The drive out to Manna Farm Cottage was surprisingly easy, winding through rolling hills, farmland and open landscapes dotted with animals. When I arrived, the views instantly stopped me in my tracks. The cottage itself felt warm and inviting. Rustic, beautifully styled and thoughtfully prepared with fresh bread and eggs waiting inside. I opened the patio doors straight away, poured a glass of wine, put together a simple cheese board and spent the afternoon outside throwing a ball across the wide open paddocks with my little dog, Daisy.

That night I lit the fire, made tea and read for hours in the quiet. As the sun set, I had a shower outdoors overlooking the farm, one of those simple moments that somehow feels unforgettable.

The next morning began slowly with coffee on the patio before heading out to explore. I stopped at a local café, then drove to Mount Cannibal for a hike with sweeping panoramic views across Gippsland. A relaxed wine and cheese stop at a nearby winery followed before returning to the cottage to cook pasta, watch the sky change colour again and settle into bed with a book.

By the time I left, I felt completely switched off, grounded, cosy and deeply restored.