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Experience

PRODUCE AND PROVENANCE

Food and wine are consuming passions in Daylesford, and with good reason. A quirk of sunlight, soil, rain and the mineral rich volcanic soil means anything in the ground almost grows itself.

There's an undisguised pride amongst local producers and winemakers and there’s a plethora of experiences to be had in ‘meeting the locals’ be they brewers, cider or winemakers, farmers, cattle, lamb or pork breeders, smallgoods producers or even bee keepers.

Armed with a ‘Tasty Little Touring Map’, you can tour local villages visiting farm gates, markets, cellar doors or have Lake House design your own bespoke expedition. You'll be spoilt for choice. The region was awarded Best Food Region in the delicious magazine Australian Produce Awards and hosts culinary travellers from all over the world.

Or join one of Australia’s most celebrated bakers; Michael James for an intensive session in the bake house at Dairy Flat Farm; the new property created by the team at Lake House. Not only will you dive deep and get hands-on in the bake house; but you’ll make and taste a range of delicious sourdough products including baguettes, loaves, Danish and doughnuts. Of course, you’ll also take a selection home with you! Enjoy the beautiful farm outlook during the break and take a peek at the private ornamental gardens, olive grove and productive farm which is usually exclusive for Lodge guests.

FARM STAY

Dairy Flat Farm Daylesford On an easterly facing slope of 38 lush acres of magnificent red volcanic soil, lies Dairy Flat Farm. A sustainable growing farm dedicated to regenerative agricultural practises. It consists of 5 acres of productive vegetable, herb and cut flower gardens, a large barn, a 300 tree orchard, 250 tree olive grove and 2.5 acre vineyard planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The farm inspires and provides much that is on the menus, beverage selections and floristry at Lake House.

Dairy Flat Lodge A jewel toned central concierge kitchen with open plan dining room plays a central role in the luxurious farmhouse style ambience. Produce is delivered daily fresh from the farm’s vegetable, herb and flower gardens. The same abundant beautiful varieties are picked daily for the 2 Chef Hat Lake House restaurant. Each morning, a selection of slow fermented sourdough loaves, baguettes, croissants and assorted pastries are delivered from the property’s own bake house (although you’ll likely smell the goodness before you even make it to the breakfast table). Olive oil and honey are also from the property.

The resident concierge is a mine of information and itinerary planning. They’ll also arrange for personalised indulgences – like the Farm Spa experience. A soothing signature massage by one of the key Lake House Spa therapists with a long botanical mineral soak in the comfort of your suite.

A lush reading room offers books, games and vintage vinyl collection. And a large scale night-time telescope and guide books will have you  spellbound with the stargazing opportunities here, heralded by the star washed inky black clear skies. Electric bikes tempt one down country lanes to the close by mineral spring, cidery or winery. Private yoga, tai chi or watercolour workshops, fishing in the spring fed dam, feeding the resident alpacas, touring the productive gardens with the Farm Team, visiting local art studios, hot air ballooning or bee keeping with resident beekeeper Dan the Bee Man might be on your wishlist. If a lazy afternoon in the hammock, perhaps followed by a long soak in the cedar lined hot tub overlooking the vines and an evening around one of the firepits is more your speed. Birdlife, resident kangaroos, wallabies, wombats are abundant – the latter trio most easily viewed at dawn and dusk.

Dining during your stay offers many delicious options. A relaxed shared farm dinner perhaps? An exclusive multicourse dinner at Dairy Flat cooked by one of Lake House’s Senior Chefs or a priority reservation at the iconic, 2 Chef’s Hats, Lake House Restaurant. Guests who are wonderful cooks have often been interested in using some of the beautiful produce to cook for themselves. Gourmet BBQs, picnics in the olive grove or in the formal garden “rooms” and more, have seen much fun, laughter (not to mention great food). Full supplies can be provided. And a fully stocked pantry of local provisions is available to guests, as are selected wines. However, having one of Australia’s Best Restaurants and Wine Cellars minutes away as well as the award winning Lake House sommelier team, would suggest that a browse and individual selection is not to be missed.

THE SPA AT LAKE HOUSE

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

The Spa 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 results-based, natural skincare range, Subtle Energies.

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

Signature Rituals utilise Lake House's own small batch, luxury bath and body products using the best ingredients sourced in and inspired by the beautiful region. Daylesford, Australia - A land of wide-open starry skies, volcanic plains, and mineral rich waters. The seasons are determined by the warmth of the soil and length of the days. Home to a creative village and a particularly passionate and productive growing community, conversations about moon phase, biodynamic principles and the medicinal power of herbs and flowers are not uncommon.

Signature product, Daylesford Pure delivers a dose of wellbeing for your body and soul using nature’s best ingredients with a nod to this beautiful region.

Woodland Bliss Ritual A luxurious treatment that will conjure images of wild woodlands and fragrant country gardens, this body treatment combines soothing rhythmic strokes using hot volcanic rocks and warm oil to reduce tension and ease muscle aches. The oil-infused body polish is perfect for deep exfoliation and maximum hydration using a traditional combination of rosemary, pine & passionflower, known to reduce stress, encourage relaxation and improve mood. Whilst you are all wrapped up, a soothing face and scalp massage completes this nourishing ritual.

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.

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