Today we revisit our travel archives, with a shortlist of the greatest Victorian escapes!
From Macedon, to Daylesford, Gippsland, Flinders and The Great Ocean Road – these stunning destinations are perfect for a proper getaway, or just a spontaneous daytrip! Come on.. what are you waiting for?
Bushranger’s Bay Walk on the Mornington Peninsula Photo – Eve Wilson.
Jackalope Hotel. Photo – Eve Wilson.
Bushranger’s Bay Walk. Photo – Eve Wilson.
Merricks General Wine Store. Photo – Eve Wilson.
TDF’s beloved photographer Eve Wilson takes us on a tour of her home turf – Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula. Eve grew up in Flinders, and generously shares all of her local tip-offs, tinged with blackberry stained nostalgia of an idyllic coastal childhood. This tour of Flinders is dripping with cherries, strawberry ice-cream against the rugged cliffs, and tiny beaches overlooking Bass Strait.
One of Paul Bangay‘s favourite spots in Daylesford, Lake House, on Lake Daylesford, bordering the Wombat State Forest. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Paul Bangay at one of his favourite spots in the Daylesford area, Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Paul Bangay’s own breathtaking garden at Stonefields, located halfway between Kyneton and Daylesford – open for private tours seasonally. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Daylesford is no secret as a city escape destination… but our tour of the area with landscape designer Paul Bangay casts Victoria’s much-loved spa region in a whole new light. Paul’s love of the landscape and gardens shines though in his tour of the region – a firm favourite destination being Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens. Paul’s own property at Stonefields is also BREATHTAKING, it’s not open to the public, but he does offer ticketed private tours seasonally – hosted by the man himself!
Gurney’s Cidery is in a beautiful position and has sublime views out over Corner Inlet and The Prom. It’s a family-run business and really well done. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
‘Meeniyan square‘ is a community business initiative that has repurposed a disused piece of land next to the art gallery, to create an opportunity for smaller businesses and locals to come together and host weekly markets and events. Pictured – cakes by Tamsin Carvan, who now has a permanent presence at The Borough Department Store in nearby Korumburra. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
Ross Farm Cabin, a gorgeous place to stay on the outskirts of Meeniyan, designed and run by young architect Andrea Moore. Photographic work on the wall of Wilsons Promontory by Andrea’s brother, Lachlan Moore. Furniture by Andrea and her dad (YES, they made that couch!). Bowl by Ella Bendrups. Photo – Eve Wilson.
On the way down to Victoria’s beloved Wilsons Prom is a little known gem, loving referred to by locals as ‘The Turning Point.’ Stylist, interior designer and Meeniyan local Andrea Moore takes us on a tour of her home and surrounds – a place you won’t be driving past again in a hurry! Take the detour to explore local cider, a community business hub, sculptors workshop, delish woodfired pizza, and Andrea’s family’s own accommodation offering, Ross Farm Cabin. So much goodness in one small area!
Check out our full tour of South Gippsland with Andrea Moore!
Elizabeth Barnett‘s top secret favourite spot in her hometown of Macedon – she won’t let us tell you exactly where it is… you’ll just have to make your way there, and discover this one for yourself! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
Lizzie Barnett at Macedon Train Station. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
Macedon’s Avenue of Honour. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.
For those who are long-time readers of TDF, Elizabeth Barnett needs no introduction. The artist takes us on a tour of her tree-change home town in the Macedon ranges. At only an hour’s drive from Melbourne, this area offers a close escape and entirely different landscape of experiences. Pack your bathers for water holes, boots for walking, and appetite for fabulous local food.
The view at Mariners Lookout, Apollo Bay, does not disappoint! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
A group catches a wave at Lorne beach. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
Ocean House by Architect Rob Mills in Lorne. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.
We recently enlisted part-time Skenes Creek local, and much-loved renovator (who you may know from The Block!) Jenna Densten of design studio Bicker Design to give us a tour of her favourite spots on The Great Ocean Road, from Torquay to Apollo Bay.
