Five regional hotels in Victoria worth travelling for

The family behind Daylesford’s much-lauded Lake House restaurant, hotel and spa complex has created another regional gem situated in the hamlet of Musk, just six kilometres from Daylesford’s leafy town centre.

Launched in 2020, Dairy Flat Lodge and Farm boasts an exclusive offering of just six boutique rooms in a converted farmhouse setting. Each room is appointed with a curated selection of furniture and art commissioned by local artisans and makers. Think bespoke wallpaper, lush throw rugs and natural light.

Surrounded by almost 40 acres of picturesque productive farmlands, Dairy Flat Lodge gives you a taste of country life, sweetened with all the creature comforts of a luxury hotel. Step outside to take in the olive groves, orchards and rolling hills of the nearby Wombat Forest, or stay indoors to enjoy a soak in the generous in-room bathtubs. 

In the evening, start things off with aperitivo hour at the honour bar, then light the firepit and settle in for a peaceful spot of stargazing. In the morning, indulge in some carby goodies at the on-site bakery, Bake House at Dairy Flat. With everything from breakfast buns to jam doughnuts, there’s sure to be something to suit your appetite.

Embrace elegance at Bendigo’s Hotel Shamrock, a grand 19th-century establishment on Pall Mall, the Central Victorian city’s main thoroughfare. Established during the height of the gold rush back in 1854, Hotel Shamrock’s architecture is nothing short of regal. With architecture so impressive, it’s no wonder the Shamrock is where now-King Charles and Princess Diana chose to stay during their royal visit to Bendigo in the eighties. 

Elaborate tiled floors, striking columns and towering ceilings provide a glimpse into the past, while well-appointed rooms provide all the modern amenities you could need. 

The Hotel Shamrock has not one but two restaurants within its magnificent façade, meaning it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week! The Bistro menu focuses on modern Australian classics, while on Fridays and weekends the Yard Bird Bar and Kitchen dishes up American home-style cooking like wings, burgers and ‘dawgs’. 

If you’re one for an evening tipple, you won’t need to go far. Head down to the hotel basement and you’ll reach the Gold Dust Lounge, a modern riff on a traditional speakeasy. You’ll find free live music, an extensive cocktail list and local beers and ciders to kick off your night.

The accommodation is the destination when you book a stay at Sky Pods. Located at Cape Otway at the southernmost point of the Great Ocean Road region, Sky Pods consists of two self-contained architecturally designed pods with stunning views of the Southern Ocean and the vast coastal rainforest of the surrounding Great Otway National Park.

Created with sustainability at their core, these luxurious rooms work with the natural environment, not against it. The simple yet sophisticated design lets the trees do the talking. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow uninterrupted views of the coast, perfect for those looking to reconnect with nature from the comfort of a warm bed. 

For the more adventurous types, there are a host of natural wonders accessible by foot. Station Beach and Rainbow Falls are both just a short walk away. If you’re feeling ambitious you can also head down the famous Great Ocean Walk track to the Cape Otway Lightstation, Victoria’s oldest working lighthouse. 

Upon your return you’ll enjoy panoramic sunset views from your pod as the night draws near, followed by some top-notch stargazing. Free wi-fi and a massive 100-inch project screen will have you sorted for the rest of your stay. 

Serenity is in style at Yering Gorge Cottages, situated in the heart of the Yarra Valley food and wine region beside the Yarra River. Yering Gorge is just an hour away from Melbourne, but you wouldn’t know it. The location next to the Eastern Golf Club surrounded by bushland means you’ll feel far away from the stresses of city life.

Choose from 13 different one, two, or four-bedroom freestanding cottages all to yourself, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing breathtaking views over the Yarra Valley. Enjoy your coffee and continental breakfast hamper on the private deck as kangaroos bounce past your personal slice of regional bliss.

Guests have priority access to the private golf club against the pristine backdrop of the Dividing Ranges. If you’re feeling more like a drink than a few holes, the Yering Farm winery is a six-minute drive away, as is Yering Station winery and restaurant, albeit in a different direction.

Back at the cottages, each dwelling has a large private deck, complete with a barbecue. Add in a kitchenette and wood fireplace and you’ve got everything you need to cook up a storm and have a comfortable night in.

The Peninsula Hot Springs complex is an institution of the Mornington Peninsula. It’s well-known for being home to Victoria’s first geothermal mineral springs and day spa, where you can easily while away a whole day lazing by the pool, doing a yoga class or cooling down in the ice cave.

What you might not know is that this peaceful oasis now offers overnight accommodation options. The award-winning venue now also features ten glamping tents on its sprawling Fingal grounds. Two decades after opening, this venue is always coming up with something new and luxurious to dazzle guests.

The Peninsula Hot Springs glamping setup has an emphasis on the glam. Imagine coming back from a dip and being greeted by a deluxe bed, thermally heated concrete floors, and a walk-in robe. You’ll even get a private ensuite and breakfast served on the deck, right outside your tent.  

If you fancy an evening dip, you’re in luck. The glamping offering is accompanied by moonlit bathing sessions running between 11pm and 5am, every night of the week.