Hungry Planet: Unique Journeys- The Buckland Luxury Retreat

Being in the travel industry and talking travel all day gives me some unique insights. I am constantly surrounded by the latest travel trends, get first hand feedback from hundreds of travellers every year and am bombarded with industry reps touting their travel products and don’t forget the familiarisation and personal travel I undertake every year.

All too often I see people fall into the trap of taking uninspired holidays. In this Series “Unique Journeys” I am focusing on bringing you unique experiences worldwide. One of a kind getaways and fascinating experiences to get you seeing travel from a new perspective.

The experiences and properties you will see recommended here are not sponsored they are brought to you from my many years experience as a travel consultant.

Sometimes life can wear you down. The day in day out routine is tiresome and we all need to treat ourselves from time to time to a break from the monotony. This can't always mean jetting off overseas, sometimes you need to look in your own backyard and here in Australia let's be honest we have one hell of a backyard!

That is exactly how my husband and myself were feeling just a few weeks ago. It had been a long, cold winter, we hadn't had a holiday all year and we were tired. Our annual trip to Melbourne was the perfect remedy and you can read more about that here. Once we were done with eating our way around Melbourne we headed to Bright, Victoria for a two night stay at The Buckland Luxury Retreat

The studio's tucked away in a slice of Australian heaven

Our bathroom, can't beat that view & with a tub for two it is just perfect

Our living room with full kitchen and wood fire

Our bedroom, the bed was up high to take advantage of the bushland views out the window

I am always on the look out for unique properties, whilst it can be nice to stay in a fancy hotel with all the amenities it can also be a little dull. After a while hotel rooms all start to look the same no matter how much you pay for them and as a travel agent I refuse to fall into the trap of generic holidays, boring!

Well generic is not a word you will hear associated with The Buckland. Nestled into the Australian Bush with frontage facing wineries, farmlands and the magnificent Mount Buffalo this is a couples holiday that you will not soon forget.

The five individual studios are a private haven away from the stresses of everyday life. From the moment you open the door you won't want to leave. Featuring a full kitchen, living space with wood fire, bedroom with king size bed and the massive bathroom with a free-standing bathtub overlooking the bushland through full height windows you have no need to leave if you don't wish. All of this is cleverly surrounded by bushland at the rear for total privacy (which you will need as the full height bathroom windows have no blinds) and at the front you are looking out at Mount Buffalo which in winter is magical with it's snow capped peaks.

The show stopper of the studios is definitely the bathrooms. An open shower with double rain style shower heads will have you revelling in more than just a mere shower. On the other side of the shower stands the free-standing bathtub which sits proudly in front of the floor to ceiling windows with glorious views of the native peppermint forest. Thoughtfully equipped with a side table to sit your wine (because what is a luxurious bath without sipping on your favourite beverage) and candles to set the mood you will want to wallow in this tub all day and with it being large enough for two...why not?

If you can't imagine spending all day in the tub then you are perfectly located for endless days of exploring. After indulging in your home cooked brekky personally made by the owners of The Buckland you must head out and explore this unique part of Australia. At the heart of Victoria's Alpine Mountains the setting is extraordinary. Mount Buffalo is easily accessible for skiing, tobogganing and snow man making (an essential part of any winter getaway) or in summer the walks, waterfalls and lookouts will have your heart soaring at the beauty of the mountain and surrounding farmlands. Just down the road you have Mount Hotham for the more serious skiers and adventurers. If skiing isn't your thing you can head out dog sledding, snow mobiling or just set yourself up in a restaurant or bar for a day of relaxation.

If dining out is your thing Bright may appear a quaint town on the surface but the array of restaurants and bars from Brewery's to fine dining will please even the choosiest foodie (like me) or if you want to delve into the Gold mining history head out on the diggings walk or try your hand at fossicking or panning. My personal pick for a casual meal in a lively setting with good and affordable food is the Bright Brewery. We went with a selection of small dishes plus a pizza. The Buffalo Wings with blue cheese dipping sauce were melt in your mount with a spicy zing and the Cheeky Beef Pizza bought a touch of class to the pizza world with it's slow cooked beef cheek topping with peas, tomatoes, caramelised onions and mozzerella

After a busy day you know you have your heavenly studio at The Buckland to return to. The wood fire will envelop you for a cosy night in or in summer sit out on the deck taking in the sunset and watch the birds busying themselves in the trees all around you. If you are lucky you will spot the local wombats or Kangaroos who frequent the area.

The Conde Nast Hot list could not be wrong, this place is heaven located in a unique slice of an amazing country. It certainly does have me thinking more on the value of a holiday closer to home. Unique experiences are not governed by crossing the seas, you can have the holiday of a lifetime just down the road.