Yarra Valley Unplugged: A winter getaway amongst nature

Cottage Life…

Yarra Valley Unplugged: A winter getaway amongst nature at Yering Gorge Cottages, Yarra Valley VIC

We all excitedly piled into our little white kombi and set off on our Yarra Valley winter adventure! This was our first trip away in three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we all had itchy feet and were keen to dust off the ‘ole cabin fever’ and hit the open road with our mini explorers in tow.

We were craving some escapism from the four walls we had occupied at home during the three month lockdown period, and were all keen for a change of scenery and to explore somewhere new. The criteria for this adventure was quite simple: our accommodation had to be a self-contained option and set amongst nature and wildlife, in a picturesque place with wide-open spaces for kids to run amok and of course being in the depths of winter, ideally we would have a log fire to sit around each evening to share tales of our day.

After a two hour drive from the coast we were greeted by all this and more. Nestled in the foothills of the Yarra Valley and along the Yarra River, was our new home for the next few days – Yering Gorge Cottages.The Yarra Valley locals at Yering Gorge Cottages like to provide a memorable welcoming experience, with a twist! After a quick and easy check-in experience at the main reception, we made our way along the winding road to our cottage when we noticed a large bunch of friendly locals lined up either side of the road in unison, yet instead of a Hawaiian greeting with a fresh flower lei and a warm ‘aloha’, we were greeted by the resident mob of Roo’s! Squeals of laughter echoed through the kombi, setting the tone for our entire Yarra Valley holiday.

Driving on further past the Eastern Golf Course, we caught a glimpse of our new home for the next few days. A beautiful alpine style A-framed free-standing cottage made from stone and timber with floor to ceiling glass and panoramic views of the surrounding bushland and Yarra River. The tasteful design of each of the self-contained cottage does not interfere with the natural bush setting and instead capitalises on the panoramic views on offer, with a large deck which almost acts like a viewing platform to observe nature at its finest.The interior is equally impressive with tall ceilings, modern timber furniture, fresh white walls and a living room flooded with natural light. The subtle blue, green and grey tones of the décor and earthy textures of the rugs, throws and cushions are all so warm and inviting and reminiscent of the colours of nature.

The log fireplace became a regular hit with the family and was a great way to unwind each day. The kids loved helping Matt collect the firewood from the nearby fire shed and get the fire going each afternoon. Once the kids were tucked in bed, the ‘big kids’ would curl up in front of the fire with a cheeky Yarra Valley pinot and a cheese board from the nearby Yarra Valley Dairy. (HOT TIP: Be sure to try the Dominique Portet Fontaine Rose, Yering Station Pinot Noir and the Yarra Valley Dairy Yering Camembert cheese and Hot Cow chilli dip – these were a big hit for us!).The next few days were a happy blur of lazy mornings, laughter, relaxation and exploration. No sense of time…no distractions or schedules. Misty mornings spent watching the roo’s hopping outside our window, fresh air, ample space for kids to run around and over 12km of bush walking trails through our own 120-acre private nature reserve.

Winter is a magical time of the year to visit the Yarra Valley.  Simple pleasures like nature walks spotting wombats, echidna’s, Eastern Grey kangaroos and the abundance of birdlife; picnics in the forest; driving in our little white kombi through the green rolling hills of the Yarra Valley taking in the many quality restaurants and cellar doors that are waiting to be explored.

We were lucky enough during our visit to spot the famous white kangaroo at Yering Gorge Cottages, these kangaroos are a genetic strain of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo which you’ll find in abundance during your stay. At first glance, we thought we were dreaming but then we heard from the staff that there are only a few of them on the property. We were also blessed to meet the resident cheeky wombat who was ambling through the bushes on the Gorge Trail…one of the many stunning bushwalks worth doing during your stay.As the sun set each day, we were left with two happily worn out mini explorers who would clamber into their soft cloud-like sheets and warm cozy beds and be out for the count within minutes…dreaming of their day’s adventures. All the while allowing for us big kids to kick back in front of the log fire or rug up on the deck under a blanket of stars.

Verdict? Pure perfection. We got our fix of nature, some beautiful time away as a family in a spectacular new setting, and found ourselves the perfect winter getaway with the kids. We can’t wait to return!

To plan your next escape be sure to visit www.yeringcottages.com.au

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