My latest adventure hit a little different from the conventional family escape I’m used to - I managed to catch a leave pass to meet up with friends in the surf centric town of Torquay on Wadawurrung Country. Henry making the drive from Adelaide, Luke from Melbourne and myself sneaking just a few k’s down the road to an amazing private hideaway a stone's throw from the ocean and 10 mins walk along the esplanade to cafe’s and shops. Ideal for our surf getaway, we were excited to make our way through the beautiful private garden to check out our base for the next few days.

The Surfers Palace is a light and cosy beach house with plenty of character, we had everything we needed and more, our host Bindy made us feel right at home. Froth levels were high after a wave starved few weeks, so after a morning coffee in the garden, our first stop was Winki Pop, located alongside the famed Bells Beach, for some fun small waves. Before the ultimate post-surf feed at Mortadeli, an amazing new Mediterranean cafe and deli, a little locals secret off Gilbert street near the centre of town.

The beach house proves a great place to hang out and recharge for the afternoon before making our way to an exhibition opening at a new art gallery in town: Fine Thanks, which hosts artwork from well known and up and coming contemporary artists and creatives, tapping into the surf niche famous with the location.

A fun weekend with the boys went by super quickly, a few high fives later and we each began the journey home, a great opportunity to catch up in an awesome location, everyone rejuvenated from our break.