Rooms with a skew

Visitors to Victoria need not look far to find accommodation that will make their stay one to remember. From city rooftop glamping to Tolkien-themed rooms; from medieval stays to sleeping in a water tank, Victoria continues to surprise with these quirky accommodation options.

The Pole HouseA landmark along the Great Ocean Road, and probably the most photographed home in Victoria (if not Australia), The Pole House is suspended 40 meters above sea level (literally). With a walkway extending from the cliff top to the building, the Pole House provides a 360-degree view over Fairhaven Beach, the longest stretch of beach on the Great Ocean Road. Recently renovated, its decor is sleek and modern, and it has everything needed for a relaxing getaway. The bed is situated right by a window looking directly over the ocean, and the sitting room is complete with fireplace to ensure winter days are just as romantic as summer evenings spent on the balcony. 60 Banool Road, Fairhaven, +61 3 5220 0200

St. Jerome’s – The Hotel St Jerome’s – The Hotel is Melbourne’s first inner-city glamping (glamorous camping) experience. Set on the rooftop of the Melbourne Central shopping precinct, this temporary ‘hotel’ combines luxury with the elemental outdoors. The tents are complete with heaters and electric blankets to keep the chill at bay, as well as queen size beds and cosy bedding. In the spirit of camping, the bathrooms are located a short walk from the ‘bedrooms’ and feature a full-sized shower. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast hamper, bike hire, free mini bar and a bowling game next door, at Strike. The on-site General Store serves coffee throughout the day, high tea with cupcakes and macarons in the afternoons, and cocktails from 5pm. The pop-up hotel is yet to set an end date, but it will remain open well into summer. Level 3, 271 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, +61 406 118 561

Talo Retreat at Echuca-Moama Surrounded by red-gum eucalyptus trees and located on the Murray, the Yurt style accommodation at Talo Retreat takes the concept of glamping to a whole new level. Inspired by traditional nomadic Mongolian dwellings, the Yurts are circular in design with canvas walls that are lined with Australian wool for insulation. The internal lattice wood frame adds both form and function, and the domed skylight enables guests to stargaze from the comfort of a private abode. The vast space surrounding the property has been well utilised and each Yurt is positioned independently of the other rooms, and raised on its very own wooden platform, to ensure privacy is guaranteed. 69A Dungula Way, Echuca-Moama, +61 3 5480 3031

Lightstation Cottages Possibly Victoria’s most remote accommodation, the Lightstation Cottages at Wilson’s Promontory can only be reached on foot. Hikers have the option of the inland (19.1 kilometre one way) or coastal (23.8 kilometre one way) route. Each cottage has a bathroom and fully equipped kitchen, however visitors must bring their own bedding, towels and food – and ensure all rubbish is carried out upon departure. The trek is not for the faint of heart, but the cottages are welcome delight for those willing to go the distance. The Lightstation marks the most southerly point on Australia’s mainland, and is located on a narrow peninsula jutting out into the wild waters of Bass Straight, so the scenery and serenity are second to none. Wilsons Promontory, +61 13 19 63

Mira MiraDescribed by its owners as the ‘weirdest accommodation of them all’, Mira Mira offers a choice of three individually themed self-contained two-bedroom retreats located in the foothills of Mt Baw Baw, approximately 90 minutes drive from Melbourne. Each retreat is designed to create a fantasy land for its guests. Carved into the hillside, the underground Cave House is accessed through a doorway shaped as the mouth of Magog via a winding stairwell lit by fire lanterns. The Japanese Zen Retreat is set on a pond at the base of a gully and its décor is based on the Kyoto Palace. Tanglewood is a Gaudi-inspired sculpture-come-retreat nestled amongst the trees, providing guests the opportunity to ‘live in art’. Set on a 22 acre property that borders onto State Forest, each Mira Mira retreat is positioned to ensure maximum privacy and surrounded by native wildlife. 1395 Bloomfield Road, Crossover, +61 3 5626 7200

Mount Sturgeon Cottages, Royal Mail Hotel The Mount Sturgeon Cottages are located on a working sheep farm at the southern end of the Grampians mountain range, just three kilometres from the renowned Royal Mail Hotel, of which they are a part. Once home for the farm workers during the 1840s, the bluestone cottages have been rebuilt on the same locations and in keeping with their colonial architecture. Farm-style furnishings and a massive fireplace add to the sense of rural elegance, while the adjacent corrugated iron ‘tank’ houses an ensuite bathroom. Rates include a breakfast hamper filled with self-catering provisions such as pancake batter, freshly laid free range eggs, homemade muesli and local sheeps’ milk yoghurt. 98 Parker Street, Dunkeld, +61 3 5577 2241

Slumber Safari at Werribee Zoo – drift off to sleep next to the animals of the Savannah Animal lovers can stay overnight at Werribee Open Range Zoo with its Slumber Safari in luxury ‘tented lodges’, just half an hour from the city of Melbourne. Inspired by safari-style accommodation, the camp offers an authentic ‘out of Africa’ experience, with private balconies overlooking native Australian bushland. Meanwhile, at Melbourne Zoo, visitors can wine, dine and sleep where the elephants once walked, at Roar ‘N’ Snore, in the Historic Elephant Exhibit. After dinner in the Elephant House, guests can explore the Zoo, camp out, then wake in the morning to bird calls and breakfast before meeting the keepers for a behind-the-scenes zoo tour. Werribee Zoo: K Road, Werribee South, +61 3 9731 960; Melbourne Zoo: Elliott Avenue, Parkville, +61 3 9285 9300

Hedge Farm So called because of the 100-year-old hedge that surrounds the main house, this 20-acre Macedon Ranges property is a far cry from a run-of-the-mill motel experience. There are three one-bedroom accommodation options here – Hedge Farm is a self-contained retreat-style accommodation in a converted railway station; while The Vine and Wisteria Cottage are both glamping style accommodation options in converted train carriages. All have retained as much of the original structure as possible, with pieces such as the waiting seat being up-cycled to create a headboard and wash basin and the pot belly stove of what was once the brakes van remaining in its original (and still working) condition. 124 Three Chain Road, Carlsruhe, +6 3 5422 6904

Kryal Castle Within the walls of Kryal Castle (a medieval village situated a one hour drive from Melbourne) visitors can get ‘a good knight’s sleep’ in the period-style Castle Suites. Boasting all modern conveniences, the rooms are designed with arched windows and doorways, exposed blue brick, velvet drapes and beautiful French and Belgian tapestries allowing guests to be immersed in the intrigue of a medieval fortress. Perfect for couples to rediscover an age of chivalry and romance, or for families who want to step back in time and experience a weekend of jousting tournaments, dragons, wizards, princesses and fairies. 121 Forbes Road, Leigh Creek, +61 3 5334 8500

Rivendell Farm Cottages Perched on a hill, overlooking the Tambo River, Rivendell Farm Cottages are located on a working farm in Gippsland’s Lakes Entrance. The property is themed on Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ so it is fitting that the two cottages take their names from the trilogy. Bag End is the smaller of the two and sleeps two – its bedroom is set in what was once a working water tank and the concrete walls remain in their original condition. Arkenstone sleeps up to eight people and is set in what was once the property’s dairy. Tambo Upper, Lakes Entrance, +61 435 153 296

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