There’s a new kind of vacation capturing the imagination of travellers – and it’s not about chasing the sun. Instead, it’s about slowing down, layering up, and leaning into the quiet comforts of winter. The “Coolcation” is on the rise: a seasonal shift toward travel that favours cooler climates, natural beauty, and indulgent stillness.
Think misty mornings in the hinterland, roaring fireplaces in vineyard country, steaming hot tubs under the stars, and a pace that invites deep exhale. It’s a welcome reframe. A move away from the pressure of peak-season travel and toward the kind of grounded luxury that honours rest. And this winter, Salter Brothers Hospitality is answering that call with the launch of their Winter Coolcation Packages – a curated collection of boutique stays across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia designed to help you unwind and reconnect.
A Season for Slowness and Stargazing
Available to book now through to June 30th, 2025 (for travel until August 30th), the Coolcation Packages include everything you need to savour winter:
- Overnight accommodation for two
- Breakfast for two
- A fireside or in-room beverage experience
- A stargazing guide to the cosmos
Each destination offers a different flavour of the season – from elevated mountain luxury to vineyard warmth, forest seclusion to coastal calm. Whether you’re craving long countryside walks or just an excuse to spend a weekend wrapped in a robe with no to-do list in sight, there’s a Coolcation that meets the moment.
With 18 properties to choose from, here are our Coolcation highlights – each offering its own take on winter indulgence.
Queensland: Mist, Mountains and Hinterland Charm
Perched 1,100 metres above sea level in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, this is Australia’s highest non-alpine, all-inclusive retreat. It’s the kind of place where luxury feels elemental – where fog rolls over the ridgelines each morning and s’mores are served beside an open fire. Dine at the chef-hatted Peak Restaurant or partake in activities like guided rainforest walks. From $1,799 per room (all inclusive).
Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny
Tucked in the rainforest just outside Maleny, this tranquil retreat is a sensory escape shaped by flowing water, woodsmoke, and ginger lilies. Culinary lovers will find their calling at The Tamarind, the acclaimed on-site restaurant serving up vibrant modern Asian flavours. Spend your winter evenings fireside with marshmallows and tawny, before stargazing beneath the treetops. From $569 per night.
Spicers Clovelly Estate, Montville
Inspired by the romance of the French countryside, this jacaranda-lined estate in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland pairs elegance with garden calm. It’s a place where time slows down among magnolias and manicured lawns. Wake to à la carte breakfasts, wind down with mulled wine by the fire pit, and sink into the stillness of Spa Anise. From $499 per night.
New South Wales: Wine Country, Wilderness and Coastal Stillness
Spicers Guesthouse, Hunter Valley
Nestled among the vines and just moments from cellar doors and the famed Hunter Valley Gardens, this is your base for a vineyard-inspired Coolcation. Slow down with mulled wine by the fire and toast the season with award-winning local drops. From $359 per night.
Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Blue Mountains
An all-inclusive eco-sanctuary just 90 minutes from Sydney, Sangoma is designed for true disconnection. With panoramic bushland views, healing treatments, and soulful food, it’s as close to a winter cocoon as you’ll find. From $1,799 per night (all-inclusive).
Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook
For those who find peace in the sound of crashing waves, Bannisters offers a refined seaside experience that’s still and soul-soothing. Mornings unfold over ocean-view breakfasts, evenings over fresh seafood and stargazing. From $399 per night.
South Australia: Wine, Wilderness and Heritage Warmth
A true hidden gem, Kingsford is set on 225 acres just outside Adelaide, offering a Coolcation rich in heritage and luxury. Toasted wattle seed marshmallows, bush bathing, sunrise ATV tours, and fireside tawny pairings await. From $759 per night.
A Cool Kind of Luxury
At its core, a Coolcation isn’t just about the destination – it’s about how you choose to spend your time. It’s about long, slow breakfasts and afternoon naps. It’s warming drinks and books read by firelight. It’s presence over plans.
In a world that rarely gives us permission to pause, this kind of luxury feels deeply radical. So this year, skip the endless summer chase and let winter surprise you.
The SBH Winter Coolcation Packages are on sale now until June 30, 2025, for stays up to August 30, 2025. Discover the full collection of properties and inclusions here.
