Lon is a farm and former family home transformed into a luxurious coastal escape. Perched on 250 acres of rural and conservation land in Point Lonsdale on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, founders Claire & Rob Gemes renovated the sandstone farmhouse over eighteen months, opening Lon Retreat in 2018. Claire’s family have lived and worked this land over seven generations.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Lon stands, the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, Elders in our community and our emerging leaders.
From Home to Hotel
Claire’s parent's Michael & Sue, lived and ran a bed & breakfast for two decades in the original sandstone home which was renovated by Rob, Claire, family, friends and a team of talented local craftsman and creative minds. Working with the natural materials of the established building, which included sandstone from Port Arthur, major works were undertaken. The kitchen became a hotel reception, the lounge a foyer, the bedrooms became suites and the garages turned into a staff kitchen and office. The former bed and breakfast ‘Lonsdale Views’ that was housed in the building became more suites and wider hallways. Hundreds of pieces of sandstone were re-allocated into new spaces.
It was over a century ago that Claire’s ancestors discovered the mineral springs running beneath the family property at Point Lonsdale, which were tapped to water the cattle and orchards. Today this same mineral water sourced from the limestone caves running beneath the property runs directly into Lon’s mineral pool, soaking tubs and into the stone baths of two of Lon’s suites.
Our People
All that you see and enjoy now is the work of many hands over generations of our family on the farm we call home.
We hope we can continue as custodians of the land, welcoming guests to share in the blessings of this beautiful property for many years to come.
The Longuehaye Family
Line of Rabbits caught on Farm by Warwick Longuehaye
Marjorie McNaught with Rockie
Milk can & Beer Bottles with Great Great Uncle Victor
Giant pumpkins in the orchard with Warwick 'Dinny' and Victor 'Doog’
