The New South Wales Destinations We’re Cosying Up in This Winter

When the cold weather hits, New South Wales shapeshifts. Shimmering snow appears on mountaintops. Cool-climate wineries stoke their fireplaces. And cities get quieter from people escaping to sunnier pastures or hunkering down for hibernation. But really, it’s the perfect time to explore the state.

This winter, Australia’s finest collection of boutique hotel brands – Worlds Apart by Salter Brothers Hospitality – is bringing back Coolcations: a series of holiday packages taking you to tranquil destinations across New South Wales and beyond. You’ll get complimentary breakfast for two and an added perk that depends on which package you opt for, from cooking masterclasses and infrared sauna sessions to mulled wine under the stars and fireside s’mores.

Here are some of the locations – and offers – worth booking.

For the seasider

On the South Coast, winter is the time to spot migrating whales. What better lookout than Bannisters by the Sea? The clifftop Mollymook resort overlooks an expanse of ocean, and your Coolcations booking can come with your choice of an infrared sauna at in-house Spa by the Sea, antipasto and wine at the Rooftop Bar and Grill, or fireside drinks at Rick Stein at Bannisters.

Otherwise, head north to the warmth to Bannisters Port Stephens, the boutique hotel’s latest addition. It’s immersed between bushland and bay, with distinctly ’60s design features. You have another choice between food and drink perks with your Coolcations package: pick from happy hour cocktails and nibbles at Mexican restaurant Julio’s, a cooking masterclass at Rick Stein at Bannisters, or laid-back pizza and wine at Cheeky Dog.

For the wine enthusiast

Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region, so there are ample cellar doors in the area. And when the sun lowers, these idyllic stays give you somewhere spectacular to rest your head.

First, there’s The Convent Hunter Valley. It’s a grand country manor, backdropped by the Brokenback Range and home to sophisticated diner Circa 1876. Your package includes a fireside tasting of Pepper Tree wine, plus house cocktails and a platter of local cheeses.

Or stay at the sprawling, vine-covered Spicers Guesthouse, which boasts 49 stunning guest suites and an equally hefty wine collection. Your Coolcations perk here is a nightcap by the fire, paired with a sweet selection of petit fours.

For the classicist

Heritage accommodation is dotted throughout New South Wales. You might head to The Hydro Majestic in Medlow Bath, an art deco hotel founded in 1904, where you can sip mulled wine surrounded by decades of history. Also in the Blue Mountains, find the secluded, five-star Lilianfels Resort & Spa. You’ll get the mulled wine and stargazing experience, plus a complimentary minibar and late checkout. Just down the road, head to Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges where you’ll find cottagecore at its finest. Elsewhere, take the plunge into the rustic outdoor pool if you’re brave, but there’s no shame in admiring from indoors, where you’ll enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores by the fire – all part of your package.

In the Southern Highlands is Ardour Milton Park Bowral, a new lavish colonial-era manor surrounded by impeccable English gardens that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. A Coolcations booking gets you a cheese platter from the Polo Bar, while the hotel’s main restaurant Horderns – steered by executive chef Mark Holland – serves up European-inspired fare.

Or, your inner-city staycation option is Spicers Potts Point. The towering terrace is just as lavish as its regional counterparts, and inside it’s light-filled and brimming with greenery. The Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge are a hop and a skip, and just for winter, you can enjoy complimentary mulled wine at your leisure.

For the romantic

The cosiness of winter makes a getaway romantic automatically. But the right accommodation dials it up a notch. Spicers Sangoma Retreat in the lower Blue Mountains is like a luxurious treehouse for grown-ups, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows showing off the dense bushland surrounds and mountain-top views. It’s an all-inclusive stay with exquisite dining and wellness experiences included, and booking through Coolcations will get you a whisky tasting and s’mores by the fire.

Yet another Blue Mountains stay for your wishlist is Echoes Boutique Hotel. The adults-only log cabin in the Blue Mountains is the picture of quiet luxury. Your added perk here is mulled wine beneath a blanket of stars. Cue heart eyes.

Lastly, there’s French-inspired Spicers Vineyards Estate in the Hunter Valley has 12 suites, a spa and the Restaurant Botanica, helmed by head chef Thomas Heinrich. Here, enjoy a complimentary tawny tasting, plus s’mores, by the fire.

Coolcations packages are available from May 5 to July 7, 2026, for stays between June 1 and August 31, 2026 at participating properties. Book your stay today.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Worlds Apart by Salter Brothers Company.