Yarra Valley accommodation for weekend wanderings from Melbourne

Araluen Boutique Accommodation | 1-hour from Melbourne

How better to end a long working week than jetting off with friends to Araluen Boutique Accommodation? An hour’s drive from Melbourne (or just seven minutes by car north of Yarra Glen), this exclusive complex set in a national park is the place for friends to unwind in countryside beauty. With three villas and a lodge – each with self-service amenities, state-of-the-art sound systems and double spa baths – this hosted stay offers privacy and comfort in style. Polished wood floors, statement rugs and delicate chandeliers create a swank yet snug space for sharing stories over a bottle of red next to no-fuss electric fireplaces.

Be inspired by the hotel’s proximity to family-run vineyards to spend an indulgent afternoon tasting some of the region’s sparkling and still wines. That is if you bother to leave the hotel grounds – the generous solar-heated outdoor pool and sun terrace call for long, reclined afternoons under the sun and lazy evenings of starlit conversation. Food can be as social as you like, with both communal barbeque facilities and private kitchenettes. Those who want to talk less and relax more can whisk themselves away to the on-site spa for such self-love sessions as a calming body massage or a decadent Modere facial.

Myers Creek Cascades | 75 minutes from Melbourne

The name of this hotel alone conjures up images of wild escapades and natural wonders. A little over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, four unique cottages make up the accommodation at Myers Creek Cascades, each one offering comfortable seclusion deep within the sounds of the forest.

While steeped in forest glory, these cottages are far from simple. Elegant European architectural elements like French doors and vaulted timbered ceilings bring sophistication to semi-outdoor living so guests can reconnect with nature from a place of comfort. In the Dreamwood Cottage, find a deep spa bath surrounded by windows into the forest, or elevate your stay into the canopy with the whimsical Treetops Cottage. Softly lit mornings can begin by ordering a personal breakfast hamper (think free range eggs, mushrooms, asparagus, avocado, bacon, yoghurt and seasonal fruit) for a decadent breakfast in your king-size bed.

Those seeking romance can cuddle close around log fires and seductive spa facilities. Groups can take advantage of a cushy barbeque area or book a local winery tour for quality catch-ups over a glass of Pinot Noir (or three). Generous pamper packages add that extra touch of glamour to your stay – lie back for a Warrah facial in the comfort of your own cottage or pre-order a wine and cheese platter for a hassle-free night in on your balcony or terrace.

Marysville Garden Cottages | 2 hours from Melbourne

‘Picturesque’ doesn’t do justice to the little Yarra Valley town of Marysville. At its heart, you’ll find the quaint 4-star Marysville Garden Cottages, a small complex of boutique abodes geared towards romance and relaxation for couples escaping the city. The complex’s warm, rustic decor – crowned by luminous stained-glass windows – inspires a classical atmosphere, but modern touches keep stays here super comfortable. Features like deep double spa baths, quality linens and warming gas-log fires make for the ultimate weekend getaway with your other half.

The surrounding countryside is likely to top your ‘must-see’ list, and the best way to explore this verdant, wildflower-kissed region is by foot. Maps to guide a romantic wander in the fresh air are available at the Visitor’s Information Centre in Marysville. While you’re there, check out the Indidj Art Gallery for a taste of indigenous culture, then head on to the lively bi-monthly community market for local produce and souvenirs before returning to your cottage to curl up in front of the fire.

Healesville Apartments | 1-hour from Melbourne

With conveniences like self-service amenities, apartment accommodation can be just the thing for a friends’ weekend away. The peaceful haven of Healesville Apartments consists of just four apartments, each with an elegant spa or claw-foot bath. Mixed texture fabrics, mist-wrapped mountain views and room designs ranging from silken Japanese to French Provincial let you tailor your holiday to personal tastes. Private balconies and terraces invite sipping aromatic coffees in the morning or clinking glasses of something stronger as the sun goes down. Even the family pooch is welcome in the private and enclosed Garden Apartment.

There’s plenty to explore in the local area, too. Take a short scenic drive and you’ll stumble upon more wineries than you’ll know what to do with. Other attractions include the celebrated Healesville Sanctuary, the Tarrawarra Museum of Modern Art and countless natural beauty spots to lose yourself in for a while. The central location of the apartments means you’re never far from a decent restaurant – or one of Healesville’s boozier settings, for that matter. Should you enjoy playing chef and sommelier, a fully-equipped kitchen back at the apartment has you covered for an evening in.

Holly Lane Mews | 1-hour from Melbourne

Not to be confused with its three sister properties, the Yarra Valley Holly Lane Mews offers an authentic dose of heartfelt hospitality in the middle of the Victorian countryside. Romantically set on a thoroughbred farm draped in greenery, each room is kitted out for a calming break. If you’re taking your friends with you, check yourselves into the three-bedroom Summer Apartment. Suitable for up to six adults, this spa apartment presents homely touches like quilted bedspreads and brass-tipped furniture. A corner spa bath trimmed in gleaming brass invites long, candlelit soaks as evening fades.

The Summer Apartment and Silo Suite kitchenettes come stocked with a spread of fresh and stewed fruits, pastries, cheeses, breads and cereals for fixing casual group breakfasts. A tree-lined plunge pool and barbeque area put the finishing touches to summer stays here, while indoor heating, plush furnishings and free in-house movies turn winter breaks into snuggly retreats.

Walking, cycling and horseback trails guide you around the property and its picture-perfect lake; you might even bump into the resident wombat or one of the 100 or more species of birds that share the land. Anyone with a penchant for wine will be seduced by the nearly dozen wineries within a five-minute drive of the farm’s entrance. Tasting session, anyone?

Brentwood Accommodation | 80 minutes from Melbourne

Charm resonates from this property’s postcard country exterior to its rosebush-lined terrace and impressive acreage of green gardens. Features across the cottage and apartments at Brentwood Accommodation vary, but all provide cooking facilities, verandas for stretching out beneath the wide open sky and serene bedroom spaces that demand decadent lie-ins. The tranquil location also lends itself to solid nights of quality sleep so you can spend your days refreshed and recharged for exploring the famed Yarra Valley.

Choose from world-class wineries for a day touring vineyards and sampling home-grown produce. If gin be your drink of choice, try the Four Pillars distillery for a Golden Bijou – a sultry, sweet blend of yellow chartreuse, silky vermouth, dry island gin, fennel fronds and a lemon twist. For those with a sweet tooth, no trip here would be complete without a visit to the Chocolaterie in nearby Yarra Glen. Should all these indulgences start to weigh on your waistline, a hike in the undulating greenery surrounding Brentwood should soon sort you out.

Wild Cattle Creek Estate | 1 hour from Melbourne

Sitting on impressive acres of ripening vines and rolling green expanses, this estate caters to the unapologetically self-indulgent. Accommodation here tips into the luxurious, offering sumptuous wine tastings at the hotel’s very own 200-year-old cellar doors. Guest villas are kitted out with plump leather sofas, flat-screen TVs, smartphone docking stations and other modern touches, making them ideal both for romantic stays and friend retreats.

Each villa at the Wild Cattle Creek Estate has its own kitchen and dining area for those craving a home-away-from-home feel. If complete extravagance is what you’re after, peruse the on-site à la carte restaurant offerings. Dine al-fresco on a locally sourced menu in the midst of nature with choices like Flinders Island premium steak or lamb croquettes served with savoury tahini yoghurt and pomegranate arils.

The Estate is just minutes from the township of Seville, where you can visit shops and sample local wares in a range of cafés. With everything the Estate itself has to offer, though, you might just find yourself reluctant to leave the sanctuary of this Yarra Valley gem.