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.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .