Secret accommodation of the Great Ocean Road
DISCOVER some of the HIDDEN and lesser-known PLACES to STAY on the Great Ocean Road.
WELCOMING TRAVELLERS for more than 100 years since it was built by returned First World War soldiers as a memorial to their mates, there’s no shortage of places to stay along the Great Ocean Road. Here are seven very different resting spots worth the journey.
ANGELSEA RIVERSIDE MOTEL
Fabulously retro, the Anglesea Riverside Motel has just emerged from a top-to-toe spruce-up that has restored this waterfront drive-in gem to all its white, bright, and bold mid-20th century glory. Laze on sun loungers beside the pool, or stroll across the road to the river or around the corner to the beach. There’s a three-bedroom apartment for families or groups, and plenty of great places to eat nearby. angleseariversidemotel.com.au
LORNE BUSH HOUSE ECO RETREATS
Forget about alarm clocks: the kookaburras provide wake-up calls at Lorne Bush House. A stay in one of these glamping eco retreats is the full bush immersion, even though the bright lights and stellar restaurants (Coda, Movida, Ipsos) of seaside Lorne are only a five-minute drive away. Built into the side of a hill, each canvas-walled cottage has a big double bed complete with electric blanket, en suite, kitchenette, barbecue and heater, but you’ll probably spend most of your stay sitting out on the deck, admiring the view and counting the roos. It’s the perfect place to go wild on the Great Ocean Road.
SKY PODS, CAPE OTWAY
You’ll feel like you’re floating when you check into these stunning Sky Pods; perched on a hill with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, there’s nothing between you and the sea-forever views. It’s a private wildlife refuge, so chances are you’ll see animals without having to leave the couch, and it’s all off-grid, so you can enjoy being pampered guilt-free. There’s plenty to do if you want to explore – but you may just want to stay in with the luxurious amenities, too. skypods.com.au
MERRIJIG INN, PORT FAIRY
The bedrooms in the attic at the Merrijig Inn might be small, but what they lack in space they make up for in charm. Built in 1845 opposite Port Fairy’s original jetty, it’s the oldest inn in Victoria, although the Caledonian down the road, which is a year younger, claims to be the oldest continuously operating pub in Victoria. The Merrijig Inn, or the ’Jig, as it’s known, has been many things, including a police barracks, courthouse, municipal office and private hotel. Today it’s the place to go for early evening cocktails in the fruit and flower-filled garden, and seriously fine food in the historic dining room or cosy front bar. merrijiginn.com
WARILDA FARM AND SPA, BIRREGURRA
A stay at this new boutique day spa on the edge of the hinterland hamlet of Birregurra (famous in foodie circles for its acclaimed restaurants Brae and Yield) is all about indulgence. Enjoy a massage, soak in the views during a bathing ritual in the al fresco volcanic limestone bath, and stay in the 100-year-old guest cottage, which is the ultimate Great Ocean Road hideaway. There’ll be no one else there to spoil the view, apart from the alpacas, sheep, horse and friendly dog called Abby. warildaspa.com.au
DESTINATION M, LOWER GELLIBRAND
Most people prefer to keep rehab a secret, and this spot really is one of those places only a few (very lucky) people know about. Rehab 155 at Destination M is a luxurious self-contained off-the-grid bungalow with wrap-round views perched high on a hill at Lower Gellibrand, right on the Great Ocean Road, surrounded by 18 hectares of private farmland and forest. Almost everything at Destination M is eco-friendly, recycled, upcycled, and beautifully bespoke. Meals are provided, should you wish, by host Mark, a former chef, and his partner, Matthew, who grows almost everything you eat on site. If you’ve never heard of Lower Gellibrand (and most people haven’t) it’s just east of the 12 Apostles. This is one stint at rehab you’ll want to brag about. mnmrehab.com.au/rehab155
DEEP BLUE HOTEL, WARRNAMBOOL
Is there anything better than a float and a soak after a day spent on the road? The first hot springs hotel in Victoria has 15 geothermally heated outdoor plunge pools in the sanctuary, which is on the Warrnambool waterfront. Choose from floating in a cave, mineral-enhanced rockpools, lavender pools, chromotherapy bathing (using coloured lights), reflection bays or salt rooms. There’s also a day spa, indoor bath house, infrared sauna and swimming pool. Rooms and suites all have balconies and most have water views. thedeepblue.com.au