Discover a new vineyard escape on the Great Ocean Road

 

Want to be among the first to check out chic new vineyard accommodation along the Great Ocean Road?

Basalt Retreat has just opened bookings for its new vineyard villas set among the vines of its 24-year-old near Port Fairy, where it grows pinot noir, tempranillo and riesling.

If you are looking for a gourmet-accented adults-only escape along the Great Ocean Road, these two villas - Pinot Noir and Tempranillo - might fit the bill.

Basalt's tasting room and eatery have proven popular with visitors, who can now, for the first time, stay for a few nights. 

Each villa stay includes a Queen bed with cloud-soft premium bedding; a selection of locally sourced snacks, wines and small-batch spirits; indoor fireplace for cooler evenings; a locally sourced breakfast hamper; kettle, toaster and coffee machine; a barbecue overlooking the vines and an in-room supper menu (pre-order required). 

Guests get a complimentary wine tasting at the cellar door and priority dining reservations. 

Villas cost from $495 per night with a two-night minimum stay, although one-night stays are available Sunday through Thursday.

"After years of dreaming, planning and careful craftsmanship, our boutique vineyard villas are now open for bookings," says vigneron/patron Shane Clancey. 

"Nestled within the vines of our 24-year-old vineyard, these architect-designed villas offer a rare experience on the Great Ocean Road. This is a retreat created for stillness, connection and quiet indulgence." 

It has been a while since I visited but Basalt is a delightful destination in a lovely location. 

For details see https://www.basaltwines.com.au/stay/

We’re thrilled to share something truly special. After years of dreaming, planning and careful craftsmanship, our boutique vineyard villas — Basalt Retreat — are now open for bookings. Nestled within the vines of our 24-year-old vineyard, these architect-designed villas offer a rare experience on the Great Ocean Road: a luxury stay immersed in nature, shaped by vineyard life, and made for slow, grounding moments. Wake to soft coastal light drifting through the vines. Settle in for long, Mediterranean-inspired lunches at the cellar door. Savour a glass of Pinot Noir on your private deck as the sun melts over the farm. This is a retreat created for stillness, connection and quiet indulgence.

Vietnam resort success story celebrates first birthday

The Central Coast of Vietnam is booming as a tourism destination with dozens of new resorts having opened over the past few years. 

One that has got off to a flying start is the Gran Meliá Nha Trang, a seafront hotel that is celebrating its first anniversary this month. 

Vietnam’s first and only Gran Meliá resort, this five-star retreat opened in July 2023 and is already listed on the region's top 5 on Tripadvisor with a 5/5 rating. 

There has been praise for its outstanding villas and "its ability to seamlessly blend the brand’s rich Spanish heritage with the finest Vietnamese hospitality".

“Our first anniversary gives us the chance to reflect on a wonderful year, during which we have curated many magical moments and made many new friends," says Jingyi Wu, the resort's executive assistant manager.

"We are proud to have achieved such a strong first year, but this is just the beginning - moving forward, we will continue to improve, innovate and elevate the standard of five-star hospitality in Vietnam."

So plenty of confidence there. I'll try to take a look when I visit with Vietjet in October. 

To celebrate its first anniversary, Gran Meliá Nha Trang has unveiled a  program of activities and events that capture the Spanish spirit of fiesta. 

Gran Meliá Nha Trang’s “Anniversary Offer” - available for bookings made during the remainder of July - includes early check-in, late check-out, and an upgrade to the next room category (subject to availability), plus complimentary stays for up to two children under 12 years old. 

For more info check out www.melia.com/en/hotels/vietnam/nha-trang/gran-melia-nha-trang.

Luxury new accommodation opens in Margaret River

There will be a new place to stay in the Margaret River region from next month with the opening of Edge Luxury Villas at Springwater Estate.

The adults-only retreat will start welcoming guests in a couple of weeks. 

There will be four luxury villas, all built over the property's lake and boasting water views from their private decks. 

All the villas are equipped with self-sufficient kitchenettes, lounge areas, king beds, bathrooms with freestanding stone baths, and luxury fittings.

One of the villas is also fully accessible for those with mobility issues. 

See  https://www.edgeluxuryvillas.com.au/

In other hospitality news from Tourism Western Australia, the Wonil Hotel in Perth has opened its signature restaurant West Kitchen & Bar.

It is said to offer a "laid-back culinary experience" while taking in views of Perth and the Swan River.

West Kitchen & Bar aims to exclusively source West Australian produce and wines.

Meanwhile, Dunn Bay Continental, a grocer, wine store, café, deli and flower shop, has opened in Dunsborough, serving up gourmet produce from the Margaret River region and beyond.

Dunn Bay Continental is located within the new Southcamp precinct, which opened its doors earlier this year with village-style accommodation offering 18 cabins and two apartments, alongside a Brewhouse bar and kitchen.

Back in Perth, Elizabeth Quay will welcome the opening of another venue on the waterfront this month, with 6HEAD Perth set to open its doors on November 24.

This will be the second venue for the premium steakhouse, after opening in Sydney in 2019.

Busselton's hospitality scene continues to boom, with the opening of Inara Dining in the newly redeveloped Busselton Central Shopping Centre.

The contemporary restaurant and bar specialises in Middle Eastern cuisine.

The state's WA's oldest wine region, the Swan Valley, has welcomed another micro-distillery and tasting room.

Damaged Goods Distilling Co gets its name from its sustainable concept of using 'waste' and unwanted produce to distil liquor.

The spirits on offer including a citrus gin, smashed apple aperitivo and banana vodka. A little weird. but hey.

Holy land! Ruined former church to become luxury accommodation

The team behind award-winning luxury accommodation Clifftop at Hepburn and Samurai Villas have taken on a new challenge: converting a derelict church to luxury accommodation.

David and Manolita Penman have purchased the once grand St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Daylesford and plan to pay respect to the church's history as they transform it into somewhere special to stay.

Time has not been kind to St Andrew’s. The buildings have been neglected and frequented by local youths for sex, drugs, alcohol and vandalism.

The dilapidated wooden Sunday School to the rear of the church was in a particularly ruined state and posed a genuine danger before its recent collapse in the storms.

The Council acted quickly to protect the community and issued an Emergency Demolition Order.

"With the Sunday School gone, it deeply saddens me that vandals turned their attention to destroying the historically and architecturally significant church itself," says David Penman.

" Virtually all of the stained glass windows have been smashed beyond salvage and some have even had their frames ripped from the wall. Doors have been torn from hinges and racist graffiti has been sprayed both inside and outside the church. Most lights fittings have been smashed and people have even been defecating in the Church.

"Time has wrought water leaks, rotting floors, mould and crumbling brickwork."

St Andrew’s (above, in its pomp) was notable for its stunning pipe organ, built by E. Cornwall Cook in 1904. One of only two surviving organs by Cook in Australia.

The restoration and renewal of the church is a significant and costly project that requires considerable financial resources and time.

The Penmans have plans in train, subject to council approval, convert the remains of the church into two luxury villas and build several townhouses to the rear.

www.clifftopathepburn.com.au