When I was younger, I was all about a summer holiday. Although I had no desire to just sit on a beach, I was intent on escaping the cold the second the temperature dropped below 22 degrees… yes, I am a tad dramatic, I know. Whether it was chasing a Euro summer or taking a quick trip to Asia, I wanted my travel to be active, and embracing chilly days was something I just couldn’t fathom.
But that has changed in recent years—and not just for me.
Perhaps part of a lingering pandemic hangover, there has been a massive shift toward slow travel, JOMO (the joy of missing out), and the stark, quiet beauty of a landscape painted by winter’s touch. Think misty mountain mornings, crackling fireplaces, mulled wine, and long, cosy evenings wrapped in a blanket with nowhere to be. These are the experiences I find myself longing for now, especially as life feels perpetually chaotic.
It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply. Across the country, luxury hotels and retreats are turning the colder months into the most desirable time to travel, proving that winter isn’t something to endure—it’s something to celebrate.
If your mind is drifting toward slow days, sampling local fare, and indulging in luxurious self-care, it might be time to book a winter escape. Here are our top picks for destinations that will have you shunning a Euro summer and donning your most hygge-coded outfits in no time.
Queensland
Spicers Balfour Hotel
Housed in a beautifully restored Queenslander, Spicers Balfour Hotel offers a charming urban escape.
Book a winery tour of three of Mount Tamborine’s most renowned wineries, indulge in a high-tea or treat yourself to a helicopter tour to take in the stunning sights of Brisbane from above.
For a limited time, you can also book a Coolcation package, which includes accommodation, à la carte breakfast and mulled wine paired with rooftop stargazing to make it a stay you’ll not soon forget.
Spicers Clovelly Estate, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Ok, I know I said you’d be forgetting all about Euro summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the spirit of a Euro winter and Spicers Clovelly Estate makes that very easy to do with its French provincial charm.
Take a stroll through the lush gardens and enjoy a curated picnic for two. Or get in touch with your wild side and let Spicers plan a trip to Australia Zoo for you. It’s your schedule, your rhythm and your rules.
As evening falls, enjoy a hosted firepit experience, complete with toasted s’mores and warming mulled wine.
Spicers Hidden Vale
Craving something a little more country? Step into Spicers Hidden Vale.
Surrounded by sweeping landscapes and peaceful bushland, this property will remind you why there is no place more magical than our very own backyard.
After a day of decompressing (and feeding the animals!), gather around the fire and gaze at the sky full of stars, while taking in the crisp winter air and mentally writing a letter of resignation to your boss (don’t tell them we told you to do that!).
Spicers Peak Lodge, Maryvale
Breathtaking mountain views, exceptional food and absolutely no pressure to do anything other than relax? That is the epitome of what a stay at Spicers Peak Lodge entails.
Set high above the Scenic Rim, the all-inclusive luxury lodge feels wonderfully removed from everyday life. Spend your days hiking, reading by the fire or simply admiring the panoramic vistas before gathering around the firepit for toasted s’mores as the sun dips behind the mountains. It is equal parts rugged and refined, and exactly the sort of place that reminds you how restorative a few days offline can be.
Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny
Hidden within the rainforest of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Spicers Tamarind Retreat offers a winter escape that feels worlds away from reality.
Wake to mist drifting through the trees, spend your afternoon indulging in a treatment at Spa Anise or enjoying the property’s renowned Asian-inspired dining, then settle in for an evening by the firepit. The Coolcation package includes accommodation, à la carte breakfast, daily firepit access and an in-room s’mores kit on arrival because, frankly, you’re never too old to get excited about melted chocolate.
New South Wales
Lilianfels Resort & Spa
Perched on the edge of the Jamison Valley, Lilianfels Resort & Spa is one of the Blue Mountains’ most iconic addresses.
The heritage-listed retreat feels especially magical in winter, when crisp mountain air, roaring fireplaces and misty valley views set the scene for a cosy escape.
Breakfast, mulled wine and stargazing are included in the property’s Coolcation package, making it an irresistible option for those not wanting to stray too far from home.
Spicers Vineyards Estate, Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is one of the country’s most awarded wine regions for good reason, and the spectacular vistas and culinary variety just make this pocket of New South Wales even more worth a visit.
Nestled among the rolling vines of the Hunter Valley, Spicers Vineyards Estate is made for slow winter escapes. As the temperature drops, guests can settle in beside the fire for the property’s signature daily “Vinedown” experience, featuring local tawny and toasted s’mores as the sun sets over the vineyard.
With luxurious accommodation and à la carte breakfast included, it’s the kind of cosy country retreat that will have you counting down the days until next winter so you can do it all again.
Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook
There is something just so hauntingly beautiful about the beach in winter, and I can think of no better place to experience it than at Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook, just 3 hours south of Sydney.
Take in the pastel pinks, blues and greys of the shore while sipping on your morning coffee from the coffee van out front, indulge in Rick Stein’s world-class seafood or melt away into a Twilight spa treatment, such as a 60-minute hot Stone or relaxation massage.
Ardour Milton Park, Bowral
Few destinations do winter quite like Bowral and Ardour Milton Park may just be one of the prettiest places to experience it.
Set within historic gardens in the heart of the Southern Highlands, the grand estate feels tailor-made for slow mornings, long lunches and leisurely walks through frost-kissed grounds. The Coolcation package includes accommodation, breakfast and a curated cheese plate sourced from the property’s charcuterie room – best enjoyed with a glass of local wine and absolutely nowhere to be.
The Hydro Majestic Hotel, Blue Mountains
A stay at The Hydro Majestic feels a little like stepping back in time, in the best possible way.
Perched dramatically above the Megalong Valley, the historic hotel has been welcoming guests since the early 1900s and remains one of the Blue Mountains’ most iconic addresses. During winter, guests can soak up sweeping valley views before enjoying stargazing beneath the clear mountain sky. Add in the property’s Art Deco charm and its sumptuous high tea offering, and it’s easy to see why it continues to draw visitors more than a century later.
Parklands Country Gardens & Lodges, Blue Mountains
Winter and cosy cottages go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows, and Parklands Country Gardens & Lodges delivers both in abundance.
Set across 28 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, this peaceful retreat embraces everything there is to love about the colder months. Wander through mist-covered pathways, curl up beside an open fireplace or enjoy the property’s signature fireside hot cocoa and s’mores experience. It’s wholesome, comforting and guaranteed to make you feel like the main character in a holiday movie.
Bannisters Port Stephens
Surrounded by pristine bushland and sparkling waterways, Bannisters Port Stephens offers a different take on the winter escape.
Adventure-seekers can explore the surrounding region, while those craving something slower can settle into one of the property’s curated experiences. From cocktail masterclasses to pizza-and-wine pairings, the Coolcation package allows guests to tailor their stay to suit their mood. Add breakfast each morning and plenty of coastal charm, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a seriously relaxing getaway.
Bonus, Port Stephens is famous for its access to whale and dolphin watching experiences, and winter is the perfect time to see these magical creatures in action.
The Convent Hunter Valley
Originally built as a convent in the early 1900s, this charming Hunter Valley property has been reimagined as one of the region’s most unique boutique stays.
Surrounded by vineyards and rich with history, The Convent feels especially intimate during winter when guests can spend their evenings enjoying local cheeses and wine beside the fire. Combined with luxurious accommodation and an à la carte breakfast, it’s the perfect base from which to explore one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions.
Oh! And for any Farmer Wants A Wife fans playing at home, this is where it is filmed!
South Australia
Kingsford The Barossa
If your ideal winter escape involves exceptional wine, incredible food and the kind of countryside views that make you seriously question your life choices back in the city, allow me to introduce you to Kingsford The Barossa.
Set among one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions, this luxurious retreat encourages guests to slow down and savour every moment. Spend your days cellar door hopping, discovering local produce or simply soaking up the serenity of the rolling vineyard landscape before retreating indoors as the temperature drops.
The property’s Coolcation package includes accommodation, à la carte breakfast and a fireside affogato experience featuring local ice cream, premium liqueur and a house-made biscuit.
*Coolcations stays are available for single-night midweek stays and require a two-night minimum for Saturday nights, subject to availability. Packages can be booked from today, Tuesday 5 May, until Tuesday 7 July. Stays are available across participating properties from 1 June to 31 August.
For bookings and further information, visit: www.worldsapart.club/offers/coolcations
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