Stay Here: Tour This Adults-Only Coastal Resort and Spa on the Bellarine Peninsula

Situated amongst historic townships and some of the most pristine stretches of coastline in the country, Lon Retreat couldn't be in a better location for an off-the-grid weekend stay to recharge the batteries and reignite your connection to the great outdoors. Just a stone's throw away from the spectacular Great Ocean Road and award-winning food and wine growers, this slice of Victorian paradise is both modern and rooted in deep Australian history. Completed in 2018, the seven-suite hotel inhabits the original sandstone cottage on the family farm which has been in operation for over one-hundred years and spans seven generations. The newest custodians Claire and Rob Gemes have thoughtfully designed the ideal spot for those looking to disconnect from their busy schedules and live the slow life for a while.

This boutique hotel feels like home, on purpose. Claire and Rob were sure to source all of the materials, furniture and decorations that went into the interior design from local (or at least Australian) artisans and suppliers to maintain a warmth and a connection the land that we hold dear. The result is an elevated retreat that invites you to mingle with other guests (no more than sixteen at a time), maybe with a glass of red by the fireplace or perhaps over the daily paper at breakfast on the deck. Everything here revolves around the abundant nature that envelops the building from every angle and is impossible to embrace. Lon is hidden on a hill by the ocean, so the coastal landscape shifts with each new window. It reminds you to slow down.

The spaces within the retreat are beautifully-curated and follow a relaxed yet sophisticated design direction. There's an abundance of luxurious textures, from grasscloth wallpapers to pure linen bedding. Earthy tones let raw timbers and sandstone details shine, further accentuating the site's rich history. As well as providing seven individually-styled suites, we'd be remiss not to mention the exclusive mineral spa on site. Using water sourced from natural mineral springs running beneath the farm, there are soaking tubs as well as steam rooms that let you take in the immense landscape in a soothing environment. There's an entire spa menu of treatments to indulge in, from a remineralising body mask to a detox body wrap. To sweeten the deal, a locally-sourced grazing platter makes for a perfect post-treatment meal to be enjoyed while gazing out across the breathtaking Victorian coastline.

For more luxe stays, you have to see this modernist resort in Crete.

Images courtesy of Lon Retreat. Photography by Nikole Ramsay.