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Restaurant, Hotel, Spa, Weddings, Events, Cellar, Retreats....

Six acres of country gardens extend down to the waters of Lake Daylesford and provide guests with immediate access to the lakeshore and the Wombat State Forest beyond.

Exploring the property is in itself an adventure. Guests may like to have a hit of tennis followed by tea and refreshments in the tennis pavilion, a glass of wine by the fire in the Argyle Library Bar. Given the opportunity to explore the gardens you will come upon significant trees, a myriad of sculptures and artwork from many of the region’s top artists, extensive outdoor terraces overlooking the lakeshore and established country gardens with everything from koala-loved stringy barks to lilac, Daphne, quince, plum and apple trees.

The renowned restaurant draws appreciative foodies from Australia and around the world. In the kitchens, a talented team under the guidance of co-owner and Culinary Director Alla Wolf-Tasker AM work from the ground up producing cutting edge, modern Australian cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal and regional ingredients.

The Award Winning Cellar and its list with over 1000 references keeps wine buffs happy with its edgy and interesting selection of wines from around the world and of course closer to home.

Co- founder Allan Wolf-Tasker (1949 – 2022) was a renowned artist. His work (much of which depicts the landscape in and around Daylesford) hangs in private and public collections around the world as well as throughout the Lake House main hotels areas, studios and suites. Some are available to purchase alongside works from other regional artists.

In amongst the cool fern gully and surrounded by waterfall fed streams and springs – The Spa is an oasis of tranquility.

History of Lake House

The Early Days

  • “When I was first introduced to the site upon which Lake House now sits, I was speechless. A horse met my wife and I at the fence and followed us as we negotiated our way through the gorse, blackberries and sparse native grass, the seven Redback-infested car wrecks and the lone, dying eucalyptus tree at the edge of the steep slope, that fell to the waters of the swamp below. My wife asked, “Is it do-able Al?”, I responded, “Of course”. An hour later the ex-mine site was ours; a piece of earth that had been turned completely inside-out in the search of gold.

    Co-founder, Allan Wolf-Tasker

Vale Allan Harvey Wolf-Tasker 28.08.45 – 20.12.22

  • Co-Founder and Builder of Lake House Operations

    Beloved husband and “partner in arms” of Alla Wolf-Tasker AM.

    Adored father and father in law of Larissa Wolf-Tasker and Robin Wilson

    “Deda”to twins Alexei and Maya.

    Artist, Dreamer,Designer,Builder,Teacher,Consummate Host.

    Father figure for many decades to our Lake House “tribe”

    Much loved and very much mourned. A truly remarkable man.

    A kind and generous human being.

    We will miss him enormously.

    A memorial service will be held in January 2023

Over the years Lake House has prospered and reinvented itself. Scarcely a year goes by without some enhancement or change. And according to Alla "It remains always, a work in progress".

Driving into Lake House it’s hard to imagine the resilience, energy and stubborn determination that was needed three decades ago, to undertake the building of a destination restaurant in rural Australia – especially on a gorse infested paddock in a down at heel and largely forgotten little town.

“Two youngsters with barely a bob between us and not being able to take no for an answer” is how Alla portrays her and husband co-owner Allan Wolf-Tasker, as they launched into their dream project that everyone told them was doomed to fail.

The successful development of Lake House and the resurrection of Daylesford, the village that the Wolf-Taskers put on the global culinary map, has been the subject of many magazine articles, documentaries and also Alla’s book “Lake House – A Culinary Journey in Country Australia”.

Allan’s contribution to the evolution and success of the Lake House operations was enormous. His skill in design and drafting made plans for renovation and redevelopment possible over the years, and with the help of long time collaborator and friend architect Edgard Pirotta and later daughter Larissa Wolf-Tasker, they continued their plan to be seen as one of the best hotel and restaurants in Australia.

Alla remains in the thick of things, shaping successive generations of Lake House teams with her own uncompromising ideal of hospitality and excellence in service. She still oversees the food, unwavering in her philosophy.

The Lake House Team; hospitality professionals from all over the world,  are brought together through ongoing work with the family, daughter Larissa and son in law Robin to create truly exceptional hospitality experience. United by their passion for the industry and a commitment to seeing Lake House shine in the decades to come.

Our Press

  • “Lake House has set the benchmark for Australian regional hospitality.”

    The Gourmet Traveller Hotel Guide

    View Article
  • “This European-inspired country-house retreat has, for over 30 years, been at the heart of culinary brilliance and luxury accommodation…. Located in the pretty town of Daylesford, the rambling, wantonly seductive Lake House is indeed beside a lake and has six acres of silver-birch woodlands and wandering gardens.”

    London Telegraph

  • “Lake House is recognised around the world as one of this country’s great restaurants.”

    Selector Magazine

  • “This impressive collection is utterly mesmerising. Select one of the many excellent local wines, to give you a regional flavour. Or choose from the enlightened selection of Australia and New Zealand’s Best. On a global front, the range is nothing short of outstanding, including a heady collection of Burgundy, grower Champagne and Italian reds.”

    The Gourmet Traveller Wine Awards