Cosy Fireside Destinations

Head inside and snuggle up at these cosy fireside destinations, for a romantic getaway certain to warm the cockles of the coldest heart.

The only good thing about a cold and windy winter day is the pleasure of curling up next to a crackling fireside, a glass of red wine in one hand a special someone in the other. When the weather out side is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, we say head inside to these firesides certain to warm the cockles of the coldest heart.

The Butter Factory VIC

Myrtleford’s last point of call before the turn off for Falls Creek is The Butter Factory. It’s the perfect place to stop before the air starts to get colder and with a roaring fireplace in the foyer, you definitely want to linger. The bright red brick building sits on a long, buttery history. Cream and butter have been churned on the site since 1893, in 1903 the Myrtleford Butter Factory was created, the current building erected in 1930 and a working factory until 1966. Bronwyn and Naomi Ingelton took over a few years ago, bringing back hand churned butter and a new appreciate for local, fresh food.

The Butter Factory was Michael Ryan’s personal recommendation. Victoria’s king of rural cuisine runs the kitchen at Provenance in nearby Beechworth (where there’s also a roaring fireplace at the front door). In Myrtleford you’ll find comfy couches and a few lucky tables clustered around the hearth. Tuck into hearty coconut and pumpkin soup, with a crusty sourdough covered in hand churned butter. If the fire hasn’t warmed you, the steaming soup certainly will.

The Butter Factory

15 Myrtle St Myrtleford

(03) 5752 2300

The Hero of Waterloo Hotel NSW

In the heart of Sydney there’s a pub with a hearth you’d be hard pressed to ignore. On the corner of Windmill and Lower Fort St, The Hero of Waterloo has been serving patrons for 160 years. The sandstone walls look cold and the wooden chairs not so comfy but the heat from fires dotted around the rooms warm this place up. Live music and Irish dancing gets the blood pumping too.

After thawing out, head downstairs to see the stone tunnel burrowed under the pub. Thought to be the work of rum smugglers or sailor recruiters, the tunnel winds its way to the Harbour. ‘Three pubs on our street had access to the tunnels, we’re the only one still trading today," says Bar Steward Steve Jones. For a look inside call ahead and talk to the bar staff who’ll show you the entrance to an eerie past.

Hero Of Waterloo

81 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point

(02) 9252 4553

Thredbo Alpine Hotel NSW

We say as long as the weather stays cold, you should make the most of it. Head to the ski fields where you can really feel those icy temperatures. Sometimes there’s even a bit of snow hanging around on the slopes. The best part about heading to the snow, apart from hitting the mountain, is getting off it. Ending the day in front of a fire with a strong après drink should be ritualised. At the Thredbo Alpine Hotel the fire pit sits right in the middle of the Lounge Bar and is perfect to crowd around. Get in early to grab one of the seats right up close and settle in for the evening. Live music most days of the week sweetens this cosy corner.

Thredbo Village Resort

Thredbo NSW

(02) 6459 4200

The Louise Barossa Valley SA

One of our favourite fireplaces has to be at The Louise. Cocoon yourself in a luxury suite with a bottle of wine you picked up at a cellar door earlier in the day and settle in for the evening. Tucked between shiraz vineyards in the Barossa, The Louise is home to award-winning Appellation restaurant. Apart from chef Mark McNamara’s beautiful food, the other draw card is the fireplace on site.

The Louise

Seppeltsfield Road Marananga SA

Fireside Festival ACT

In the countryside around Canberra there are so many firesides an entire festival has been set up to make the most of the winter months. Head to the hearth at Lambert Vineyards in Wamboin on August 7 for Black Diamond Dinners – truffle degustation sounds suitably decadent for a cold winter night.

Poachers Pantry, the place for smoked meats and cured hams, has a pot belly stove that heats the hall and will be hosting fireside dinners through August. The big event has to be Fire Ball on August 20, tickets are just $20 and all proceeds go to the local Pony Club. We love the Pantry’s traditional smoked chicken with tarragon and lemon. Old Saint Luke’s Studio in Gundaroo, a potter’s heaven housed in an old church, has a warming fireside and The Globe Inn, Yass has more than five open fires dotted around their B & B.

If you’re heading down to the ski fields, The Lott Café in Cooma has a great fireplace that’ll ease the chill when you jump out of the car for a meal break.

The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges boast some of Victoria’s most stunning natural scenery, making them a prime destination for outdoor experiences.

There’s something very special about the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. A mix of rugged bush, mist-laden rainforest, gardens bursting with vivid blooms and a network of rivers and waterfalls, the landscapes here are layered and diverse. Late summer is a particularly good time to visit, when the days are long and the region’s outdoor offerings are ripe for sun-soaked adventures.

The best part? Despite being only an easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, the area feels a world away from the hustle. You’ll be greeted by a slower pace with fewer travellers and more room to move – allowing you to truly switch off and take it all in.

From rail trails to rainforest walks, this is where you’ll find nature at its most rewarding.

1. Warburton

Biking around Warburton is one best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. — Hit the trails at Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Perched at the top of the Yarra River, surrounded by pristine national park, the town of Warburton is a haven for nature lovers. It’s known for its towering redwoods, found in the Californian Redwood Forest just 15 minutes out of town. You’ll be in utter awe of these giant trees, some of which reach heights of up to 55 metres.

The Warburton Rail Trail is another way to experience the town’s natural beauty. This flat, 40-kilometre route goes all the way to Lilydale and is ideal for a stroll or cycle past native bushland, wineries, farmland and parts of the Yarra.

If you want to up the pace a little, head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, which encompasses 160 kilometres of purpose-built tracks amid wild bush terrain. For something a little more laid-back, the Rainforest Gallery is a standout spot for a wander. The gallery features statuesque Mountain Ash and Myrtle Beech trees, moss-covered logs and tree ferns, and a 40-metre elevated walkway that brings you right into the centre of the forest canopy.

2. Yarra Glen

Yarra Glen is a beloved food and drink destination, but it offers far more than excellent produce and top-notch wines.

A highlight is Alowyn Gardens, which stretches over seven acres. Inside, you’ll find nine different gardens with vivid floral and seasonal displays, plus a nursery featuring exotic plant species. The Wisteria Arbour is a crowd favourite, a curved walkway connecting the different gardens with a display of cascading lilac blooms.

Intersecting with the Warburton Rail Trail, the first stage of the Yarra Valley Trail runs from the gateway town of Lilydale to Yering Station. A more manageable track of just 7.5 kilometres, it takes you through rolling farmland and pockets of native bush, with ample opportunities for wildlife-spotting.

If you’re travelling with kids, McKenzie Reserve is a non-negotiable stop. The reserve encompasses a skate park, plenty of open grass to stretch little legs, and a nature-inspired adventure playground to suit every age and every energy level.

3. Healesville

One of the best natural experiences in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is seeing a Koala upclose. — Get up close and connect with koalas. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Healesville is the region’s best place to meet local wildlife. It’s home to Healesville Sanctuary, where you can get up close to kangaroos, koalas, emus, dingoes, reptiles and more. Beyond giving you front-row access to these gorgeous creatures, you’ll appreciate the scenic charm of the tracks and trails that meander through the wildlife park.

To see even more birdlife, head over to Badger Weir for a picnic. Situated among soaring Mountain Ash trees and tranquil waterways, the area supports several bird species, including crimson rosellas, Australian king parrots and the elusive lyrebird. Barbecue facilities are available, and several tracks leading to Badger Weir are pram-friendly.

Fernshaw Picnic Area, located in the Yarra Ranges National Park, is another idyllic setting for picnicking and short walks, also encircled by Mountain Ash trees. Compared to Badger Weir, though, Fernshaw provides a slightly more secluded experience, making it ideal for quieter outings.

4. Olinda

Cloudehill Gardens is a beautifully curated, year-round garden destination featuring nine terraced gardens filled with seasonal blooms and lush plant varieties. — Wander through terraces of ever-changing blooms. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Sitting more than 600 metres above sea level, the Dandenong Ranges have an enchanted feel and are shrouded in lush rainforest filled with tree ferns, mossy trunks and lingering mist.

The town of Olinda is one of the finest places to experience this unique environment in all its verdant glory. At the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, rhododendrons reign and drape the gardens in a riot of colour every spring.

The nearby Cloudehill Gardens are well worth visiting any time of year. In each of the garden’s nine terraces, you’ll find an array of plant varieties that bloom and transform across the seasons, including weeping Japanese maples that have been growing here for nearly a century.

Besides being a haven for arbory enthusiasts, the nearby RJ Hamer Arboretum is a spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views. Here, more than 150 tree species grow and overlook the neighbouring Yarra Valley and Great Dividing Range.

5. Emerald

A lady eating with the view of Emerald Lake Park. — Enjoy a lakeside picnic at Emerald Lake Park. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Set just behind the Dandenong Ranges, the foothills town of Emerald has a slightly more open feel, featuring rolling hills and open bushland. The town sits on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with a patchwork of forested reserves and accessible bush trails on the Emerald side.

You can also take to the water at nearby Aura Vale Lake, which is popular for sailing, canoeing, fishing for eel and perch, and picnicking on the grassy banks.

The stand-out, though, is Emerald Lake Park, a sprawling green with multiple recreation zones. Across 52 hectares, there are walking tracks, playgrounds, paddleboats, a model railway, fishing sites and a family-friendly wading pool that comes to life every summer. The park also lies adjacent to the iconic Puffing Billy, making it a perfect stop if you’re travelling on the historic steam train.

Start planning your next adventure at visityarravalley.com.au