High-altitude havens: 10 of Australia’s cosiest mountain retreats

Who says winter in Australia is low season? Embrace the chill by heading to high altitudes, shacking up in a cosy cabin where crackling wood fires, inviting bathtubs, the echo of birdsong and panoramic vistas of bush and farmland warm the cockles of your heart as well as your toes.

Rough Track Cabins, Blackheath, NSW

Bring your sewing kit to Rough Track.

Relive precious times with granny in these two love-filled cabins, tucked into bushland resounding with the repertoire of mating lyrebirds in NSW’s Blue Mountains. Textile designer Julie Paterson has converted the off-the-grid, hand-hewn ironstone shacks into her personal art galleries, with all furnishings – from hand-painted ceramic tiles to reclaimed lounges upholstered with gorgeous bush-inspired fabrics – exulting her philosophy of thriftiness and zero waste. Reviving the lost art of visible mending, Julie stitches the history of each item into its very fabric; and guests are invited to bring along their sewing kits to contribute to the story. From $280 a night, two-night minimum. Roughtrackcabins.com.au

Kallarroo Cottage, Cooma, NSW

Kallarroo Cottage is the epitome of a rustic mountain cabin.

Originally built as a fishing lodge in the 1950s from logs and rocks collected from the property, Kallarroo Cottage is the epitome of a rustic mountain cabin, complete with the prospect of snow in winter. Occupying the banks of the Kydra River and located between two national parks in the Snowy Mountains, this cabin is ideal for nature-loving families, with opportunities to spot emus, ’roos and even a resident family of platypus. The master bedroom is in the loft, while leather armchairs before a rough-hewn stone open fireplace beckons after a day skiing, fishing or exploring the surrounding bush and farmland with its horses and Highland “coos”. From $440 a night. Kallarroofarmstay.com.au

Alkira Eco-Glamping Retreat, Emerald, VIC

A quirky and cool getaway in the Dandenongs.

An hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD leads to this boho retreat in the Dandenong Ranges, where guests can bunk down in one of three highly-Instagrammable structures on a 16-hectare farm: an open-fronted, rustic stable with its own heated bell tent and swing seat; a modern cabin with an outdoor kitchen and rustic claw-foot bath; and a straw-bale yurt with an outdoor seating area and separate outdoor kitchen. All three are quirky and cool, furnished with an artist’s eye for detail with added homely touches such as boardgames, salt lamps and diffusers. Fire up the indoor heating on chilly nights, or brave the outdoors with a glass of red and gooey marshmallows roasted over a fire pit. From $199 a night; alkiraglamping.com

Tiny Escapes, Cradle Valley, Tasmania

Campfires at each cabin at Tiny Escapes in Cradle Mountain.

Private hut accommodation is a unique feature of hiking the Overland Track in Cradle Mountain National Park; and in nearby Cradle Valley, a network of loft-style tiny houses makes the perfect extension to an active Tassie walking holiday. Tucked into 105 hectares of rainforest bordering the Black Bluff Conservation Area, these dreamy tinies combine modern design with an immersive wilderness experience, with stunning views and outdoor campfires a feature of each cabin. For the ultimate toasty experience, however, book the deluxe two-bedroom Blackjack cabin which showcases an outdoor bathtub on a wooden deck as well as a two-way indoor fireplace. From $418 a night per couple. tiny-escapes.com.au

Logan Brae Retreats, Kanimbla, NSW

Logan Brae’s chic Hilltop Cabin.

Scattered strategically across a 14.5 hectare property at Mount Kanimbla with eagle-eye views of the Blue Mountains escarpment, these three stunning cabins are rated in the top three of Airbnb’s “most wishlisted” Australian properties. The Hilltop and Woodland cabins scream romance with freestanding stone bathtubs, leather lounges, private plunge pools and roaring wood fires, while the four-bedroom The Lodge sleeps up to eight people and has a dedicated spa room for private pampering sessions. From $850 a night, with spa and meal packages sold separately. loganbraeretreats.com.au

1860 Beechworth, Beechworth, VIC

This is a romantic place to soak up the ambience of one of Victoria’s prettiest towns.

Life on the Victorian goldfields may have been tough back in 1860 when this timber cabin was first constructed; but today, this historic, painstakingly renovated beauty is kitted with all mod cons, including a king-sized bed, a custom-made leather lounge, split-system heating, heated towel racks, electric blankets, espresso machine, a dishwasher and Wi-Fi. But it’s the rustic touches that resonate: the roaring open fire, reclaimed furniture (including a coffee table made from blacksmiths bellows) and a bathtub deep enough for two. Located just a short walk from Beechworth, there’s no more romantic place to soak up the ambience of one of Victoria’s prettiest towns. From $340 a night, minimum two nights. 1860luxuryaccommodation.com

Binbrook Views, Meadow Flat, NSW

Binbrook has 180-degree vistas across the surrounding farmland.

The ever-changing play of light over the distant peaks near Oberon make a mesmerising impressionistic canvas at this two-bedroom cottage halfway between Lithgow and Bathurst. Occupying a hillside capturing 180-degree vistas across surrounding farmland, Binbrook Views has the creature comforts you’d expect from a new-build – full kitchen, modern bathroom, air-conditioning, a smart TV and a cosy combustion fireplace – with homely touches such as boardgames, an old-fashioned record player (complete with a great mix of vintage ’70s records) and eggs fresh from the farm’s chooks. A two-night minimum encourages guests to wind down, wandering through the paddocks to meet the friendly farm animals or to take a leisurely drive to the nearby township of Tarana. From $250 a night for two people. binbrook2795.com

Moonbah Hut, Jindabyne, NSW

Inside rustic Moonbah Hut.

Live your Man From Snowy River fantasies in these rustic, hand-built log and stone huts, on a 101-hectare property 15 minutes from the Snowy Mountains town of Jindabyne. One hut is reflected in the waters of a private lake stocked with trout; while the River Hut sits on a hillside overlooking the Moonbah River bordering the Kosciuszko National Park. Luxe furnishings complement rustic structural features such as huge stone open fireplaces and timber beams, while wrought iron beds, wood-fired cooking stoves and rocking chairs on the verandah complete the traditional ambience. There’s no TV reception in this neck of the woods, so this is your opportunity to switch off and immerse yourself in the alpine magic. From $345 a night for two adults. moonbahhut.com.au

The Bower, Sunshine Coast, QLD

Among the private pavilions is a Swiss-style chalet.

If you think it doesn’t get cold in Queensland, you haven’t shivered your way through a hinterland winter. Located in Maleny on the elevated outskirts of the Sunshine Coast, The Bower will have you hoping the temperature drops enough to fire up the wood-burning combustion stove and get the antique claw-foot bathtub steaming. Your choice of unique, private pavilions include a Swiss-style chalet with a fully-equipped kitchen, private deck and indoor fireplace; an original pioneer’s cottage called The Writer’s Hut; and the Glamper’s Shack – a tiny house on wheels where every nook is carefully considered. All cabins have shared access to a pool – it is Queensland, after all! Rates for the Couple’s Cabin from $165 per night and Glamper’s Shack from $135 a night; backtothebower.com

Mill Cabin, Crackenback, NSW

Mill Cabin embraces off-the-grid living in sub-alpine woodlands.Credit: Lean Timms

Drawing inspiration from the cattlemen’s huts of the High Country, this hand-crafted off-the-grid, granite cabin is set in a secluded glade of snow gums where kangaroos, emus, wombat and deer graze, and offers captivating mountain views from every window. A wood stove and natural furnishings keep the interior of the one-bedroom cabin cosy, while an outdoor Japanese wood-fired tub is elevated on a deck to soak up the views while you soak in the warmth. Linen robes and hand-crafted toiletries add a touch of luxe, while a range of boardgames, cards and books help to while away TV-free evenings and snowy days. From $450 a night; millcabin.com.au

Julie Miller was a guest of Binbrook Views.