Home Away From Home: Sky High retreat in Mount Franklin offers ultimate relaxation

Perched on top of Mount Franklin, Sky High looks out over Victoria’s spa country views from every room – including the laundry. It’s a pure escape away from the city, and the simple, minimal design enriches the spectacular landscape and mountain ranges.

Before Sky High retreat, owners Courtney and Hamish Everard had a weekender in the area for 10 years. They had grown to love that magical feeling of concerns dissipating as they left for the country. “Being in the wellness industry, we have always dreamed of sharing this feeling,” Courtney Everard says.

“Offering people a magical destination to ‘escape’; leaving all their worries behind and being whole in mind, body and spirit.”

The Everards’ relationship with the property began before the build even started, as they knew the builders and owners of the land, Josh and Tik White of Spa Country Builders.

“We visited numerous times throughout the build; you could say we watched it being created from the ground up,” Everard says. “[Josh and Tik] are renowned for sourcing unique building materials, and every part of their design just makes sense.”

A running joke from Josh is that as he was building the property for the Everards, the purpose of it came to life when they realised how perfect it would be for their dream of opening up a wellness retreat for guests.

“As Sky High was completed, we envisaged yoga mats all lined up along the elongated deck running through the moon gate looking out over the ranges,” Everard says. “A place to practise yoga and mindfully meditate.”

As such, Sky High offers ample space for peaceful activities, from the outdoor spotted gum deck to the spacious living area with views over the velvety green hues of Lalgambook (Mount Franklin). In the central protected courtyard, portholes provide glimpses out to the bush and farmland and there’s a plunge pool to rest sore muscles, either from yoga or winery touring.

Complementing the stunning architecture from the Whites – complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and polished concrete floors – is the the 360-degree views over regional Victoria.

With the ever-changing landscape the star of the show, Sky High has honoured the location with a stylish, simple aesthetic, and minimal and pared-back furniture to continue the sense of tranquillity.

Around every corner, there is space to take in the vistas and a spot to relax. In the bathroom is a luxurious tub positioned to look out over the ranges, and in the kitchen is a skylight, made from salvaged curved pieces of glass, that bathes the space in natural light.

Guests are welcomed to sit by the log fire with a glass of local wine and cheeses as the weather rolls in, or out on the deck on a balmy summer’s evening watching the sunset.

“I love the beauty that is Mount Franklin,” Everard says. “Just looking back at the thick, velvety looking emerald forest is just so majestic.”

The surrounding area is full of wineries, local produce, spas, and nature walks to help guests decompress. As Everard says: “It’s our escape – we leave all of our problems at the front gate.”

Things to do while in Mount Franklin …

Eat

A 20-minute drive from Sky High, the Swiss Mountain Hotel has been serving Mount Franklin locals since 1865 and today has a menu full of pub-style comfort food crafted from local produce.

Drink

You are spoilt for choice around Mount Franklin for award-winning wineries and Passing Clouds is one of the best and oldest in the region, offering boutique wine testing with stunning vistas.

Shop

Lavandula Farm offers a range of aromatherapy products, and grows the lavender on their 40-hectare farm. Spend the afternoon in the fields, learning about the Swiss-Italian history in the area.

Explore

Take a moment at the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. They have been offering mineral baths since 1895 and received a modern refresh by Cox Architecture in 2007.