Exploring Trentham With The Girls
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
A getaway with the girls is like a balm for the soul!
As travel slowly returns, I am excited to be able to visit some regional towns that have always been on my TO-DO list, Trentham being one of them. Seriously, after the year we have all had, a weekend away exploring this beautiful town and its surroundings was just the reset I needed, and boy, did we find some beautiful shops, places to eat & gardens to explore!
Just over an hour from Melbourne CBD, Trentham is a beautiful town sitting within the Wombat State Forest. Full of beautiful walks, a great golf course, local nurseries and wineries to visit, pubs and restaurants to dine in and terrific cafes with great coffee. Wandering through this town in mid-Autumn is just divine - the golden hue of the trees, the leaves falling and then to step into a rustic pub with a blazing open fire - just perfection. There’s nothing like heading into a new town with a pre-planned TO-DO list! And between us, we all had a few places we wanted to visit, but our first stop always involves coffee!
But first, coffee!
Trentham General is a gorgeous spot on the main strip that is open every day from 8 am -3 pm. Offering breakfast, lunch and a collection of sweet treats - you can also book into their locals 2 or 3-course dinners - with booking essential be sure to follow their Instagram page for daily updates.
Redbeard Bakery is most definitely the place to visit when in town to pick up some of their famous bread. Serving excellent coffee, pastries, bread and so much more, this historic bakery uses local, seasonal, organic ingredients wherever possible. They also offer sourdough baking workshops - so if you want to learn from the best book yourself in!
TIME FOR LUNCH!
The Cosmopolitan Hotel is open for lunch and dinner and let me tell you, their beer garden in Autumn is looking divine! Filled with gorgeous details, this pub is a lovely spot for a long lunch by the fire followed by picking up some takeaway before heading home. Eclectic and warm, The Cosmopolitan is the epitome of a cool, country pub.
The Plough is another local favourite with a great beer garden to dine in. Open for lunch Friday - Sunday, Mains start from $22, wines by the glass, tap beer, gorgeously friendly staff – everything you would want for a Sunday lunch in the country. Be sure to book before you head into town.
Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville is a quirky fun place to dine. With so many rooms to dine in (all with cracking fires) the voice is yours, and then take a rambling walk through the established gardens once you are done. As an added bonus -they have a courtesy minibus which you can pre-book 03 53485562 for pick up!
Du Fermier is home to Chef Annie Smithers and open Friday through to Monday for lunch. You will need to book well ahead for this very special lunch - but it is well worth waiting for! Annie Smithers is one of Australia’s most highly regarded chefs and one of the first chefs to truly epitomise the paddock to plate ethos. We were lucky enough to experience her cooking and had an amazing lunch here, Annie is an old family friend and I loved being able to introduce her to my friends and enjoy her amazing cooking.
GARDEN OF MY DREAMS
The absolute highlight of the weekend was the stroll through Stonefeilds, a garden and farmhouse brought to life by the fantastic Paul Bangay. Paul is a good friend of mine and was incredibly generous to allow us to explore his garden at the most beautiful time of year in Autumn. Known for his detailed garden design, Stonefeilds showcases how amazing a landscaped garden can look. Inspired by traditional English gardens, the maze of cordoned off areas, dramatic pathways and spectacular views make this place one of a kind.
We were so lucky to be able to walk these gardens, take in all its beauty, admire the views, marvel at his artistry whilst of course taking a million pictures! Paul has an amazing collection of books available for the garden lover, with a new one out based solely on the seasonal changes at Stonefeilds - had to the link below to check it out. If you would like to visit and tour the garden you too can book in, follow this link here to book your Stonefields private tour.
‘To live a life led by the seasons is to live one closely tied to a garden, and Stonefields is mine.’
In Stonefields by the Seasons, Paul takes the reader through the garden at different times of year to highlight the design principles he has applied to various parts of it, and the wide-ranging inspirations for his choices. Along the way, he gives practical advice on seasonal planting and outlines essential quarterly tasks.
WHERE TO STAY
Casa Andante was the most perfect place to stay with a group. A gorgeous home that fits up to 10, and if your group is bigger - they have adjoining property to accommodate all. Dine in the garden in summertime, or relax by the fire when it’s cold, this home away from home is right in the heart of Trentham yet feels miles away.
The Pond House in Trentham is the perfect country home to retreat to. Backing onto the Wombat State Forest, the property feels endless, with the house sitting on one and a half acres of beautifully landscaped Australian and European trees. The star of the show of course is the two-acre lake that sits harmoniously in the environment.
Acre of Roses provides gorgeous accommodation for couples or small groups. Voted one of the best weekends stays by Good Weekend, these two cottages are my next getaway! Nestled in an enchanting garden that offers sensory experiences designed to help you escape from everyday stresses. Here you can relax and rejuvenate; indulge; play or discover all that Trentham and surrounding towns.
I’m so grateful for the amazing women in my life and spending those precious few days together exploring a new town was such fun. There is something very special about gathering your friends and heading off on a road trip to discover what we have in our own backyard and with sites like Empty Esky sharing itineraries and promoting travel to fire-affected areas and Discover your own backyard which highlights suburban areas to explore. Local travel can be so rewarding and I encourage everyone to take the time to hit the road! So what are you waiting for? Pick that spare weekend, load your phone with road trip playlists and get going. I can’t wait to do it all again! Question is - where to next?