These cosy cottages and cabins are perfect for a winter weekend escape
After feeling that cold snap this week, we put our cabin-hunting caps on to find some accommodation that turns up the heat. We’re thinking indoor fireplaces, saunas and spas – and before you say it all sounds a bit dramatic, us Queenslanders aren’t accustomed to the cold. So if you’re keen for a cute little getaway somewhere close to home, then these cosy cottages and cabins are perfect for a winter weekend escape. Read on for more …
Sunshine Coast
Lovestone Cottages, Montville: Wake up in total seclusion to a symphony of cicadas and Australian King parrots serenading the exterior of your Lovestone Cottage in Montville. Nestled within a 5-acre rainforest and near a 300-year-old fig tree, this is the place for a romantic waltz with nature. Some of Lovestone Cottages unique features include nearby waterfall walks, locally-sourced meals delivered to your door and sipping bubbles in your own spa bath. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is whether to book the Maple, Rosewood or Quandong Cottage. Bookings are available here.
Donnington Ridge, Maleny: Want to teach your kids all about digital detoxes and reconnecting with nature? Donnington Ridge in Maleny might be just the spot for you to pull up for the weekend. This off-grid eco-friendly stay is set on 16 acres of pristine bushland (Kabi Kabi land) offering 360-degree views of the Glasshouse Mountains out to Moreton Island and is undoubtably the best place to take in golden hour. Other notable features include a woodfire pizza oven, outdoor bath and life-size outdoor games. Bookings are available here.
Lake Weyba Cottage, Peregian Beach: Nestled on the shore of Lake Weyba and a short 15-minute drive into Noosa, this Peregian Beach accommodation is the ideal location for a romantic weekend with your significant other or for a reunion with your high school besties. Each cottage features double spas, an indoor wood fire (winter only), smart televisions and plenty to see on 20 acres of gardens, lagoons and grazing kangaroos. Feeling adventurous? Go wild with the complimentary use of canoes, mountain bikes and fishing rods available. Or, if you’re desperate to relax, aromatic oil therapy and facials are available to book direct to your cottage. Can we please go this weekend? Bookings are available here.
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Tallowwood Cabin, Maleny: Feel completely and utterly out of sight, out of mind at the quaint and cutesy Tallowwood Cabin in Maleny. Enjoy complimentary breakfast at the breakfast bar overlooking the lush garden, before curling up with a good book and cup of tea while the world melts away. Located a 30-minute drive from Sunshine Coast Airport and a short drive to Australia Zoo, this quiet hideaway might be easy to find but is extremely difficult to leave. Bookings are available here.
Gold Coast hinterland
Homeostasis Retreats, Tamborine Mountain: As the name suggests, this wellness cabin overlooking the rainforest on Tamborine Mountain is a magical home-away-from-home oasis. Unwind with your own private bathhouse, fireplace, fire pit, micro organic gardens and chicken pen. Enjoy the complimentary wellness menu which has been curated with local practitioners to enhance your stay. Need more space? Haul up for the night at the Main Haus, which can be booked in combination with the Wellness Cabin to sleep up to 11 guests. Bookings are available here.
Beechmont Estate, Beechmont: Rolling up to the grand gates of Beechmont Estate, the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. The long driveway guides you up past hills dotted by charming cabins until you reach the main estate. Stay a weekend in the Hinterland View Cabin, complete with a fireplace and panoramic views on the back deck, and you’ll feel blissfully relaxed. Also important to note is the on-site restaurant, The Paddock, which is committed to a sustainable and ethical farm-to-table ethos and providing the freshest feed for you (minus the washing up too!). Booking are available here.
Water & Woods, Springbrook: Become one with nature at the picturesque Cosy Cabin Getaway in the Gondwana rainforest. Some notable features of this cabin is the outdoor bath, exposed cathedral-style interior, breakfast bar and rainforest views from all windows. With limited phone access, Water & Woods invites guests to full switch off for the weekend. Say goodbye to pesky work emails and hello to serenity. Bookings are available here.
Acute Abode, Currumbin Valley: Everything you need under one pointy roof. Cradled in the heart of Currumbin Valley, the Acute Abode is a unique yet cosy escape. On the outside, the A-frame building is a majestic gentle giant offering an aesthetic takeover for your Instagram feed. Inside the belly of the beast is an open-plan living and kitchen area, split-level loft-style bedroom that peers over through the colossal windows, and a beautifully designed bathroom. Don’t leave your furry friends behind over the winter weekend as they are also welcome to enjoy Acute Abode with you (pre-approval is required). Bookings are available here.
Neranwoods, Springbrook: Attention sauna lovers, here’s a place for you. Wake up at Neranwoods Bathhouse Cottage or Hillside Cabin and enjoy a lovingly restored country-style property. Suited for couples or small groups and just 15 minutes off the M1 and Robina, this is the ideal rendezvous for those seeking a cosy getaway close to home. Bookings are available here.
Palmer & Gunn, Austinville Valley: Let us show you the tiniest stay to feature in this article. Tucked away in the lush Gold Coast hinterland, the Wee Tiny cabin by Palmer&Gunn is a cosy combination of all the right things you’ll need to enjoy an off-grid winter experience – even just for the weekend. Think high pitch ceilings, quality French linen and a clawfoot iron tub to help live out your Victorian era dreams. But for us, the piece de resistance is the wood-fired hot tub perched right on the creek under the stars, the perfect spot to slow down and reconnect. Bookings are available here.
Mouses Rainforest Retreat, Springbrook: We might be cheating here as this retreat is technically a chalet. However, we’ll make an exception due to the fact it can accomodate larger groups. On the property is 14 chalets, kitted out with hardwood timber furnishings, homely fittings and alluring views. If you’re a hardcore Disney fan then you’ll be excited to know that every chalet is named after Disney characters – furthering providing a unique charm and magic to the space. Bookings are available here.