If the Gatsby-glam guest lounge with its glowing wood fire doesn’t warm your cockles, the heated swimming pool in the glassed-in conservatory surely will. This lavish Southern Highlands boutique retreat is on the doorstep of Morton National Park and its hiking trails but whatever you do, don't be late for dinner in fire-based locavore restaurant Dinah.

The DNA of a converted dairy farm threads through this rustic Blue Mountains getaway with a difference. While you can choose from six distinctive private self-contained lodgings, bigger groups will love the cosy Straw Bale House with its passive solar design and authentic collectibles. Before heading to bed, take a soak in the outdoor hot tub crafted from an old milk vat and in the mornings, a continental breakfast basket awaits for an additional charge.

Knitting together a grand 19th-century homestead with an architecturally adventurous modern wing filled with the works of local artists and designers, this boutique hotel adds a colourful reason to visit Orange. Located in the heart of the food and wine epicentre – a four-hour drive west of Sydney – the stay is a 20-minute walk from the fire-licked local produce of acclaimed restaurant Charred.

Start planning your New South Wales winter getaway today. Find great deals on flights to Sydney at qantas.com

Occasional snowfall adds a sprinkling of magic to these two traditional stone huts just outside Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains. Perched near the banks of the Moonbah River, the character-filled lodgings are primed for hiking, fishing and stargazing. Each hut has an enormous stone fireplace and underfloor heating but if any additional warmth is needed, a visit to nearby Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery should do the trick.
 

On a working sheep farm just outside Bathurst, a three-hour drive from Sydney, Wilga Station consists of a romantic two-person Farmers Hut and five-bedroom Shearers Hall with a distinctly Australian aesthetic. Settle back with luxe touches such as cosy day beds or walk the winding path to the tree-lined creek, where a fire pit awaits. Time your stay for the first two weeks of July when the Bathurst Winter Festival celebrates the season with ice-skating, light shows and live music.

Start planning your New South Wales winter getaway today. Find great deals on flights to Sydney at qantas.com

Century-old poplars and elms, contemporary sculptures and a gracefully arching stone bridge greet guests at this convict-era estate turned modern-day luxury retreat. Six guest houses, including the former stables, are tucked inside the award-winning gardens and decorated with artworks by notables such as Adam Cullen. Just a few minutes’ drive away, the heritage-listed town has antique shops, stately pubs and a bimonthly farmers’ market to explore.

Perched on a hill overlooking the Sapphire Coast, this retro motel celebrates its 1960s roots with playful mid-century style – think original features mixed with vintage finds and plush beds clad in chic neutrals. Hang by the swimming pool with a blanket and a book, hit the tennis court or warm up by the fire pit. Venture further afield and head to Merimbula Wharf restaurant for local Broadwater oysters and freshly caught seafood. The location midway between Sydney and Melbourne calls out for an old-fashioned road trip.
 

Designed with couples in mind, this adults-only retreat’s three adobe-daubed villas bring a touch of Santa Fe to the Hunter Valley. Each has its own private courtyard and fireplace as well as a barbecue to cook up your breakfast bacon and eggs. Visits to nearby cellar doors at wineries including Hope Estate and Brokenwood Wines will break up all the relaxation.

Start planning your New South Wales winter getaway today. Find great deals on flights to Sydney at qantas.com

It will be hard not to feel on top of the world at this five-star sanctuary perched high above the rolling green hills of the South Coast. Enjoy the lofty views from each suite’s private deck and outdoor bath or from the sky-grazing swing in the bucolic gardens. Then come back to earth with a visit to lively modern Australian restaurant South on Albany, a quick drive away.

Nestled in the treetops above the Hawkesbury River, these plush adults-only safari tents tick every luxury box with their river-stone bathrooms, leather couches and panorama-delivering balconies. Accessed only by boat, seaplane or helicopter, the secluded wilderness retreat an hour by car from Sydney has an indulgent day spa and swimming pool, while culinary fireworks await at the famed Berowra Waters Inn, a short boat ride away.
 

Overlooking the Tweed River, this stately old dame is perfect for group get-togethers. No one will be short of space thanks to the numerous couches on the wrap-around balcony and enormous blackbutt table in the dining room. Plan on venturing out? Husk Farm Distillery awaits for a tasting of rum and the famous ink gin.

Start planning your New South Wales winter getaway today. Find great deals on flights to Sydney at qantas.com

Quirky design and a rooftop bar tailor-made for sunset sippers with fantastic views of the harbour make QT Newcastle the ideal HQ for exploring the vibrant Steel City. Winter is peak whale-watching season (try Nobbys Headland or book a boat tour), while the city’s markets, galleries and historic buildings will keep interest levels high when the mercury is low.

Go off-grid in style at Kimo Estate, four and a half hours by road south of Sydney, where three button-cute timber eco-huts are spread out along a ridgeline in a bid for perfect privacy. Each has an outdoor woodfired hot tub, an indoor log fire and a broad deck overlooking the Murrumbidgee River flats. The nightly stargazing spectacular is the only entertainment you’ll need.

A breezy spin on Mid-Century Modern, Hidden Byron is a reimagined bungalow in the tiny Byron Bay hinterland town of Myocum. Choose your relaxation spot – under the pergola, reclined in a hammock or gathered around the firepit – and absorb the peace, or venture further to take in the First Nations art and culture at the heart of this warm northern corner of the state. Dive into it at an Aboriginal-led tour of Cape Byron or a Bangalow bush tucker experience with Explore Byron Bay, visit the Ninbella Art Gallery in Bangalow or dine at the warm and generous Karkalla.

A multi-million dollar glow-up has turned this one-time motel into a stylish five star hotel with its own motorcycle museum as well as a sleekly designed woodfired restaurant specialising in the region’s premium beef. A great base for any New England exploration, it’s close to the town’s country music landmarks including the Golden Guitar and National Guitar Museum.
 
Start planning your New South Wales winter getaway today. Find great deals on flights to Sydney at qantas.com

15 of the Best Wellness Escapes in NSW