The Ultimate Foodie Weekend: Dine at Tinamba Hotel & Stay at Happy Days

There is a specific kind of heartbreak known only to food and wine lovers living in the city. You find a destination restaurant in the countryside—one with Chef Hats, glowing reviews, and a wine list that reads like poetry—only to realise the logistics are a nightmare.

If you drive three hours from Melbourne, you need somewhere to stay. If you stay in a nearby town, someone has to be the designated driver. And nothing dampens the spirit of a degustation menu quite like sipping sparkling water while your partner enjoys a vintage Pinot Noir.

For visitors to Central Gippsland, the Tinamba Hotel is that bucket-list dining destination. And for a long time, the logistics were tricky.

But not anymore.

At Happy Days Accommodation, we have solved the designated driver dilemma. Located just a few hundred metres from the restaurant’s front door, we offer the ultimate “Dine & Stay” experience. Here is your guide to the perfect gourmet weekend in Tinamba, where the only thing you need to drive is your appetite.

The Main Event: Why We Love the Tinamba Hotel

If you are travelling to Central Gippsland for food, you likely already know the reputation of the Tinamba Hotel. But for the uninitiated, this isn’t your average country pub. It is a gastronomic landmark.

Standing proudly since 1874, the hotel has been transformed by owners Simon and Tania Johnson into a venue that rivals the best dining rooms in Melbourne. It has retained its historic charm—think wide verandas and a warm, welcoming bar—but the plate presentation is pure modern finesse.

Paddock to Plate (Literally)

The Tinamba Hotel doesn’t just pay lip service to the “local produce” trend; they live it. The kitchen team is famous for sourcing ingredients from the rich soils of the Macalister Irrigation District. It is not uncommon to find herbs, vegetables, and garnishes on your plate that were harvested that very morning from the hotel’s own kitchen gardens.

Whether you are indulging in their signature duck breast, locally sourced beef, or a delicate seafood dish, the focus is always on letting the high-quality Gippsland produce shine.

The Wine List

Then, there is the wine. The cellar here is curated to champion the best of Gippsland’s cool-climate wines— from the Pinot Noirs of the Baw Baw Shire to the crisp whites of East Gippsland — alongside iconic international labels.

This is exactly why staying nearby is non-negotiable. To truly experience what the chefs have created, you want to experience the wine pairings. When you stay at Happy Days Accommodation, the “commute” home is a leisurely five-minute stroll under the stars.

Your Sanctuary: Happy Days Accommodation

After a meal that rich and indulgent, you don’t want to get into a car. You want to retreat to a sanctuary.

Happy Days is set on five acres of peaceful rural land, offering a stark contrast to the noise of the city. We aren’t a roadside motel; we are a homestead experience.

Our accommodation options are designed for couples and groups who value space and privacy:

• The Suites: Featuring Queen beds, private ensuites, and reverse-cycle air conditioning, these rooms are your cosy cocoon.
• The Bungalow: Perfect for two couples travelling together or a family, offering more space to spread out.

The real magic of Happy Days, however, is the setting. We encourage our guests to use the grounds. Our signature Garden Rotunda is the perfect place to sit with a book or a pre-dinner drink, watching the sun dip below the Great Dividing Range.

The 48-Hour “Gippsland Gourmet” Itinerary

To help you plan your escape, we have curated the perfect weekend itinerary that blends fine dining with local exploration.

Friday: Arrival & Acclimatisation

3:00 PM | Check-In at Happy Days Arrive and unpack. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh country air. If you’ve brought your dog (yes, we are pet-friendly accommodation!), this is the time to let them stretch their legs in our secure fenced gardens.

5:00 PM | Golden Hour at the Rotunda Crack open a bottle of sparkling (perhaps one you picked up on the drive down). Head to the rotunda and watch the light change over the paddocks. It’s quiet here—the kind of quiet you forgot existed.

7:00 PM | Casual Dinner or Pub Classic If you are saving the big degustation for Saturday, pop into Maffra (just a short drive away) for a casual meal, or visit the Tinamba Hotel bar for one of their elevated pub classics.

Saturday: The Main Event

9:00 AM | Slow Morning & Breakfast Wake up to birdsong. We provide a complimentary continental breakfast, so you can enjoy coffee and toast on your patio without rushing.

11:00 AM | Explore the Gippsland Food Bowl You have the whole day before dinner. We recommend exploring the local producers that put this region on the map:

• Maffra Cheese Co: Visit the factory shop in Maffra to taste their award-winning cheddars. It’s a cheese lover’s paradise.
• Blue Gables Winery: Just a 10-minute drive away in Maffra West, this boutique winery offers wood-fired pizzas and excellent Shiraz. It’s a great spot for a light lunch (don’t fill up too much!).
• Gippsland Plains Rail Trail: If you want to burn off some calories, the trail runs right past Tinamba. A gentle walk or cycle toward Maffra is flat, scenic, and invigorating.

6:30 PM | The “Dine & Stay” Experience The moment you’ve been waiting for. Dress up a little—it’s an occasion. Leave your car keys on the bedside table. Walk out the front gate of Happy Days, turn left, and enjoy the short stroll to the Tinamba Hotel.

Settle in for a long, lazy evening. Order the tasting menu. Say yes to the matching wines. Order the dessert. Soak up the atmosphere of a bustling country dining room that punches well above its weight class.

9:30 PM | The Stroll Home The walk back to Happy Days is the perfect digestif. The country sky out here is pitch black and filled with stars. By the time you reach your room, you’ll be ready for a deep, restful sleep in the quiet of the countryside.

Sunday: The Scenic Route Home

10:00 AM | Check Out & Lake Glenmaggie After a slow start, say goodbye to Tinamba. But don’t rush straight back to Melbourne. Drive 15 minutes north to Lake Glenmaggie.

The views from the weir wall are spectacular. If the weather is warm, dip your toes in. If it’s cool, simply admire the vast expanse of water that feeds the agricultural richness of the region you just tasted.

Why Book Direct?

There are plenty of places to stay in Gippsland, but there is only one that offers the convenience of being Tinamba Hotel’s neighbour.

At Happy Days Accommodation, we specialise in hosting “foodie weekends.” We understand that you are here for the experience—the food, the wine, and the relaxation. We provide the base that makes it all possible.

Are you ready to book your table and your bed?

1. Step 1: [Check Availability at Happy Days Accommodation] for your preferred weekend.
2. Step 2: Head to the Tinamba Hotel website to lock in your dinner reservation (we recommend booking dinner 4-6 weeks in advance for weekends).
3. Step 3: Start counting down the days to the ultimate foodie escape.

Note: We are a popular choice for wedding guests and large groups, so we recommend booking your accommodation as soon as you have your dinner date in mind!