Road trip with Pauline Morrissey

There’s nothing like a summer road trip to spark a sense of adventure, and journalist Pauline Morrissey knows how to do it right.  Embracing slow travel, she soaked in golden coastlines, charming country towns, and hidden picnic spots along the drive from Melbourne to Sydney. Lucky for us, we got to follow along, living vicariously through her beautiful photos.

by Li-Ann Scott

Keywords
Ombre Travel Mocha Adventures
Similar Read
Basil Insider
How to: Choose the Right Umbrella Base
Read More
Basil Projects
Basil Projects | Johnny's Green Room
Read More

Pauline packed a few of our favourite Basil Bangs essentials to make her trip even better. She got her hands on our latest colour releases from our new range which so happens to be Pantone's 2025 colour of the year: Mocha Muse.

Her pick was the Terra Weekend Umbrella for instant shade, our plush beach towels for sun-drenched afternoons, and the new Italian Ombre Cushion for a touch of cozy luxury on the go. But we won’t give it all away—Pauline recounts the journey in her own words. Read more below.

Our coastal crawl couldn’t have kicked off more perfectly. Two nights at Idle Lake House was nothing short of magical—a floating escape where the water meets a mid-century dream. Once a Cantonese restaurant, owners Nephelle and Daniel have turned it into an unforgettable stay (and intimate venue), capturing Californian flair with its Slim Aarons-inspired interiors.

Every detail here is pure delight, from the 70s-style sofa and armchair in the lounge to the translucent orange bath overlooking the lake, and a wrap-around deck designed for swan sightings and golden sunsets. We cooked with views, dipped into the water on repeat, and even slipped next door to Koho Sauna or a sauna-lake dip session.

Lakes Entrance quickly became one of our favourite coastal towns in Victoria, but Idle Lake House is the kind of place that tempts you to cancel all plans. Spin a record, pour a drink, dive into the lake, and let the good times roll.

"These past couple of days spent on the Lakes Entrance was a heartwarming introduction to Gippsland, Victoria. With its bobbing fishing boats and classic main street, this charming coastal town is more than just easy on the eyes—it’s brimming with creative energy and community spirit. It’s the kind of place that stirs dreams of your own creative ventures and leaves you wondering, could I live here?"

-Pauline

Next up was Bendalong Beach. A small, serene, and utterly sweet spot, Bendalong is the kind of coastal pocket that feels like an Australian summer postcard brought to life. Its streets, free of gutters, are lined with classic fibro beach shacks in soft blues, yellows, and pinks, each exuding a nostalgic charm.

Washerwomans Beach offers calm turquoise waters and a stretch of golden sand dotted with playful pups. Meanwhile, Boat Harbour Beach is a quiet bay that often draws a small crowd at its eastern shores to feed the resident stingrays—a quintessential Bendalong experience.

Nostalgia meets summer bliss in Bendalong, where sandy beaches with turquoise waters flow into quiet streets with pastel fibro shacks.

We spent an entire day at the latter, proudly setting up our new Basil Bangs summer kit in retro browns. Our setup was pure bliss with their Weekend Umbrella in Terra, Ombre Terra Beach Towels, and Outdoor Cushions. Hours slipped by as we swam, sunbathed, and simply soaked up the beauty of Bendalong 🤎.

Images and account supplied by Pauline Morrissey