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.
VINTAGE HOUSE DAYLESFORD
Daylesford, VIC
Perfect for a slow weekend with your favourite friends, Vintage House Daylesford is a meticulously restored 1860s miner’s cottage with all the trimmings. Find solitude in the sweeping forest views, soak away any stress in one of the two clawfoot baths, and then cosy up on a vintage chesterfield sofa in front of a roaring fire—red wine in hand, of course. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in Victoria with a fireplace, you’ve found it.
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.
UPLAND FARM
Denmark, WA
Run-of-the-mill doesn’t enter the vocabulary when talking about Upland Farm in WA’s Denmark. Sitting on a 107-acre cattle farm, a stay at this sustainable, architecturally-designed timber cabin will see you spending as much time taking in the thoughtful interior as you do the sweeping panoramic views. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and cellar doors, set aside time to pick up a special drop to savour in front of the wood fireplace when the sun goes down. Honestly, winter getaways don’t get much better than this!
RIVER RANCH
Mudgee, NSW
Gather around a crackling fire with the whole family at the thought-of-everything River Ranch. A luxury farm stay outside of Mudgee, this American barn-style accommodation is an idyllic winter getaway to hit pause on the daily grind and reconnect with those you love the most. Mixing token ranch décor – like taxidermy, cow hides and Aztec throws – with antiques, the ranch takes “homely” to the next level. If you can peel yourself off the couch and away from the large fireplace; there’s alpacas and horses to pat, hills to hike and patches of grass, perfect for a lavish picnic.
LITTLE BLACK SHACK
Great Mackerel Beach, NSW
Like a little black dress, everyone needs a little black shack in their lives, if only for a weekend – and there’s no better than the one at Great Mackerel Beach. A trip aboard a rickety wooden ferry will take you to this waterfront, character-filled cottage where a private beach, sunny outdoor terrace and all the sea paraphernalia you could think of awaits. But, come the chilly seasons, it’s what is on the inside that counts. And with a grand, old sandstone fireplace taking pride of place in the heart of the home, there’s a chance you won’t even want to step outside. Load it with logs, brew the hot chocolate and thumb your way through the countless sea-themed books lining the shelves. A perfect couple’s retreat for slow days and warm nights.
FELDSPAR, SEA STACKS
Douglas River, TAS
Sleek, minimal and completely unforgettable, Feldspar is one of three “stacks” that make up Sea Stacks – a small collection of thoughtfully-designed homes tucked in the foothills of Douglas Apsley National Park, just north of Bicheno. With clean lines, copper finishes and oversized windows Feldspar may not scream “cosy”, but when it comes to the best accommodation with fireplaces, it is a worthy contender. This Tasmanian shack makes it easy to switch off; so, sit back, put your feet up and spot the wildlife as you toast to the good life in front of a roaring flame.
BELLINGEN FARM HOUSE
Bellingen, NSW
When you’re not dipping your toes in the magical waters of Never Never Creek or strolling the main street of the charming village nearby, you’ll be exploring every nook and cranny of the rambling Bellingen Farm House. While the concrete plunge pool, orchard and farm animals may lure you outdoors, when the chill sets in there’s nowhere you’ll rather be than alongside the fireplace. Sitting pretty in the main living and dining area, this central fireplace will become a part of your holiday cook-offs, long-winded dinners and later, deep chats on the couch.
