Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence at Lake House: A Remarkable Legacy

As Lake House celebrates its 40th year, Luxury Lodges of Australia joins past guests, friends and industry leaders around the world in honouring the Wolf-Tasker family as an inspiring example of the warm hug of hospitality, continuous innovation, courage, and the builders of an enduring Australian legacy.

Founded in 1984 by the visionary duo Alla Wolf-Tasker AM and Allan Wolf-Tasker, Lake House has continuously evolved from its beginnings as a humble 40-seat restaurant on the serene shores of Lake Daylesford into a symbol of refined yet unpretentious, generous hospitality, always with good food at the centre.

The story of Lake House is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to excellence. What began as a singular dream, to recreate the warmth and charm of French regional hospitality, has flourished into a distinctively Australian destination that draws visitors from around the world. In the early days, when gourmet travel was almost unheard of in Australia, Alla and Allan took a leap of faith, transforming a blackberry-infested paddock into a haven of fine dining and luxurious accommodation. Their dedication to quality and their belief in the power of ‘good food matters’ and the nourishing art of hospitality have been the guiding principles that have shaped Lake House over four decades.

The Wolf-Tasker family has conceived and overseen countless innovations, renovations and expansions, ensuring that the property remains fresh, relevant, and true to its roots. Today, under the stewardship of Alla, with daughter Larissa Wolf-Tasker and son-in-law Robin Wilson, Lake House continues to thrive, offering 33 elegant studios and suites set on six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. These spaces, along with the celebrated restaurant -the beating heart of the Lake House – continue to embody the warmth and generosity that have been hallmarks of the Wolf-Tasker family’s approach to hospitality.

Lake House is not just a place to stay or dine; it is home to a food ethos that has spawned a tribe of producers, growers, chefs, hosts and friends – the Lake House tribe – many of whom are part of the now thriving Daylesford community, many scattered across the globe.

The Lake House offering has in recent years evolved yet again to include the Dairy Flat Lodge, Bake House & Farm, a 40-acre regenerative farm that supplies the restaurant with fresh produce, meats, and flowers. Good food matters, and it starts at the source. This commitment to sustainability, heritage, nature and community reflects the Wolf-Taskers’ deep respect for the land and their desire to create a lasting legacy, with long term thinking that goes well beyond the plate.

As Lake House enters its fifth decade, it remains a place where excellence and careful consideration of every detail meet vision, courage to evolve, and sheer hard work. And where the deceptively simple joy of good food and warm hospitality is celebrated.

Congratulations to the entire Lake House team on 40 years of excellence. Here’s to the next chapter…