Six outstanding one-of-a-kind properties to discover on Booking.com , our sponsor for Australian Traveller’s People’s Choice Awards 2015.
1. Enjoy never-ending views on Kangaroo Island
Life-Time Private Retreat is a collection of luxurious beach houses with spectacular views over Snellings Beach. Set among a variety of hiking trails, guests have all the things they need for an easy beach getaway including a fully-equipped kitchen, patio with barbecue and free wi-fi.
Holmwood Guesthouse is a cosy little B&B just five minutes from Phillip Island’s town centre. It has three guesthouse rooms and two self-contained spa cottages, with kitchens, spa baths and gas log fireplaces. Breakfast is served in the dining room near the open fire or on the sunny verandah with the idyllic gardens surrounding you.
Fitted with a hot tub, bathroom, parquet floor, electric fireplace, and canvas walls lined with Australian wool to keep you cosy, these circular tents at Talo Retreat are a far-cry from the simple yurts traditionally used by Mongolian nomads. Located on the edge of the Murray River, surrounded by red gums, this accommodation experience allows you to sleep among nature while only being eight minutes from the town centre of Echuca.
For a yurt on the Murray River, stay at Talo Retreat
4. Listen to the waves from your beach hut
Stay in one of these iconic, candy-striped beach huts, located in the township of Middleton between Goolwa and Port Elliot. Inside, they’re fancy huts indeed, with a kitchenette, spa bath and private deck, on which to enjoy your complimentary bottle of bubbly with front-row seats to the crashing waves.
5. Stay among the treetops of an ancient rainforest
Not the kind you might remember from your childhood, these eco-friendly treehouses come with kitchens, fireplaces, hammocks and hot tubs. Set among 40 hectares of rainforest, it’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature, with cassowaries, tree kangaroos, and rare green possums calling this place home.
In the heart of Newtown and only a short train trip into the CBD, The Urban Newtown has contemporary industrial-style studios with all the mod-cons, rain showers, coffee machines, free wi-fi, and a discount to the nearby Fitness First… but the best part? A free mini bar with locally brewed craft beer and fine Australian wines.
Want to hang out where the bo-ho Sydneysiders do, stay at The Urban Newtown
The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.
Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.
Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.
Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.
1. Practice mindfulness
Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.
Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.
If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.
2. Indulge in self-care
Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)
While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.
Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.
For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.
3. Embrace nature
Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.
Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?
To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.
Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.
4. Prioritise Rest
Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.
Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.
For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.
For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.
5. Engage Your Senses
Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.
For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.
If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.
6. Connect and reconnect
Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)
Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.
Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.
Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.
For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.
