Looking for somewhere special to escape Sydney’s winter chill? We’ve tested properties across NSW to find spots that justify the journey. Each offers something unique, from waterviews to bushland isolation, and they won’t all break the bank! We’ve included a couple of budget priced winter getaways and all the practical details you need to plan your escape.
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Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel
This luxury coastal property sits 90 minutes north of Sydney. While the rates aren’t cheap, you get what you pay for here.
Each room comes with its own fireplace and the restaurant consistently delivers some of the best food on the Central Coast.
Bells works best as a complete escape – once you’re here, you won’t need to leave. The spa treatments are excellent (book ahead, they fill quickly) and the grounds provide plenty of space for winter walks.
What’s nearby:
- Bouddi National Park sits right on the doorstep with several walking tracks ranging from easy to challenging. The 8km Bouddi Coastal Walk offers some of the Central Coast’s best views
- Distillery Botanica is just 10 minutes away. Their Moore’s Gin has won multiple awards and the garden setting is worth a visit even if you don’t drink
- Hardy’s Bay village is a 5-minute drive, with a few good cafes and local shops worth exploring
Good to know:
- Book restaurant tables when you reserve your room – they often fill with locals, especially on weekends
- Request a room away from the restaurant if you’re a light sleeper
- The property often runs midweek winter specials that include spa treatments
Getting there: Drive 90 minutes north from Sydney via the M1, or take the train to Woy Woy station followed by a short taxi ride.
Park Proxi Gibraltar, Bowral
Park Proxi Gibraltar in Bowral offers contemporary rooms just 90 minutes from Sydney. With 78 rooms, it’s larger than most Southern Highlands properties but manages to maintain a boutique feel.
The hotel’s design makes the most of its garden setting with large windows in public spaces and private balconies in many rooms.
The indoor pool is properly heated for winter swimming, and the gym is well-equipped – both welcome additions for a winter stay.
What’s nearby:
- Corbett Gardens is a 10-minute walk – time your visit for Tulip Time in September
- Mount Gibraltar Reserve sits behind the property with several bushwalking tracks
- Bowral’s antique stores and boutiques are within walking distance
- Several cellar doors including Centennial Vineyards and Southern Highlands Wines are within 15 minutes by car.
Good to know:
- Lotus restaurant’s picnic baskets need to be ordered 24 hours ahead
- Weekend rates are significantly higher than midweek
- Ask for a room facing the gardens rather than the car park
- The hotel offers free parking, unusual for Bowral
Getting there: 90-minute drive from Sydney via M31, or catch the train to Bowral station (2.5 hours) with a short walk to the hotel.
A winter getaway in Leura
Leisure Inn Spires offers a budget-friendly base in the Blue Mountains, with rates that leave room in your budget for activities and dining. The 3-acre garden setting provides a peaceful atmosphere despite being just minutes from Leura Mall.
The property’s location just one minutes walk from Leura station makes it perfect for getways without a car. Use the Blue Mountains Explorer bus to see the main sites and when you are ready for dinner you are within easy reach of Leura’s cosy cafes and galleries.
While the rooms aren’t luxurious, they’re clean and comfortable. Most apartments include full kitchens and separate living areas, making them practical for longer stays.
The location is the real drawcard here – you’re within walking distance of cafes and shops while still having easy access to bushwalking tracks.
What’s nearby:
- Leura Mall’s boutiques and cafes are a 5-minute walk
- Leura Cascades walking track starts 15 minutes away on foot
- The Three Sisters viewing platform is a 5-minute drive
- Several top restaurants including Solitary and Darley’s are within 10 minutes by car
Good to know:
- Ask for an upper-floor apartment for better views
- The property has no lift – ground floor rooms available on request
- Winter deals often include breakfast at nearby Red Door Cafe
Getting there: 2-hour drive from Sydney via M4, or take the Blue Mountains Line train to Leura station.
Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath
This 1970s motel has been transformed into one of the Blue Mountains’ most stylish stays. While it’s further from Sydney than Leura or Katoomba, the extra distance means fewer crowds and better value.
The renovation has created 40 rooms with a distinctive retro-modern feel. The excellent onsite dining, hot tub and sauna make winter stays particularly comfortable.
The on-site Blaq restaurant has quickly become a local favourite, serving sophisticated dishes that showcase regional produce.
Read our full review of Kyah here
What’s nearby:
- Govetts Leap lookout is a 5-minute drive
- Several top bushwalking tracks start within walking distance
- Campbell Rhododendron Gardens are beautiful, even in winter
- Blackheath village shops and cafes are a 10-minute walk
Good to know:
- Book Blaq restaurant when you reserve your room – it’s popular with non-guests
- Ground floor rooms open to a shared courtyard – request upper floor for more privacy
- The outdoor areas are exposed to mountain weather – pack accordingly
- Free parking available on-site
Getting there: 2-hour drive from Sydney via M4, or take the Blue Mountains Line train to Blackheath station.
Turon Gates, Blue Mountains Region
This off-grid property sits on 6,000 acres of private bushland about 45 minutes from Lithgow. While it’s one of the furthest properties from Sydney on our list, the isolation and vast acreage make it worth the journey.
The luxury glamping tents blend comfort with wilderness. Each tent includes a proper king-size bed, indoor fireplace, and a well-equipped kitchenette. The bathroom setup is particularly impressive – the rain shower and two-person bath offer proper luxury in the bush.
Despite being off-grid, you won’t sacrifice comfort. The tents include reverse-cycle air conditioning and electric blankets for those crisp mountain mornings.
What’s nearby:
- Horse riding and canoeing available on-site
- Multiple private bushwalking tracks on the property
- Mudgee wine region is an hour’s drive away
- Historic Sofala gold rush town is 20 minutes by car
Good to know:
- Mobile reception is limited – download maps before arrival
- The access road includes 6km of unsealed road – check conditions in wet weather
- Minimum two-night stay on weekends
- Pack supplies – nearest shops are 30 minutes away
Getting there: 2.5-hour drive from Sydney via the Great Western Highway. Private transport essential as no public transport options are available.
Leisure Inn Polkolbin Hill, Hunter Valley
Leisure Inn Polkolbin Hill sits in the heart of wine country, with an elevated position that delivers clear views across the vineyards. The property shines in winter when morning mist adds atmosphere to the valley views.
The property’s winter appeal centers on cozy indoor spaces with reverse cycle air-conditioning throughout. Each apartment features double-glazed windows and heated floors, making them particularly comfortable during frosty Hunter mornings. The elevated position offers dramatic views of morning mist rolling across the vineyards – a signature Hunter Valley winter spectacle.
The rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious, but the location and reasonable rates make it good value for a Hunter Valley base. Each apartment includes a kitchen, which can be handy given the limited dining options nearby.
The hotel’s mapped Gourmet Walking Trail is a practical addition, taking you past several top cellar doors without needing to drive.
Many nearby cellar doors adapt their experiences for winter, with Audrey Wilkinson offering fireside tastings and Tulloch running their popular Wine and Chocolate sessions in their heated tasting room.
What’s nearby:
- Hunter Valley Gardens is a 15-minute walk
- Tempus Two and Roche Estate complex within walking distance
- Several notable wineries including Audrey Wilkinson and Tulloch are within 10 minutes by car
- Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village offers food options and basic supplies
Good to know:
- Book wine tastings in advance, especially on weekends
- The hillside position means lots of stairs – request a lower level if mobility is a concern
- The best views are from upper-level apartments, but they require climbing steps
- No restaurant on-site, but several within walking distance
Getting there: 2-hr drive from Sydney via M1, or transfer service from Newcastle Airport.
Barranca, Kangaroo Valley
Barranca offers just three architecturally designed villas in a private valley setting. The rates are premium, but the privacy and attention to detail justify the cost for special occasions.
Each villa features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the escarpment, along with a wood-burning fireplace inside and a fire pit outside. The design successfully brings the outside in while maintaining comfort in winter.
The property balances isolation with luxury – you can arrange in-villa massages and private chef services, or simply enjoy the solitude.
What’s nearby:
- Walking tracks on the property with regular kangaroo sightings
- Kangaroo Valley village is 15 minutes away
- Several local wineries offer cellar door tastings
- Helicopter wine tours can depart directly from the property
Good to know:
- Two-night minimum stay at weekends
- Book private chef services at least a week ahead
- The property is completely private – great for special occasions
- No mobile reception in some villas (wifi provided)
Getting there: 2-hour drive from Sydney via M1 and Moss Vale Road. Private transport required.
Nimbo Fork Lodge, Snowy Valleys
Nimbo Fork Lodge combines luxury accommodation with access to exceptional food and wine. Located where the Tumut River meets Nimbo Creek, it’s the furthest property from Sydney on our list but offers a genuinely unique winter experience.
The property features six private cottages and six lodge suites, all with views across the waterways. The rooms are properly heated and well-insulated – important given the Snowy Valleys’ winter temperatures.
The on-site Three Blue Ducks restaurant has a focus on local produce and seasonal menus.
What’s nearby:
- Yarrangobilly Thermal Pools (27°C year-round) are 45 minutes away
- Several local wineries offer cellar door experiences
- Tumut’s historic township is 30 minutes’ drive
Good to know:
- Helicopter tours require minimum numbers
- Restaurant usually closed Monday/Tuesday
- Pack proper winter gear – temperatures often drop below zero
- Visit between October and May for fly fishing
Getting there: 4.5-hour drive from Sydney. Private transport essential.
Which Property is Right for You?
The best winter escape depends on what you’re after:
For food and wine lovers:
- Nimbo Fork Lodge and Three Blue Ducks restaurant
- Leisure Inn Pokolbin Hill for winery access
- Bells at Killcare for fine dining
For complete privacy:
- Turon Gates for off-grid luxury
- Barranca for high-end isolation
For value accommodation:
- Leisure Inn Spires in Leura
- Kyah in Blackheath
- Park Proxi Gibraltar in Bowral
For active breaks:
- Nimbo Fork Lodge for fly fishing
- Leisure Inn Spires for bushwalking access
- Turon Gates for horse riding
Remember to book well ahead for winter weekend stays, especially during school holidays. Many properties offer better rates and more flexibility midweek.
Please Note
Updated June 2025
Prices and availability mentioned are accurate at publication but may vary by season and day of week. We recommend checking directly with properties for current rates. While we earn a small commission through affiliate links (at no cost to you), we only recommend properties we’ve personally visited or thoroughly researched. No properties have paid to be included.
