Five Melbourne weekend escape destinations to recharge your business batteries

BY JAMES PETERS

I get it, business ownership and running a practice can be taxing and all-consuming. That’s where carving out the time to step away from the business and get out of town once in a while gives you the opportunity to recharge and deliver the very best service to your growing client base. Want to know where I head when I need to boost my batteries? Check out my five favourite weekend escapes.

Portsea

Keen for a scuba dive? Sea kayaking? Or just want to kick-back and feel the sun on your back at a great local pub? Then you can’t go past Portsea – and the thing I love best? You can be there in an hour and a half. The pub in question is none other than the historic Portsea Hotel, where locals and visitors alike have been toasting each other on the venue’s lush green lawns since 1876. If you have time to spare, take a stroll along the Millionaire’s Walk to Sorrento along cliff tops, through landscaped gardens and past private jetties and soak up the views along the way.

Don’t miss… the Portsea Hotel

Lorne

Mountains, sea, shopping, surf – tick, tick, tick, tick. There’s not much you won’t love about Lorne. Day hours are usually bursting with anything and everything from boutique shopping and bushwalking, to paddle boating and a trip to the Art Deco cinema. Take your pick from the great variety of restaurants on offer come dinner time, and think about timing your visit with one of Lorne’s annual sporting events for an extra weekend buzz – like the Pier to Pub swim, the Great Ocean Marathon or the Anaconda Adventure Race.

Don’t miss… the Art Deco cinema

Great Ocean Road

While heading to Lorne, why not explore the rest of this rugged coastline? The Great Ocean Road is just one of those spectacular life experiences, and it’s all just 90 minutes from Melbourne’s front door. Home to the word-class surf at Bells Beach and the craggy limestones of the 12 Apostles, you may want to set aside more than a weekend for this one. Soak up the sun, breathe in the breeze fresh off the back of the Southern Ocean and fill your days with trips to galleries, museums and heritage attractions to boot.

Don’t miss… the 12 Apostles

Yarra Valley wineries

The Yarra Valley was Victoria’s first wine growing district, with the first vines being planted in 1838. Today, it’s now recognised as one of Australia’s best cool climate wine producing regions, serving up a wide range of varieties, and you can be there in just over an hour. While there, be sure to check out the family owned vineyard that goes by the charming name Badger’s Brook Estate – don’t leave without sampling their Chardonnay or Shiraz. And if you’re up for a more indulgent experience, check out the Balgownie Estate vineyard and spa – it’s the perfect bundle of winery, day spa, restaurant and accommodation all rolled into one for a truly luxurious escape.

Don’t miss… the Boat O’Cragio

Grampians

Seeking a well-earned break from the hustle and bustle of city life? I hear you. Head to The Grampians, the expansive national park to the northwest of Melbourne – where crowds and cars are replaced with birdsong, trickling waterfalls and the sound of your boots trekking through mountain trails. A great spot for serious climbers and hobby hikers alike, the park’s Pinnacle Walk is a great way to kick-off your day. The view from the lookout at the end will leave you breathless… although, that might also have something to do with the hour-long trek too.

Don’t miss… the Pinnicle Walk

I don’t know about you, but I’m already packing my bag and have one foot out the door…