This post was originally written for, and appears on, the Loving Earth blog.

Getting out of the city on a long weekend is a great way to have a break without travelling further than a couple of hours from your front door.

If sky diving, mountain biking and skiing aren’t your cup of tea, then check out our top picks for a more restful, but still beautiful weekend soaking up what Melbourne’s east has to offer.

1. Get to know some native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary

Get a chance to learn more about the amazing wildlife that call the surrounding ancient forests home, cared for in beautifully kept 30 hectares of native bush land. The keepers host daily up close encounters with familiar furry and feathered friends.

2. Have a pizza at Innocent Bystander

Enjoy a woodfired oven pizza at the cellar door. Just off the Maroondah highway, the restaurant caters for all dietary requirements! Have in or take away and venture up to the reservoir.

3. Collect fresh spring water from Mont Donna Buang

When the National Association of Testing Authorities rates this the cleanest water ever tested, we’d say it’s a pretty great idea to stock up on some of nature’s nectar. If you feel like a walk to burn off some of that pizza, the hike to the top is pretty beautiful too.

4. Take a gin flight at Four Pillars Gin

The best kind of flight is one where you don’t have to go through security or check your baggage, so we’re big fans of this paddle of four gins by local distillers Four Pillars. If you’re the designated driver, we can highly recommend the negroni marmalade.

5. Visit Tarrawarra Museum of Art

Modern art with nature as its back drop all housed in a building just as striking as its contents.  A well curated, privately-owned collection that also hosts travelling artists exhibitions. A perfect dose of nature and culture in one.

This interview was originally conducted for, and appears on, the Loving Earth blog.

We sat down with Melbourne based artist Marc Martin to learn a little more about the man behind the gorgeous illustrations that adorn Loving Earth’s Boobook Chocolate Eggs!

What did you draw when you were a kid?

I didn’t actually draw that much. I was more of a lego kid – I liked building colour co-ordinated spaceships.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in France, but we moved to Australia when I was around 4 or 5. We first moved to small town called LIcola, and then settled in Melbourne.

What’s your favourite kind of nature?

Dense forests with tall trees, far away from the sounds of the city.

How do you start a job? Any secret rituals?

I usually have an idea in my head of what I want the finished work to look like, so I might do quick sketch to try and flesh that out a bit before moving onto more finished artwork.

Hates and loves about not having work mates?

I do have work mates! I share a studio with about 12 people, so there’s always someone around to have a chat with.

The studio is on fire and you can grab three things before you get out; what are they?

Laptop, iPad pro, Wacom tablet. How boring 😦

In a parallel universe, if you couldn’t draw what would you do?

As a kid I always wanted to be a professional cyclist and ride in the Tour De France.

Who’s your Melbourne art crush right now?

There’s too many! Evie Cahir is one to watch though. Love how she captures light and mood.

What’s the one thing your mum taught you?

Don’t worry about what other people think.

Tell us about your bravest moment.

I guess just sticking to my guns and continuing being a freelancer when most other people my age went and go ‘real’ jobs.

How do you take your coffee?

I’m taking a break from coffee for a while, so it’s earl grey all the way these days!

Sweet or savoury?

Definitely sweet.