We’ve started a new tradition of having a couple of days away before Christmas to unwind from the stress of those last weeks of the year. We take my mum along and have a mini Christmas celebration together as we don’t see her on the day.

This year a cute little Airbnb cottage in Ocean Grove caught my eye as the perfect escape. Aptly named the Cosy Grove, it is a brick cottage with three well dressed, luxury linen clad bedrooms off a beautifully decorated central living and kitchen area. A renovated bathroom with a huge waterfall shower head and cute, curvy bathtub sealed the deal.

It was so nice to stroll down to the local shops and go for a walk to the ocean to breathe in some salty sea air.

We drove to Torquay and Barwon Heads on our first day for a little trip and Port Arlington for lunch on our last day as I was keen to check out the recently renovated Port Arlington Grand Hotel. The pub was great and there was a fantastic playground opposite.

The rest of our time was spent lazing around the house playing games and sitting out in the sunshine. The perfect start to a Summer holiday.