Hotel in Daylesford, Victoria, Victoria
Lake House Daylesford
Lake House in Daylesford is one of Australia's most celebrated boutique hotels and restaurants, winner of countless awards over its 40-year history. Set on 6 acres of gardens on the shores of Lake Daylesford, the property offers 33 individually designed suites and Australia's most awarded regional restaurant.
Lake House in Daylesford is one of Australia's most celebrated boutique retreats, occupying a six-acre property on the shores of Lake Daylesford in Victoria's Central Highlands, approximately 110 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. Established over four decades ago by proprietors Alla Wolf-Tasker and Allan Wolf-Tasker, the property has grown into a national landmark of regional hospitality, consistently recognised among Australia's finest country hotels in major industry and culinary awards.
The hotel's 33 individually designed suites and rooms are distributed across the lakeside garden estate, each fitted with distinctive furnishings, original artworks from the proprietors' private collection, and carefully selected decorative elements that reflect the property's strong food and arts culture. Many suites include private lake-facing terraces or balconies, working fireplaces ideal for Victoria's cool winters, and spa baths.
Dining is the centrepiece of the Lake House experience. The main restaurant, positioned above the lake with panoramic water and garden views, holds multi-hatted status in the Australian Good Food Guide and is consistently listed among the country's finest regional dining destinations. The kitchen is driven by the property's own kitchen garden and deep relationships with Central Highlands and Macedon Ranges producers, with menus that change with the seasons and reflect genuine ingredient provenance. The wine programme focuses on Central Victorian and cool-climate Victorian producers.
The on-site Salus Spa provides a comprehensive range of therapeutic treatments including remedial massage, mineral bath therapies, and beauty services. Daylesford itself is widely regarded as Australia's spa capital, with numerous mineral spring bathhouses and day spas concentrated in the town and the neighbouring Hepburn Springs area, a short drive from Lake House.
The property's broader hospitality enterprise includes Wombat Hill House, a heritage property in Daylesford's town centre, and Dairy Flat Farm, a working farm that provides much of the kitchen garden's seasonal produce supply.
Amenities
- Award-winning restaurant
- Spa
- Lake views
- Bar
- Concierge
- Garden
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +61 3 5348 3329
Location
King Street, Daylesford VIC 3460
-37.3566, 144.1470 — View on map
Highlights
- Multi-hatted restaurant consistently ranked among Australia's finest regional dining destinations, with lake-view dining room
- 33 individually designed suites featuring original artworks, lake terraces, and working fireplaces
- Six-acre lakeside garden estate in Daylesford, widely regarded as Australia's spa capital
- Salus Spa with mineral bath therapies drawing on the Central Highlands' renowned spring waters
- Kitchen garden and farm-to-table sourcing ethos connecting the dining experience directly to the landscape
Tips
- Reserve restaurant tables well in advance, particularly for weekends and during Daylesford's popular events including ChillOut Festival and the Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm's lavender season
- Autumn and winter (April through August) are especially appealing for fireside stays; the surrounding landscape takes on gold and amber tones during the Central Highlands harvest season
- Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa in Hepburn Springs, six kilometres away, complements a Salus Spa visit well — day access is available without accommodation
- Request a lake-facing suite with a working fireplace when booking — specify this preference at the time of reservation rather than on arrival
- Ask about the property's kitchen garden tours, offered seasonally, for genuine insight into the restaurant's ingredient-sourcing and seasonal production philosophy
FAQ
How far is Lake House Daylesford from Melbourne?
Lake House is located in Daylesford, approximately 110 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD. The drive takes approximately 90 minutes to two hours depending on the route and traffic conditions.
Is the Lake House restaurant open to non-staying guests?
Yes, the restaurant accepts dinner reservations from non-guests, though tables are limited given the venue's popularity. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and during Daylesford's event calendar.
Does Lake House offer spa treatments?
Yes, the Salus Spa provides a comprehensive range of treatments including massage, mineral bath therapies, and beauty services. Spa bookings are available to both hotel guests and day visitors, subject to availability.
What type of cuisine is served at the Lake House restaurant?
The restaurant serves contemporary Australian cuisine with a strong emphasis on seasonal produce from the property's kitchen garden and farm, supplemented by relationships with Central Highlands and Macedon Ranges producers. Menus reflect the seasons and change accordingly.
Accessibility
The Lake House estate encompasses a six-acre garden property with varied terrain, including areas accessible via level garden paths and others involving steps or uneven ground. Guests with mobility requirements should contact the hotel before arrival to discuss accessible room options and areas of the property most suitable to their needs.