Lyall Hotel

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.

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.

The 12 Apostles Lodge Walk is luxury base for exclusive guided hikes along a spectacular length of Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk. Heading west from Castle Cove to the Twelve Apostles, you’ll cover 40-56 kilometres (25-35 miles) on this four-day trek, returning back to comfort each evening to the award-winning eco-lodge surrounded by forest.

The lodge itself, exclusive only to those undertaking the walk, has five generous bedrooms can be converted to twin share or two single rooms depending on group requirements – all enjoying access to private en suite bathrooms with rainforest showers.

There’s also plenty of outdoor space, a welcome foot spa and library, with the dining room and lounge the place to congregate for when the fire pit isn’t crackling. Here enjoy a glass of regional red and canapes before nightly two-course regional menu prepared by the fabulous live-in chef from local produce.