Lake House Daylesford

Dunkeld’s historic Royal Mail Hotel is idyllically located at the southern end of The Grampians National Park, offering spectacular mountain views, endless hiking and nature activities combined with some of Australia’s best food and wine.

Originally established in 1855, the hotel retains its historical charm while providing guests with contemporary, architecturally designed facilities that take advantage of the stunning natural surroundings.

The Royal Mail Hotel has been long known as a destination dining experience which sees diners travel from all over the country and internationally to sample the hotel’s seasonal menus. The dining options focus on fresh seasonal produce much of which is grown organically on-site. The options include a bistro serving hearty, rustic-style fare and a fine dining restaurant which serves modern Australian cuisine based around produce grown in the hotel’s kitchen garden.

Located in the trendy district of South Yarra in the south of the city, the Lyall Hotel is a luxury boutique property with a wonderfully intimate feel to it.

There are just 40 suites, contemporary in style with Australian made furniture and plush fabrics, and featuring their own private balconies. Each floor of the hotel has an art gallery showcasing the work of local French artist, Thierry B.

Take a seat at Bistro Lyall and enjoy modern, seasonal cuisine that reflects Melbourne’s multicultural influences. Meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant or out on the terrace if you want to make the most of the Australian sunshine. The Lyall Champagne Bar showcases a selection of French champagne which can be enjoyed alongside the tantalising bar menu. The staff are also a dab hand at mixing cocktails as well, if you’d rather.

The spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, and when you’re not relaxing at the hotel then the boutiques and restaurants of South Yarra and the botanical gardens are in easy reach.

Right in the heart of the Central Business District (also know simply as the ‘CBD’), the QT Melbourne is a stylish new boutique in old cinema befitting Australia’s most creative city. Expect eye-catching artworks and installations, a buzzing rooftop bar and popular restaurant with the rest of Melbourne right on your doorstep.

There are 188 suites featuring bespoke designer furnishings, timber floorboards and gel-topped beds for the ultimate night’s sleep.

The Pascale Bar & Grill is influenced by European bistros and guests can get a glimspe into the behind-the-scenes goings on thanks to the open kitchen. Korean and Japanese-inspired dishes can be found in the Hot Sauce restaurant while those with a sweet tooth will want to make a beeline for the on-site cake shop. A trip up to the rooftop bar with its views over over the city, is the perfect place to end the day.

The Jackalope is an ambitious boutique hotel blending art, design, fine dining, story telling, glamour and a hint of the surreal to the surrounding Willow Creek vineyard setting. It takes it name from the legendary giant horned jackrabbit, an enormous statue of which sits out front, along with a other site-specific art installations spread across the public spaces

There are 46 starkly monochrome yet welcoming rooms with wonderful views and one off design pieces created by a whole host of Melbourne creatives.

Outside you’ll find a black infinity pool and a yoga lawn. Restaurants include the headline Doot Doot Doot, with a contemporary four- or eight-course dégustation menu, and Rare Hare, a more casual option with all-day dining. The 19th century McCormick House, has stood gracefully at the end of Jackalope’s meandering driveway, has been reborn as the hotel’s bar, Flaggerdoot.

Just a one hour drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula has long been known as Melbourne’s weekend playground, offering some of Australia’s best food and wine, golf, adventure, beach and leisure activities.