The 10 Cosiest Winter Towns You Need To Visit

Broaden your horizons beyond wine country (just slightly) to explore Australia’s most charming winter wonderlands.

Slip on your Uggs and fire up the heater – winter is here. And while the prospect of devouring a cheese platter in the comfort of your living room is especially tempting, Australia is littered with adorable townships that come into their own right about now.

From foodie indulgences and blossoming cultural festivities to heavenly hot springs and, of course, wine-fuelled revelry, winter presents exclusive thrills and spills. You just need to know where to go…

1. Mudgee, NSW

The magic of Mudgee is relentless this time of year as chilly conditions turn the air even cleaner and crisper.

winter landscape in Mudgee — Winter in Mudgee is magical. (Image: Destination NSW)

Sunrises blaze brighter and country scapes glow with rich seasonal colour as the NSW town, located 3.5 hours north-west of Sydney, becomes a magnet for weekenders.

the accommodation interior with fireplace of Sierra Escape, Mudgee, NSW — Get cosy at Sierra Escape. (Image: Sierra Escape Mudgee)

Seize the great outdoors in style with a glamping experience at Sierra Escape , one of the region’s most exceptional places to stay, before you tackle the colonial town centre’s boutiques, bars, historical architecture (grab a selfie at The Old Bank) and eateries.

the accommodation exterior of Sierra Escape, Mudgee, NSW — Stay in style at Sierra Escape. (Image: Sierra Escape Mudgee)

Once you’re done, it would be an absolute sin to skip the wineries and cellar doors, so don’t. Our tried-and-tested recommendations includes Logan Wines , De Beaurepaire Wines and Moothi Estate .

the scenic grounds at Logan Wines, Mudgee — Sample wines at Logan Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Tamborine Mountain, Qld

Tackle the winding road all the way up to the top of Tamborine Mountain to discover one of the most character-filled corners of the Gold Coast hinterland.

an aerial view of the scenic hinterland landscape in Tamborine Mountain, QLD — Tamborine Mountain is a character-filled corner. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

One of the best day trips from Brisbane, this historic town is filled with bizarre boutiques (German cuckoo clocks , perhaps?), your stock-standard, utterly irresistible confectionery shops, spirit distilleries, a handful of excellent wineries and luxurious rainforest retreats.

the bedroom interior of Verandah House Country Estate in Tamborine Mountain — Settle into the area’s charming accommodations.

3. Richmond, Tas

Just 30 minutes north-east of Hobart lies Richmond, a Tasmanian city to transport you right back in time. Original Georgian architecture, lush rolling hills and the showstopping Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest bridge to still be used, create an almost surreal backdrop like you’ve travelled onto the set of a British period film.

an aerial view of the Richmond Bridge, Tas — Richmond Bridge is Australia’s oldest bridge. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Go with it and don’t leave without poking your head through the town’s antique stores, galleries, museums, cafes and scattering of wineries to ensure you live your ultimate winter village life.

an outdoor dining setup by the pond at Puddleduck Vineyard, Richmond, Tas — Spot the ducks at Puddleduck Vineyard. (Image: Tourism Australia)

4. Daylesford, Vic

Come for the day spas, stay for the unexpected. Daylesford, located one hour’s drive northwest of Melbourne, is an all-out charm assault as the suburb’s mineral springs and spa rituals don’t even scratch the surface of what you get out of a winter visit.

an outdoor fire setup at Daylesford Lake House — Get cosy by the fire at the Lake House in Daylesford.

First, marvel in Hanging Rock of cinematic, literary and volcanic plug fame, then hit up the excellent Daylesford Sunday Market to gain a sense of its community and one helluva baked goods haul.

a busy market scene with people shopping at stalls along Daylesford Farmer's Market — Shop your way around Daylesford Farmer’s Market.

Don’t miss all the stunning gardens too, including Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens (home to a cafe that delivers even more buttery bakery delights).

two women enjoying their visit at Daylesford Sault Estate — Brace the cold and explore Daylesford’s many gardens.

5. Hahndorf, SA

A sensory overload to send you all the way to the beer halls of Munich, Hahndorf is a winter charmer you need to see to believe.

the scenic town of Hahndorf, SA — Visit the osy town of Hahndorf. (Image: Michael Waterhouse Photography)

The tiny Adelaide Hills town is entrenched in its German heritage, from the historic architecture built off traditional German techniques and 100-year-old trees to the Hahndorf Inn , the town’s spiritual heartland. You’ll also find retail therapy up to your eyeballs as boutiques sell everything from German folk art to Birkenstocks.

people dining inside Hahndorf Inn — Drink and dine all things German at Hahndorf Inn. (Image: Jonathan Kissock)

6. Montville, Qld

The Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secret is out of the bag. Montville in the region’s hinterland offers a cool-weather reprise from sun-drenched beach days, swapping beach hangs for gallery hopping and surf shacks for quaint cottages.

shops and galleries in Montville — Spread across the cosy town of Montville are art galleries and boutique shops. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There’s plenty of hiking to undertake now the heat has subsided so head to Kondalilla National Park for some of the most scenic trails.

a waterfall in Kondalilla National Park, Motville — Swap beaches for waterfalls at Kondalilla National Park. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

7. Swan Valley, WA

The prize for scale always goes to Margaret River but the oldest wine region in Western Australia is the incredible Swan Valley. Journey into the upper reaches of the Swan River via a 35-minute drive from Perth CBD or opt to arrive onboard a Swan River cruise.

an aerial view of the grapevines at Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley — Swan Valley is the oldest wine region in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Unmissable cellar doors include Sandalford Wines , Mandoon Estate and Lancaster Wines , boasting some of the oldest vines around.

a group of friends sampling wines in an outdoor garden setting at Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley — Head to Sandalford Wines to sample premium wines in Swan Valley. (Image: Tourism Australia)

8. Katherine, NT

July is the perfect time to drop into Katherine, a buzzing Northern Territory town located three hours south of Darwin.

sunrise over Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine Gorge), NT — Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine Gorge) boasts some of NT’s most dramatic landscapes. (Image: Tourism NT/Mark Fitzpatrick)

Natural thermal springs on the banks of the Katherine River are a must-experience but it’s the annual Katherine Show and Rodeo , staged on the third weekend of July, that’s worth a dedicated day. Think wheelie bin and lawn mower races (for real), dog jumping, stacks of family-friendly stalls, rides and more.

a woman swimming in Katherine Hot Springs — Swim in the toasty water of Katherine Hot Springs. (Image: Tourism NT)

9. Leura, NSW

Home to an abundance of original artisans, natural beauty and fascinating boutiques, Leura is a tiny town flowing with attitude.

a boutique shop in Leura — Browse through the fascinating boutiques around Leura. (Image: Destination NSW)

Located on the edge of Blue Mountains National Park, it encourages you to unwind in style during the cooler months with care of its Finish-style Blue Mountains Sauna , an ever-inspiring art gallery trail and a much-adored collection of cafes.

an aerial view of the streetscape of Leura — Leura is a tiny town flowing with charm. (Image: Destination NSW)

When it comes time to rug up and embrace the outdoors, various lookouts offering sweeping views of the entire region are easy to access.

people admiring the view atop Olympian Rock Lookout, Leura — Make your way to a lookout for breathtaking views. (Image: Destination NSW)

10. Red Hill, Vic

A pick for the foodies, Red Hill is one of the country’s most exciting culinary convergences. The Mornington Peninsula pitstop is home to the likes of Tedesca Osteria , widely acclaimed as one of the most extraordinary dining destinations on the planet, and Laura at Pt. Leo Estate in nearby Merricks.

the dining interior at Tedesca Osteria, Red Hill — Tedesca Osteria is widely acclaimed as one of the most extraordinary dining destinations on the planet. (Image: James Broadway Photography)

And while you’ll undoubtedly devote plenty of time to Red Hill’s cellar doors, the town’s rich hinterland set against wild beaches is worthy of significant awe.

a luxury boutique hotel set in a garden at Lancemore Lindenderry, Red Hill — Be surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill.

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.

The 10 cosiest winter towns you need to visit