I remember first hearing about Lake House when I was 14. My love of food and cookery was evolving…read moreat the time and I heard of a magical place, near a lake, serving up some of the best cuisine in the country. I didn't get to visit for 20 years but finally, this past May, I was able to tick it off my list of must-do Victorian experiences. My favourite +1 and I have birthday's one day apart so we took each other here for a two day getaway, complete with dining experiences and massages. Just hours from Melbourne, it was the perfect way to relax and celebrate together. What I loved about the experience was that you really didn't need to leave if you didn't want to. The rooms have simple mini bar supplies, but you can always order room service if you want something more substantial. The bathrooms are positively divine and we spent hours soaking in the tub over the weekend in between reading sessions in the living space, strolls around the lake and eating excursions in the main restaurant. Breakfast is served for a number of hours and is so incredibly generous that you can skip lunch altogether then hold out to dinner time which will no doubt be over-indulgent if you've booked yourself in for dinner. A visit here will mean you probably eat, and drink, more than you thought humanly possible but hey that's what weekend getaways are all about, right? This isn't a bargain experience, but you pay for indulgence and the opportunity to truly relax and get away from it all. Forget gifts, this is the kind of birthday present I want every year

Where on Earth do I start...?…read more The Lake House would have the be the best restaurant I've been to in Melbourne (my view - better than Vue de Monde, better than Attica) and only second in my journey so far to Daniel in New York. Food was simply stunning. Between us we had delicious things like tempura quail; 12 hour roast suckling; rabbit cassoulet; a berry-themed share plate dessert with black forest cake, deconstructed strawberry shortcake, raspberry sorbet and raspberry and champagne jelly; lemon and lime panna cotta; and an out-of-this-world antipasto plate with duck and rabbit pates and terrines and heavenly salumi. Petit fours consisted of toffee popcorn, strawberry fudge, shortbread and jellies. Cocktails and organic teas were also amazing. In summer, try to have a drink on the deck before being seated. Atmosphere was upmarket but relaxed. We had a fantastic table in front of the bread and petit four station, which overlooked the lake and hillside. Staff were attentive, friendly and very professional. Cutlery, plates and other trimmings were very special. I fell in love with the multicoloured glass salt, pepper and sugar bowls (which, coincidentally, were also for sale at the Lake House store). It's expensive, but not as expensive as the city hatted restaurants. In my opinion, you don't need an excuse to go to the Lake House; just do it for yourself because you certainly won't regret it (but leave any kids at home)...

Over the last couple of years I've been here several times and it's consistently had great food and…read morebeer, a solid level of customer focused service, and overall superb ambiance, all the more so in that they're dog friendly so I can take my pupper with me - I'd encourage folks (especially dog owners) to give it a shot

Highly recommended that when you book do not get the corner booth area as the table is far too…read moresmall. One of our guest who is 6foot 4 (btw) had to sit with plate on his knees. The Manager did not come to table after waitress advise he would and totally ignored us. Food was hit and miss. Some meals were good and one was very average especially for the price. Waitress did her best and when paying the so called Manager did not asked how was our meals for obvious reasons. The with plethora of restaurants in this region wouldn't put this as our highest option.

Of course my friends and I chose the coldest weekend to make the 1.5 hour drive to Daylesford in…read morethe rain. We were in for a big surprise! The drive itself is easy, jump on the hume and turn off towards Daylesford. This holiday park is only 3.3 km from the nearest coles so don't worry, you are still close to civilisation. Before arriving, the owner called to let me know that our campsite trees were being chopped so she offered us other alternatives and was really friendly. Arriving around 9:30pm, it was raining but we were determined to set up out 5 person tent. We didn't need to check in as we had already pre-paid knowing we were arriving late. It seemed pretty quiet and we were the only tent campers there. I will cut to the chase, it was freezing (it is winter here). After surviving the first night, I woke up to a beauuutiful rainy morning, I took my umbrella and gum boots (we seemed to have chosen the wettest camp spot in the dark) and roamed around. We met one of the staff and because our site was so muddy, he brought us planks of wood to make a bridge! Very helpful. The holiday park has a massive lake where you can go canoe, a kiosk for drinks and snacks but that isn't all! There are a few small kitchens with kettles, microwaves, bbq's (electric and gas), the amenities are simple but clean too. At each site, you can have an open fire in the fire pit which is really handy for cooking/keeping warm. During my morning walk, I saw: Plenty of rozelles and kookaburras Wild Peacock Kangaroos on the oval You can go hiking, walk to the mineral springs and so much more. You can even bring small dogs on leads. There are also plenty of activities to do around the Daylesford area, but due to the weather, we stood next to the fire pitt for most of the trip. You know what the best part of the trip was though? Though I looked ridiculous in gum boots and a bright red puffy jacket, I was so happy doing something different and I even got to see SNOW.

Beautiful B&B alert! What a nice weekend away, I suggest you go here. This B&B is like European…read moreones in that it's a bit oldy worldy, has a WC and a deep claw foot bath in the room. The room has a wood burning fireplace inside, brekkie provisions and even bubbly in the fridge! Ally, the owner/caretaker called me the day of arrival to ensure I knew all the details before I arrived, she's friendly and informative. We'd go back again for sure! Oh yeah, can't forget the hot tub that is available anytime!! It was heavenly waking up at noon and going in for a soak!

With 10% more effort this would be an amazing place to stay…read more Unfortunately the shortcomings add up. First the good stuff. You have a fire in your room... Let's say that again. A fire. In your room! It is an old style manor next to a beautiful old church and has been done up accordingly with comfy furniture and a toilet closet in your room which is made to look like an old drop dunny but is water flushed. You have an old free standing bath in the room as well. A fancy bath. In your room! Now the 10% ers It was highly impersonal service with a simple key pick up/ drop off approach The toilet smells a touch and makes a funny noise The bath doesn't have a plug In the foyer something is wrong with the exit sign and it continually clicks The comfy chairs aren't actually comfortable... And it needed a foot stool The path up is really dark at night and has solar powered lamps, none of which work It wasn't entirely clean When I compare it to the highly corporate options that seem to have infested this area it stands out and is very reasonably priced. If I had paid just a little more however and received just a little more it would have been something to rave about.

Had the wood oven pear pizza and a capricciosa. Absolutely delicious. Great environment as well!!!!read more

I have been visiting The Daylesford Hotel for meals and drinks on and off when visiting family in…read morethe area for the past 20 years even with the number of changes to its management. This last trip in June would be my last. The quality of the food and service have dropped significantly while its prices have gone up. My husband and I had the Sunday roast and we were sorely disappointed. The kitchen thought it was being clever by popping a huge half cut cos lettuce with a dollop of ranch on it to cover up the fact that we had a small portion of pork roast and vegetables. The dishes also arrived lukewarm- when we raised it with a staff member she didn't even bother to suggest taking it back to the kitchen to heat it up or some other form of service recovery. Another member of our family ordered the beef cheeks with mash and at $43 we expected it to live up to the price tag. It didn't- tasteless! We won't be returning on our next trip to Daylesford. Massively disappointing!

I stayed in the Lakeside Villa for a romantic weekend getaway with a new love of mine…read more When we arrived at the villa it was quite private. In fact the checkin process did not require us to speak to anyone as we were able to retrieve the key following instructions that were given to us by the owners of the villa. Once we got inside the villa it had great self contained facilities (the kitchen was good for the tapas we had bought with us), an awesome deck and a really great looking bedroom. Some of the decor was a little dated, however it was all very comfortable and relaxing, so I couldnt really fault it. Highly recommend the Lakeside Villa if you are looking for a romantic getaway.

From the owner: Choose from accommodation in Daylesford or Hepburn Springs, all located in picturesque surrounds,…read moreDaylesford by the Lake offers affordable comfort, situated in ideal locations within walking and driving distance to many of the regions attractions.

What else would you do in the country but drink wine? I…read moredon't know the answer to that but I do know this modern wine bar is the place you will spend most of your early afternoons in Daylesford if you have any leaning towards grapes. Ridiculously cheap produce platters full of cheese, paté and local oil and a glass of wine from their huge selection of sparkling, white, red, rose and more is a great way to start an evening. If you visit over the weekend then get there early as the spots available to sit are fairly limited. The young ex-Melbourne couple that run the place are totally cool and make me want to leave "city life" and resign in the hills to do the same. Their knowledge of every product (from food to wine and gifts) they have in store is spectacular, and you won't be able to walk out without buying something - they have a knack of conveying the passion of the producer to the consumer. I'm in the country and in love.

I love the name of Wine and the Country because it so accurately sums up what lays inside - wine,…read moreand bits of the country. When I say wine, I mean A LOT OF WINE. There must be well over 100 wines to choose, from all over Victoria, Australia and the world. On my most recent visit I indulged in (one too many) natural wines, which were absolutely outstanding. If you have no clue about wine (like me) the ridiculously helpful staff will help. Seriously, just tell them your favourites colours/flavours/price range and they'll pick something out for you to take home or drink in store - YES, it's a bar too! When I say country, I mean delicious, locally sourced produce from the nearby country-land - Daylesford and beyond. Cured meats, small goods and freshly baked breads - they'll make you a platter to accompany your wine likes nobodies business. If you went to Daylesford, you would honestly be a complete fool to not go to Wine and the Country.