COSY ESCAPES
- Karen Kinnersly
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
Winter is widely considered the ‘off season’ for travel. But, if we’re being honest, there’s really nothing ‘off’ about winter in the Northern Rivers at all. In fact, it’s actually one of the greatest times to visit, with consistent weather, fewer crowds and passionate locals who turn it on through a stacked calendar of events.
WRITTEN BY CHRIS ASHTON
Then, there’s the enticing mix of winter-ready retreats. You know the kind: rural hideaways, where curling up fireside, feasting on local produce and toasting the sunset over a glass of your favourite bevvy isn’t just recommended but exactly what the doctor prescribed.
NIGHTCAP RIDGE
Only 45-minutes behind Byron Bay, Nightcap Ridge delivers all of the above, with an added ace up its sleeve, as the eco retreat’s location is enveloped by the World Heritage-listed Nightcap National Park. Waterfalls and walking trails are minutes from your door, though there’s plenty to hold your attention onsite too, with the 70-acre property home to native forest, enchanting lily ponds and even a swimming hole for refreshing dips.
You’re encouraged to venture out and take it all in as well, thanks to a network of shape-dappled trails weaving amid green lawns, remnant rainforest and towering eucalypt trees – and winter is a fantastic time to do it. As for the accommodation, that’s also worth travelling for.
Spaced for privacy, all three lodgings are styled in an upscale country aesthetic. They consist of a one-bedroom studio, The Logger’s Cabin, and two two-bedroom cottages, Rose Gum and Fig Tree. Each contains a well-equipped kitchen, clawfoot tub and deck seating area, while the cottages also sport gorgeous fireplaces and fire pits for enjoying the wintery nights.
Complementing these is an all-weather function space, ‘The Argory’, making the retreat ideally suited to destination weddings and events overlooking the verdant grounds and lily ponds.
AVION RETREAT
For its owners, the realisation of Avion Retreat was a long time coming. Years after floating the initial idea of an off-grid escape where you didn’t have to sacrifice modern comforts, a two-year search eventually led the couple to a 150-acre farm at Pumpenbil in The Tweed. It was, in a word, paradise, with rolling hills and views to Wollumbin and the Border Ranges.
Why was the right setting so essential for this adults-only retreat? Because the architecturally designed glasshouses in mind would be reflective on three sides, creating an illusion of disappearing into the landscape. As such, the view had to be one worth reflecting – and it is.The experience begins with a 1km golf buggy ride from reception to your cabin. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by a full kitchen, comfy king bed, plush robes and luxury amenities, plus a drop-down smart TV for those rare moments you’re not lost in the view. That electric buggy remains yours for the duration, making it easy to explore.
When you’re not taking in the farm or nearby towns (Tyalgum is a mere 10 minutes away), a huge deck with daybed and stone tub are at hand to help you soak up the serenity. Then, when the temperature dips and it’s time to head indoors, an inviting fireplace is there to keep you toasty-warm.
Daily breakfast consists of a bounty of regional produce, while gourmet platters and pasta dinners are also available on request.
CONTAINED IN NIMBIN
The village of Nimbin may be small, but it boasts a truly global reputation, with day-trippers near and far drawn to its vibrant community, history and embrace of alternate thinking. Yet there’s much more to discover in and around the area than a single day can allow.
Just three minutes out of town, on a 10-acre permaculture farm, Contained In Nimbin is home to two beautiful solar-powered luxury cabins, both welcoming up to three guests.
By day, the charcoal-black converted shipping containers are a bold contrast to the vivid green of their surroundings. But, as the sun fades and the stargazing hours set in, that dark exterior is actually a benefit, as the cabins seemingly fade into the night.
A full kitchen, WiFi and BBQ facilities are all part of the package, along with a firepit for toasting marshmallows and the dazzling sky overhead. And in the mornings, an undercover deck perfectly angled for cuppas with a view, while enjoying the bird song and serenity.
From Contained In Nimbin, the cascades of Minyon, Protester and Whian Whian Falls, national park walking trails, and regional hubs of Lismore and Murwillumbah are easily accessible. Fossicking, birdwatching and swimming in Goolmangar Creek is also highly recommended.
COOLAMON STATION
Couples’ escapes in the depths of winter are always a good idea. But it’s nice to get away with the family too, particularly if there’s a property that can handle you, the kids, grandparents and whoever else decides to come along for the fun. Coolamon Station provides exactly that, with room for up to 10 guests to stretch out in comfort and style.
Set on a 105-acre working farm, home to the horses, cattle, chooks, pigs and even a population of koalas – thanks to owners’ passionate conservation efforts – the luxurious woolshed is full of character and warmth. Think upcycled furnishings and farming memorabilia, plus a rustic timber-clad wall made of reclaimed timber from nearby Murwillumbah showground.
In an appreciated move, accessibility was firmly in mind with the Palmvale farmstay’s design, with features such as ramp access and a roll-in shower for guests with mobility issues.
Guests are welcomed on an initial farm feeding tour to help slip into country life, after which they’re free to explore at leisure. There’s also a creek and waterholes for swimming when the weather allows. As a working farm, it’s common to see the owners going about the daily upkeep, which lends the whole experience an inviting air of authenticity.
From Coolamon Station, a world of experiences can be reached in minutes, from the laid-back beach towns of Cabarita and Kingscliff to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and a host of award-winning restaurants, including Bistro Livi and Tweed River House.
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