An active, nature-filled escape, a sporting holiday or a change of pace – there are plenty of bed and breakfast options for all short and long breaks in and around Melbourne.
Melbourne has many faces. Not only is it fashionable and stylish, it’s also cosmopolitan, sports mad and arty. With its extensive range of attractions drawing tourists to the Victorian capital every year, the city prides itself on being everything to everyone. And when it comes to bed and breakfast accommodation, it’s got that covered too.
Austin Rise
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Austin Rise, Melbourne, Australia | Courtesy of Austin Rise / Hotels.com
Situated in Heidelberg, a 25-minute drive from the Melbourne CBD, this cosy B&B is the ideal base for sporting enthusiasts. Positioned less than 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Flemington Racecourse (the home of the Melbourne Cup), this B&B has three guest suites, all with a full cooked-to-order breakfast included in the package. Relax in front of the gas log fire, explore the nearby Yarra Valley Flats with its 85 hectares (210 acres) of heritage landscapes, bushland, wetlands and birdlife or take a stroll to the cafés and restaurants nearby.
Get immersed in the natural beauty of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges at this four-star lodge. With plenty of biking and hiking trails, this pet-friendly abode is a 30-minute walk from SkyHigh Mount Dandenong, one of the area’s most popular attractions. There is a range of suites and cottages on offer, some with hot tubs, and a large garden space to get lost in. Dandenong National Park is right next door and guests at this location are afforded some of the region’s most panoramic views. An hour’s drive from Melbourne’s Essendon neighbourhood, this B&B has its own restaurant and in-house massage services and is within walking distance of a good selection of shops and eateries.
This two-bedroom cottage, a 10-minute walk from Belgrave village and 35 kilometres (22 miles) east of the CBD, is a convenient choice for anyone keen on checking out Australia’s century-old Puffing Billy steam train. The historic train continues to run its original mountain route from Belgrave to Gembrook in Dandenong Ranges. The three-star, two-storey cottage has a fully equipped kitchen and in-house laundry as well as free Wi-Fi and parking, and is just an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne.
This heritage-listed Victorian-style home was originally built as a single four-room cottage in 1862, but was later extended to cater to a ship’s captain and his family. Boasting a colourful history, over the years the building has been a nunnery, a brothel, accommodation flats and administration offices. Today, the property in Williamstown, an area that was the original port of Melbourne located a 30-minute drive from the city, boasts seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, two kitchens and three living spaces, along with an upstairs guest lounge and a large terrace. A full breakfast and free access to the property’s extensive private gardens are included in the price.
Set in large grounds, this country-style B&B is located in an area replete with galleries, wineries and bushland. Mast Gully Gardens is an easy one-hour drive from the Melbourne CBD, the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula. This secluded hideaway in the foothills of Dandenong National Park offers guests a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival and a full continental breakfast. It’s a great location for nature lovers who like waking to the calls of the kookaburras and watching the kangaroos and wombats graze in the afternoons.
This recently renovated 1883 worker’s cottage in inner Melbourne is ideal for those looking for a homely option not too far from the city. It has a self-service set-up at its core, and guests are provided with breakfast supplies to cater for themselves. There’s a fully fitted kitchen and barbecue area, too. It’s situated in the suburb of Kensington, and there’s a train station just two minutes down the road and the city’s CBD just two stops away. What’s more, the hosts kindly provide guests with Melbourne transport myki cards. It’s worth noting that each bedroom shares a bathroom, unless a private bathroom is requested.
One of the oldest B&Bs in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, this award-winning abode is positioned within Olinda Village. The couples-only retreat is an indulgent choice for a mid-week escape or a romantic weekend getaway. Surrounded by restaurants, cafés, galleries, forest trails and beautifully landscaped gardens, it offers guests three accommodation options: Olinda Garden Cottage, City View Cottage and an ultra-luxe penthouse apartment with breathtaking views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. It’s a great choice for those looking for a cosy, comfortable way to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
An hour’s drive out of Melbourne, Aquila Nova Retreat provides luxury boutique-style accommodation within easy reach of walking tracks, picnic areas, parks and popular restaurants. Surrounded by greenery, this Tudor-style B&B has two spa suites, Luna and Sol, which have both been designed with contemporary flair. Each room has a four-poster bed, a Jacuzzi and rich furnishings. Time here is often spent in front of the open fireplace, in the tub or on the private terrace that offers views of the rainforest to keep guests enchanted. Breakfast hampers are supplied to all guests and there are full kitchen facilities, too.
This character-filled nature retreat is an eight-minute drive from Melbourne’s Belgrave train station. Guests can choose one of three rooms – Beech, Birch or Magnolia – which can accommodate up to four people each. The B&B is situated within the large 90-year-old Rocky Creek Art Garden, which even has a creek running through it. The villages of Sassafras and Olinda are just down the road and the Dandenong National Park is not far off. Closer to home, there are hours of enjoyment to be had in the garden, with its century-old trees and walking tracks.
A quaint cottage just under an hour’s drive from Melbourne city, Cambridge Cottages is a true forest retreat. Surrounded by mountain ash gum trees and rhododendrons, each private cottage is self-contained and has its own double spa bath, gas log fire, fully equipped kitchen and breakfast provisions. Choose to stay in and enjoy the cosy comforts of home, opt for an in-room massage or stroll through the gardens before venturing out on a 15-minute walk to the Olinda Falls. Alternatively, discover one of the many walking, running or biking trails nearby. Free guest pick-ups are available from the nearby train station.
An adults-only retreat, the Adeline Fern Garden offers plenty of R&R not too far from Mount Dandenong’s most popular attractions. Opt to stay in one of the two suites here or book the standalone cottage with its comfy fireplace area, jetted bath and fully equipped kitchenette. A generous continental breakfast hamper is available to guests for the first two days of their stay. Adeline Fern Garden makes it tempting to just stick around the property and enjoy all it has to offer, but when it’s time to venture out, the beautiful Yarra Valley is a 30-minute drive away. Check out Sherwood Forest (eight kilometres or five miles down the road) or head up to SkyHigh Mount Dandenong.
Relax and unwind at this luxury mountain lodge, located directly opposite the nationally renowned R J Hamer Arboretum, which has a number of scenic walking trails and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Set in two hectares (six acres) of gardens, Gracehill is a great family destination and worth considering for a romantic couple’s retreat in the mountains. There are three accommodation options to choose from: The Barn, a colonial cottage decked out with vintage Australian furniture; The Coachhouse, a plushly furnished garden-style abode with all the creature comforts; and the Homestead, boasting Federation charm and furnished with antiques and locally crafted pieces. Breakfast hampers are available to guests and Wi-Fi is complimentary.
