If you’re after a regional stay like no other, you can’t go past Inverloch’s The Silo House. Featured on Grand Designs Australia, this unique house nods to the agricultural ancestry of the area. Two gleaming silos (two bedrooms with ensuites) are attached by a striking glass stairway to the rest of the modern abode, which resembles a milking shed. The result is a wonderfully eclectic house that sleeps up to 12 adults.

Indulge all your fantasies about living the life of a regenerative farmer in the enchanting hamlet of Musk, just outside the spa town of Daylesford. Dairy Flat Farm is a six-suite lodge, vineyard, olive grove and sourdough bakehouse set on 40 acres of rolling countryside. If that doesn’t win you over, how does a fire pit, hot tub, on-site concierge and farmhouse breakfast sound? This is the ultimate way to plot your escape to the country, albeit with a fabulous cocktail in your hand.

Amid the gardens and vines of the Mornington Peninsula, sits Lindenderry Red Hill by Lancemore – a 40-room luxury boutique hotel that feels a world away from the city. This is romantic European country style at its best – sweeping views of dappled grape vines, cloud-soft beds and tactile earthy furnishings that will want to make you linger in your suite. But don’t linger too long – the chef’s set menu in The Dining Room restaurant is not to be missed.

You might come for the ocean views or the annual folk festival, but you’ll want to stay on in Port Fairy once you step inside the Drift House. It’s a petite, design-led retreat which consists of six king suites, each with a very different feel. But the overarching DNA of the award-winning property is one of beauty and invitation – from the delightful free-standing garden pavilion where the breakfast will knock your socks off, to the complimentary yo-yos in your room, homemade by a local baker.

There’s something immensely appealing about The Criterion Hotel in Sale, a modern gastropub that took out Hotel of the Year in the 2021 AHA Awards for best regional and pub style accommodation. It’s the perfect spot to sample the best of Gippsland produce, beer and wine before heading up to one of the hotel’s refurbished guest rooms.

Since 1875, The Continental on the Mornington Peninsula has been an icon. Recently revamped, ‘The Conti’ as it’s known to locals, is more than just a hotel, it’s a precinct. There’s now a vibrant collection of hospitality venues (including Scott Pickett’s acclaimed Audrey’s), as well as 108 luxurious rooms, terrace suites and penthouses with seaside views. Oh, and don’t forget the Aurora Spa and Bathhouse – an expansive wellness centre that boasts an ‘igloo’ ice room.

As soon as you check into The Woods, you never want to leave. Set amongst a beautifully landscaped native garden are two cabins, each thoughtfully furnished with Australian vintage and reclaimed items that speak to the bush surroundings. There’s a fully equipped communal kitchen as well as a pizza oven, BBQ, fire pit and tennis court – everything you’d ever need for a well-deserved getaway.

Perched on the edge of Lake Sambell is a house with a stunning view. Welcome to the aptly named The Lakehouse, a 4-bedroom property with a cosy fireplace, two living areas and an excellent kitchen. If you can tear yourself away from watching the world go by from your undercover deck, you’re just a short 10-minute walk from the town’s historic centre.

For a hotel that’s on the money, check into Bendigo’s Ernest Hotel. Housed in the town’s oldest bank building (dating back to 1864), everywhere you look there’s evidence of its rich history – from the stone wall with bullet holes (from a heist during the goldrush) to the enormous old safe which is now a gorgeous spot to sit. Bendigo is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, so the hotel is an ideal base from which to explore the town’s epicurean delights.

A glamorous hotel in Melbourne’s western suburbs? Allow us to introduce you to the Holiday Inn Werribee. Boasting some of the best views in the west (the hotel occupies the top four floors of the only high-rise building in the area), Holiday Inn embodies Memphis design – think modern, spacious rooms, curvy furniture and pops of colour. While there’s increasingly great options to eat out in Werribee, we suggest eating in at Rosana Bistro + Bar where the great food is only heightened by the stunning views of the city.

Surrounded by manna gum, sheoak and blackwood trees with a stunning view of the Southern Ocean are two self-contained Sky Pods – luxurious off-grid cabins that make the most of their rugged seaside surroundings. Bring your soulmate and some wine, and watch the cinematic sky light up with every shade of pink, purple and red.

The overall feel at Lancemore Milawa is Palm Springs meets the Mediterranean, which is accentuated by the patio hammocks, poolside cabanas and outdoor dining, shaded by white scalloped-edge umbrellas. While the sun-drenched outdoor areas are perfect for the summer months, Victoria is no stranger to chilly winters. In the cooler months, stay warm by indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits. The floor to ceiling windows ensure that the stunning view of Lancemore Milawa’s vineyard is always in sight.