Cosy places to stay this winter

How about this beachfront Eagle Bay property for a luxurious winter showstopper?

Curl up by the crackling French wood fire or soak in the heated outdoor spa and watch the waves crash metres from your perch at the stunning Picquet – a jewel in the Private Properties accommodation portfolio.

Five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, sumptuous living areas and ocean views over two levels… this is THE place to hole up with family or friends. Watch the wild, wintry waters of Geographe Bay from the comfort and warmth of your master ensuite bath. With reverse cycle heating, a comfy TV room and top-notch entertainment options – including a multi-room sound system – Picquet offers the perfect opportunity to live your best (low-season) life.

Sometimes you just want your winter shut-in to be the whole package: gourmet room service, customised mini bar, deep bath, fluffy robes and an onsite day spa. Even better if you can hear the ocean’s roar from your room.

The stunningly located Pullman Bunker Bay resort knows how to roll out the rug for those who need a dose of indulgence with their downtime. Nestle in with a local wine in front of the resort dining room’s huge stone fireplace or shake off winter altogether with a 26-degree dip in the heated ocean-view infinity pool, or a quick round of tennis.

From studio options and luxury chalets to three-bedroom villas and in-house dining, the indoor spaces are warm and luxurious while the surrounding bush, lake and ocean vistas keep you connected to nature throughout your stay. In the luxury chalets, Pullman also offers a lovely warming log fire, a hot tub on the deck and a deep-set bathtub overlooking the forest.

And if the crashing tide demands a beach walk, you have boardwalk access from your front door – the excursion winding up at the resort’s Vie Spa heated massage table, obviously.

A deep, two-person bathtub set in the bay window of a luxurious private bush chalet has got to be the ultimate winter antidote. Jarrah Grove Forest Retreat might be close to Margaret River but it feels like a world away – and there’s plenty here to take the chill off.

A wood fire warms the living area and a fully equipped kitchen (hello coffee machine) begs to prepare your regional gourmet finds. Or how about just hibernating in the luxury linens and super-comfy mattress of your king-sized marri timber bed?

And when fresh air, forest views, abundant wildlife, or star-filled skies beckon, you can take it all in from your outdoor hot tub on the covered deck. Cabin fever cured.

When it comes to winter family holidays, Margaret River Holiday Cottages does it better than most. Cosy vibes are guaranteed when gathering around the communal outdoor fire pit, and the marshmallows and toasting sticks provided will be a hit with kids and adults alike. If you prefer to stay indoors, a selection of cottages have fireplaces too, with freshly split Jarrah provided.

Don’t forget your bathers as there is an indoor swimming pool heated to a very lovely 32 degrees, and the indoor games room ensures that everyone is kept entertained even on the wettest of days. Daily animal feedings are also a highlight, with a chance to get up close to the resident farmyard friends and muddy puddles.

Rug up with your walking shoes and warm jacket to explore the winter trails that meander through the neighbouring forests, and at the end of the day retreat home to relax in front of the wood fire.

Get your cosy ambiance on in an instant with the remote-controlled fireplaces and ducted heating at Constellation Apartments in the heart of downtown Margaret River. Opulence is a byword at these private courtyard apartments with gourmet kitchens, oversized baths and a wine fridge stocked with hand-selected top drops.

Wash away the week with a warm monsoon shower and step out to a heated bathroom floor before snuggling up in the sleep-inducing king bed with premium linen and pillows. Great winter dining is on your doorstep here and the nearby boutiques are bursting with the warm and stylish knits you need for local adventures.

Happy to shut down and stay in? There’s always Foxtel, Netflix and Wi-Fi for the guilty binge you’ve been waiting for.

Want the full ‘escape to the country’ vibe with your winter break? The sprawling Farmhouse, Yallingup, with its sheltering verandas and cranking stone fireplace, sits high on a hill overlooking the beautiful Gunyulgup Valley.

Grab a loaf of Yallingup Woodfired Bread, put the soup on and relax into the rustic ambiance with plenty of room to move for up to 12 guests. Ngilgi Cave, just 5 minutes from The Farmhouse, is the perfect winter outdoor activity, while Eagle Bay Brewery, wineries and family attractions are equally close for a quick gourmet outing.

If you need a rural recharge with all the homely comforts, The Farmhouse is tough to top.

The chill doesn’t stand a chance in these perfectly-located lakeside chalets.

Wood-fired stoves, reverse-cycle heating and spa baths make it tough to leave Bushy Lake Chalets. Sitting mid-way between downtown Margaret River and the surf, you’ll find tourist caves and cellar doors all within a few minutes’ drive.

Four large chalets and two smaller suites all have full kitchens, outdoor barbecue areas, TV, DVD, free Wi-Fi and a great view from the spa. Not a bad way to wind up after a hard day’s eating, drinking and exploring in the neighbourhood.

Nothing says winter retreat like a pot-belly roaring in a rustic rammed-earth cottage. Nestled in the Margaret River wine region’s heartland just five minutes from town, Bussell’s Bushland Cottages entice you to strip away the layers and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

The bush property is more than just a cosy sanctuary for visitors. Gazetted ‘Land for Wildlife’ and ‘Wildlife Land Trust’, the 20-hectare bush retreat is a haven for birdlife, possums, brush-tailed phascogales, bandicoots and kangaroos.

Eight two-bedroom private cottages each have fully-equipped kitchens, TV/DVD, gas barbecues and a firewood stack on the back veranda to keep the pot-belly blazing all night – plus there’s reverse-cycle heating to warm your stay the contemporary way.

Got a picture in your head of your perfect winter accommodation down south? Does it have a pizza oven, a pot belly, an ocean view… or all of the above?

In-House Holidays take dreams seriously (even if they’re on a budget), ticking all your boxes from a huge portfolio of privately owned holiday homes throughout the Margaret River Region.

These helpful locals have been hand-picking homes to keep thousands of winter visitors happy for more than 20 years. They can match requests for saunas, spas, open fires, pot bellies, pet-friendliness, pizza ovens, home theatres, walks and views to locations including town, bush and beach. From cosy cottages to more exclusive escapes – these guys take the hard work out of a winning winter holiday.

The prime position of Aqua Resort on the shoreline of Geographe Bay means that there is no shortage of things to do, however, no one would blame you for making the most of your luxurious accommodation and just snuggling on in.

The Grove houses are all completely self-contained, including Nespresso coffee machines so there’s no need to venture out on those chilly winter mornings for your first caffeine fix. Some homes even have their own heated private plunge pool, but there’s also the resort steam room and spa to warm your bones.

Of course, there is a fireplace for winding down at the end of the day, perhaps with one of their Gourmet Grazing Boxes and a glass of wine from their friends at Swings & Roundabouts.

These off-grid little houses are immersed in private, secluded parcels of land in Scott River, a short stone’s throw east of Augusta. Thoughtfully designed to draw your eye to the beautiful landscape and fitted out with all the creature comforts to make your stay meaningful and memorable, the Little House Republic team actively works to reduce energy use, minimise waste, nurture the land and encourage and collaborate with local producers and communities.

The two little houses ‘Vern’s Ride’ and ‘The Slip Rails’ are nestled among whispering peppi trees and hillocks. Resting your head on a linen pillow here will offer an abundance of spectacular views to choose from – star gazing at night, native wildlife and morning glow, and afternoon sway of trees and breeze.

From the moment you arrive, nature is at the forefront of your experience here.

Think sleek, warm and luxurious tucked between paddocks, natural bushland, pasture and vineyard and you’ll find 8 Paddocks in the heart of it all.

Every aspect of the three freestanding chalets has been carefully curated with high-end finishes and a strong influence of local Australian-made materials and products. Wake up in the comfy king-size bed dressed with luxury linens, and look out over the stunning farm with a cuppa as the sun slowly rises and covers the grass with a glistering mist.

Perfectly nestled on the banks of the Blackwood River peeping through the majestic Peppermint Gums, The Shipwright’s Mistress is your new favourite holiday haven. Tucked away where the river meets the sea, Augusta and the Blackwood River have an untamed beauty that is hard to match.

The home truly goes beyond being a relaxing space to spend time as well. You’ll find the house fitted out with all the creature comforts you need for a truly relaxing and restorative winter holiday, but what you’ll also notice is the deliberate exclusion of a television. The owners of Shipwright’s find this is the best way to bring conversation, laughter, moments of connection and pockets of quiet and tranquillity to their lives, and they hope you find the same.

Whether your stay is for a brief weekend escape or for a longer, lingering vacation, it’s a place you can call home and instantly feel as serene as the landscape that surrounds you.

Surrounded by a mesmerising forest and lush vineyards, Island Brook Estate Vineyard and Chalets is the ideal winter getaway destination for wine lovers. Three cosy chalets, each with its own fire pit, lie tucked away in the jarrah forest and is waiting for you to settle in and get cosy.

Stop by the estate’s cellar door for a relaxed wine tasting, you won’t have to worry about transport to your accommodation after.

Only 20 kilometres away from Margaret River, Busselton and Dunsborough, this family-owned estate is characterised by its iconic old red truck and is the perfect base to explore the region’s winter treasures.

Blending the charm of a private country estate with the amenities of a boutique hotel, Cape Lodge beckons guests seeking tranquillity and epicurean delights.

Discover Cape Lodge’s selection of 22 rooms and a private 4-bedroom residence. Here you can enjoy scenic walking trails, lakeside views, a match on the tennis court, wine masterclasses, high tea and indulgent dining experiences.

Breakfast, afternoon tea an in-room mini bar and a wine flight experience are complimentary inclusions that will make your stay even more memorable.

When it comes to the perfect cosy holiday, the owners of Bina Maya Yallingup Escape has thought of everything. Indulge in in-house massages, personalised yoga, sound bowl massage, private chef degustations, breakfast delivered and more.

Be inspired as you wine and dine throughout the Margaret River Region and cook yourself an elaborate holiday feast back in the chef-style fully equipped kitchens. Robe up and relax by the fire, fall asleep to the sounds of native Australian bush and wake up gloriously refreshed to the songs and sounds of the native birds. Take a long luscious bath and let the underfloor heating relax those toes. For star gazing, cabernet sipping and marshmallow toasting, each villa has a private outdoor fire pit.

Leave Bina Maya feeling relaxed and reconnected with nature, with yourself and the ones you love.

Nothing screams luxurious winter relaxation as a snuggly massage bed. Throw in a spherical firepit, BBQ, outdoor pizza oven, sheltered deck, and cosy doonas, and you won’t be able to bring yourself to leave.

At Seine Bay Luxe Retreat, you’ll fall in love with the beautiful chef’s kitchen, designer appliances, tasteful furniture and eclectic artwork. The views of the inlet and Flinders Bay are priceless – especially while the whales are out and about in winter.

The spacious property is ideally suited for one or two couples, as each bedroom has its own spacious ensuite and balcony.

If you are looking for a welcoming retreat with heritage charm this winter, Rústicoq Bed & Breakfast offers boutique accommodation with a welcoming, relaxed, elegant and comfortable atmosphere.

Nestled in the heart of the Margaret River Region, this country-style guest house offers a sun-drenched verandah and a beautifully styled shared lounge room with a complimentary gin bar, where you can sit and enjoy your favourite local wines, cheeses and gourmet produce.

The guest house features four uniquely decorated bedrooms each with its own ensuite and fully equipped guest kitchen, and provides all guests with a delicious gourmet breakfast hamper on arrival.

Modern facilities with all the charm of classic, nostalgic holidays. Whether you’re relaxing poolside, strolling by the Vasse River, or perfecting your backhand on the tennis court, enjoy a soul-restoring stay with all the mod-cons you need at your fingertips. Hoping for a dip? Don’t worry, the pool is heated all year round by a whopping 80 solar panels on the roof!

Set on a tranquil 2.5 acres at the edge of Busselton’s iconic township, The Timothée Resort backs onto the peaceful Vasse River. Drift away with a good book on the balcony, a hot drink in your hands, picnics on the lawn and impromptu double matches at the tennis court.

The on-site restaurant Curry Port serves authentic Indian cuisine which is sure to warm up the soul on a chilly winter’s day, too.

This historic chapel and convent that was built for the settlement of Margaret River in the 1920s is now the charming Margaret River Guest House. The boutique guest house has offered couples a secluded retreat, while preserving its original features and historic soul, for over 50 years.

The popular B&B is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac just two minutes from the restaurants, bars, galleries, shops, sights and sounds of the Margaret River town centre. The Guest House is also only a stone’s throw from a network of shady river-walk and bicycle trails waiting to be explored.

After your adventures in the wild weather, complimentary afternoon tea and cake are waiting for you, or get an in-room cheese or chocolate platter matched with local wine as an extra special treat.

Nestled amongst scenic vineyards and overlooking the Wilyabrup valley, Cherubino Guest Houses provide an unparalleled setting for winter solace. With three different houses to choose from, the spacious accommodations are perfect for hosting large groups, yet cosy enough to provide opportunities for quiet, personal moments.

Each guest house features roomy living rooms, luxurious bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens, ensuring a comfortable and inviting stay. To top it off, each stay includes complimentary wine tastings and a 15% discount on all wine purchases from the Cherubino cellar door, conveniently located a short stroll from the guest houses.

Run a warm bath, light the fireplace and unwind in the cosy ambiance of this home away from home.

Edge Luxury Villas are purpose-built for a unique luxury winter stay. Each villa features a wood fireplace, with your first night’s fire already set up, simply arrive and light. The indoor stone bath boasts uninterrupted outdoor views over the lake and forest, no need for the chilly winter weather to ruin a relaxing deep soak.

The incredibly designed over-the-water balcony allows guests to enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather. Sit and watch the wind and rain sweep across the lake while snuggled up with blankets and oversized outdoor chairs. Light the fire, open up your villa doors to nature and experience a unique winter stay like no other.