4 spots around Victoria set to be the next big thing

Want to dig deeper into your holiday destination to uncover the stories it can tell? Staying at these Lancemore properties in Victoria opens up the essence of each location.

Wandering through a vineyard, tasting the best regional produce – think rich King Valley cheese, handmade chocolate or fresh pastries – Victoria offers extraordinary experiences. Whether it’s the bustle of Melbourne’s laneway district or an escape into an indulgent foodie fantasy, staying at the hand-picked Lancemore Victoria locations ensures a personal connection with the region you are visiting.

Find a new corner of Victoria to explore, with these locations set to be the next big thing.

1. Milawa

Farm gates, cellar doors and gourmet specialty stores abound in the Milawa gourmet region, in the north-east’s High Country. Wine and dine to your heart’s content, then gather your choice of local produce to take back to your home-away-from-home, Lancemore Milawa.

Where to stay

Recently emerging from a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the beautiful 40-room Lancemore Milawa invites guests to unwind in boutique luxury. Styled with gentle allusions to a modern Mediterranean and Moorish aesthetic, the palette is soothing and muted, blending with the beautiful landscape of merlot grapevines and distant peaks beyond. Manicured gardens enclose the two-storey hotel, where guests can lounge on the terrace, slip into the pool or savour a glass of red by the fireplace.

Stay in the beautiful King Valley.

Where to eat

Lancemore Milawa’s onsite Merlot Restaurant Bar sets the scene for elevated but relaxed dining overlooking the sun-drenched merlot vines beyond. From breakfast to dinner it’s a paddock-to-plate affair, where produce is sourced from the local region.

The King Valley is renowned for the world-class wines available at its many cellar doors including Sam Miranda Winery, Woodpark Wines and Indigo Vineyard Wines. But there is so much more for gourmands to discover. Gin lovers should head to the quaint family-owned Hurdle Creek Distillery or Barking Owl Distilling Co., which also produces liqueurs. Then there are the artisan cheeses, seasonal mustard, local honey and an array of baked goods to sample.

Enjoy locally inspired meals at Restaurant Merlot.

Top things to do

Hire an e-bike at Lancemore, or lace up your walking boots, and spend time exploring a short stretch of the scenic Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.  Just five kilometres will bring you to the quaint town of Oxley. Along the way, stop to admire the historic red-brick Oxley Flour Mill, built in 1868. There are lovely picnic spots at Memorial Park and beside the King River in Stan Allen Reserve.

Cycle the Milawa Rail Trail.

2. Red Hill

Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula is just an hour from Melbourne, and this charming wine-producing region is a popular place to give everyday life the slip. Proliferated with gourmet finds, cellar doors and dreamy beaches, it’s a must-visit on any Victorian escape.

Where to stay

Set on 34 acres of gorgeous gardens and vines, Lancemore Lindenderry is in the heart of Red Hill. Revel in landscapes of rolling green hills and coastal views, all just minutes from excellent cool climate wineries. A home base from which to explore the local vineyards or wander barefoot on nearby beaches, Lindenderry’s tranquil setting among 34 acres of gardens and vines allows guests to truly exhale. Book into one of 40 elegant guest rooms surrounded by European-style gardens.

Spend your afternoon wandering the beautiful gardens

Where to eat

With Lancemore’s hatted The Dining Room on the property, you needn’t travel far to sample the region’s incredible local fare. The a la carte menu is set to the rhythm of the seasons and is complemented with a sensational wine list from Lindenderry and beyond.

Elsewhere, savour the flavour of the peninsula by indulging in wine tastings or pairings at local wineries Avani, Ocean Eight or Mont Rouge Estate. Or enjoy a cheese tasting at BoatShed Cheese Co. For those with a sweet tooth, there are chocolatiers to discover and the lure of Pure Peninsula Honey in all its forms.

Taste two-hatted meals at The Dining Room.

Top things to do

Make a restorative visit to the soothing waters at Peninsula Hot Springs. For lovers of good produce, be sure to sniff out a truffle hunt, and visit the local cherry and strawberry farms. The local golf courses will appeal to those who love a spin around the green.

The Sculpture Park at Pt Leo Estate offers a visual feast. Wander through this amazing outdoor gallery – set within the over 133-hectare estate that also encompasses rolling vineyards and grazing cattle – to marvel at 60 mostly large-scale works by Australian and international artists. Then explore the cellar door and restaurant.

Wander the sculpture garden at Pt. Leo Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria)

3. Werribee Park

Starting life as a 93,000-acre sheep station, today the Werribee Park precinct encompasses a range of experiences. Explore heritage-listed Werribee Mansion, enjoy a picnic on the beautiful grounds or watch the land burst with colour when 5000 roses bloom in the Victoria State Rose Garden.

Once the working heart of the Werribee Park estate, the remaining bluestone outbuildings of the farmyard provide a stark contrast to the elaborate craftsmanship of the Chirnside Mansion. Wander down to the heritage orchard and see the work the community and Parks Victoria have put in to preserve and restore the fruit orchard originally planted by the Chirnside family in the late 1800s.

Where to stay

The multi-award-winning Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park offers an escape into history, food and immersive cultural experiences. Just a 30-minute drive from Melbourne, book one of 91 guest rooms in what is, literally, one of the grandest hotels in Australia. Truly, this hotel alone is enough of a reason to visit.

Add to the luxury of this noble 19th-century estate a striking 10 acres of formal English gardens and renowned service from the hotel’s staff. Despite its history, the five-star hotel offers contemporary sophistication and amenities. Sit down to a tasty meal, relax with a spa treatment or stroll the grounds at a leisurely pace.

Stay at the grand Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park.

Where to eat

Relax with garden views at Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park’s onsite restaurant, Joseph’s Dining. Stop in for a cocktail at the bar, or savour an award-winning modern European menu featuring fresh, seasonal produce (some of it even grown on the Mansion grounds) while taking in vistas of Werribee Gardens. Every weekend. treat yourself to lavish high tea of sweet and savoury treats – not to mention free flowing Prosecco.

A light stroll away, Shadowfax Winery is known for its handcrafted wines and seasonal, locally sourced cuisine. After lunch, indulge in a wine-tasting session where you’ll experience a variety of Shadowfax’s finest wines.

Indulge in award-winning fare at Joseph’s Dining.

Top things to do

For total indulgence, stay at your hotel and experience the Hammam at L.M. Spa, one of Melbourne’s most exclusive day spas, a luxurious steam bath in the tradition of the Middle East. Book a private Hammam steam room, apply a body scrub and mud mask, lie back and breathe. Add on a unique and specialised treatment, like an indulgent facial that has been custom-made for the harsh Australian climate, or an ancient practice for cleansing the body and mind.

For a change of pace, step back in time at the grand Werribee Park Mansion, built in 1877 for the Chirnside family and featured in a number of films and TV productions, including Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

Elsewhere, go wild at Werribee Open Range Zoo on the banks of the picturesque Werribee River. Ride the safari bus to spot rhinos, giraffes, zebra, camels, bison, antelope and more for an adventure that offers a captivating glimpse into the animal kingdom.

Take in a safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

4. Melbourne

Vibrant and rich with culture, Melbourne is a dynamic city that offers everything from hip enclaves to world-class dining and entertainment, incredible galleries and natural riverside beauty. The truly cosmopolitan city spills creativity into every nook and cranny, from the CBD laneways to the Yarra’s bends, making it the perfect minibreak destination.

Where to stay

Positioned at the Paris end of Bourke Street, Lancemore Crossley St is an elegant boutique stay in the heart of the city, and deftly encapsulates Melbourne’s gritty and glam persona. Poised to take in the best restaurants, the theatre district and luxe shopping, the 113 rooms are soothingly contemporary and adorned with covetable artworks.

Enjoy sweeping city views of Melbourne.

Where to eat

Grab a pre-dinner drink at Lancemore Crossley St’s Rooftop Terrace or Lobby Bar. Then indulge in dumplings in nearby Chinatown, sip espresso at a hidden laneway cafe, taste Spanish tapas at a cantina, or enjoy fine dining at restaurants like Gimlet, Cumulus, Maison Batard and Grossi Florentino. The choices are endless.

Take in a tipple on Lancemore Crossley St Rooftop Bar.

Top things to do

Lancemore Crossley St is a stone’s throw from the best of Melbourne. Wander through Hosier Lane’s street art, discover hole-in-the-wall bars, or hit the shops in the gorgeous historic Block Arcade and Royal Arcade. Immerse yourself in the arts at blockbuster shows at Her Majesty’s Theatre or the Princess Theatre. Or go for a giggle at the Comedy Theatre. Stroll across Princes Bridge to soak up the latest exhibitions at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Admire the street art of Melbourne on Hosier Lane. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Start planning your Victorian getaway at lancemore.com.au.