Take a blissful pause in your busy life for an immersive experience of fine art, epicurean food and beautiful nature. Be hosted in rustic luxury of The Source, situated in the heart of the Great Ocean Road and Otways region, featuring pristine temperate rainforest, secluded waterfalls and a spectacular grotto. Connect with yourself and other like-minded people passionate about the finer things in life.

Start your mornings with private yoga tuition, mindfulness practice, delicious and healthy breakfast and an exploration of the surrounding majestic nature – rainforest, waterfalls, grotto and beach. Be guided through the winding paths on a walking meditation and forest bathing (Japanese art of Shinkrin Yoku) to awaken your sense, re-energise your body, uplift your spirit and get inspired for your creative afternoon. Enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch prepared with seasonal local produce, whilst relaxing at the peaceful rainforest Pavilion or back at the residence. 

After lunch, dive into creative flow of life drawing and painting under masterful guidance and tuition of an acclaimed international artist, Margarita Krivitsky.  Refine your drawing skills by sketching a life drawing model, who will hold a variety of poses to inspire and challenge your artistry.  Margarita’s tuition is directive and supportive to artists of all levels, from beginners to professional artist, enabling you to find a greater level of awareness, skills and techniques. Experiment with mediums, themes and simply enjoy being in your creative element, in an intimate circle of other artists.

After the art class, relax and prepare for an evening of epicurean delights at one of the top restaurants acclaimed not just in the region, but across the country.  On our first evening, we will dine at the Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant.  Overlooking Bass Strait, set high in the Otways above the Great Ocean Road, it has become a Mecca for gourmet travelers. With a passion for the food of Southern Europe combined with the freshest and purest produce has made their cuisine world famous. Chris's food is contemporary with a Southern European and Middle Eastern influence. Fresh seafood is their specialty, along with a variety of Chris's most popular Greek dishes. The wine list showcases the best wines of the region as well as the finest wines that define the character of Australia's greatest wine regions; especially chosen to complement their menu.

On our second evening, as an optional extra for a maximum of 5 people, we have the pleasure of an unforgettable dining experience at Brae, an acclaimed world-class restaurant, recently awarded 3 hats. Set on a hillside on an organic farm, Brae is a place to interact with nature and eat from the land. Brae offers an ever-changing set menu that utilises produce from their own organic garden and fruit orchards, the surrounding land and local farmers to showcase a unique, contemporary cuisine built around an immense respect for nature and seasonality. Chef-owner, Dan Hunter was named Chef of the Year 2012 and 2016 in The Age Good Food Guide; Chef of the Year 2016 in Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine; and Top Chef 2016 and 2017 in The Australian Financial Review’s Top Restaurants Awards.

Our fine art and fine dining retreat will conclude at 3pm on Friday, leaving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy this spectacular region at your own leisure or return back home for the evening.

By application only

Exclusive event for a small group of art, culture and nature lovers

Package options:

Couple 1 – Double bedroom at the Homestead ($2,397)

Couple 2 – Queen bedroom at the Cottage ($2,397)

6 Singles - shared room in the Homestead ($1,197pp)

3 Singles - shared room in the Cottage ($1,197pp)

3 Singles - Glamping bell tent ($897pp)

What’s included:

·      champagne on arrival

·      Daily 3-hour art tuition by Margarita, including life model sessions

·      2 nights’ accommodation

·      Daily morning yoga class

·      2 delicious breakfasts and 3 gourmet lunches, featuring seasonal and organic local produce

·      Epicurean 3 course dinner and wine at Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant

·      Local organic fare dinner at La Bimba restaurant OR Unforgettable fine dining experience for 5 people at the 3-hat restaurant Brae (additional fee)

·      Daily nature immersion experiences, including mindfulness practice and guided walking meditation through the private rainforest and secluded waterfalls located on the property as well as the great ocean road beach visit