You’d be forgiven for thinking this magnificent nine-bedroom sandstone chateau was in the French countryside, such is its level of grandeur. Instead, it’s located on a working farm just over 200 kilometres from Sydney in south-west NSW, overlooking 283 hectares of paddocks and Black Angus cattle. The estate features three properties – a homestead, a private one-bedroom cottage and a fully self-contained apartment – so the whole crew can enjoy the manicured gardens, croquet lawn, internal fireplaces, sunrooms and expansive kitchen. 

Picture it: a quiet, rustic home moments from the Dandenong Ranges, with an open fire and private courtyard for crisp winter mornings spent nursing a cup of tea. This cottage – with historic stained-glass windows, cobblestone floors and pressed metal cabinetry – is a step back in time to calmer days. Enjoy plunging in the massive spa bath after a day exploring nearby boutique shops or at the Yarra Valley wineries. (This spot is also pet-friendly, so your furry best friend can join in on the getaway, too.)

Located out on the Tinderbox Peninsula, this private retreat in the Tasmanian wilderness is the epitome of cosy accommodation done right. Soak in the timber hot tub overlooking Bruny Island or relax in the woodfired sauna. The self-contained, architect-designed apartment is equipped with a full kitchen, coffee maker and oversized indoor bath as well as direct access to the waterfront.

This rammed-earth property is situated on the top of a hill surrounded by prime McLaren Vale wineries, resulting in expansive views across the surrounding bushland. A fully self-contained studio that can sleep two, this Airbnb includes both indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a piano (for those memory-making winter evenings of music-making and red wine), and a collection of children’s toys to occupy little ones. From here, McLaren Vale township is a 10-minute walk away while Maslin Beach and the region’s topnotch wineries are all within a short drive from the property. 

Located on a hobby farm a short drive from downtown Albany, the off-grid Peppermint Ponds cabin offers a retreat from the rat race. It can host up to four guests, with a full kitchen, indoor fireplace, laundry and lakeside patio. Goats and croaking frogs share the landscape but, when you’re ready for a bit more action, the buzzing town of Albany offers boutique restaurants – don’t skip the award-winning fish and chips at Ocean & Paddock – water-centric actitivies and walks. Or fill up your basket with local goodies from the weekly farmers’ market and bring them back to enjoy on the farm as the sun sets over the water.

An off-the-grid tiny home located 30 minutes from Yass and 40 minutes from Canberra, Horseshoe Hideaway is a minimalist property located on a working sheep farm. Enjoy a rainwater-fed shower while taking in the rolling landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows, or pop the champagne and enjoy the serenity from the front deck. This cosy retreat is well equipped for you to enjoy the best of the (crisp!) great outdoors, whether from the wood-fired hot tub or while seated around the firepit. 

For a real cold weather escape, a trip to the tropical rainforests of Queensland might be just the ticket. This tiny house is made from reclaimed and recycled materials, with nods to Hawaii, surf culture and the surrounding greenery. A suburban property on the back of a block, it’s within easy walking distance to Sunshine Beach and nearby shops, and a hop (read: short bus ride) to Noosa Junction. That makes it the perfect way to soak up sunshine and salt water, even during the coldest months of the year.

A completely immersive and secluded holiday destination, the Little Black Shack – located on Mackerel Beach in Pittwater, accessible via ferry, barge or water taxi from Palm Beach wharf or by private boat or seaplane from Rose Bay – is an eco-friendly retreat for two. Help yourself to fresh garden herbs before cooking in the chef’s kitchen (made with original reclaimed timber from the shack); borrow a book from the floor-to-ceiling bookcase and read it in the box window seat overlooking stunning waterways; or snuggle down next to the outdoor fire.

If you’re planning a winter getaway with the whole gang, Tussie Mussie estate will keep all 14 of you well looked after. With three accommodation spaces offering a total of seven bedrooms, this rural retreat – a little over an hour from Melbourne – is the kind of place you won’t want to leave. There’s an outdoor veggie garden, pizza oven and fire pit; a sculpture garden; and multiple living spaces designed to invite and encourage gathering. Pull out a board game or three, or go a little more luxe and organise a private chef in advance.

Rugged, moody and uniquely Tasmanian, Slow Beam is a fully equipped escape just a 10-minute drive from downtown Hobart. Between the bushland and ocean vistas, artist-designed furnishings and thoughtful amenities and inclusions (including Taylor & Smith Cocktails, Market Lane Coffee, Le Labo toiletries and sparkling water), you’re certain to feel a world away during your stay. The two-storey, one-bedroom home features floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can enjoy the crisp, cool Tasmanian winter while curled up on a plush sofa by the wood fire.

Yes, your next getaway should be to a creamery. This two-bedroom property was built in 1896 as the Blakiston Cheese Factory and was also once home to local ice-cream business AMSCOL. Now it’s a luxury home set amid a little under a hectare of country garden, with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, period detailing and an indoor fireplace for cosy winter nights. A breakfast of local goodies is provided, but the home’s spot in the Adelaide Hills means that you’re never too far from a great feed.

When you’ve got a crowd to entertain, this five-bedroom luxury villa is sure to impress. Commanding in white, the two-storey property overlooks grapevines and the rolling countryside. Multiple living spaces – all with soaring ceilings and exposed wood beams – and a wraparound verandah mean the family can gather in style; overlook the flowing Donnelly River with wine in hand; venture further afield with a walk around the property, a nearby hike, or a trip to the Pemberton wine region. 

A swish two-bedroom apartment with upscale amenities (pool, gym, sauna) and sweeping views across downtown Surfers? Look no further than this trendy unit, which has a balcony designed for sipping coffee in the sun and a spa bath for relaxation as the cooler nights settle in. By day, soak up the bright Queensland sunshine and visit local restaurants, take a riverboat tour or stroll along the three-kilometre stretch of white sand at Surfers Paradise Beach.

Blackheath’s Wondernest is firmly ensconced in nature, so your wilderness detox begins the moment you enter the two-bedroom Scandi-cool black cabin. Sharp, minimalist interiors allow the outside world to shine – which is easy to do when it’s framed by expansive black windows, a cosy window seat and skylights above the beds in both bedrooms. Fall asleep under the stars before embarking on a winter hike through World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park the next day – if you’re lucky, you’ll wake up to find the house cloaked in a pristine blanket of snow.

Overlooking Blue Waters Lake, within Creswick Regional Park, and with direct access to the lakeside walking track, this three-bedroom family-friendly resort-style home is a coastal retreat within easy reach of suburban amenities. Watch pelicans come in to land from the lawn with a steaming mug of tea in hand, or lounge on oversized couches in the large living room for game night. High ceilings invite an abundance of natural light in and the fireplace burns bright, ensuring the winter chill feels that little bit further away.