Forrest Guesthouse

Soak up that fresh Otway Ranges air from the aptly named town of Forrest. This guesthouse features four suites (each with a queen- or king-size be) that blend modern and vintage touches.

There’s always something in bloom in the lush, rambling garden, from hellebores and hazelnut trees to dahlias and tangerines. Stroll through the working veggie patch, take a nap under a tree – it’s a soothing, quiet landscape that invites regular visits from kookaburras, koalas, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, eastern yellow robins and echidnas.

If you want to make the most of the well-equipped kitchenette, it’s a short stroll to Forrest General Store for provisions. All the fresh produce here is grown by the owners or sourced from local farms. Pick up homemade pies, chutney and a slice of cake for an easy lunch, or a bottle of Otways Distillery limoncello for a night cap with new friends around the fire pit.

Explore nearby waterfalls and walks, pass a sunny afternoon on the verandah with a book, or simply sleep deeply between mountain-biking adventures. There’s a bike rack handy for cleaning your wheels between switchback-heavy tracks, and planet-friendly products in the bathroom for you.