When Amanda Cochran purchased Salt Creek Cottage in 2020, she knew the property had potential to become a getaway befitting of its idyllic location at the southern gateway to Victoria’s Grampians (Gariwerd).
Recent renovations from the previous owner had taken the ‘dilapidated’ Victorian to a near new state and added on a new extension to the rear, featuring a light-filled, open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. But it was still a blank canvas ‘with all-white everything and timber floors’.
A local to the region and founder of lifestyle and homewares brand, The Grampians Goods Co., Amanda set about bringing character back into the two-bedroom abode with the help of Lynda Gardener and Belle Hemming Bright. She wanted to reference the property’s history and the rugged landscape of its surrounds. For her, this went beyond ensuring the boutique accommodation was cosy and comfortable, building a ‘story’ that inspired the retreat’s rustic charm.
Inside the weatherboard cottage, ‘familiar elements’ of antique furniture, moody feature walls, vintage portraits, and recycled wool tartan blankets from The Grampians Goods Co. help make visitors feel at home.
Amanda also thought of elements an imagined housekeeper of Salt Creek Cottage would provide, ensuring guests have fresh bread and gourmet pantry supplies during their stay. There’s even some old native botanical sketches or expedition gear like maps, old compasses and journals as reminders of another era.
In addition to peaceful evenings by the fire, and access to the ‘stunning walks’ of the nearby Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, Amanda says a highlight of Salt Creek Cottage is its sense of total escapism.
‘Guests are delighted with the space because of the sense of joy that comes from stepping into an inspired, artful interior that has a whimsical element and tells a story,’ she says.
‘I hope that what the cottage offers goes beyond the stock standard sense of luxury or indulgence, adding a layer of playfulness and adventure for the guests that allows them to explore those parts of themselves.’
