WHY QUEENSCLIFF? I'm from Melbourne, but Queenscliff - a 90- minute drive away - is my town away from town. Quiet, and with little traffic, even in summer, it's a place that time forgot - a 19th-century appearance with an early Sixties atmosphere.

WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST WHEN YOU ARE AWAY? The space, the quiet and the smell of the sea air; the town's colonial history, still visible in the architecture; and the beach walks, especially to Point Lonsdale.

WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU RETURN? I stroll along Hesse Street and look at the shops, some of which, such as Eddies on Mainstreet, have been around for more than half a century. The local museum is good value and the Barwon Bookshop is suitably musty.

WHERE'S THE BEST PLACE TO STAY? The Queenscliff Hotel (0061 3 5238 1066; ; doubles from Pounds 140) is my favourite. It was built in the 1880s and still preserves a grand Victorian atmosphere. The Vue Grand, Hesse Street (5258 1544; ; from Pounds 146) is also an impressive colonial relic. Cheaper accommodation includes Athelstane House (5258 1024; ; from Pounds 99). There are also houses to rent by the week (best for longer stays; book through local estate agents), most of which are very reasonably priced.

WHERE WOULD YOU MEET FRIENDS FOR A DRINK? There are lots of cafes along the main street serving a decent range of beers and wines - the beers from the Bellarine Peninsula and the Mornington Peninsula (on the other side of the bay) are light years ahead of mainstream stuff, and the wines (especially the pinot noir) are a class act. A good winter experience is Chocolatte on Hesse (5258 2856), where the hot chocolate, cakes and ice creams take no prisoners.

WHERE ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES FOR LUNCH? Fish and chips on a bench in Princess Park overlooking the bay (Trident Fish and Chips, Gellibrand Street; 5258 2334). You can munch on local fish (this is a fishing town, among other things) and watch the ferries going back and forth from Queenscliff to Sorrento on the other side of the bay, or the orange pilot boats meeting the giant tankers. Otherwise Queenscliff Farm Foods (1 Symonds Street; 5258 1594) has a great range of eat-in and takeaway foods. The Rolling Pin pastry shop also serves traditional pasties and pies. If you are prepared for a bit of a hike (about four miles) choose any of the cafes at Point Lonsdale.

AND FOR DINNER? The bar at the Queenscliff Hotel is terrific value - and it's a lot cheaper than the restaurant. The local mussels are excellent, as are the chicken pie and the fillet steak. Be sure to book if you want a table at weekends.

WHERE WOULD YOU SEND A FIRST TIME VISITOR? On a tour of Fort Queenscliff, which dates from the Crimean War. It's still a functioning army base and tours are conducted three times a day. Surfers can choose from a number of beaches.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM TO AVOID? Anything to do with work.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR TAXI? Very little public transport, but you can walk or cycle to most places.

HANDBAG OR MONEY BELT? Money belt not necessary - think the Sixties.

WHAT SHOULD I TAKE HOME? Some shells from the beach - it's amazing what you can pick up.

AND IF I'VE ONLY TIME FOR ONE SHOP? The Seaside Lolly Shop.

Where would your ideal weekend be spent? Italy. Either in Sardinia or any of the cities or by the beautiful lakes. I love the people, the fashion and the way of life. What would you be doing? Relaxing, as when I am at work in the salon, it is so busy. When I am on holiday, it really is the only time for us to wind down. Lazy days and chilled out nights. When would you choose to go and why? Time is so precious that any time is great by me.

Who would you choose to be with (or without) and why? Sara, who is my best friend and my wife, and Max, our son. I love it when just the three of us have time away.

How you would get there? I would love to go on the train overnight through France. Max is train-mad so in an ideal world it would be a steam train where he could ride up front. I would love to see his face.

What one thing would you take with you? My iPhone for music, films and games. I am totally addicted to it.

Which is your favourite part of the weekend and why? Reflecting on what a lovely time everybody is having.

What would you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Ahh. As I love cooking, going to Italy is also all the about the food. In the morning it's continental cheese and ham with maybe the odd pastry or two. Then lunch by the sea, preferably fish or linguine with vongole.

How often do you get a chance to indulge in your perfect weekend? Not enough.

Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Spa is in Imperial Square, Cheltenham. Call 01242 220001 or visit