Could this be the year you finally embrace that masterpiece just waiting to flow out of your pen and straight onto the best-seller list?
The Writers Retreat in Hardys Bay
Settle in for the long haul then, somewhere beautiful and inspiring, just like The Writers Retreat in Hardys Bay, just 90 minutes north of Sydney and isolated enough to get rid of that writer’s block.
With a waterfront position and expansive bay views, this recently restored and renovated retreat is stylishly decorated, to preserve the perfect writer’s environment – and is also minutes from the beach, incase you need to go off in search of some inspiration.
Described as the “quintessential Australian holiday home", the fishing cottage is split into two levels, and all rooms have floor to ceiling glass doors that open to an expansive deck that overlooks the water.
Discounts for writers
The home is open to all guests, however substantial discounts are available to writers and other creative people booking the house for four weeks or more.
Hardy’s Bay Writer’s Retreat.
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AI Prompt
Mount Lofty House in Adelaide
Garden-set Mount Lofty House in Adelaide is the perfect setting to nestle in and get that first book done – finally.
This home, which resembles something from Downton Abbey, offers a vast selection of rooms and fit-outs, including the House Original, Piccadilly Garden – and for a more ‘Lord of the house’ feel, you can even book one of the luxurious suites.
The expansive home was founded by Arthur Hardy, who arrived in Australia from England when he was just 21. He overcame illness to become a grazier on land around the Adelaide foothills, before starting a professional career in politics in law. He was also Australia’s first Grand Master of the Freemasons, and at one point a government minister and a member of the supreme court.
It is hoped that others who stay in the home will find similar success to Arthur Hardy.
Mount Loft House, Adelaide.
Camp Creative
But if you need more than just a quiet room (and a fragrant bath), join in a summer camp for grown-ups in the creative hub of Bellingen at Camp Creative and take the ‘Write your life story’ course.
The summer camp is a creative experience for all ages, where you’ll mix with other creatives who are passionate about expressing themselves. The camp provides tutors who are experts in their fields, to help guide creatives pursue or find a new passion.
The camp is open to all ages, and they encourage people to come with a friend, in a group, or alone – as there’s ample opportunity to meet new friends.
The camps go for one week, running Monday to Friday, and you can choose from half or full-day courses. They’re held at either Bellingen High School or Bellingen Primary School.
Bonus: if you don’t want to spend too much of that inevitable author’s advance on your future best-seller, there’s camping available at the local showground from a very eloquent $10 a night.
Take part in the ‘Write your life story’ course at Camp Creative, Bellingen.
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Feast your way through Sun Country on the Murray – a beautiful and bountiful region in northern Victoria with gourmet delights galore.
Nestled on the lands of the Yorta Yorta People along the mighty Murray River, Sun Country is a truly extraordinary place. The northern Victorian enclave is a tapestry of meandering waterways, ancient forests, sandy beaches, enchanting country towns and an easy way of life.
Beyond its landscapes and bucolic charm, Sun Country on the Murray is a culinary paradise: think farm-fresh produce, family-run wineries and no shortage of places to feast.
If you’re a serious foodie or simply epicurious, here’s your ultimate guide to a gourmand Murray River getaway.
The Murray Farm Gate Trail
The self-guided Murray Gate Farm Trail lets you sample the area’s best produce while immersing yourself in the lush Goulburn and Murray Valleys. The trail has something to suit every palate and pace, but there are a few notable highlights.
1. Rich Glen
Stock up at Rich Glen. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
Rich Glen is renowned for its award-winning olive oils. Everything is grown and created on the family farm in Yarrawonga, the results of which you can visit at Rich Glen Provedore – a treasure trove of gourmet foods, including that signature olive oil. Or explore Rich Glen Skin & Beauty, which stocks lush handmade skincare and wellness products.
2. How Now Dairy
A charming micro-farm producing ethical dairy, How Now Dairy , lets its baby calves remain with their mothers and its cows roam on rolling pesticide-free pastures. Try a selection of cheeses that do good and taste good, including a fantastic punchy blue, and velvety milk with a thick, creamy top.
3. Cactus Country
Stop into Cactus Country. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
Cactus Country is a 12-acre stretch of desert-like garden containing cacti of all shapes, sizes and colours. Naturally, it makes the most of its bounty at the on-site bar and restaurant, with a cactus-infused dessert menu alongside a vibrant line-up of Mexican snacks and mains.
4. The Olde Creamery
The Olde Creamery is a local icon, a former hobby farm that has flourished into a thriving purveyor of flowers and foods. The elderflower cordial and bramble gin and tonic jam are must-tries, and make for tasty mementoes of your trip.
Wineries, breweries and distilleries
The region’s sunny climate and rich soils make it a prime place for viticulture. If wine isn’t your thing, you’ll also find boutique breweries and distilleries producing top-notch beers and spirits.
1. Squires Winery
Pop in for a tasting. (Image: Visit Victoria)
With its idyllic positioning on the Ovens River, Squires Winery is a lovely setting for a long, leisurely lunch or tasting. Enjoy a riverside sip of prosecco, rosé or cab sauv, complemented by seasonal bites and a backdrop of towering gum trees.
2. Cape Horn Vineyard
Cape Horn is one of the region’s most established vineyards. Its sparkling durif/shiraz is a crowd favourite and well worth trying on your foodie tour, especially if it’s served with one of the winery’s delicious wood-fired pizzas.
3. Byramine Homestead & Brewery
Enjoy a tipple at this historic homestead.
A top pick among beer, cider and history enthusiasts, Byramine serves a rotation of brews made on-site in the historic homestead. Wander through the venue and learn about its colonial past before sitting down to a freshly made Ploughman’s and cold local ale.
4. Monichino Wines
Monichino is a slice of la dolce vita in northern Victoria, producing classic Italian varietals like pinot grigio and aromatica. Drop by for a tasting at the cellar door (open weekends or by appointment) and explore everything from crisp whites to robust fortified wines, or pack a picnic and savour your glass in the picturesque gardens.
5. Corowa Distilling Co
Sit down to a hearty lunch. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Corowa Distilling Co crafts an incredible variety of single-malt and blended whiskies, and is a beloved spot among locals and visitors alike. Stop in for a tasting flight in the whisky room, or a hearty breakfast or lunch paired with a wee dram.
Farm-to-table dining
If you’ve got the time to linger over a gourmet spread, Sun Country on the Murray has an abundance of outstanding restaurants and cafes.
1. O’Reilly’s Food and Wine
O’Reilly’s feels much like stepping into a good friend’s home, albeit with a refined twist. The menu changes weekly and rotates through a selection of comforting yet elevated dishes – think lamb cottage pie, French-style moussaka, a perennially popular open steak sandwich and cakes that change flavours weekly.
2. Stock and Barrel
Soak in views of Lake Mulwala. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Tucked inside The Sebel Yarrawonga hotel, overlooking sparkling Lake Mulwala, Stock and Barrel does pub classics with a Sun Country spin. Order a perfectly seared steak and triple-cooked potatoes alongside a freshly poured pint, or try a regional highlight: local produce features abundantly across Stock and Barrel’s dishes.
3. The Bend
With spacious decks and panoramic views of the Murray, The Bend is ideal for a sun-soaked long lunch. Order a round of moreish share plates (like baja fish tacos and a warm-from-the-oven brioche loaf stuffed with cream cheese and herbs) or a signature cocktail and indulgent main – we can’t go past the slow-braised wagyu brisket.
4. Blacksmith Provedore
Taste Blacksmith Provedore’s delicious pizzas. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
If you’re after a slick yet relaxed dining destination, head to Blacksmith Provedore . Perched right next to Lake Mulwala, the venue is airy and elegant, with a minimalist-chic design. The pizzas are seriously good too, made with 72-hour fermented dough and toppings sourced from Italy’s finest producers.
5. Broken Willow
As soon as you enter Broken Willow ’s front doors, you’re greeted with genuine hospitality and a classic bistro menu that has something for everyone: succulent grilled meats, parmas and schnitzels, juicy burgers, and international dishes ranging from weekly curry and stir-fry specials to zippy banh mi.
While you’re there
Discover plenty to do between meals. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)
Got a few hours to spare? Make the most of your trip by exploring the natural wonders and rich cultural heritage of your riverside surroundings.
Barmah National Park is a sanctuary of walks through majestic river red gums and serene wetlands. Here, a seat on board a Kingfisher River Cruise offers a different Murray experience, letting you see the vast river from the perspective of the Yorta Yorta peoples.
If you’re a watersport enthusiast, Lake Mulwala in Yarrawonga is a favourite for canoeing, cruising, fishing, kayaking and water skiing. While the silo murals at Katamatite, St James, Tungamah and more recently Waaia are essential stops in Victoria’s famed Silo Art Trail .
In Cobram Barooga, make sure to visit Thompson’s Beach, the largest inland beach in the southern hemisphere. Nearby, the Bullanginya Dreaming project is an award-winning 1.8km immersive art experience that immerses you in light and sound to tell a rich story of country, culture and connection.
