There’s no shortage of cosy accommodation options in the Margaret River Region that’ll allow you to do just that. A warm homecoming is the best finish to a brisk day out discovering the region’s cool-weather chemistry: the linchpin in your plan for the perfect winter stay.
Pack your chunky knits and get booking – your winter bolthole awaits.
1. LUXE WAVESIDE WARMTH
How about this beachfront Eagle Bay property for a luxurious winter show-stopper?
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, 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, 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.
2 BUNKER DOWN IN LUXURY
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 down-time.
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 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.
And if the crashing tide demands a beach walk, you have boardwalk access from your front door – the excursion winding up on at the resort’s Vie Spa heated massage table, obviously.
3 BUSH VIEW BATHING
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.
4 FIRESIDE FAMILY FUN
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 firepit, and the marshmallows and toasting sticks provided will be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Don’t forget your bathers as there is a indoor swimming pool heated to a very lovely 31 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.
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.
5 COSY CONVENIENCE IN TOWN
Get your cosy ambience 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.
6 RECHARGE AT THE FARMHOUSE
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 ambience with plenty of room to move for up to 12 guests.
Ngilgi Cave, just 5 minutes from The Farm House, 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 Farm House is tough to top.
7 CHILL OUT BY THE FIRE
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.
8 WILDERNESS WARMTH
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.
9 CHOOSE YOUR WINTER REFUGE
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.
10 UNDERSTATED LUXURY LOUNGING
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.
Hot tip: Ask about their winter ‘Stay 3 Pay 2’ offer.
(Article attributed: Margaretriver.com)
