Zen Out

After a few hectic days working in the city, a weekend getaway is what we needed. This Japanese retreat, tucked away in Gippsland at the base of a gully and surrounded by bushland, ticked all the boxes. On arrival, we were welcomed by Carl, our host, who gave us an introduction to the place and made us feel welcome, before settling in and getting familiar with the space. We didn’t want to get too comfortable yet, so we decided to jump in our car and drive north towards the Toorongo Falls Reserve to explore the area. 

From the carpark, we followed the sign that pointed to the Toorongo and Amphitheatre waterfalls, an easy one hour loop walk offering stunning views of the forest and natural waterways. We took it slow, enjoying the greenery and calming surroundings before completing the walk and returning to our car. We encountered a few people on the way, but it didn’t ruin the atmosphere and quiet of the place.

Hungry after the walk, we agreed on a late lunch at the very busy local pub in the town of Nooje and decided to briefly stop at Little Charli’s lookout. We spotted the cute picnic area on the way back to our accomodation which offers views of the Tarago Reservoir and the mountains. 

The cozy Japanese styled accommodation is built on a tranquil pond and feels miles away from the city. No wifi or mobile reception, made it the perfect location for a relaxing couple of days. We relaxed on the porch overlooking the water with a cup of tea in hand. We woke the next day fully recharged, ready to start another working week.