The best places to bunker down when the temperature drops.
As the seasons begin to change, the focus in the Margaret River Region turns from long days at the beach to cosy evenings snuggled beside a crackling fire.
A woodfire makes those chilly winter evenings immeasurably more pleasant, and this guide from north to south will point you to some of the cosiest regional accommodation with a fireplace. Mug of hot chocolate optional, but encouraged.
Bina Maya Yallingup Escape is the perfect country getaway, set on seven and a half acres and encapsulating a true sense of barefoot luxury.
The multi award-winning retreat was designed with Scandinavian influences in mind, and the accommodation options each feature gourmet chef’s kitchens, bespoke furnishing, and a designer wood fire.
It’s self-contained but with a hotel service feel, with extra in-house options like private dining, spa treatments, yoga lessons, and concierge services.
Barn Hives have tuned every detail of their approach towards luxury and sustainability.
The eco-pod dwellings scattered about the property are named for the Barnyard Bees farm, with many hives spread about the property, and are designed to blend into their natural surrounds.
The pods are solar-powered and use collected rain-water, and overlook a vineyard just behind the stunning Smiths Beach. The Barnyard restaurant is also only a stones throw from the pod’s door, serving up beautiful fresh pasta.
At Barn Hives even their fireplace is designed sustainably, and uses pallets for fuel which saves on the need to collect firewood.
The Wyadup Brook Cottages are set close to one of the most stunning coastal lookouts in the region, the Wyadup Rocks. The rocks are one of the most spectacular lookouts either on a windless autumn day, or one of the wild, early winter storms.
The self-contained cottages are built mostly from local materials: jarrah timbers, pine logs, and some rendered brick.
They are set in a peppermint tree forest near the Wyadup Brook, which runs through the 250-acre beef cattle farm.
It’s the perfect spot to relax by the fireplace, or a starting point to journey out and experience all the best the South West has to offer.
The Petit Eco Cabin at Windows Estate is a luxurious yet rustic experience, designed to help you switch off and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Sitting around a woodfire, enjoying one another’s company, without the distraction of wi-fi or worries.
The cabin is nestled into the bush near a lake, and overlooks the property’s certified organic vineyard.
It’s the perfect escape for both singles and couples, with the bed looking out of a waterfall window which frames the night sky and takes advantage of the rural views without compromising on privacy.
It’s set in a conveniently central location, and with a vintage outdoor bath and a cosy fireplace with a baker’s oven – you’ll never want to leave.
Tree Chalets are a beautiful, secluded retreat among the gum trees just inland from Busselton. The two chalets are self-contained and eco-friendly, running off solar power, catching rain water, and even have Tesla car-chargers installed.
The chalets offer the perfect getaway in any season, with heating and cooling covered by a reverse cycle air-conditioner, ceiling fans, and, of course, a woodfire which you can request to have quietly warming the space on your arrival.
What’s more, there is a library of books to keep you entertained if you just want to soak up the serenity and lounge about the fire.
Littlewood Farm and Chalet is a brand new boutique accommodation tucked into the forest in Osmington, a ten-minute drive east from Margaret River.
Their two-bedroom chalet boasts luxury fittings throughout, and the rustic charm of the place makes it the perfect spot to cosy up to the fireplace with a glass of wine. The deck overlooks 30 acres of private woodland, and is the perfect place to relax and get away from it all.
Jarrah Grove Forest Retreat in Rosa Glen is set in 86 acres of private forest, with two self-contained and cosy rammed earth chalets.
The chalets are dog friendly, and set among jarrah, marri, and karri trees. Sit out on the deck and listen to the trees whisper in the breeze on those crisp autumn days. At night, immerse yourself in the luxurious deep bath (or hot tub under the stars), and indulge in a platter of locally sourced delicacies while sipping on one of your favourite regional wines, cosied up in front of the burning log fire.
Private Properties offer a range of stunning holidays homes with fireplaces across the region, and with a diverse range of vantage points. Some overlook the ocean, others are nestled in secluded forest or bushland and ready to turn the cosiness up a notch!
Some notable examples include Flinders Bay House in Augusta, which overlooks the Bay to the Southern Ocean, or Bunker Downs with its brilliant outdoor fireplace.
Header image: Private Properties’ Waterford holiday home in Margaret River.
