Cooinda Bicheno: a beachfront stay that's perfect for winter

We’re convinced this beachside stay in Australia’s Top Town is actually perfect for winter.

Not many travellers have discovered the charms of Bicheno – a sleepy seaside town which has just claimed the title of Australian Traveller’s Best Town – but those in the know will tell you there’s something special about Bicheno. Quintessential seaside vibes combine with a hub of bustling eateries, coffee stops, spas and more to make it the perfect place for an extended stay. And this cosy, fireplace-equipped stay on the town’s Waubs Beach is the perfect home base. Let us introduce you to Cooinda.

Staying at Cooinda

Cooinda lounge room — Cosy up by the fireplace.

Perched right over the tranquil Waubs Beach shoreline, Cooinda blends raw natural beauty and thoughtful design with coastal luxury. It’s designed to maximise immersion with the surrounding landscape, letting the outside in (in a manner of speaking). Expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows with uninterrupted ocean views and plenty of that north-facing sunlight. Enjoy the great outdoors in any weather with an outdoor fire pit that invites guests to stay a while and enjoy the view.

Inside, warmth, comfort and understated luxury are the name of the game. The decor has been carefully chosen across the three bedrooms of the property, featuring unique statement pieces from Indigenous artwork to a Swedish workbench to French antiques. The colour palette blends into nature, with soft-hued linen couches, throws and jute rugs underfoot. Get cosy by the open indoor fireplace, or relax in the traditional sauna.

Cooinda indoor fireplace — Cosy up by the indoor fireplace.

Feeling particularly extravagant? There is a range of in-house experiences guests can book to enjoy during their stay. Treat the tastebuds to private dining with an in-house chef, offering bespoke four- or five-course meals tailored to seasonal produce and dietary preferences. Relax body and mind with an in-house massage, yoga session or facial treatments.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Exploring Bicheno

Year-round nature experiences

Waubs Beach bicheno — Dive into Waubs Beach.

From wild coastline to clear stargazing nights to wildlife encounters, every season in Bicheno offers something unforgettable for nature lovers. Time a visit from May to November to catch glimpses of migrating whales along the coastline. Or meet some feathery locals; the colony of little penguins that call Bicheno home.

Lace up your walking boots and explore the world-class walks and beaches near Cooinda, like the iconic Wineglass Bay or an easy 600-metre walk to the postcard-perfect views of Cape Tourville Lighthouse. Those brave enough can don a pair of swimmers and join the daily 7.30am swim group, diving into Waubs Beach on your doorstep.

At night, the unpolluted light sky takes centre stage. On clear nights, spot the Aurora Australis. On the not-so-clear nights, storm watching is just as thrilling. Watch gale-force winds, towering swells and crashing waves while you remain cosy indoors.

Dine and wine

cheese platter at Craigie Knowe Vineyard tasmania — Discover nearby vineyards, like Craigie Knowe. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

It’s almost illegal to visit Tasmania and not indulge in the island’s incredible culinary offerings. Taste the best drops (and take some home with you) at nearby Milton, Craigie Knowe or Freycinet vineyards. Indulge in traditional French flavours at local favourite, Le Coq Bistro, or keep it casual by picking up a few world-class pastries from Little Bay Patisserie. Every Sunday, pop down to Bicheno Community Market to purchase local produce to cook into your own creation (as well as local crafts), and get into the community spirit at The Long Boat Tavern.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Events & festivals

Bicheno Beams festival tasmania — Catch the lights of Bicheno Beams. (Credit: Adam Reibel)

A slew of local Bicheno festivals creates just another reason to book a trip. Arrive in November for Bicheno’s annual Food & Wine Festival to taste local seafood and Tassie wines, while live music and family-friendly activities provide entertainment. And from late June to late Jul, Bicheno Beams offers a nightly light show, with music and sky beams over town.

The details

ocean views from Cooinda dining room — Enjoy the view.

Accommodates: up to six guests across three Bedrooms and two bathrooms

Cost: from $530 to $1550 per night, depending on the season

Bookings: can be made via the Cooinda on the Beach website

Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.

Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

two women walking aorund Cradle Mountain Hotel NRMA Parks and Resorts — Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.

For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.

As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.

Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.

Finding the flavours of Freycinet

aerial of Freycinet Lodge NRMA Parks and Resorts — Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.

As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.

By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.

Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.

Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

interior of pumphouse point NRMA Parks and Resorts — Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.

Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.

Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.

Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.

Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.

Slow down in Strahan Village

aerial of boat going through strahan tasmania — Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.

As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.

Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway. Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.

Strahan’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Gordon River cruise for two and mulled wine at Hamer’s Bistro.

Delve into history in Port Arthur

interior of glamping tent at Port Arthur Holiday Park NRMA Parks and Resorts — Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.

Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.

Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.

The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.

Start planning an unforgetable trip to Tasmania with NRMA Resorts at nrmaparksandresorts.com.au.

This cosy beachfront stay in Australia’s top town is surprisingly perfect for winter

We’re convinced this beachside stay in Australia’s Top Town is actually perfect for winter.

Staying at Cooinda