Embrace the chill of winter

By Samuel Smith
Published: Tuesday, May 14, 2019

When long summer days are replaced by teeth-chattering winds, many Aussies dream of escaping overseas to warmer pastures. But winter can be one of Australia’s most beautiful seasons. From snowy mountains to lush wine country, cosy up with our top four winter escapes that don’t involve jetting overseas.

The Cradle Coast, Tasmania

With mountain-fresh air, pure white snow and wildlife aplenty, Tasmania’s Cradle Coast is the epitome of a winter wonderland. Here, spectacular scenery is the norm. Spend your days exploring World Heritage-listed wilderness, from the icy trails and deep blue waters of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park to the dense Tarkine Rainforest.

Wherever your travels take you, you’ll be in good company with wild Tasmanian devils, echidnas, platypuses and wombats roaming free. Need a break? Take a pit stop in the charming towns of Devonport, Latrobe or Burnie. When your stomach calls, recharge with world-renowned produce and award-winning wine, then retreat to one of many luxurious hotels, resorts, holiday rentals or open air campgrounds.

Wombat at Cradle Mountain.

Experience: Tour the epic Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park or hit the water and see Tasmania’s wild west coast on a Gordon River cruise. Get acquainted with The Nut – a 152-metre-high remnant of an extinct volcano – or choo choo through lush rainforest on the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Devour the best of Tasmanian produce on the Tamar Valley Wine Route or pop over to King Island and taste its famed local delicacies. Tasmanian night skies are some of the clearest in the world, and are well worth battling the cold to see. Fall asleep under the twinkling night sky at Cradle Mountain Lodge or Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. Those wanting to get back to nature can shack up at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain or Cradle Mountain Highlander Cottages.

The Snowy Mountains, New South Wales

Spanning Thredbo Ski Field, Mount Perisher and – of course – the iconic Snowy River, New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains boast a bevy of wintery activities. Unsurprisingly, most of the action happens on the ski fields. Located in the Kosciuszko National Park, Perisher is Australia’s favourite ski and snowboarding destination with an incredible 47 lifts accessing an immense 1,245 hectares of varied snow-covered terrain.

Just under an hour’s drive away, Thredbo lures visitors with its stunning alpine village, mountain biking and hiking trails. Off the slopes, you’ll find fantastic food and wine, jaw-dropping scenery, a vibrant arts scene and the epic Mt Kosciuszko – Australia’s highest peak.

Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales.

Experience: Chances are you’re going to want to check out the ski fields. Hit the slopes at Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass or Selwyn Snow Resort. Follow in the footsteps of Banjo Paterson on a Snowy Wilderness Horse Riding Tour or explore tranquil Kosciuszko National Park.

Satisfy your appetite at White Spider Restaurant in Perisher Valley, Rydges Embers Fireside Restaurant or Segreto Restaurant. If mother nature blesses you with clear skies, Mt Kosciuszko and Lake Jindabyne are must-visits. The Snowy Mountains are dotted with luxurious hotels, ski lodges and resorts. Take your pick from Thredbo Alpine Hotel, Candlelight Lodge, Marritz Hotel Perisher or the Lantern Apartments. For more information speak to an RAA travel expert in store.

The Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Wake up in Adelaide, jump in the car and within 30 minutes you’ll arrive in the lush, leafy Adelaide Hills. Cruise through the picture-perfect towns of Stirling, Aldgate, Hahndorf, Crafers and Uraidla, all brimming with cutting-edge restaurants, chic boutiques, sprawling parks and scenic walking trails.

The Adelaide Hills is one of Australia’s best cool climate wine regions, boasting internationally acclaimed cellar doors and restaurants at every turn. Let your cup run over at more than 50 wineries perched atop moody hills, nestled in quaint villages and set among misty vineyards. Post-vino, take a late afternoon stroll through the gorgeous Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.

Longview Vineyard, Adelaide Hills.

Experience: Explore the charming towns of Stirling, Hahndorf and Aldgate, then stroll through Mount Lofty Botanic Garden. Get up-close to iconic Aussie animals at Gorge Wildlife Park or hit the region’s mountain bike trails with Escapegoat Adventures. Experience South Australia’s new-wave pub scene at the Crafers Hotel, Uraidla Hotel or Lost in a Forest wood-oven pizza and wine lounge. Wine lovers should head to Pike & Joyce, The Lane Vineyard, ArtWine, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard and Shaw & Smith.

Rest and recharge at Longview Vineyard Suites & Homestead, set among iconic vines and rolling hills. Other top picks include The Manna in Hahndorf, Aldgate Creek Cottage, Thorngrove Manor and The Crafers Hotel. Members save on a range of accommodation and experiences.

The Yarra Valley, Victoria

Victoria’s Yarra Valley is the ultimate intermingling of food and wine, featuring innumerable cellar doors and basketfuls of award-winning produce. Cosy up by the fire at a country cottage, surrounded by rolling hills and a tapestry of vines, then rug up and hit the road, exploring more than 150 wineries and restaurants.

Between your drinking and dining, make sure to take in some of the region’s stunning natural attractions, from the Maroondah Reservoir Park Garden to the Warburton Rainforest.

The Yarra Valley, Victoria.

Experience: See one of the world’s best wine regions from above on a hot-air balloon flight or visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. Can’t decide which wineries to visit? Let the experts take the lead on a Go West Yarra Valley Gourmet Tour. Must-visit wineries and restaurants include Stones of the Yarra Valley, Oakridge Wines, Yarra Ranges Estate and TarraWarra Estate. Spend the night at the cosy Sanctuary Park Cottages or retreat to Lonsdale Park on the Yarra, set on 30 hectares of undulating meadows. Members save on a range of tickets and attractions.

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