Stay In This Cosy ‘Home Away From Home’ On Victoria’s Surf Coast
Travel
The Wattle is a renovated retreat in Jan Juc, Victoria.
Originally an old workshop, the owners have turned it into a welcoming getaway. Table linen by In Bed.
The bedroom. Bedlinen by In Bed.
Cork floors and the pine-lined interiors add character to the interiors.
The bathroom features a vintage pedestal basin.
The cosy cabin from the exterior.
While Torquay might be one of Victoria’s most famous beaches, the nearby neighbourhood of Jan Juc is an equally beautiful spot worthy of a getaway.
The Simple Collective founder and lead designer Emily Evans knows this better than most.
Initially from California, Emily now lives in Jan Juc with her family in a pine-lined home built by her father-in-law in the early ’80s.
‘My husband was born and raised here, so it holds a lot of sentimental value for our family,’ Emily says.
Also on the property was a small workshop, which Emily has recently transformed into an idyllic little guesthouse, dubbed The Wattle.
Described as a ‘home away from home,’ the one-bedroom accommodation was designed to host friends, family, and visitors alike.
‘I’m originally from San Diego, California and my parents come to visit and stay for longer periods of time, so initially our goal was to create a space to accommodate them,’ she adds.
‘Then during the periods where they weren’t here, we could open our doors to others wanting to enjoy a quiet getaway by the coast.’
After about three months of renovations, the old workshop was completely reimagined as a self-contained retreat, featuring a bathroom, a cosy living and dining area, and kitchenette with a built-in espresso bar.
‘We reused the original pine-lining boards in the interior and painted in warm tones to make the space feel relaxed and intimate,’ Emily says of the redesign.
‘It involved a lengthy process of sanding, priming, knot patching, and then painting. I also hand-painted all the cabinetry, which was definitely tedious at times, but incredibly rewarding once it all came together.’
For the rest of the interiors, Emily sourced mostly vintage and second-hand furnishings to filled the space with a sense of nostalgia, including an ornate pedestal basin and classic timber pieces.
The end result is a perfect base for exploring the Great Ocean Road and Surf Coast — with walking tracks, surfing, swimming and cafes all at your doorstep.
‘This is the kind of place where time slows down, and you can truly relax,’ Emily adds.