In the heart of the Yarra Valley, amidst rolling hills, vineyards and farms full of furry friends, you'll find Gruyere...
And atop a hill with views to the nearby mountains lies 'Whispering Vines Cottage: the pup-friendly sauna retreat we found ourselves unwinding in for the weekend.

Autumn in the Yarra Valley really is something special. As we made our way to our earthy mud-brick stay, which lies just beyond the Warburton Rail Trail, we were blown away by the myriad of colour in the trees and fallen leaves. The surrounding vineyards glowed in golden rows, a subtle nod to the changing season that invited us to lean into wintry days and embrace the cosiness of the wood fire, the loft bedroom and the incredible on-site sauna.

We sunk into a time of relaxing and resetting the nervous system... Marshmallows on the fire pit, slow sips of local wine paired with a cheese platter, some yoga beside the chooks outside and a venture out for a breathwork workshop with the wonderful Inhale Education.

With my newfound restorative breathing skills I breathed in the fresh air of this stunning region and truly exhaled my worries. This combined with the stillness and simplicity of this little cottage on the hillside was all I'd been needing. Being able to bring our dog along too, including to the amazing local wineries, made this stay all the more family friendly.