Episode 08: Great Escapes

It's time to book a night or two away with ten Great Escape deals from HotelClub. And the team look at luxury city accommodation, a gorgeous log cabin in Bright, a reminder of France in Maldon and an historic homestead overlooking Moorabool Valley.

Emly Park
Near Ballan, Emly Park is an impressive heritage sandstone homestead on a 1500-acre property among magnificent gardens that overlook the picturesque Moorabool Valley, and it's only an hour's drive from Melbourne. Ten adults can stay comfortably in its five double bedrooms, all with crisp linen, luxurious doonas, new carpets and hydronic heating. There are also three contemporary bathrooms, a generous sitting room in the original heritage listed wing, and a barn.

Emly Park
stayz.com.au

Heatherlie and Maldon
Historic Maldon is about a two-hour drive from Melbourne and the charming Heatherlie B&B is a gorgeous place for a group to stay. There are three bedrooms and a spacious lounge room, and off the main house is pool house decorated as a country style villa. Both houses have a rustic kitchen and an overflowing basket of provisions for breakfast.

Take a stroll into town to find the home wares store Much Ado, which specialises in all things beautiful for the home and garden, and boutique stationery. Then keep on shopping at The Black Smith Market where pre-loved items are given a new lease on life.

Heatherlie
72 High Street, Maldon
heatherlie.com.au

Much Ado
5 Main Street, Maldon
muchado.com.au

The Black Smith Market
14 High Street, Maldon

Tewksbury Lodge and Bright Brewery
It's about a four-hour drive from Melbourne to Bright and well worth the trip for a drink at Bright Brewery. Here quality rules with mountain-crafted beer that's unpasteurised, unfiltered, 100% natural and preservative free.

You'll also need somewhere great to stay and the multi-award-winning Tewksbury Lodge has two bedrooms, a bathroom with a spa, a spacious lounge and dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen with all the mod cons.

Bright Brewery
121 Great  Alpine Road, Bright
Ph 03 5755 1301
brightbrewery.com.au

Tewksbury Lodge
6876 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah
Ph 03 5756 2276
tewksburylodge.com.au

Coachman's Quarters and Johnston Collection
One of the best kept secrets in East Melbourne is the beautiful accommodation at The Coachman's Quarters. In Gipps Street on the fringe of the city, this charming property is an 1870 heritage-protected coach house that has been transformed into a French provincial style cottage.

Or just go for a wander around East Melbourne to find the Johnston Collection.  In the style of an English country house, this museum runs regular tours, has an exhibition gallery and offers specialised lecture programs.

Coachman's Quarters
88 Gipps Street, East Melbourne
Ph 03 9419 9350

Johnston Collection
East Melbourne
Ph 03 9416 2525
johnstoncollection.org

Postcards diary

Bendigo Easter Festival
There's family fun and lots of chocolate treats at the annual Easter Festival in Bendigo.

Where: Bendigo
When: 6–8 April
More: bendigo.vic.gov.au

Bendigo Winemakers Festival
And while you're in Bendigo region, join local winegrowers at the magnificent Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.

Where: Castlemaine
When: 8 April
More: bendigowine.org.au

Churchill Island Heritage Farm Easter Fun Festival
Or there's entertainment, fresh produce and traditional games on Churchill Island over Easter.
 
Where: Phillip Island
When: 7–8 April
More: penguins.org.au