If you’re traveling to Australia and stopping in Melbourne, taking a drive on the Great Ocean Road (GOR) is almost a requirement. The 150-mile coastal highway in western Victoria is matched in its breathtaking views perhaps only by California’s Pacific Coast Highway. In fact, it’s such a must-see that my friends who moved to Melbourne a few years ago from New York have gotten somewhat tired of taking their guests there. Thankfully, I was able to persuade them to go one more time, because the dramatic, rocky coastline—and the Great Otway National Park that it wends through—delivered on the spectacular scenery, the Brobdingnagian flora, and the only-in-Australia wildlife.
The main destination on the GOR is 12 Apostles, an outcropping of limestone stacks rising from the ocean that look like something out of a sci-fi fantasy. While many who do the GOR stay in the larger beach towns like Apollo Bay or Port Campbell (the closest town to 12 Apostles), I wanted somewhere in the middle to have as a home base. I stumbled across this beautiful cabin in the town of Johanna, about halfway between Apollo Bay and 12 Apostles.
Airbnb
Airbnb
Called The Log House, this Airbnb is located on a hilly seven acres just up the road from the coast and is reached via a long gated driveway. The single-story rambling home (with three bedrooms and six beds that can accommodate eight people) is set amid impeccably manicured landscaping and is backended by a forest inhabited by deer and a koala named Jimmy (whom, unfortunately, I didn’t see during my stay). There’s an orchard of citrus and stone trees as well as a trellis of passion fruit that guests are welcome to enjoy. For guests with kids, a cute playhouse can be found out back.
Inside, accessed via key in a lockbox, my friends and I were met with a cozy living space with low-profile seating, a nonworking fireplace, and a TV. Beyond is the dining area and the sleek kitchen with modern amenities like a conduction stove and cool Japanese dishware. To the right of the dining table is another seating area with a wood stove heater as its focus. (Wood is provided to heat the home in the colder months.) On either end of the house are the bedrooms. A large bedroom with four bunk beds also acts as a playroom for kids; on the opposite end is one of the main bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a small laundry vestibule.
What sets this place apart from your standard Airbnb listing is the decor, which could be described as rustic log cabin meets boho-chic bungalow. The blend of natural and painted woods with a color palette of dusty roses, umbers, and marigolds creates a warm atmosphere. The furniture is a textural combination of velvet, hemp, and wicker. The outdoor areas are made for relaxing as well: The front porch, outfitted with seating, extends the length of the building. Out back a large deck contains a dining table for eight and an additional lounging area. There’s also an outdoor shower with a large stone basin hidden behind bushes for privacy.