A night at Basalt Retreat proves the best way to start (or finish) the Great Ocean Road isn’t with a coastal view – it’s with a glass of pinot and a vine outside your window.
I did the Great Ocean Road backwards, starting in Port Fairy instead of finishing there, and my first night on the road ended up being one of the best of the whole trip. Basalt Retreat is tucked into a working vineyard, and after a long drive, checking into a villa surrounded by 24-year-old vines with a glass of Basalt’s own pinot in hand felt like exactly the right way to kick things off.
Where is Basalt Retreat?
Basalt Retreat is an adults-only escape along the Great Ocean Road.
Basalt Retreat sits on Basalt Wines, just off the Princes Highway at Killarney, a short 10-minute hop from Port Fairy and about 20 minutes from Warrnambool. It’s well positioned if you’re doing the Great Ocean Road in either direction – close enough to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve that we squeezed in wild koala spotting the next morning, and close enough to Port Fairy that you can be in Australia’s best festival town for activities in town. It doesn’t have ocean views, but what it does have is quiet, rolling, working-farm scenery that feels like a proper decompression zone before or after the coast.
What is the style and character of Basalt Retreat?
The design leans into warm timber and calming earthy tones.
This is a two-villa, adults-only property, and it wears that boutique scale well. There’s no big reception building or resort sprawl here – just two architect-designed villas built literally within the rows of vines. The design by Ample Co leans into warm timber, calming earthy tones and floor-to-ceiling views of the vineyard, so wherever you’re sitting, there’s a vine in your eyeline. It makes you want to sit still for a while, which is clearly the whole point – everything about it is built for slowing down rather than ticking off a checklist.
What facilities does Basalt Retreat have?
Warm up by the fireplace. (Credit: Ample Co + Brook James)
A proper coffee machine is a luxury in a world of pod machines.
Share a bottle of Basalt pinot noir on the deck.
Given there are only two villas on the property, “facilities" here means something more intimate than a gym-and-pool situation, and it works in the property’s favour. Each villa comes with its own private deck, outdoor fire pit, in-room fireplace, air conditioning and heating, a Bose wireless speaker, and an honesty bar stocked with local wine, spirits and small provisions (items get tallied up and charged at checkout, so don’t be shy). There’s also a short stroll to the cellar door for tastings and lunch, and priority restaurant bookings throughout your stay if you want to make the most of it. It’s worth noting the property is a working farm with beehives onsite, so you’re asked to stick to the guest areas rather than wander into restricted zones.
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AI Prompt
What are the rooms like at Basalt Retreat?
A plush queen bed draped in immaculate linens.
One detail might amuse Harry Potter fans.
Relax in the rainfall shower. (Credit: Ample Co + Brook James)
We stayed in Villa Pinot Noir, one of the two villas on offer (the other is Villa Tempranillo). Sage tones, light timber and a wall of glass meant the room filled with natural light in the morning, with a queen bed dressed in cloud-soft linen and a private deck facing straight into the pinot rows.
The bathroom was a sleek, contemporary stone affair (the basin reminded me of the stone basin Dumbledore drinks from in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), and the little touches – proper linen and towels, a mini fridge, tea and coffee facilities, weekly room service – meant it felt considered rather than just functional.
Villa Tempranillo, for anyone wanting a moodier alternative, leans into warmer, earthier tones for what looks like an equally cosy escape. Both villas cap out at two guests each, so this isn’t a spot for a group trip – it’s built for a couple, or in my case, two sisters happy to share a bottle of red and call it a night.
What is the dining like at Basalt Retreat?
A fresh breakfast is provided to start the day.
The in-villa honesty bar.
You'll usually find Paddy hanging out at the cellar door.
Dining is where Basalt Retreat quietly shows off. The cellar door serves Mediterranean-inspired lunches alongside the property’s own cool-climate wines, and it’s an easy stroll from your villa if you want a long, lingering afternoon looking out over the vines.
Breakfast is a locally sourced hamper delivered to your room, think organic yoghurt, freshly squeezed juice, artisan muesli, a croissant loaf and house-made condiments, plus freshly roasted coffee and a curated tea selection to make yourself.
There’s no kitchen for cooking your own meals, but with the cellar door lunch menu, optional chef’s selection lunches with matched wines, and a pre-bookable supper menu for your villa, you’re unlikely to need one.
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Does Basalt Retreat have access for guests with disabilities?
The villas are accessed via stairs.
This is one to flag before you book. Basalt Retreat is a working farm property, and the villas themselves are accessed via stairs, so it’s not currently set up for guests with mobility requirements. The property is upfront about this and recommends contacting them directly before booking if you have specific accessibility needs, so they can talk you through what’s realistic for the site.
Is Basalt Retreat family-friendly?
The perfect spot to wind down after a long day. (Credit: Ample Co + Brook James)
No – and it’s not trying to be. Basalt Retreat is an explicitly adults-only escape, with a minimum guest age of 18, so this one’s for couples, girls’ trips or anyone after a quiet, grown-up pause on the Great Ocean Road rather than a family stopover. If you’re travelling with kids, this isn’t your stay, but if you’re after a night of doing absolutely nothing except drinking good wine by a fire, it’s hard to beat.
Details
Reset with a vineyard view.
Best for: Couples or friends wanting a quiet, adults-only reset before or after the Great Ocean Road drive, especially wine lovers.
Address: 1131 Princes Highway, Killarney, Vic
Phone: 0429 682 251
Cost: Packages from around $695 for a one-night midweek retreat (breakfast hamper, chef’s lunch, wine tasting and more included), but rates vary by season and package. Book direct for 10 per cent off standard bookings.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
Rest and recuperate in the East Gippsland region, a haven of natural hot springs, seasonal festivals and really tasty things to eat.
It’s about this time of year that the buzz of the summer holidays is well and truly behind us, and the pressures of the day-to-day are starting to pile up. The solution? A proper weekend escape, ideally one with a focus on rest, relaxation and total reset.
East Gippsland delivers all three in spades. Here, you’ll find charming towns, natural scenery alive with wildlife and easygoing experiences – think steamy hot springs and idyllic lakefront stays that practically force you to unwind.
The Gippsland Lakes are one of the region’s highlights, a sprawling network of glassy waterways with a seriously calming atmosphere. Spend a few days here, and you’ll be well and truly recharged.
Here’s where to eat, stay, explore and unwind for a wellness-focused weekend in this gorgeous region.
Getting there
Visit lakeside villages like Lakes Entrance.
East Gippsland is a patchwork of towns, each with its own personality: coastal gems like Marlo and Mallacoota, lakeside villages including Metung, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance and a smattering of inland communities.
From Melbourne, getting to each is easy. The region can be reached by car in around four hours, just a smooth drive along the Princes Highway.
If you’re driving to or from Sydney, many of the towns sit along the legendary Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, which winds its way through Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Marlo and Mallacoota.
Having a car makes exploring the region a breeze, as you can pull over at farm gates, take scenic detours and go at your own relaxing pace.
Winter delights
Experience that East Gippsland Winter Festival. (Credit: Naomi Rahim)
Winter is a particularly good time to visit. The East Gippsland Winter Festival is a raucous celebration of wintery food, drink, music and experiences, taking place over an entire month and in different towns.
Expect re-enactments, games, roving performances and fiery displays at the Bruthen Medieval event. Feast your way through regional bites and watch live wood carving and a hotly contested dumpling-eating competition in the waterside town of Metung. Head to Lakes Entrance for one of the festival’s signature events, Lakes Lights: Gardens of the Galaxy – a slightly cosmic and totally mesmerising display of lights. Or book a seat at the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge Long Lunch. This long-table feast stretches across the entire bridge, with sweeping river views and top-tier local produce.
Where to stay
Rejuvinate at Metung Hot Springs.
Metung is also a much-loved destination for natural hot springs – warm mineral pools believed to restore and detoxify the system. Here, you’ll find a network of tranquil springs fed with water sourced 500m below the surface, all at varying temperatures but with a healthy mix of soothing minerals and trace elements. Each looks over the stunning surrounding lakes, only adding to the sense of serenity.
Extend the relaxation by booking into Metung Hot Springs. The property is home to a collection of glamping tents – either perched on the hillside or overlooking the lagoon – that deliver after-hours access to the springs. These are no ordinary tents; expect plush linens, beautifully curated furnishings, warm service and a complimentary gourmet breakfast delivered daily.
Alternatively, book a night or two at Idle Lake House – a gorgeously appointed hideaway in Lakes Entrance. The aesthetic is moody, modern and very cool, and the property is situated right on the water’s edge with floor-to-ceiling windows that immerse you in the surroundings.
Where to eat
Sit down at the floating restaurant, Sodafish. (Credit: We Are Explorers)
Given its wealth of fresh seafood and exceptional produce, East Gippsland is home to a vast selection of eateries, with options to suit all tastes and budgets.
For something a little bit fancy, Sardine Dining in Paynesville is a must-visit. The hatted restaurant serves a seasonal seafood-focused menu made with premium local ingredients, while the adjoining wine bar is a top spot for a regional drop and a light snack.
If you’re after a relaxed bite, Sodafish in Lakes Entrance is your best bet. This floating restaurant sits right atop the water, with a vibrant and fresh menu centred on locally caught seafood. Anything off the menu is delicious, but the whole roasted snapper and locally sourced fish and chips are standouts.
Or luxuriate with a long afternoon at the nearby Slipway. This waterfront dining precinct hosts a mix of vendors serving casual food, craft drinks and regionally made goods.
Exploring the great outdoors and local culture
Keep an eye out for the locals. (Credit: Tyson Mayr)
No wellness weekend would be complete without immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of East Gippsland’s outdoors.
Head to Raymond Island – a small island just off Paynesville – to spot local koalas along the Koala Trail. This two-kilometre stretch is one of the few places where you can see koalas doing their thing in their natural habitat, with more than 200 living on the island. Leave the car in Paynesville; the trail can only be accessed on foot.
Next, explore the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, which starts in Colquhoun and ends in Lakes Entrance. Across 23 kilometres, you’ll spot native flora and fauna (including lace goannas) and pass by remnants of the tramway that once serviced timber workers in the area.
Finish up your East Gippsland jaunt with a visit to Gunaikurnai Cultural Hub. The centre houses an Aboriginal Art Gallery displaying contemporary works by Aboriginal artists, and a Bush Cafe serving breakfast and lunch classics and excellent cakes. Pick up a slice and a coffee for your trip back to the city.
