Crack the red wine, pull on your favourite pair of woolly socks and get cosy this winter at one of Australia’s best Slow Stays with fireplaces.
From tiny beachfront cabins to country houses big enough for the whole brood, read on for a list of our favourite winter escapes totally worth splurging your banked-up annual leave on.
ACRE OF ROSES
Trentham, VIC
Roses by name and nature, Acre of Roses is a quaint country cottage on a working flower farm, just a short drive from Melbourne. Ideal for a quiet girl’s weekend away, this peaceful sanctuary was made for winter and is the ultimate place to rest your head and your sore feet after a long day exploring the region. Kick off your boots, light the fire in the open-air theatre room and enjoy flowing conversations while the in-house chef (available to book) pulls together a decadent feast using local produce. Don’t leave without immersing yourself in the rain-filled cedar hot tub—its relaxation properties when paired with a piping hot herbal tea will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped straight out of a luxury treatment at a day spa.
THE RIDGE HOUSE
Yarragon South, VIC
WHALE SONG
Falmouth, TAS
If romance were a beachfront shack, Whale Song would be it. A revamped fisherman’s cabin like no other, it’s here you’ll swap car horns and noisy kids for a calming soundtrack of waves lapping at the rocky shore below; where your neighbours will become a thousand stars and if you’re really lucky, a pod of magnificent Orcas; and where it’s totally acceptable to spend your days roaming between a cocoon-like bed, the outdoor cast iron bath, an oceanfront firepit or as the cold creeps in, snuggled indoors by the open fire. Ah the serenity!
NIGHTFALL
Lamington National Park, QLD
If you thought glamping was only something to do in the warmer months, Nightfall, hidden in the wilderness of Lamington National Park, will make you think again. This tranquil paradise is kitted out with everything you need to stay warm in winter, including an indoor fire and organic woollen throws, making it a shoo-in for our roundup of the best accommodation with a fireplace. Pack your sneakers and your favourite book—there’s no room for busyness here – and unwind as your cup is filled to the brim with forest sounds, stunning vistas and nourishing, wood-fired food.
EDGE LUXURY VILLAS
Margaret River, WA
Crackling fires, clinking glasses and complete seclusion await at Edge Luxury Villas, a purpose-built couple’s retreat in the heart of the Margaret River wine region. Each off-grid villa is designed for privacy and romance, with a wood-burning fireplace at its heart—perfect for warming up after a day exploring nearby cellar doors. Sink into the freestanding bath, pour a glass of the complimentary local wine, and let the outside world melt away. With only the sounds of nature beyond your private deck, it’s the ultimate escape for two.
HILLVIEW DAIRY
Currumbin Valley, QLD
Tucked in the lush folds of Currumbin Valley, Hillview Dairy is a rustic-luxe retreat where mountain views and moody skies are best enjoyed fireside. Thoughtfully restored with hand-sawn timber, original barn doors and modern comforts – think Smeg appliances, outdoor tub, and a wine barrel plunge pool – this dog-friendly stay invites you to slow down in style. Light the fire pit as dusk settles over the valley, pour a glass of red, and sink into the serenity. It’s a place where the stars shine bright, the cheese boards are handmade, and every detail feels like home, only better.
WANDER ON KANGAROO ISLAND
Middle River, SA
FALLOW RIDGE RETREAT
Waikouaiti, Otago, NZ
