We hit the road for a weekend escape, exploring the best regional Australia has to offer. This time, we head to Red Hill, Victoria along the spectacular Mornington Peninsula.
We can’t talk about Red Hill without starting with the very best – Tedesca Osteria, which was previously awarded Gourmet Traveller‘s Restaurant of the Year and retained the Victorian state crown in 2022. And yes, we promise, it’s still every bit as wonderful as we first said. Book well ahead and prepare to relax into an afternoon of refined elegance and some of the country’s warmest hospitality.
Also serving up elegant plates – paired with panoramic views across Western Port Bay to Phillip Island – is Pt Leo Estate, where you’ll find not one but two excellent restaurants, including the award-winning fine-diner Laura and her less-formal sister Pt Leo Estate Restaurant. After spending much of last year closed due to fire, the sister eateries are running at full speed again, under the guidance of culinary director Josep Espuga, who has introduced a subtle Spanish lean to the menus.
Enjoy the thrill of the hunt alongside Maddie and Thomas, the English Springer Spaniels, as they sniff out black gold at Red Hill Truffles (under the watchful eye of truffle master Jenny). This year, the property has welcomed summer truffles, in addition to their usual winter haul, doubling the season for truffle lovers. Winter hunts will begin from early June.
You can taste the same truffles at Pt Leo Estate, while admiring the surrounding Sculpture Park, which showcases the country’s largest privately owned outdoor gallery. The ever-evolving collection includes works by some of the country’s most significant sculptural artists, including Reko Rennie, Deborah Halpern and Barry Flanagan, as well as prominent international artists, including New York artist Kaws.
Those looking for a deeper sense of relaxation, should consider a day at the new Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, which features more than 30 naturally heated mineral pools, fed by underground aquifers. You can also book yourself a treatment at its state-of-the-art spa sanctuary, followed by lunch at Thyme, with an enticing menu of fresh, whole foods created by chef Karen Martini.
Sitting pretty in the heart of Red Hill, overlooking rolling vines and shaded by lorikeet-laden trees, Cassis Red Hill offers the perfect country escape for couples or small groups. Taking its name from a small fishing village in the south of France, the villa interiors channel rustic French country charm – with a luxury finish. Each of the four villas feature wood-burning fireplaces and large freestanding baths, while both The Cottage and The Retreat come with their own heated mineral plunge pools. Located in the centre of the peninsula, Cassis places guests within easy reach of some of the area’s most popular spots, with Flinders, Cape Schanck and Sorrento all a picturesque drive away.
