Woodman Estate, Mornington Peninsula

Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne sits this picturesque lake retreat in the form of a charming Victorian manor house. A total of only ten rooms creates a serene atmosphere for guests, with six of the rooms overlooking the lake. Lakeside Chalets offer complete privacy – there’s a lounge and dining area where you can enjoy breakfast delivered to your door, a two-person spa bath and double vanity in the en-suite bathroom. The private deck juts out over the water, giving you the best seats in the house.

Enjoy high tea, a popular tradition at Woodman Estate, with sandwiches and scones served with the resort’s own award-winning jams and preserves. Guests driving to and from the hotel can also explore the rest of the peninsula and its greatest offering: local food and drink. The Mornington Peninsula’s vineyards are some of the best in the country for Pinot Noir and with over 50 wineries with cellar doors, you can try several varieties. Stop by cafés selling artisanal food or one of the area’s five Chef’s Hats restaurant, or pick your own cherries (mid-November to mid-January) and strawberries (November to April) on a local farm (at extra cost).