Girls Weekends Away Blog

Every Sunday afternoon, Campaspe  House offers a traditional High Tea in the lounges of their 1920’s oak paneled Manor House.  
Ladies of all ages and distinguished gentlemen too, are enjoying special occasions such as birthday’s, girls weekends, hen’s days or just enjoying a Sunday afternoon out in this stunning secluded setting.
You will be served a traditional selection of sandwiches, freshly baked cakes and scones as well as their  T2 Tea selection or coffee.
The cost is just $35 per person.
After indulging, why not stroll through through the magnificent Edna Walling gardens to complete the perfect afternoon.
Reservations are essential, so please call 5427 2273 to book.

Whatever the season, whatever the reason, a stay in Mansfield – in Victoria’s northeast – is the perfect way to relax and revive. The Mansfield area is renowned for its spectacular national parks, state forests, mountains, lakes and rivers, and historic links. Its sense of history and adventure is still evident in the homes and buildings that have graced the landscape for several generations. New industries with a stronger tourism focus have given visitors and residents alike many more reasons to the stay in the area.

The rivers, lakes and mountains await lovers of the great outdoors; the shops, galleries, restaurants and wineries welcome lovers of the great indoors. Go driving, hiking, camping, biking, horse riding all year round, and of course snow skiing in winter.

If your preference is for life at a quiet stroll, acquaint yourself with the range of shops, galleries and dining establishments, or taste without haste at the several wineries throughout the area. Discover historic surprises with self-guided walking tours of the townships of Mansfield, Jamieson and Woods Point. 

The surrounding localities of  Merrijig, Mirimbah, Mt Stirling and Mt Buller to the east ; Macs Cove, Goughs Bay, Jamieson, Kevington, and Woods Point to the south; Maindample, Bonnie Doon and Merton to the west; Barjarg, Nillahcootie and Swanpool to the north; and Barwite and Tolmie to the north east, all have their own special features and are well worth a visit, depending on your length of stay.

The area boasts a zoo, berry farm, brewery, historic sites and buildings, as well as a selection of art galleries, cellar door wineries, dining establishments, historic hotels and interesting shops. These are either right in Mansfield or just a few minutes drive away.

Accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets make the Mansfield area the ideal place any time of year for singles, couples, families or groups – anybody in search of a good time or a quiet rest. Wherever you stay – from camping to five-star pampering – the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.

There is always something going on in Mansfield. Throughout the year there are regular bush-markets and a selection of festivals and cultural occasions. Major sporting events such as the Great Victoria Bike Ride and High Country Cycle Challenge are a feature too.  See www.mansfieldonline.com.au for details of what’s on throughout the year in the Mansfield area.

Mansfield offers something special to visitors whatever the season, and it is easy to see why so many return to the area time after time.

Yes our friends at Campaspe Country House have built a special winter escape for our GWA members. So Girls, Why not escape to the country with your girlfriends and indulge yourselves.

Only one hour from the city, Woodend has a fantastic café culture and gorgeous little shops to explore with Kyneton and its Historic Piper Street only 10 minutes away.. So why not escape the footy fever and spend the weekend with our friends at Campaspe Country House and your girlfriends…

Treat yourselves to two nights away,  a pampering pedi & bubbles,  2 course dinner on Saturday night, high tea on Sunday and a country breakfast both mornings for just $350 per gal based on twin share in their stunning Manor Rooms or Cottage. Our friends at Campaspe House look forward to welcoming you and your friends!
Call the reservations team on 5427 2273 or email them at reservations@campaspehosue.com.au
Where : Goldies Lane Woodend VIC 3442
Phone: (03) 5427 2273
Fax: (03) 5427 1049
Email: marketing@campaspehouse.com.au
Web: www.campaspehouse.com.au

Ladies, Piaf Day Spa, (a GWA Merchant) is offering a set of Winter Chill Out Packages to make you glow this winter. So remember to get your GWA card to get the deals. Also visit our privilege card page to see what else is on special

 1) Relax massage
- Jasmine /green tea facial
- Lotus foot treatment
- Hydro-spa (in private)
Allow 2 hours all for $165

2) Taminga Infusion
- Walnut Body exfoliation
- BodyWrap
- Includes Relax massage using rich creamy jasmine
  & lotus oils &creams
- Facial massage with Rose & Honey mask
Allow 1.25hrs $125

3) Choc Divine Duo (for couples)
- Essential choc massage (Romantic Duo Room)
- Duo Hydro-Spa (private)
- Glass of Vino
Allow 1.5hrs $199

711 Don Road Healesville
Monday to Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm,
Closed Tuesday.Treatments are by appointment only.
Extended hours by prior arrangement.
Phone: (03) 5962 2797
Mobile: 0432 543 146
Email: amanda@piafdayspa.com.au

From the 11^{th to the} 14^th March; the ChillOut Festival is the largest celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride in rural and regional Australia. Running over the Labour Day long weekend and centred in the beautiful and historic spa country town of Daylesford, ChillOut attracts more than 25,000 people for four-days of fun and celebration.

Enjoy the queer-style country hospitality and be sure to register on the  website to receive regular email news bulletins. Hey Girls Don’t miss any of the fun. Be sure to bookmark early.. We suggest trying a home so that you can have a group of friends enjoy the fun. The web site is at http://www.chilloutfestival.com.au .

If you are looking for accommodation try a house at http://www.takeabreak.com.au/SpaCountry/accomodation.htm

Girls we have found a little hidden treasure in Warburton; Beautiful Birchwood Manor, one of Warburton’s finest homes.
Walking distance to all the boutique restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and galleries, that make Warburton so special. Situated on the slopes of Mt Donna Buang, Birchwood Manor is ideal for family groups, reunions, clubs, girls weekends, golfing groups, bush walkers etc. Sleeping up to 15 guests, with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, Birchwood Manor has it all. Being fully self contained with a luxury indoor spa and fire places you can chill out or perhaps relax in the sun room with Coffee, a fresh croissant and daily newspaper. You may prefer to watch a proramme on the huge home theatre screen. Whatever your choice, indulge your senses Click here to book a great weekend or week at Birchwood Manor.

Girls, I would like to introduce you to a residence that is located in Woodend, set on 32 acres of historic Edna Walling gardens and natural bushland;  The Campaspe Country House. This little Gem offers a wonderful setting for your hen’s night or girls weekend away!  Why not indulge your best friends with an experience they’ll treasure, with pre drinks in the gardens or lounges followed by lunch or dinner in the restaurant or private dining room …

Campaspe Country House prides itself on elegant and stylish cuisine – menus are created with seasonal and local produce in mind. The dining and beverage packages are tailored to suit you and a dedicated event coordinator can provide you with assistance throughout the planning process. They can also organise celebration cakes, performers, or even a murder mystery or trivia night, as part of your weekend away – how about a walk up Hanging Rock late in the afternoon, followed by surprise drinks at the peak, before returning to Campaspe Country House for dinner? 

The options are endless – please contact the friendly Reception team on 03 5427 2273 or reservations@campaspehouse.com.au for further information or to make a booking.

About a good 45 minute drive out of the Melbourne CBD lies the Dandenong ranges. Nestled in these majestic hills are a multitude of gorgeous townships, all offering a unique experience to the visitor. These quaint country townships provide the visitor many dining and shopping experiences. We ventured out to Olinda and spent hours wandering through the many specialty shops. Of course after all of this exertion we decided to take in some well earned refreshments and went to the Cloudehill Gardens Seasons Restaurant.  Now I must confess that I did go there after a recommendation from my mother and was pleasantly surprised. My daughter and friends loved this little treasure. It was a perfect summers day and we all sat outside on a balcony overlooking the beautiful gardens. The food here is country style; think pork belly, quiche, salmon pasta and share platters. All the meals on the board are $25 except for the share platter. There also are no entrée’s as they allow you to save room for their exquisite desserts. I had the share platter with my daughter. It  contained prawns, salmon, pate, dips, olives…..you get the idea. The platter would easily feed 3 people. They also have a nice wine list including some local wineries, ( I would definitely book for weekends) If you need to walk off your lunch then you can stroll through the Cloudehill gardens (which have been featured on numerous television shows) and be inspired for your own garden.

Where: 89 Olinda-Monbulk Road Olinda. Ph:9751 0168

About an hour out of the city and on the journey to Dayelsford is a town called Woodend. Now one would normally pass through the town on the way to Daylesford but I suggest that at minimum you take a lunch break at Holgate Brew house. This is a great little pub with a range of award winning beers and delicious meals to compliment the beers. In fact many of the dishes are not only complimented by the beers they are cooked with the beers. But don’t despair if you are not into beer, that’s okay as they also have an extensive wine list. We enjoyed a sumptuous feast from the lunch menu, which included warm olives and bread to start; followed by Veal and my friends tried the beef pie (very rich). Our waitress affectionately known as Rache was a delight and the pub has a very rustic and homely feel about it. And if you do over indulge you can stumble up the stairs to the boutique accommodation. Holgate Brewhouse is at 79 High St, Woodend. Bookings can be made by phone on +61 35427 2510. Their website is www.holgatebrewhouse.com.