It’s actually quite difficult to decide which part of The Lake House, set in the picturesque spa town of Daylesford Victoria, I’m most excited by. It is renowned for its cuisine: this two-hatted restaurant that has put regional dining on the map, with its commitment to delivering beautiful cutting edge, seasonal food matched with an internationally acclaimed wine list. It offers beautiful accommodation consisting of 33 rooms and suites, along the banks of Lake Daylesford, with a state of the art Salus Spa on site. And for special events there are 6 acres of country gardens and wonderful venues for indulgence and magnificent celebrations. This place certainly has it all.

This part of the world lends itself to beautiful weddings all year round. From the warm blush of new life in Spring, to the impressive colours and crisp air of the Autumn months – the Lake House offers several options for both ceremony and reception spaces. Choose picture perfect spots such as the leafy canopy of the silver birch trees, the lagoon peninsula, or the lake shore promontory. In the colder months, you can exchange vows by the roaring open fire in their candlelit Terrace Room.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a decadent dinner and private tour around this truly stunning place, guided by the lovely Larissa Wolf-Tasker, daughter of the well-known owners Alla and Allan Wolf-Tasker. I was delighted to learn about the romantic history of the property, with almost every area of the grounds having its own story to tell. Guests of the hotel can explore the gardens, in particular the Kitchen Garden planted with edible shoots and flowers, and enjoy the myriad of sculptures and artwork from many of the region’s top artists.. I am a sucker for great interiors and an artist studio – and I will be honest and say I went a little mad with the photos when Larissa showed me the newest addition to the hotel accommodation –  The Retreat  – consisting of the Spa Villa and the Atrium Villa. It was like  walking into the pages of a luxury interiors magazine, beautifully appointed and decorated with a selection of local and international art from the Wolf-Tasker’s private collection. This would be the perfect place for the bridal couple to retire after their big day, not to emerge for a few days!

All this, of course, walks hand in hand with the dining experience at The Lake House. With the option of a large wedding of up to 300 guests in the lofty Terrace Room, to the intimate private dining for 14 in the The Cellar Room, there is a space for all lovers of good food and wine to indulge their guests! With plans to extend the deck around the restaurant to allow for larger ceremony space overlooking the lake, The Lake House will continue to evolve and grow with its reputation. I can’t wait to see shots from the first events held in this space, the view truly is breathtaking!

The Terrace Room

The Cellar Room

It would be fair to say that if you’ve had the chance to dine at and wander through the grounds of The Lake House, you leave with the distinct impression that you’ve experienced something special. To see this beautiful place for yourself, you can arrange a Showover, a guide throughout the property that is tailored to the specific needs of each couple, including Ceremony and Reception locations, choice of menu, Accommodation options, Spa packages and more.

 Polka Dot Bride traveled to Daylesford as a guest of Daylesford Tourism for editorial consideration in accordance with our disclosure policy.