As we emerge from lockdown, what better time to escape the four walls of your home and stretch your legs at a Winter weekend retreat courtesy of Australia’s most curated travel and adventure booking platform, Riparide.
Riparide, with the help of their Storytellers, have provided the ultimate dose of inspiration to help you look forward to adventures beyond lockdown. Riparide Storytellers are real travellers who act as your virtual guide as you follow along with their beautifully curated visual itinerary, ensuring you get the most memorable, soul-nourishing experience that will be sure to make this Winter hibernation the best one yet.
Glass House on the Hills, Story by Andrew & Jessie Hardy/McCall
Mount Franklin, Macedon Ranges, VIC
Providing the ultimate luxury sanctuary, the Glass House on the Hill will leave you feeling a million miles away from reality. The perfect Winter retreat for friends and family looking to unwind together and enjoy a private moment, complete with four bedrooms, an intimate communal area with an indoor fireplace, and a heated plunge pool for ultimate relaxation. Once you’ve had the chance to defrost in your winter retreat, be sure to explore what the local towns have to offer. Storytellers Andrew & Jessie suggest exploring the Sailors Falls loop trail or treat yourself to lunch at Cliffy’s Emporium.
Property Details:
$1,175 Per Night
8 People
A Place for the Whole Pack, Story by Jaccob & Sunshine McKay
Flowerdale, High Country, VIC
This quaint, dog-friendly cottage is made for couples or even solo travellers looking to escape the city and enjoy the serenity found when surrounded by nature. Positioned on a sunny perch on the hill, what better place to take in your breathtaking surroundings of the rolling hills than in your private hot tub? Storytellers Jaccob & Sunshine encourage you to spend the day exploring the local area by car, head to Yea to sample the various bakery goods and take your time to walk around the surrounding rivers and parklands. Be sure to leave enough time in your afternoon to get back to the cottage to play with the resident sheep with new lambs, the chooks, ducks and geese.
Property Details:
$200 per night
2 People
Simply Livin’, Story by Cameron Watts
Mount Toolebewong, Yarra Valley, VIC
The dream getaway for those who take comfort in the idea of ‘less is more’. Appropriately named The Simple Life Cabin, this hidden escape provides an intimate atmosphere complete with mood lighting and elegant decor that provides an unexpected touch of luxury. Positioned amongst the trees, nature is practically calling you to come and explore. Riparide Storyteller, Cameron’s itinerary includes long walks in nature, including the Rainforest Gallery, Redwood Forest, or Steavenson Falls, before a well deserved long lunch at the local cellar door, Innocent Bystander.
Property Details:
$205 per night
2 People
Indulgence at the Long House, Story by Trent Nattrass
Elevated Plains, Macedon Ranges, VIC
If you’re looking for a truly unique accommodation option, look no further than the Daylesford Longhouse. This architectural masterpiece offers a striking balance between luxury and cosy homeliness, with intimate and super vibrant interiors including two private bedrooms and an expansive indoor garden rich with greenery, birds and butterflies. Storyteller, Trent, has highlighted his standout experiences, including roaming the fields with the farm animals, soaking up the local dining experiences at Guildford Vineyards & Cellar, swimming in Lake Daylesford, and finally ending the day enjoying the sunset.
Property Details:
$750 per night
4 People
All Shacked Up, Story by Natalie Jurrjens
Don’t let the name fool you; there is nothing shack-like about this unassumingly beautiful escape tucked away in Kyneton. The Shearers Shack is a two-bedroom property perfect for a group of friends looking for their sanctuary, complete with vibrant, spacious interiors, an outdoor fireplace, and picturesque gardens. Storyteller, Natalie, admits it’s difficult to leave your private retreat but encourages you to make your way into Daylesford to enjoy the local markets, take a dip in Jubilee Lake, and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the local cafes before heading back to visit the highland cows at Bringalbit just by the Shearers Shack property.
Property Details:
$160 per night
5 People
Feels like Home, Story by Arianna Leggiero
Red Hill South, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
Just over an hour out of Melbourne CBD, the Dairy at Red Hill is the perfect location for a weekend getaway. An ideal property for couples looking for a private getaway or friends hoping to reconnect, The Dairy is an intimate yet airy space that invites you to unwind and relax. If you’re not already convinced, Riparide Storyteller, Arianna, has crowned this escape her favourite in Australia. Arianna encourages visitors to explore the Mornington Peninsula; stop by Torello Farm to pick up fresh flowers and produce, stop in at Leo’s Point beach, and treat yourself to a cake from Merrick General Store before heading to Cape Schanck lighthouse for sunset.
Property Details:
$325 per night
2 People
Alpine Adventures, Story by Brook & Brit James
Situated on a working walnut farm, Cortes Kiln is a beautifully designed one-of-a-kind property that is sure to provide a memorable backdrop for your getaway. This two-bedroom escape is spacious, airy and allows you to open up space, take in nature with the sliding doors, or keep it warm and cozy next to the indoor fireplace with a glass of wine. Storytellers Brook & Brit have suggested an itinerary as unique as the property itself with activities such as visiting Red Stag- the Deer & Emu farm, winery lunches, waterfall picnics, and the best of all; a Howling Huskies Sled Tour around the alpine village of Dinner Plains.
Property Details:
$236 per night
2 People
A Bite of Quiet Time, Story by Andrew & Jessie Hardy/McCall
Chewton, Goldfields, VIC
A nature lover’s paradise, the Shack 14 is the perfect juxtaposition to the hustle and bustle of the city. An ideal property for groups looking to sleep amongst the trees, Shack 14 is complete with a set of floor to ceiling sliding doors that allow you to open up to a deck overlooking the bush full of a symphony of birdsong. If you’re looking for inspiration for how to get the most from nature, Storytellers Andrew & Jessie suggest heading to Loddon Falls. Take the short walk to the swimming hole, taking a nature stroll through the Kyneton Botanic Gardens, or enjoying an afternoon picnic at a Tarrengower lookout tower with a beautiful 360 view of fields of yellow and many shades of green.
Property Details:
$240 per night
4 People
To book a stay and discover the experiences listed, visit Riparide at www.riparide.com and follow their escapes at @riparide.
