SLOW STAYS

There’s a reason the term ‘country hospitality’ conjures such cosy, warm feelings. Why a white weatherboard cottage set amongst gold and green farmland pulls at our heartstrings. Embodying this heady country romance to a tee, Honeysuckle Farm is an early 1900s cottage set on the grounds of Lauriston Hills Estate, just over an hour from Melbourne. The experience here is one of feeding the friendly British Alpine goats and wandering past alpacas on your way to a picnic by the dam. It’s lighting the fire to warm the heart of the cottage while you sink into blue-hued mineral water in the outdoor bathtub, then diving under the woollen blankets and feather down duvets in the jewel-toned bedrooms. Come morning, days begin with cups of coffee, crusty sourdough and free range eggs before a roll along country rides on one of the bikes provided. Perhaps you’ll head out to explore in nearby Kyneton, Trentham and Daylesford, and pre-order a wood-fired pizza to return to in your cottage at night. This stay is ideally suited to couples, groups of friends, or families with teenage or adult children.