WRITTEN BY SASSIND CO-FOUNDER: Tamara Ryan

When Melbourne's second lockdown was announced with tough new measures in early July, our little family was in the very fortunate position to be having a mini break at Sassind Guesthouse at Mount Macedon. We decided to stay. New restrictions meant that we could not rent the house out to anyone for the foreseeable future, so the decision was easy. The commute to our warehouse is manageable, the house is fully equipped for a long stay, and of course the stunning landscape of Mount Macedon and our expansive gardens were a draw card too. Not a day has gone by that I haven't felt incredibly grateful to have had this option, and I vowed early on to appreciate our surroundings and what the area has to offer. I walk every day rain, hail or shine, and have discovered some amazing tracks right on our doorstep.

I'm so looking forward to being able to welcome guests again at our beautiful property. We really do have something special up here, and I cannot wait to share it. Here're some gems I have discovered / re-discovered since living here:

Also home to award-winning Mountain Gin, these guys have their cellar door experience down to a fine art. Open only on the weekend, they offer tastings at the bar but also offer sit down service with a simple menu focussed on local produce. It's a stunning setting, and a lovely spot to have a casual bite to eat and a little tipple if you fancy. It's a 4-minute drive from the Guesthouse.

(Image Source: Mount Towrong's Website)

A one-stop shop for delicious take home meals, local produce, cakes and slices, and giftware. They adapted to the ever-changing restrictions to hospitality with ease, and their take home meals were on high rotation during our stay. Our favourites include:  Thai Green Curry, Beef Bourguignon, Vegetable Lasagne, and Sticky Date Pudding (if you don't mind!).

This restaurant honestly rivals any Japanese meal I have ever experienced in the big smoke.  Since the first lockdown at the end of March, they have stuck exclusively to take home meals on a click and collect basis. Their full menu is available online, and they have a limited amount of time slots each evening in which you can pick up your meals. Highlights include: Tempura Oysters,  Sashimi & Sushi Moriawase, Tori Namban, and their Soft Shell Crab Bao. The four of us can eat like Kings for under $150. We may never need to eat out again!

(Image source: Kuze's Instagram)

Hands down the best pizza we've ever eaten, and consistently so. In addition to pizza they also offer some small side dishes as accompaniments. Hot tip - do not go past the saganaki. They too have stuck to take away only on a click or phone and collect basis.

(Image source: Eve Wilson for The Design Files,  Ida Red's Instagram)

This gem is held on the first Saturday of each month and plays host to the best produce the Macedon Ranges have to offer. Think fresh fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and butter, gin, wine, grass fed beef + lamb, seedlings, and endless preserves and oils. It has a wonderful festive atmosphere, the stallholders are all very informative about their wares, and was the highlight of my month during 3 months of lockdown. 

Needless to say, we have been very fortunate to experience the lockdown here in Mount Macedon, and in The Sassind Guesthouse. If this piqued your interest then take a look at our previous blog below.