Lake House

Lake House lies on the shores of picturesque Lake Daylesford in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country just 90 minutes from Melbourne. The village like cluster of cream buildings nestle in amongst 6 acres of towering trees, country gardens and winding paths. These cascade to the foreshore providing guests with direct access to lake walks and the Wombat forest beyond.

The pretty as a picture village of Daylesford, hilly and replete with church spires and interesting heritage buildings, is a short walk from the property. Its eclectic mix of artists’ studios, cafes, galleries and interesting shops exudes a sophisticated bohemian vibe and reflects an interesting and creative local community. The village is surrounded almost on all sides by the flora and fauna rich Wombat Forest. Only a few minutes away from the hub of cafes and good bookstores of the main street, wallabies and wombats populate the pristine bush environment Kookaburras fly in to be fed and flocks of gang gangs and cockatoos circle overhead.

The local region, justifiably referred to as Australia’s ‘Spa Country’ boasts the largest concentration of natural mineral springs in Australia as well as the largest number of holistic therapists. “Wellness” is a serious preoccupation here, with an incredible variety of beauty and health treatments on offer. Lake House’s onsite Salus Spa flies the flag for indulgent treatments and pampering, its secluded  location amongst tall trees, bubbling creeks and an outlook from its hot mineral spas over the lagoon and foreshore speaks of serenity and retreat.

Stay

Lake House is a tranquil retreat situated in 6 acres of abundant lake front gardens . Thirty-three rooms, suites and villas cascade down to the foreshore providing guests with immediate access to the lake shore and the Wombat State Forest beyond. Full sized tennis court, wine tastings, cooking classes, dining at the iconic restaurant or indulging at the award winning spa are all available onsite. Many other pleasurable entertaining and educational experiences are available nearby.

Rooms are individually furnished and decorated with limited edition prints and original canvases from co-owner and highly regarded artist Allan Wolf-Tasker as well as those of other artists from this culturally rich region.

Experience

COOKING CLASSES

A regular calendar of Cooking Classes are hosted by Executive Chef and Owner  Alla Wolf-Tasker AM in the state of the art demonstration kitchen at Lake House. Many of Australia’s top chefs, regional producers and winemakers are frequent participants in the program. Hands on culinary workshops and ‘foraging’ excursions for both wild foods and artisanal produce are available  to groups through advance booking.

HE ARTIST STUDIO

Allan Wolf-Tasker, Lake House co-proprietor and talented artist distributes his work to collectors worldwide. His studio is found onsite at Lake House and he welcomes guests to have a look at what he’s currently working on. A selection of his works is on display throughout the property and in each of the individual guest rooms.

SALUS DAY SPA

Mineral Water…In a region that boasts the largest concentration of naturally occurring mineral springs in Australia,  their own locally bottled Salus Mineral & Spring Water is available for guests.

The state-of-the-art Spa is surrounded by waterfall fed streams and offers ten treatment areas.  A team of specialist massage therapists offer the best of holistic, remedial, deep tissue and relaxation treatments whilst a dedicated beauty team offer Advanced Performance and anti aging facials from the premium Elemis Range.

Individual private geisha style tubs offer hot 100% pure mineral water bathing. Located in ‘tree houses’  these overlook the lagoon and lake shore beyond  submerged in the therapeutic bubbles guests can look through the louvered shutters to the lake shore below.

Signature Seasonal Treatments… Signature seasonal treatments use first pressed essential oils and reflect  the region’s bounty – they utilise rosemary, pine and eucalyptus in Winter; magnolia, citrus and lilac in Spring.

Signature Treatment - Salus Bliss... Utilising the seasonal fragrances found throughout the Wombat State Forest and the local countryside, this body treatment combines a soothing rhythmic massage using hot volcanic rocks and warm oil to reduce tension and ease muscle aches. The body is then polished with Lime and Ginger salts to remove rough skin. Whilst you are all wrapped up, a soothing face and scalp massage completes this nourishing experience. Finish off with a Hydrostorm experience where steam assists the absorption of essential oils whilst Vichy jets and Waterfall showers rinse away the salt, exposing beautiful soft skin - fresh, nourished and rejuvenated.

Food and Wine

An assortment of menus at Lake House - ranging from simple fare to elaborate multicourse tasting menus are all based on the Lake House kitchen philosophy of working from the ground up and with the best available seasonal produce. Contemporary dishes, inspire even the savviest and most well travelled palates.

Breakfast, lunches and dinners are had in the beautiful Lake House dining room – airy and with glorious views by day and moodily lit and romantic by night. Grab a seat by the bar for your cocktails of choice. Order room service for your suite or for your fireside chair in the comfortable guest lounge. In warmer months the restaurant’s outdoor terraces overlooking the lake are full of diners enjoying the stellar food in the beautiful al fresco setting.

Private dining for groups is available in their short term cellar room. Perfect for family groups and special occasions, the locally crafted hand adzed oak table seats up to 16 guests.

Other private facility dining for larger groups is also available

Their offsite sister café Wombat Hill House offers casual fare in a magical setting in the midst of Daylesford’s beautiful botanic gardens, high on a hill overlooking the village. It’s a great place for a stroll.

The Cellar: The award winning Lake House wine lists boasts an impressive 700 labels and the cellar houses almost 10,000 bottles. The short term cellar doubles as an area for wine tasting and also private dining. Engagement with their team of sommeliers and wine specialists is a popular pastime for guests. Tastings of specialty boutique local wines and highly regarded Australian labels are available