A sponsored post for RACV Inverloch Resort
Tell anyone with kids you’re taking the family to stay at an RACV property, and you’ll hear the same thing, over and over: “oh, they’re great!”
And they are! Having stayed at a few myself, I always marvel at how much everyone seems satisfied every stay – so much to do, see and eat, all in the one place, for all ages. Kids entertained while I stuff my face/sit in the sun? YES PLEASE.
I took my own tribe to stay again recently, as guests of RACV Inverloch Resort, on the final weekend of the winter school holidays as a bit of a last hurrah, and hurrah we most certainly did!
Eager to catch as much of the resort and what it has to offer as we could before heading back to Melbourne and the daily grind the next day, we arrived at lunchtime, after passing through the ridiculously scenic Gippsland region.
RACV Inverloch Resort is in a terrific location: rolling green farmyard hills on one side, and the endless blue of the Bass Strait on the other. The scenery is top notch, and when you catch the golden glow of a winter sunrise or sunset, it’s even better.
Minutes from the nearby towns of Inverloch and Wonthaggi, and well-within driving distance of Phillip Island (where we found ourselves later at Penguin Parade, watching the Little Penguins – legitimately the smallest in the world – come ashore to bed after a busy day swimming and feeding in the ocean) and other attractions.
Our cabin fronted the ocean, with large decks and huge windows to take it all in. My favourite were the cows dotted about nearby paddocks, unaware of their breathtaking daily view.
Our two-bedroom, two bathroom, fully-self-contained cabin was utterly huge, and we joked we’d have to play Marco Polo to find where anyone was, but if you’re there for any length of time (and perhaps with extended family or friends), you’d absolutely have plenty of space without everyone all up in everyone else’s faces and you can relax.
The kitchen was large, the dining and lounge area friendly and welcoming (bonus points for the gas wood-fire heaters) and plenty of either heating or cooling, depending on what time of year you stay. There was plenty of entertainment options in all of the rooms, the beds were outrageously good, and the Biology bathroom amenities pretty top-notch (you know I judge!).
Honestly, the girls settled in right away like they were staying a week, bless them.
We were there for mere minutes though (enough to sample the delicious treats left as a surprise for us) before the siren song of the jumping pillow called to the children.
It was our first stop in the resort that houses two playgrounds, multiple barbecue areas, tennis courts, family games room, gym, heated pool and spa, footy field, and flying fox. By the time we moved from the jumping pillow to the nearby playground, the kids had already declared it the best hotel ever and asked if we could come back next weekend please mum?
I was pretty smitten by the native landscaping, relaxed feel, and the utter convenience of everything being right where we needed it (ocean included!). The weather was spoiling us rotten, with nary a breeze and the sun shining gently pretending it wasn’t the middle of winter.
After an explore of the games room and pool, we headed to the Zenith Lounge for some much-needed refreshments. The girls had some hot chips and a donut each and I leapt straight for the Devonshire tea.
The tea is also loose-leaf, for the connoisseurs – I know you’ll want to know that! It was exceptional, as was the warm vibe and comfy seats looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows over the coast beyond.
Later we thawed out from our penguin trek in the Radius Restaurant for dinner – where the kids get activity packs and their own menu and we had a choice of three: the main menu, the vegetarian menu, or the Winter Warmers triple course with a tea or coffee to follow ($49).
The girls each had a toastie and a margarita pizza, and Matt opted for the cider-battered spiced tofu, nori salted chips, pickled pear slaw, and mushy pea tar tare from the veg menu.
I went the whole hog with the Winter Warmer option. Potato and leek soup with grilled housemade bread (that bread, I tell you! Yum) to start, followed by the Bass Coast linguini with Gippsland mushroom ragout, hazelnuts, whipped goats cheese, and truffle oil. It was gigantic and utterly, utterly delicious.
We shared the dessert: pavlova with fresh strawberries, passionfruit, orange curd, chocolate soil, and cherry sorbet along with a local wine – a Purple Hen, if I remember correctly.
We rolled home to bed after a 10/10 day of great service, great food, and great fun.
The next morning we were extraordinarily slow to get moving – the dark curtains work a treat! We all slept like complete logs, and it was only the smallest and me up for a quiet cup of tea and a colour in.
Honestly, the glorious sunrise that day was next level, and watching it light up the trees and beach below was pretty special. The wind was up a little more than the previous day but it was still hard to believe it wasn’t still autumn, with the sky so blue and clear and the wind not so bracing. Perfect weather for exploring the coastline as we did later the whole way home! So many spots to pull over and see all the highlights from the Bunurong Marine National Park, including Eagle’s Nest, where the first Australian dinosaur bone was found in 1903. If you’re lucky you’ll even spot some whales way out to sea.
We ambled over for breakfast eventually – a full buffet in the Radius Restaurant again. The girls opted for French toast, cereal, and make-your-own pancakes with juice alongside, and Matt and I hit our regular buffet big breakfast favourites (extra points to the fresh sourdough), and fresh fruit.
The bain marie must be made of magic or something, because I’ve not ever come across one that was so hot! Breakfast was at a perfect temperature and utterly delicious. And there was still plenty on offer with half an hour of service to go. There was the usual tea and coffee options, but you can also order an espresso to go alongside.
For all my egg fans, may I present you with the hotel golden standard: poached eggs with actually runny yolk. A breakfast miracle:
Everyone needed another break after that eating effort, and we loafed about the cabin for a bit before heading out to the jumping pillow and second playground for another play before going home.
The girls even spotted a family of kangaroos hanging out around the caravan park playground area and were completely thrilled. The RACV Inverloch Resort really does have a bit of everything!
Where to find it: 70 Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road, Inverloch, Victoria, 3996
Phone: +61 3 5674 0000
Book your stay: here.
Facebook: RACV Inverloch Resort
Instagram: @racvinverlochresort
Caz-Room For My Soul says
I feel relaxed an happy just looking at the pictures. Reminds me of similar holidays we’ve had. Don’t the kids just love having so much right outside the door. Jumping pillows, playgroups, pools. Happy memories. (And buffet breaky!!)
Stacey says
God there’s not much better than a buffet breakfast in this life, right? Mountains of it! Always feels like Christmas. And winter was such a great time to go because the kids didn’t have to wait their turn on anything, they could play and do as they pleased. Everything was so relaxed. Love holiday memories x
Vanessa says
Oh I want to eat scones by the window… RACV seem to be good at green, grassy views. I like that.
Stacey says
They absolutely do not let anyone down in the greenery. so glorious! We could get a scone together and fight for a window seat. No, scratch that, two scones each.
Amy @ Handbagmafia says
I WANT THAT BREAKFAST BUFFET!
Stacey says
maaaate can I just tell ya – so good. I’ve had a FEW in my time. Unlimited delicious hot breakfast I didn’t have to cook? The stuff dreams are made of.
Tina Lacy says
I need to go just for the food, it looks amazing!
Stacey says
They really did a fantastic job the whole way through! We had such a good time.
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
That breakfast buffet has my name all over it! What a wonderful winter getaway. Side note: how cute are those penguins at Phillip Island?!
Stacey says
ermagherd, the cutest! I’d never seen them before! so tiny and fat and waddly. Like I was after I ate about six serves of that breakfast haha
Lorraine@ Not Quite Nigella says
That looks so relaxing! I’ve never stayed at a RACV before but the rooms look spacious.
Stacey says
I was indeed very relaxed in a maximum of personal space! And with cows and the ocean out my window it was basically perfect.
Karin O'Grady says
Now this is perfect timing! I am planning out a family road trip for January and we want to do the Phillip Island Penguins. This place looks perfect!! How long was the drive from the resort to the penguin parade?
Stacey says
AHA! Well you’ve gotta stop here! The drive is about 45 mins, we were back in time for dinner. The penguins were amazing, as was the bloody view from the seats! We were treated to a pretty spectacular sunset. I might have to come back in January and have a sneaky wine with ya x
Kelly (Mama Kat Plus 8) says
I love family holidays…and a family park is the way to go because everyone has something to do. Usually my husband and I do a week away just the two of us around September and we do a family holiday over the summer holidays for a long weekend. It’s pretty expensive taking seven kids away and finding a place that can house nine people is all but impossible. Finding a place in a family park that can house all of us in the one place would be amazing! I love Inverloch by the way – such a great mash of beach and country. Looks beautiful!
Stacey says
Gosh the logistics of getting 9 people out of the house! Incredible! Well I wouldn’t doubt that you’d all fit here and you’d all have a grand time. Inverloch sure is spectacularly beautiful <3
Denyse Whelan says
What a great place and space! I can see why you all enjoyed it so much. And please tell me, how DID your girls grow! They are just divine!
Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is: Countries I Have Visited. Denyse x
Stacey says
Oh heavens, it’s too much. They’re too big!
And I love that prompt! I’m gonna give it a go. Thanks, as always, Denyse x
Andrea Wade says
What a small world. Our family vacated that same cabin that Saturday morning after our now annual week stay over the winter holidays. The first time we walked through the door and saw the view we were blown away. Did the friendly butcher bird say hello on the balcony? If you go again, we can highly recommend the dinosaur discovery tour run by the Bunnerong discovery centre in Inverloch. Palaeontologist Mike Cleveland will have the kids enthralled.
Rebecca Senyard says
This is the type of getaway my girls LOVE. RACV hotels really know how to accommodate families. Definitely putting this place on the Bucket List. Sadly, Melbourne is the only part of VIC I have visited.