISS Head for a coffee at the moody L’Espresso and a meal at one of Australia’s best “tiny but mighty” degustation restaurants, Underbar. Book well ahead.

FROM $220 a night. - Ardyn Bernoth

Acre of Roses

5 Blue Mount Rd, Trentham; 0405 032 566; acreofroses.com.au

Acre of Roses encourages guests to stay put and enjoy "luxury wellness".

THE LOCATION Just over an hour’s drive north-west of Melbourne, Trentham lies between Daylesford and Woodend, Kyneton and Mount Macedon, making it the ideal launching pad for the bucolic joys of Victoria’s spa country.

THE PLACE Set on an organic rose farm, this revamped 1860s miner’s cottage has a Pottery Barn aesthetic paired with modern luxuries, including a drop-down movie screen on the deck, and (dear god, yes!) a rainwater-filled cedar hot tub. Behind the big bullnose verandah, the structure itself has two bedrooms (with a third, including en suite, coming soon), sleeping up to six.

THE EXPERIENCE The emphasis is on “luxury wellness”, which means this is a place designed for staying put. There are foodie options in town, including French country restaurant Du Fermier and “The Cosmo” (the inviting 1866 Cosmopolitan Hotel). The well-equipped cottage kitchen is worth indulging in; its pantry is stocked with ingredients from the garden.

DON’T MISS Just five minutes’ drive away is Trentham Falls, where the Coliban River plunges over orange basalt columns to become the largest single-drop waterfall in Victoria. No hike required, either: the car park is nearby.

FROM $290 a night, including pantry goods. - Konrad Marshall

Zagame’s House

66 Lygon St, Carlton; [phone]; zagameshouse.com.au 

Zagame’s House in Carlton.

THE LOCATION What was once the seedy Downtowner motel in the heart of Carlton’s Italian restaurant district has been transformed with a wild and wonderful $18 million revamp.

THE PLACE Revamped in the same vein as the QT or the Art Series hotels, Zagame’s is a designer destination that anticipates your every need. Details abound, from luxury linen on the king-sized beds to a late-night toastie menu, power outlets galore and an extensive in-room bar featuring a full bottle of scotch if you’re thirsty. Owners Victor and Robert Zagame are prolific pub proprietors in Melbourne and have spared no expense making this a memorable inner-city stay.

THE EXPERIENCE The 97 rooms are decorated with such camp pizzazz, it’s hard not to be swept up in the fun, with bright colours, outré artworks and quirky touches at every turn. The hotel even hired a feng shui master to rid the place of any lingering motel vibes.

DON’T MISS The on-site wine shop and bar, Lord Lygon, is a stylish nightspot in its own right, with slinky couches, quality charcuterie and plenty of top drops.

FROM $240 a night. - Michael Harry

The Prince Hotel

2 Acland St, St Kilda; [phone]; theprince.com.au 

The Prince Hotel in St Kilda.Credit: Tom Blachford

THE LOCATION A St Kilda landmark on the corner of Acland and Fitzroy streets, The Prince is a short stroll from the beach and pier, as well as a humming cafe scene.

THE PLACE The Prince has been a community stalwart for more than 70 years, and a recent renovation by leading design firm Hecker Guthrie has given the hotel a major polish. The rooms feature a pastel palette which wouldn’t be out of place in a Sofia Coppola movie, with custom-designed furniture, architectural details and edgy graphics used for signage and room menus. Instagram-worthy moments are everywhere.

THE EXPERIENCE There’s a real sense of community; the venue hosts weddings and events on the Prince Deck, a swimming pool area that can be set up with tables, drapes and aromatherapy. The Prince Dining Room welcomes locals and hotel guests with a menu from executive chef Dan Hawkins (ex-Stokehouse, Circa, Longrain). Spa treatments include a four-hour massage and facial.

DON’T MISS Linden New Art Gallery is a block from the hotel, offering striking architecture and the latest contemporary art.

FROM $142 a night, including breakfast. - Anna-Lisa Backlund 

TO READ WHILE YOU’RE HERE by Nicole Abadee 

Everywhere I look by Helen Garmer; The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas and Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay.Credit:

Who better to introduce you to the charms of Melbourne than one of its most-loved authors, Helen Garner. Her 2016 essay collection, Everywhere I Look, winds its way via the CBD to the suburbs; her description of Moonee Ponds is a reminder of the beauty to be found in suburbia. For a different perspective, try Christos Tsiolkas’s celebrated 2008 novel The Slap, which started talk about whether someone has the right to physically discipline another’s child. Further afield, Joan Lindsay’s haunting 1967 classic, Picnic at Hanging Rock, will take you back in time to circa 1900 central Victoria. Still a great read, 52 years on.

Looking for escapes further afield? We have you covered:, NSW, ACT, QLD, TAS, WA, SA, NT

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.