Max out that 48-hour window: whether you’re into retro hotels or converted churches, cool city digs or vineyard adjacent pads, there’s a galaxy of escape options - and quite a few outdoor bathtubs - to consider.
Tiny Lenore
Mooramong, 635 Mooramong Rd, Skipton.
The National Trust of Victoria has partnered with Into the Wild Escapes to put three tiny homes on Mooramong, formerly owned by Hollywood silent-movie-era star Claire Adams and her Australian millionaire husband, Donald “Scobie” MacKinnon. Credit: Neisha Breen
THE LOCATION Lenore is in an isolated paddock (pictured, above) at Mooramong, a National Trust sheep farm. It’s 45 minutes west of Ballarat, and two-and-a-half hours north-west of Melbourne.
THE PLACE The National Trust of Victoria has partnered with Into the Wild Escapes to put three tiny homes on Mooramong, formerly owned by Hollywood silent-movie-era star Claire Adams and her Australian millionaire husband, Donald “Scobie” MacKinnon. Lenore is one of these, featuring two double beds, one in a loft accessed by a steep ladder. Tiny is the word: pivot from the Tetris-like kitchenette and you’re in the living area, with its folding table. There’s solar power, a little 4G, a hot shower, tank water and a
non-stinky drop toilet.
Bring a simple meal to cook on the stovetop or barbecue and wine to enjoy in the outdoor bathtub.Credit: Neisha Breen
THE EXPERIENCE Lenore puts the away in getaway: the chief joy is that there’s nothing much to do. Lie on the bed watching lambs trot after their mums and you’ll probably see great drifts of kangaroos hopping across the fields, too. Bring a simple meal to cook on the stovetop or barbecue and wine to enjoy in the outdoor bathtub or by the firepit. Reading, stargazing and forgetting to charge your phone are key activities. You’ll pass Mooramong’s 1870s homestead on the drive. It’s being renovated but Lenore residents will soon be able to enjoy the pool and tennis court – apparently by summer.
DON’T MISS Travel via the new Meredith Farm Produce store to buy their famous feta plus goat chops to grill on your not-so-tiny barbecue.
FROM $329 a night. Dani Valent
The StandardX, Melbourne
62 Rose St, Fitzroy; (03) 9124 4800.
The StandardX foyer has a textile-rich, 1980s feel thanks to art created by local talent.
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION Fitzroy has long been one of Melbourne’s coolest inner suburbs, and still is, but now the best bits are found tucked off the main thoroughfare of Brunswick Street, like this 125-key hotel.
THE PLACE From the outside, it’s a giant rusty box of weathered steel that glows in the sunrise. But make your way through the red, revolving door and the foyer has a textile-rich, 1980s feel thanks to art created by local talent, including the macramé of Sarah Parkes and the paintings of Dane Lovett. The rooms – from the smallest option of a Cozy King to ones with city views or balconies, up to the 48-square-metre Suite Spot – are stylishly appointed with blue striped carpet (a nod to the palette of the original Hollywood Standard hotel), Smeg kettles and Frank Green French presses.
Hotel artwork reminds visitors they’re in Melbourne culture hub Fitzroy – with a fire for the city’s unpredictable weather.
THE EXPERIENCE After a welcome negroni, head to the guests-only rooftop lounge for the best vista of Fitzroy. It has strong Brooklyn-rooftop vibes and you can spend hours looking at the wonderful urban jigsaw puzzle that is Fitzroy: the Victorian-era terraces squeezed cheek-by-jowl between slick apartment buildings and old warehouses and pubs.
DON’T MISS The hotel includes the newly opened restaurant BANG, led by chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya. The menu leans on Victorian produce but is inspired by Thai street food. Standard? Absolutely not.
FROM $260 a night. Melissa Fyfe
The Victoria Rutherglen
90-94 Main St, Rutherglen; (02) 6032 8610.
Relax in the upstairs guest lounge or on the beautiful wide wrought-iron balcony before joining the fun downstairs.Credit: By George Photography
- Pet-friendly
- Electric vehicle charge
THE LOCATION A resplendent landmark restored, this two-storey historic hotel is on the main street of the gold town-turned-winegrowing centre, Rutherglen, three hours north-east of Melbourne and 30 minutes from Albury.
THE PLACE Owners Kate and Matt Halpin asked Ballarat’s Porter Architects to instil modernity into the heritage-listed, 156-year-old grand dame without losing its connection to history. Contemporary elegance and a simple palette of monochrome and neutrals extend into five king suites upstairs with wainscoting, wing-backed armchairs, textured cushions and Hunter Lab toiletries bringing cosiness. Another eight suites, opening soon, will include an EV charging facility and two pet-friendly rooms, plus an accessible suite.
THE EXPERIENCE Relax in the upstairs guest lounge or on the beautiful wide wrought-iron balcony before joining the fun downstairs. The hotel recently won best regional pub restaurant at the 2024 Australian Hotels Association (Vic) Awards. Ex-Melbourne Stokehouse Pasta and Bar chef Brendan Anderson reigns, showcasing local produce and flame-focused finesse, plus outstanding High Country imbibements. There are a number of intimate and historic spaces for dining and celebrations.
DON’T MISS Join a chauffeured winery hop or master new culinary skills at a Pickled Sisters Cafe cooking class.
FROM $245 a night; two-night minimum on weekends. Sue Wallace
Le Méridien Melbourne
20 Bourke St, Melbourne; (03) 9123 3900.
Le Meridien’s rooftop pool and terrace, called Le Splash, has an open-air bar serving cocktails, snacks and gelato.
THE LOCATION The hotel is in the east end of Melbourne’s theatre district, a minute’s walk from Parliament House and Treasury Gardens.
THE PLACE Originally built as a hotel in the 1850s, the building has been a theatre, cinema and nightclub before reopening in 2023 as a 12-storey luxury property with 235 guest rooms, including 14 suites, all fitted out with custom walnut-veneer joinery, easy-on-the-eye downlighting, and marble bathrooms. Suites have some nifty mid-century design touches, including velvet lounge chairs, art books, Smeg appliances, a beautifully crafted oak wood backgammon set and a TV that is swear-to-god almost cinema-sized.
THE EXPERIENCE You’re surrounded by some of the most elegant theatres in Australia, so go to a show, or explore Chinatown (three minutes’ walk away). You could also just roam the hotel hallways listening to the specially curated nouvelle vague playlist. The rooftop pool and terrace, called Le Splash, has an open-air bar serving cocktails, snacks and gelato.
DON’T MISS There’s some standout food in this area, but you shouldn’t miss Dolly, the hotel’s restaurant beneath the lobby, where French-born executive chef Hervé Borghini produces upscale European dishes including the odd-sounding but excellent warm croissant pudding.
FROM $329 a night. Tim Elliott
Mt Duneed Estate
65 Pettavel Rd, Waurn Ponds; (03) 5266 1244.
Mr Duneed Estate has a new range of accommodation with views across the grapes that feature in their range of wines.
THE LOCATION You might know Mt Duneed Estate at Waurn Ponds, 10 minutes from Geelong and just over an hour’s drive south-west of Melbourne, as the site of A Day on the Green concerts. But it’s also a successful winery and brewery, and now a vineyard stay.
THE PLACE Mt Duneed Estate has a new range of accommodation with views across the grapes that feature in their range of wines. Turn right at the regal-looking cellar door for tiny-house-style stays with comfy armchairs, lush knitted throws on the bed and a small kitchenette with continental breakfast provided. Outside on the enclosed deck is a stand-alone bath where you can soak and sip from your bottle of the estate’s blanc de blanc sparkling while admiring the views.
THE EXPERIENCE Wander along the vineyard, head into the cellar door or have a meal at The Barrel Hall on-site restaurant, choosing from a Mediterranean-style menu designed to share. Add a cheese box to your booking and it will be waiting for you on arrival. Take a seat (or a bath) on the balcony and tuck in.
DON’T MISS Dive into the burgeoning local food scene in nearby Geelong. Start the night at Felix Restaurant with a caviar bump, try south-east-Asian fusion at Two Noble or Baah Lah! Dining or head to the hatted Tulip Restaurant for mod-Oz.
FROM $325 a night. Paul Chai
The Lyall S. Yarra
16 Murphy St, South Yarra; (03) 9868 8222.
The decor at The Lyall S. Yarra features muted tones, with bespoke dark-stained Tasmanian oak furniture and marble bathrooms featuring – sigh – shower heads the size of Paris. Credit: SHARYN CAIRNS
THE LOCATION The Lyall is in a leafy street off Toorak Road, with the fashionable strip’s shops and eateries a short walk away.
THE PLACE Billed as a hotel for people who don’t like hotels, The Lyall prioritises calm, with 51 rooms and suites featuring Parisienne-style balconies with street views or looking over an internal courtyard featuring a Japanese maple garden. The decor is in muted tones, with bespoke dark-stained Tasmanian oak furniture and marble bathrooms featuring – sigh – shower heads the size of Paris. A clever configuration means you rarely cross paths with other guests, giving the agreeable sensation that the hotel has been built solely for you.
THE EXPERIENCE Treat The Lyall as your pied-à-terre – after partaking of the Dyson hairdryers and Molton Brown bathroom products, stroll around the outstandingly bougie surrounding area with its broad, tree-lined avenues and standout architecture. Toorak Road offers some of the best eating in Melbourne, including Cosi, a local institution, and France-Soir, which has attracted the likes of Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen, while the gorgeous, pocket-sized Cucinetta is 20 metres from the hotel.
DON’T MISS A run around The Tan, an internationally renowned track that starts alongside the Yarra River and then laps the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
FROM $305 a night. Tim Elliott
Re’em Yarra Valley
12-14 Spring Ln, Gruyere; 1800 989 463.
The $22 million development has 16 luxury rooms alongside a restaurant and cellar door.
THE LOCATION This sparkly new boutique hotel sits among vineyards in the Yarra Valley, an hour’s drive north-east of Melbourne and 20 minutes from Healesville.
THE PLACE The $22 million development has 16 luxury rooms alongside a restaurant and cellar door. On the top floor there are four Premium Suites with deep, circular baths framed by windows with views of the vines, an ornamental lake with a geyser-like water fountain and the hulking Yarra Ranges beyond. A further two categories of rooms on the two floors below have either private balconies or garden access. The decor is slick and modern, with the gold lettering of Re’em – a Hebrew word that was translated as “unicorn” in the King James Bible – stitched into every white fluffy towel.
THE EXPERIENCE Owners Helen Xu and Joey Zeng have put their hearts into this place, and their attention to detail shows. Once you’re settled in, slip down to the cellar door/bar for a complimentary glass or premium tasting of the Helen and Joey Estate range. If romance is on the agenda, the superb restaurant is the place to be. Book a window-side booth table and enjoy the modern Australian menu with flavour influences from Helen and Joey’s birthplaces in Chengdu and Zhejiang.
DON’T MISS Try the magical river-sledding experience offered by the Warburton Adventure Co. It’s the Yarra River like you’ve never seen it before – on your belly.
FROM $430 a night. Melissa Fyfe
The Keith
1929 Point Nepean Rd, Tootgarook; (03) 5987 8800.
Another once-dowdy motel gets a makeover, this one recalling the glory days of 1950s beach holidays.Credit: CMcConville
THE LOCATION A 75-minute drive from Melbourne, this retro motel is in Tootgarook, a small Mornington Peninsula suburb sandwiched between the bigger ones of Rosebud and Rye.
THE PLACE Another once-dowdy motel gets a makeover, this one recalling the glory days of 1950s beach holidays, with jute rugs and paintings of local beach scenes. Its 16 rooms include three family rooms; the largest sleeps five. Each, though, has a kitchenette with fridge and microwave. Check-in is contactless – access your room and the rainy-day games room, with its comfy sofas and board games, via a PIN texted to you ahead of arrival. There’s no pool, but none required when you’ve got Capel Sound Beach on the other side of the busy Point Nepean Rd.
There’s no pool, but none required when you’ve got Capel Sound Beach on the other side of the busy Point Nepean Rd.Credit: CMcConville
THE EXPERIENCE The new owners – the group behind Alba Thermal Springs & Spa – add luxe with essential-oil-infused toiletries and breakfast packs of locally made granola and banana bread (costs extra). But you don’t come here to hang out indoors. The Keith means beach days, fish and chips, watching the sunset and sipping local wines. Come summer, a cocktail caravan is scheduled to pull up to The Cabana, the motel’s outdoor kitchen.
DON’T MISS Hire a kayak from the hotel for a paddle or one of their bicycles for a spin along the foreshore’s Bay Trail.
FROM $169 a night; three-night minimum December 20-January 26. Belinda Jackson
Harry’s on Moodemere
12 Moodemere Rd, Rutherglen; (02) 6032 9449.
Recycling stars in the open-gabled ceiling and open-plan villas, with bricks rescued from nearby Seppelt ruins. Credit: Rachael Emmily Photography
THE LOCATION Rutherglen, home to more than 20 wineries, is a three-hour drive north-east of Melbourne while Lake Moodemere, a natural billabong and bird sanctuary, is five minutes from the vibrant town.
THE PLACE It’s a dream come true for builder Harry Chambers who, fuelled by his childhood memories, has constructed two spacious villas overlooking his family’s Lake Moodemere Estate winery. The Chambers family has been growing vines here since 1886. Recycling stars in the open-gabled ceiling and open-plan villas, with bricks rescued from nearby Seppelt ruins. A sleek kitchen, huge en suite with free-standing bath – a definite contender for best rural bath views – a deck with a heated plunge pool that’s great for stargazing and a firepit enhance those country feels.
THE EXPERIENCE Spy on grazing kangaroos from the expansive windows at dusk, listen to lakeside birdsong or curl up fireside on the dark olive-green sofa and sip from the wine fridge. If you’re lucky, listen to the pitter-patter of night rain on the corrugated-iron exterior. The nearby cellar door offers tastings of sustainably grown, single-vineyard wines and the estate-grown tender lamb is a hit at the onsite Lakeside Restaurant.
DON’T MISS A complimentary self-guided, 25-kilometre sip-and-cycle tour explores scenic riverside tracks and pretty country lanes.
FROM $400 a night; two-night minimum stay on weekends. Sue Wallace
SaltHouse Retreat
204A The Esplanade, Surf Beach, Phillip Island.
Find this pitched-roof house behind the sand dunes, among the coastal banksias.Credit: Will Salter
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION Surf Beach is one of the first of Phillip Island’s dramatic beaches after you cross the bridge from San Remo, 95 minutes from Melbourne. Find the pitched-roof house behind the sand dunes, among the coastal banksias.
THE PLACE Everything is relaxed in this beach retreat, from the long, leather sofas around the gas fireplace in the living room to the slouchy, linen-clad king beds. The house sleeps four in two bedrooms. The kitchen is fully kitted out for self-catering in style, from wine glasses to well-chosen crockery and an outdoor barbecue. For nights in, break out the board games, the Bose sound system, books or TV; otherwise, the sunken spa in the bathroom beckons for serious soaking.
THE EXPERIENCE After sleeping to the sound of the sea, crank up the espresso machine and take a coffee out to the table in the courtyard to hear honeyeaters and king parrots squabbling overhead, then take yourself to the water, a two-minute walk across the boardwalks. The property’s enclosed yard means two well-behaved dogs are welcome, although they’ll need to be leashed as the dunes abound with sweet-faced swamp wallabies and, from September to April, nesting short-tailed shearwaters.
DON’T MISS Phillip Island is an ambler’s dream; walk the George Bass Coastal Walk or the gentle boardwalks at The Nobbies. Locals report having seen whales from Surf Beach lookout.
FROM $255 a night; minimum two‑night stay on weekends. Belinda Jackson
Miette
6B High St, Yackandandah; 0456 361 246.
Miette means “crumb” in French and the name is a nod to its location – behind an 1853 bakery, now a boutique.
THE LOCATION Yackandandah, or “Yack” as it’s known locally, is a diminutive gold-mining village turned contemporary creative hub three hours’ drive north-east of Melbourne. It’s not far from touristy Beechworth and Bright, and half an hour’s drive south of Albury-Wodonga.
THE PLACE Miette means “crumb” in French and the name is a nod to its location – behind an 1853 bakery, now a boutique. The dramatic, full-glass frontage opens into the light and bright open-plan living space with polished concrete floors, stone benchtops and cosy furniture. The downstairs bedroom is moody, with a grey-tiled en suite and Charles Blackman prints.
THE EXPERIENCE Miette places you in the centre of the action in this town full of lovely gold-rush-era architecture. Stroll up to The Guard for a coffee served from a century-old train carriage. It’s part of the buzzy Yack Station arts precinct. Bring your bicycle – there’s storage at Miette for four, trail info at hand and state forest nearby. Soak in the outdoor bathtub, fire up the barbecue and get busy in the well-appointed kitchen. You can even wash your sweaty cycling gear in the laundry.
DON’T MISS Cat Leahy is a drummer and hatter who hand-builds custom felt headwear at Feather & Drum on High Street.
FROM $390 a night; two-night minimum stay. Paul Chai
Norsu Cabin
7A Haig St, Macedon; (03) 5312 2772.
No detail has been overlooked in this picture-book-perfect log cabin. Credit: Nick Skinner Photography
THE LOCATION Find this log-lined hideaway at the base of the forested slopes of Mount Macedon, an easy one-hour drive north of Melbourne.
THE PLACE No detail has been overlooked in this picture-book-perfect log cabin. And with Nat Wheeler and Kristy Sadlier of super-stylish south-east Melbourne home emporium Norsu Interiors at the helm, it’s no surprise. Designer furnishings, quality linen and thoughtful little extras everywhere (almost all available to buy) – from cooking condiments and top-quality kitchenware to the curated alt-country playlist and the cocktail bar in the cosy TV room – make it feel like your very own luxurious Nordic hidey-hole, even if only for a couple of nights.
It feels like your very own luxurious Nordic hidey-hole, even if only for a couple of nights.Credit: Nick Skinner Photography
THE EXPERIENCE BYO supplies, because there’s no way you’ll want to leave once you step inside, except maybe to venture a few metres for a soak in the outdoor bath by the firepit (or opt for the indoor one). Savour a wine on the deck, looking out at silverbirch trees and the lush garden beyond. Fix yourself a cocktail, cosy up under a soft woolly blankie on the sofa and watch movies all day. Cook up a storm in the well-stocked kitchen.
DON’T MISS Sit by the fire and finally read that book, or just turn your phone off and drift away on the cloud-like beds for as long as you darn well like.
FROM $550 a night; two-night minimum stay, three nights on
long weekends. Andrea McGinniss
Carrajung Estate
322 Lays Rd, Willung South; (03) 5194 2215.
Miles from anywhere, this is an ideal spot for an unplugged mini break.
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION A two-hour-and-15-minute drive from Melbourne takes you through the Latrobe Valley, past the soaring cooling towers of Yallourn Power Station, which look like something out of The Simpsons. The last leg, on a winding, bush-lined, gravel road, ends at this Central Gippsland vineyard, restaurant and getaway.
THE PLACE In 2023, new owners took over this 30-year-old property, previously known as Toms Cap Vineyard, and renamed it Carrajung Estate after the nearby town. They’ve been steadily waving their renovation magic wand over the cellar door restaurant, event space and accommodation. The four separate living quarters range from a single cottage with a log fire, luxurious stone-floored bathroom and outdoor bath, to a four-bedroom lodge with a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a fire pit for sunset hangs.
THE EXPERIENCE Miles from anywhere, this is an ideal spot for an unplugged mini break. Roam the property, which combines towering gums and hillsides braided with vines, sample the wines, feed the alpacas, eat lunch or dinner at the restaurant, and drag out one of the thoughtfully provided board games.
DON’T MISS If you’re staying in the single-bedroom cottage known as The Nest, have a long twilight soak in the deep bath on the deck outside as the sun dips behind the surrounding hills.
FROM $369 a night; two-night minimum on public holiday weekends. Roslyn Grundy
The Churches
6592 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck; 0414 442 223.
The Chapel has been converted into an open-plan stay, recently renovated by new owners.Credit: MIN MCCORMACK
- Pet-friendly
THE LOCATION Yarck is a small township on the way to the ski fields Mt Buller, a two-hour drive out of Melbourne.
THE PLACE Sitting on prime church real estate in the centre of this blink-and-you-miss-it town, twin buildings The Chapel and The Rectory (the latter soon to open as a lifestyle shop) were built in 1878. The Chapel has been converted into an open-plan stay, recently renovated by new owners.
THE EXPERIENCE It’s out with the pews and in with a lounge area separated from a king-size bed by a gas fire visible from both sides. A kitchenette is stocked with local Delatite wines and snacks, and a clawfoot bath dominates the bathroom. The dark wood floors and beautiful arched doors remain, and a huge window seat looks onto the country garden. Just behind The Chapel is Yarck Bikes, where you can rent a bike and tackle the Great Victorian Rail Trail. This stretch of track takes in quirky sculptures, modern scar trees by artist Mick Harding and plenty of wildlife and farm life, including deer darting through the bush. The double-sided fire is the perfect spot for a post-ride red wine.
It’s out with the pews and in with a lounge area separated from a king-size bed by a gas fire visible from both sides.Credit: MIN MCCORMACK
DON’T MISS Either bike or drive to the Cheviot Tunnel, a historic 200-metre long train tunnel that was hewn in 1883 and makes for a spooky visit.
FROM $260 a night. Paul Chai
The Vineyard House
Sedona Estate, 182 Shannons Rd, Murrindindi; 0432 435 180.
Recently renovated, the smart two-bedroom Vineyard House, with eclectic artwork and garden sculpture, is surrounded by look-at-me vistas.
THE LOCATION Sedona Estate Winery is a 90-minute drive north-east of Melbourne,16 kilometres from the historic town of Yea.
THE PLACE Sonja Herges and Paul Evans discovered their dream block 36 years ago, established a cool-climate vineyard and built a weekender. Recently renovated, the smart two-bedroom Vineyard House, with eclectic artwork and garden sculpture, is surrounded by look-at-me vistas. From the comfy couch that makes the cosy living room hard to leave, you can gaze through a huge window at manicured vines and distant hills. The king bedroom has an en suite and the queen bedroom opposite has a large bathroom with a free-standing tub.
THE EXPERIENCE Listen to a chorus of frogs and a neighbouring cow named Cupcake and watch inquisitive kangaroos and the resident wombat wander by. Head over for the complimentary cellar-door wine-tasting and pre-ordered platter, test-drive the kitchen or pick up meals from Marmalades of Yea. You could also wander along the Murrindindi Cascades or just sit and revel in those velvety emerald vistas and oodles of fresh air.
DON’T MISS Take the Yea Wetlands Walk from the Discovery Centre across a cable suspension bridge, watching for shy platypuses.
FROM $400 a night, two-night minimum stay. Sue Wallace
Big4 Pisces Apollo Bay
311 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay; (03) 5237 6749.
Clustered at the bottom of the hill, the Beach Tents make the most of Big4’s excellent location directly opposite the beach.
THE LOCATION Wedged between the Southern Ocean and the foothills of the Great Otway National Park, Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road is busy in summer, sleepy in winter, and two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Melbourne.
THE PLACE This classic caravan and camping park just outside Apollo Bay township is an ideal base for exploring the Great Ocean Road, or just enjoying the surf and turf of its seaside locale. The campground’s pride and joy is a collection of five glamping tents, each offering a fully self-contained stay with king bed, living and kitchenette in an open-plan arrangement, plus an en suite, and an adjoining bedroom with double bed and bunk for the kids.
THE EXPERIENCE Clustered at the bottom of the hill, the Beach Tents make the most of Big4’s excellent location directly opposite the beach. Inside is rustic, with raw timber panelling tempered by stylish touches such as black fixtures and leather butterfly armchairs. The front deck features a built-in barbecue with warm string lighting that sets the mood for sundowners. Kids are entertained: facilities include a basketball court, flying fox and skate track. The park has a coffee van during spring and summer.
DON’T MISS Paddle out to Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary with Apollo Bay Surf & Kayak to check out colourful seaweed gardens and fur seals hauling up onto the rocks at sunset, then surf back into town on the waves.
FROM $180 a night; minimum-stay periods vary throughout the year. Justin Meneguzzi
How we stayed
The places featured in 52 Weekends Away were visited in a variety of ways, some paid for by writers and others hosted by travel operators, including property owners, commercial groups and state tourism authorities.
To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.