Marnong Estate

THE VERDICT

This place might be 15 minutes from Tullamarine, but 'airport hotel' doesn't really seem appropriate. This is a $35m four-star regional estate, featuring a historic homestead, 250-person event space, 250-seat restaurant, vineyard and farmers' market, set on 1,100 beautiful acres.

Guys, welcome to the epic new Marnong Estate (AKA your new shmancy getaway priority).

Marnong Estate is located in Melbourne’s northwest, on Mickleham Rd. That's about 15mins drive from the airport (so you can still have that cheeky sleep-in before jumping on a flight). The homestead here dates back to the late 1840s—it's an old bluestone building on the settler's Bank Vale Run, one of the first large-scale holdings in all of Victoria.

The homestead still exists, but the really exciting thing about Marnong is the new $35m tourism development. We're talking a massive new event space, luxe suite accommodation, a working vineyard and operational Black Angus cattle farm...that also runs weekend farmers' markets. That's like eight businesses in one. 

Want to book a getaway? You can stay in one of four twin-share suites: the Garden View Suite, Victorian Suite, Blue Stone Suite and Terrace Suite. Prices start from $295 per night, which includes breakfast. A bit pricier than the Ibis at Tullamarine, but hey, you get what you pay for.

Part of what you pay for is the new Bankvale Run Restaurant, overseen by Executive Chef Matt Coates. The space is modern and contemporary (it wouldn't look out of place in South Yarra, TBH), and you get some cracking views over the Macedon Ranges. 

The Estate currently boasts a winery and has plans to develop further with a new vineyard, micro-brewery, coffee roasting house, a spa and wellness retreat, and a children’s playground, complete with petting zoo. In other words, you won't need anything else. We'll all just move and live on Marnong Estate in some delicious, free-range utopia. Bring it on. 

Image credit: Marnong Estate 

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