10 secluded winter stays to cosy into

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
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Hibernate in spectacular style at one of the country’s most secluded winter stays.

Curled up by a roaring fire or getting steamy in a heated jacuzzi, winter’s most famous indulgences are best enjoyed at a slow and steady pace. It’s why we’re currently obsessed with overnight stays fitted out with saunas, and why secluded winter stays top our seasonal bucket lists. Here, we round up some of the greatest cool weather accommodation offerings to help you lean into the chill and, well, chill.

1. Silky Oaks Lodge, Qld

Forget swaying palm trees and white sand beaches. Tropical North Queensland’s best-kept secret is its exclusive winter hideaways. Seizing the chance to immerse visitors in the lush beauty of the Daintree Rainforest, Silky Oaks Lodge, just 20 minutes away from Cairns, is a classic.

Bath at Silky Oaks Lodge
Silky Oaks is Tropical North Queensland’s best-kept secret.

Its most luxurious rooms, set amid the treetops overlooking the Mossman River, are dotted with outdoor fireplaces built within private decks.

Slip on your hotel slippers and gaze out into the wilderness from your toasty confines before an onsite day spa and multiple restaurants beckon.

a hammock on the balcony of Silky Oaks Lodge
While away the afternoon on your balcony.

Address: 423 Finlayvale Road, Mossman, QLD

2. Turon Gates Mountain Getaway, NSW

Wake up to mist-laced mountains at Turon Gates Mountain Getaway in NSW’s Capertee, about an hour’s drive north-west of the Blue Mountains.

a woman admiring the mountain views from her window while sipping coffee at Turon Gates Mountain Getaway
Sip coffee while gazing out over the rolling hills.

The jewel in its crown is the Sunvale Lodge with its own outdoor, log-fired, timber-panelled hot tub and an indoor fireplace that’s angled so rolling hills flood your gaze as you huddle around it.

Meanwhile, there’s an outdoor fire pit to keep conversation flowing long into the evening and electric blankets top the beds to ensure maximum comfort when it’s time to crash.

the living room of Turon Gates Mountain Getaway with a balcony and a fireplace
Huddle beside the fireplace with a glass or two.

Address: 942 Turon Gates Road, Capertee, NSW

3. Five Acres, Vic

Located on Phillip Island, three standalone cabins form Five Acres, one of Victoria’s most chic winter getaways.

Five Acres Phillip Island in Victoria
Five Acres is the ultimate boutique retreat. (Image: Marnie Hawson)

Sure, there are log fireplaces to nestle into, farm animals to fall in love with, magical farmscapes to marvel in and concrete outdoor baths to sink into but it’s the cabins’ immaculate styling, plush bedding and sensational fit-outs that you’ll struggle to part with. Stylish digs with all the winter-friendly bells and whistles? Just say yes.

Bed and living areas of Five Acres Phillip Island in Victoria
You’ll struggle to part with the cabins’ immaculate styling, plush bedding and sensational fit-outs. (Image: Marnie Hawson)

Address: 46 Mchaffies Lane, Ventnor, VIC

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4. Sisters, Tas

An immaculately presented holiday home set atop a cliff, Spring Beach’s Sisters, located on the east coast of Tasmania, is your dream home away from home.

The star of the show is the outdoor woodfired hot tub, which can accommodate you and three or four other guests depending on how close you are.

friends soaking in the outdoor woodfired hot tub at Sisters, Tas
The star of the show is the outdoor woodfired hot tub.

The views from the restored 1970s home are similarly spectacular and luxuries lie around every corner. A Polaroid camera with fresh film, a hidden cubby house in the kids’ bunk-bed room and an indoor fireplace are just some of the delights.

a living room with a fireplace at Sisters, Tas
Read a book, play chess or drink wine by the fireplace.

Address: Spring Beach, Tas

5. Barranca Kangaroo Valley, NSW

Four stunning homesteads, each fitted with wood fireplaces and outdoor fire pits, are ready to be leaned into at Barranca in NSW’s Kangaroo Valley.

looking from outside into the Barranca homestead.
The secluded winter stays are architecturally striking. (Image: Piers Haskard Photography)

Surrounded by nothing but beautiful unspoiled bushland, each of the secluded winter stays is architecturally striking and trimmed with features such as outdoor showers, freshwater supplied by nearby mountains, terraces with gas barbecues and kitchen collections of eggs, bread and milk.

a couple sitting by the fire outside the Barranca homestead.
Curl up by the bonfire outside the beautiful Barranca homestead. (Image: Piers Haskard Photography)

Address: 408 Bunkers Hill Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

6. Pavilions at Lenswood, SA

How does a private sauna session sound? At Pavilions at Lenswood in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, six unique stays offer basically every cold-weather creature comfort imaginable, particularly the two pavilions that feature private sweat boxes.

one of the accommodations at Pavilions at Lenswood
Pavilions at Lenswood offer cold-weather creature comforts. (Image: Richard Lyons)

No matter which room you book, expect views over landscaped gardens and a picture-perfect lake, an open wood or gas fireplace and either a private hot tub, spa bath or pool.

a private tub at Pavilions at Lenswood
End the day with a relaxing dip in your private tub. (Image: Richard Lyons)

Address: Corner of Swamp and Leslie Roads, Lenswood, SA

7. Nightfall, Qld

Winter is the perfect time to finally give glamping a go, and it doesn’t get more glamorous than Nightfall in the Queensland hinterland, around 90 minutes’ inland from the Gold Coast.

the exterior of the glamping tent at Nightfall, Qld
Go off-grid at Nightfall. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The secluded winter stay is decked out with a string of indulgences including private in-tent fireplaces, extra thick organic bedding, vintage bathtubs, plush robes and health-conscious, fire-cooked meals.

a look inside the glamping tent at Nightfall, Qld
The glamping tent at Nightfall is laid out with modern comforts. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Lamington National Park, QLD

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8. Losari Retreat, WA

Can’t resist a jacuzzi? At Western Australia’s Losari Retreat, located within the Margaret River, six two-bedroom spa villas provides you with your very own outdoor spa overlooking a pristine lake and manicured gardens. Meanwhile, inside, there’s a fireplace, heated towel rails in the bathrooms and spacious living areas.

a woman relaxing in a jacuzzi at Losari Retreat
Relax in the jacuzzi at Losari Retreat.

Level up your escape by opting for gourmet food hampers, in-room chef services and in-room massages.

holding a wine glass near the fire at Losari Retreat
Drink your wine by the fire.

Address: 498 Osmington Road, Margaret River, WA

9. Nimbo Fork Lodge, NSW

Tucked within NSW’s Snowy Mountains, Nimbo Fork Lodge is a winter wonderland with its very own destination dining. Located near Gundagai, the secluded stay is home to a Three Blue Ducks, one of the state’s best eateries, as well as beautifully appointed cottages and suites fitted with fireplaces.

the Nimbo Fork Lodge against the fiery and dimming sky
Nimbo Fork Lodge is a winter wonderland.

If you’re lucky, you’ll also score a large bathtub set beneath glass windows so you can relax while staring into the greatest of the outdoors.

a look inside the Nimbo Fork Lodge
The secluded stay is home to a Three Blue Ducks.

Address: 330 Nimbo Road, Killimicat, NSW

10. Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tas

One of Tasmania’s prettiest sights, Cradle Mountain and its surrounding lakes and wilderness, turn into a real-life snow globe during the cooler months – and Cradle Mountain Lodge is a prime location to facilitate your exploration.

the Cradle Mountain Lodge near a lake
Cradle Mountain Lodge is nestled by a lake. (Image: Laura Helle)

The secluded winter stay is home to suites and cabins with private fireplaces, plus there’s an onsite day spa and various dining experiences (cheese and wine tastings are a hit) to savour between your adventures.

a woman dipping in a wooden outdoor tub at Cradle Mountain Lodge
Soak in a soothing bath right outside your lodge. (Image: Laura Helle)

Address: 4038 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, Tas

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Good food, beautiful nature & history: your guide to a long weekend in West Gippsland

(Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    From rainforest walks and scenic drives to historic gold-rush towns and standout regional dining experiences, you can find it all in West Gippsland.

    Hover over West Gippsland on Google Earth and you’ll see vast tracts of land spread out like green velveteen around the Toorongo Falls Reserve. It’s a landscape that feels almost impossibly lush for a region sitting little more than an hour from Melbourne.

    Track southeast in late autumn and early winter and you’ll see pockets of the Mt Baw Baw Plateau dusted in snow. In addition to the forests of mountain ash veined with creeks and rivers, there are pastures and farmland cross-stitched together to form pretty patchworks.

    But West Gippsland isn’t defined by scenery alone: in addition to its awe-inspiring nature, a Venn diagram of the region includes gold-rush history and great culinary experiences.  Spend a long weekend here and it quickly becomes clear how often these three overlap.

    Getting there

    Messmates Dining west gippsland
    Spend the weekend eating and exploring in West Gippsland. (Credit: Messmates Dining)

    Getting to West Gippsland involves as easy drive – it’s just over an hour out of Melbourne along the Monash Freeway.

    Not driving? Catch the train from Melbourne on the Gippsland line, terminating at either Traralgon or Bairnsdale, and hop off at Warragul or Drouin.

    Visit historic villages

    Walhalla historic township
    Wander into Australia’s Gold Rush history at Walhalla. (Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    The West Gippsland region is on the Traditional Lands of the Kulin and Kurnai nations, specifically linked to the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai and Wurundjeri Peoples, whose connection to Country stretches back thousands of years.

    European settlement occurred in the 19th century as timber cutters, farmers and gold seekers pushed into the region’s dense forests. Small towns grew around sawmills and railway lines, and many of those gold rush settlements, timber towns and railway villages still shape the character of the region today.

    The most evocative of these is Walhalla Historic Township, a remarkably preserved gold-rush township tucked deep in the mountains. In the late 1800s, it was one of Victoria’s richest goldfields. Today visitors can step inside that history at the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, where underground tours reveal the scale of the mining operation that once powered the town’s prosperity. Nearby, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway retraces part of the original narrow-gauge line through the valley, offering a slow journey past forest and river scenery.

    Further west, Noojee is a classic mountain village. It’s surrounded by dense forest and waterfalls and has become a natural base for exploring the Baw Baw region. Just outside town, Noojee Trestle Bridge stands as one of West Gippsland’s most striking relics of the rail era. The towering wooden structure is the tallest surviving trestle bridge in Victoria and today forms the centrepiece of an easy scenic walk with wide views across the valley.

    Alpine Trout Farm west gippsland
    Catch your own lunch at Alpine Trout Farm. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    At Alpine Trout Farm near Noojee, visitors can fish for trout in mountain-fed ponds before enjoying the catch prepared fresh onsite. It’s a simple experience that reflects the area’s long connection to the surrounding waterways.

    Back in Warragul, the region’s main service town, the story shifts from heritage to modern regional life. With galleries, restaurants and sweeping views across the rolling farmland of Gippsland, the town has become a lively hub linking the district’s past with its evolving food and cultural scene. Drive through the town and you’ll find heritage buildings, old pubs and weatherboard cottages that hint at the area’s early days as a frontier landscape.

    In other towns the past survives in quieter ways – a historic hall here, a century-old bakery there.

    Walks, waterfalls and wild places

    Toorongo Falls in west gippsland
    Stroll Toorongo Falls Reserve. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    Even simple roadside stops can feel cinematic in West Gippsland. The region also delivers plenty of opportunities to lace up your walking shoes.

    One of the region’s most rewarding nature escapes lies just outside Noojee at Toorongo Falls Reserve. A network of walking tracks winds through the cool-temperate rainforest where towering mountain ash trees filter the light and the air smells of rich, damp earth. The 2.2-kilometre trail to the viewing platform overlooking Toorongo Falls is short, but spectacular, as the water cascades down over moss-covered rock faces into a cool, green gully in Little Toorongo River.

    Further north, the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort offers year-round adventures. In winter, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders. The warmer months are just as compelling, with scenic drives to see alpine wildflowers, mountain bike trails and panoramic hiking routes that open across the plateau.

    Cyclists and walkers looking for a more relaxed pace can follow the Rokeby Neerim Rail Trail, which traces a former railway line through farmland and small Gippsland villages. The mostly flat trail passes rolling paddocks, creeks and historic bridges, making it an easy way to drop it down a gear when exploring the countryside.

    Taste the best eats of West Gippsland

    Hogget Kitchen west gippsland
    Taste the best of the region at Hogget Kitchen.

    For many travellers, the real drawcards of West Gippsland are the food and wine. The region sits in the heart of Victoria’s fertile dairy country, and that agricultural backdrop has helped shape a dining scene where seasonal produce and local provenance take centre stage.

    Hogget Kitchen has helped put Warragul firmly on the radar for serious regional dining in West Gippsland. Here, head chef and owner Trevor Perkins runs the kitchen alongside well-known winemakers William (Bill) Downie and Pat Sullivan. Hogget Kitchen lives up to its promise of exceptional destination dining; what lands on the table depends largely on what nearby farms have harvested that week as well as a wine list from Wild Dog Winery and other Gippsland producers.

    Warragul is also where you’ll find Messmates Dining where the kitchen team is led by Michelin-trained chefs. The Euro-leaning bistro and wine bar brings a polished edge to the local dining scene using produce sourced from across West Gippsland.

    For something more casual, the century-old Noojee Hotel is the kind of hub that every traveller dreams of finding after a long drive. Expect generous pub classics served on the sunny deck in summer or beside the crackle of a log fire in winter.  Nearby, rustic Toolshed Bar, Bistro & Cabins is the place to go for a wood-fired pizza topped with smoked local trout paired with Gippsland wine, making it a rewarding stop for lunch or an overnight stay.

    Time your visit with the Truffle Festival

    Food lovers visiting in winter should consider timing their trip to coincide with Noojee Truffle Festival, running from 10 July to 2 August 2026. The inaugural event celebrates the region’s emerging truffle industry with tastings, special menus and events built around one of winter’s most prized ingredients.

    Start planning your long weekend in West Gippsland at visitgippsland.com.au.