Lake House

"A scenic 90-minute drive northwest of Melbourne, gourmet eateries, rejuvenating day spas, and boutique guesthouses combine to make the picturesque country town of Daylesford an indulgent escape. Harness the healing properties of the region's natural mineral springs with a luxe spa experience at Lake House, an elegant hotel on the shores of Lake Daylesford that's also home to a two-hatted (Australia's version of a Michelin star) restaurant." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Eat and Stay Local Near Melbourne At a misty lakeside retreat, on six acres of gardens and fruit orchards roughly 70 miles from Melbourne, chef/co-owner Alla Wolf-Tasker serves such locally sourced goodies as vegetable tagine and truffle pecorino tarts. Guests can enjoy full-day cooking classes with leading Aussie chefs before retreating to their waterfront cabins or the treetop spa."

"There’s a lovely sense of history and nature at Lake House. Lush bushland surrounds the property and bird call is the soundtrack. Chef Alla Wolf-Tasker and her artist husband Allan built a restaurant here three decades ago. They added a few rooms, so people could enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and not have to drive back to Melbourne, then expanded the accommodation options as the restaurant’s popularity flourished. New waterfront studios and another pool opened in September 2018. If you’re ready to eat fine food, chill out in a treetop spa, wander through the forest, and feel cosseted at every turn, then—yes—a couple of nights at Lake House is most definitely worth it." - Carrie Hutchinson