Top fireside escapes for winter
From high-end retreats to holiday parks, we’ve tracked down six accommodation options with one thing in common: a fireplace where you can curl up with a box of chocolates and a good book and hibernate in comfort.
Old Minton Farmstay, Nimmitabel
A roaring fire on a frosty night is pleasant anywhere, but when you’re on a farm 4km from the tiny town of Nimmitabel in the NSW south coast hinterland, it adds an extra dimension of comfort. Old Minton Farmstay was originally a farmhouse built in the 1920s. A husband and wife team refurbished it while retaining its rustic period charms, and one of the highlights is its gorgeous wood stove and reading nook.
Yarrabandai Creek Homestead, Ootha
When it comes to fireside escapes, usually it’s ‘warm and cosy’ that comes to mind. But sometimes a fireplace can also bring grandeur to a room – and that’s certainly the case at Yarrabandai Creek Homestead, near Ootha in central NSW. Once a business retreat for a large company, the buildings dotted around the property are now high-end accommodation. The Oxley Cabin (pictured) has a brick fireplace with a flue that extends up into the rafters of the vaulted ceiling.
The Old Bakery Cottage, Millthorpe
Located right in the heart of the quaint historic village of Millthorpe west of Bathurst, The Old Bakery Cottage was built in the 1890s. A few years back it was given a modern makeover with a sympathetic eye to its heritage and the result is an absolutely gorgeous place to spend a few winter days. The centrepiece, of course, is the lounge nook with mantelpiece and gas fire. It’s just around the corner from a couple of local cellar doors, too – nothing better than a glass of red by the fireplace on a chilly night!
Swagman Homestead, Lidster
On site at Stockman’s Ridge Wines in Lidster, outside Orange, the Swagman Homestead is comfortable accommodation that sits cheek-by-jowl with a picturesque hillside vineyard. The homestead has its own fenced yard, which makes it pet friendly. Dogs and humans alike appreciate its wood stove, which keeps the generous living area toasty warm on country NSW’s near-freezing winter nights.
Sage Cottage, Lithgow
Businesses in Lithgow need all the help they can get at the moment, with the historic bridge on Mount Victoria Pass giving up the ghost and making travel in and out of this town a pest. But visit mid-week outside peak times and you should be fine. The perfect place to bunk down fireside is at Sage Cottage. Tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac that nudges up against a bushy mountain, Sage cottage has an animated gas fire in its lounge room and traditional wood-burning fire pit in the landscaped backyard.
NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park
Think holiday parks and it’s usually gas barbecues and sausage sizzles that come to mind, but the NRMA holiday park in Phillip Island boasts a number of luxury safari tents armed with inviting electric fireplaces. Although Phillip Island usually attracts visitors in the warmer months, snuggling up on the lounge and looking out at the calm waters off Cowes Beach on a sunny (or not-so-sunny) winter’s day is the epitome of relaxation.
