King Street
Daylesford
3460 Victoria
Australia
At a time when regional Australia was anything but a considered destination for good food, Alla Wolf-Tasker had the remarkable foresight to establish a regional restaurant, with aspirations for fine dining and a sense of place.
With the clearing of a scenic, blackberry-infested paddock near Lake Daylesford and commencing the daunting long term process of encouraging local farmers to supply specialty produce, Alla's vision began to materialise. In no time word spread and 'foodies' began to seek out the "house on the lake".
Reviewers heaped praise, awards were won - and in the process Alla succeeded in putting Daylesford on the culinary travellers' map.
That restaurant has now truly come of age and is part of the Lake House small luxury hotel complete with picturesque accommodation, 10,000 bottle Cellar and Salus Spa.
The property is still privately owned and operated by the Wolf-Taskers alongside daughter Larissa and 85 dedicated staff.
A Few of our Awards
- 2 Chefs Hats/ Best Country Winelist – The Age Good Food Guide
- Australia’s Best Spa Experience – ASPA Awards
- Gold Standard – Conde Nast Traveller Annual Gold List
- One of the Top 101 Hotels in the World – UK Tatler Travel Guide
- Australia’s Best Hotel Dining – The Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards
- Best Boutique Hotel / Best Regional Property – Luxury Travel Gold List
- Australia’s Best Country Winelist – Gourmet Traveller Winelist of the Year Awards
A Hotel with Heart & Soul
Lake House is a tranquil retreat that includes thirty-three rooms and suites in either a waterfront or lodge setting. Six acres of country gardens extend down to the waters of Lake Daylesford and provide guests with immediate access to the lake shore and the Wombat State Forest beyond.
The Waterfront Suites feature superior king beds, plush sofa, textured armchairs and soft furnishings in chartreuse, citron, champagne gold and mustard yellows. On the walls are original paintings and prints from Resident Artist Allan Wolf-Tasker’s studio.
A stone topped bar is stocked with regionally sourced sips and nibbles, Salus Spa’s own sparkling mineral water, Nespresso Coffee machines and a selection of sweet indulgences from the Lake House kitchen.
Ensuites have spacious vanities, dual showers, double spa baths and heated bathroom floors for those cool Autumn and Winter days. Flat screen televisions with a selection of cable channels, a collection of cult and classic DVDs, IPOD docks and free wifi access are all at your fingertips.
Situated behind a discreet gate, amongst its own gardens and with direct access to the lake foreshore, The Retreat at Lake House offers the opportunity for a more private getaway within the fabled Lake House grounds. Two sumptuously furnished bedrooms, fireside lounging areas, two luxury bathroom /dressing rooms and a fully equipped kitchen and bar areas, complete the picture of your ultimate romantic retreat.
The Restaurant In the kitchens, a talented team, under the guidance of owner and Executive Chef Alla Wolf-Tasker and Head Chef David Green, work from the ground up producing cutting edge, modern Australian cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal and regional ingredients.
The kitchen creates most items on the daily menu from the ground up – ranging from bread, charcuterie, preserves, smoked goods, chocolates and more.
A la carte menus change with the availability of new seasonal produce and will use organics where possible. The selection of Contemporary Australian dishes draws inspiration from all over the world including Alla’s homeland of Russia and her original training ground of France. Multi course ‘Tasting Menus’ offer a special opportunity to sample a diverse range of the kitchen’s offerings.
The Wine List The wine lists features roughly 700 labels and the cellar houses almost 10,000 bottles. The list highlights the best of the surrounding wine regions - Heathcote, Macedon & Sunbury, Ballarat & the Pyrenees alongside some of the world's most renowned labels.
Perfect for up to 14 people – The Cellar Room is a popular choice for private parties & celebrations.
The Salus Spa The state-of-the-art Salus Spa designed with blond wood and splashes of Tiffany blue, is surrounded by waterfall fed streams with nine treatment areas offering the latest in spa treatments and technology. Walls are adorned with enormous paintings from renowned artist David Bromley’s nude series.
Relaxation lounges feature plush banquets and recliners lined with soft, textured pillows inviting guests to linger after their treatment and prolong that pampering glow.
Signature Treatments Signature treatments at Salus Spa capture some of the fragrances from each season found so abundantly in the surrounding Wombat State Forest and the local countryside. For example in Winter therapists source pine, eucalyptus, rosemary from the garden; in Autumn it may be a vintage & vine treatment using the antioxidants from the grape skins, Summer is fresh picked cucumber, mint and aloe vera; whilst spring offers old fashioned roses, citrus and violets.
These body treatments combine a soothing rhythmic massage utilising hot volcanic rocks and warm oil reducing tension and easing muscle aches. The body is then polished with fragrant mineral salts to remove rough skin. Whilst you are all wrapped up, a soothing face and scalp massage completes this nourishing experience. Finish off with a Hydrostorm where steam assists the absorption of essential oils whilst Vichy jets and waterfall showers rinse away the salt, exposing a beautiful soft skin – fresh, nourished and rejuvenated.