Victoria's Best Winter Holiday Destinations

Beat the winter blues by escaping to one of these unforgettable destinations. Many of Victoria’s regions reveal a spectacular new side to themselves during the colder months, with alps covered in stunning snowfall, fireplaces crackling all around, and hot springs turning up the temperature.

Whether you prefer to spend your days outdoor on the slopes or inside wining and dining in the warmth, there’s a winter holiday in Victoria with your name written all over it.

Love yourself a glass of full-bodied red in the winter? Head to this aptly named area to try distinctive cool-spiced Shiraz that’s some of the best in the country. Naturally rugged and diverse, Shiraz Central encompasses a number of regions including the Macedon Ranges, Heathcote and the Grampians, plus the gold rush cities of Bendigo and Ballarat.

Visit world-renowned wineries such as Seppelt, Mitchelton, Munari and Tahbilk, or go searching for the next big thing among the region’s 250 odd wineries. While you could battle the seasons and head out on a hike (there are some spectacular national parks around, including the beautiful Pink Cliffs), we much prefer enjoying the classic bush landscapes cosied up on the couch during the cooler months.

That's where Heathcote regions' wealth of fine stays come into play, ensuring it holds strong as one of the best Victorian winter holiday destinations. Attached to Mitchelton Wines is the striking and sleek Mitchelton Hotel, offering 58 luxury rooms nestled within a landscape of timeless beauty. It provides the perfect place to enjoy a night or two away, with a café, restaurant, indigenous art gallery, and spa onsite. Tranquil serenity awaits behind rustic bar doors at The Barn Heathcote. Move at your own pace here — walking through the rugged landscapes and savouring local delights.

Speaking of local delights: Head for a comforting brunch at FODDER, located on Heathcote's High Street, or take your tastebuds on a Provincial journey with a lunch at Chauncy. This is sophisticated French dining requires booking in advance, but it's well worth it for the impressive menu du jour. 

Just an hour and a half from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, Castlemaine’s myriad of indoor activities lends itself perfectly to a cosy winter weekend. Along Mostyn Street, century-old dwellings house an impressive line-up of contemporary cafés, boutiques and galleries that rival its more established neighbours. In the evenings, a vibrant live music scene entices crowds into its charming (and heated) venues like Theatre Royal, The Bridge Hotel and The Taproom.

This Victorian winter holiday destination is also something of a thrifter's utopia. Seek and ye shall find, from miscellaneous goodies to art deco furniture, with The Vintage Bazaar at The Mill offering 1800sqm of pure vintage bliss, as well as local makers of clothing, furniture and art, to small-batch beer, wine and coffee. 

There's ample opportunity for fantastic wining and dining in Castlemaine too, with an array of cafes, bars, cellar doors and restaurants paying due respect to the fine produce derived from surrounding vineyards and farmland. 

The perfect eating and drinking day in Castlemaine looks something like this: Breakfast at Fig Café. Or Cream Town. Or coffee and a slice of cake or savoury pie to-go from Johnny Baker. Spend the afternoon sipping at Boomtown Social before a dinner at Wild or Lola Pizza Bar & Bottleshop.

Where to stay? Well there are many a cosy cottage to curl up within for a blissful winter weekend away.Be&Be Studio 2 and Miners Cottage are two favourites, as is the historic charm of Sunday House in the neighbouring town of Maldon.

Located near the Victorian Alps, the historic township of Bright is the perfect base for wintery snow holidays but also a destination in its own right. Surrounded by soaring mountains and the serene Ovens River, there’s plenty to eat, see and do once the autumn leaves have fallen away. Go for meandering walks around the river and picturesque town, or head inside to taste tipples at Billy Button Winery, Reed & Co Distillery and Bright Brewery. 

Many of the town’s pubs and restaurants are kept inviting with open fires and hearty offerings, and you're never far from a delicious outing at Hometown, Tomahawks or The Alpine Hotel.

There are plenty of cosy cafés to kickstart your mornings too. Our favourites are Food Wine Friends, and Ginger Baker for lunch. Don't forget to feast on a pie or four from Gum Tree Pies - the steak and Guinness is seriously good. 

The array of stunning Airbnb's in and around Bright run the gamut from cosy and centrally located, to designer villas with picturesque views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Nestled in the heart of town and walking distance to everything Bright has to offer, Riverwash was originally built in the 1900’s. The Nest is another inviting gem, a unique stay smack bang in the middle of the action. It's tucked in behind the gorgeous boutique shop, Chooks. For magical views further from town, The Grove Estate offers a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding valley and Mt Buffalo. 

An adventurer's paradise, Bright is all about immersing yourself in the natural beauty of High Country Victoria. Stroll along the Ovens River on the Canyon Walk to learn of the region's gold mining history, or walk the trail to Huggins Lookout for a brilliant view over the township. Meet the local's at a market by the river, or spend the day shopping in the many charming boutique stores that abound. Take a scenic drive to neighbouring towns like Myrtleford, Yackandandah, Mount Beauty and Healesville. Or hit the slopes of Mt Buffalo to truly make this Victoria winter holiday destination come into its own. 

Hotham is considered by many to be one of Australia’s best ski resorts with 320 snow-covered hectares, majestic views, night skiing and runs for all skill levels. Outside of the slopes, there are husky sled tours, helicopter rides and an onsite spa retreat, where you can sit among the snow while warming up in 38-degree waters.

Ever wanted to spend a night in the snow? This is the Mount Hotham accommodation for you! Alpine Nature Experience’s Skidoo to Igloo overnight adventure allows you the chance to enjoy a magical snow adventure and intimate overnight stay in a unique and real igloo. The best part? You also get to indulge in a delicious French cheese fondue as part of a three course dinner. The perfect winter adventure and fun for you and your friends, family or colleagues. 

Prefer more creature comforts on your winter holiday in Victoria? Check out this cosy cabin and these relaxed series of apartments.

The list of snow-filled fun to embrace atop Mount Hotham is vast and varied - in fact, there are enough things to poke a ski at. For every private or group ski lesson, toboggan hire or Alpine Nature Experience, there are husky sled tours, sweet snowshoeing, and spa retreats. It's one of Victoria's best winter holiday destinations for the simple fact that you only get to enjoy these activities for just a few months of the year. 

Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges have long been a beloved winter destination – particularly for romantic weekend escapes. Everywhere you turn there are crackling fireplaces, toasty pubs and plush country cottages that are made for hiding away in. Over winter there are also several festivals including the annual Winter Sounds, a weekend of intimate performances hosted everywhere from gold-rush-era halls and historic churches to art deco theatres and on heritage rail cars.

What better way to escape the cold than with a steamy, therapeutic soak in a hot spring? Daylesford's friendly neighbour, Hepburn Springs, is home to Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs (around 80 per cent), making it the place to go for a spa getaway. Enjoy indulgent bathing experiences, massages and beauty treatments at venues such as Hepburn Bathhouse, Mineral Spa and Spa+Beauty, or get the full onsen experience by staying at peaceful Shizuka Ryokan, an immersive Japanese spa and wellness retreat.

From dusk til dawn, make your winter holiday a feast, with a delicious meal at one of the best cafes, restaurants, bars found in and around Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Be charmed by the old-world flair of local wine bar Bar Merenda, be wowed by the expert French dishes served up at Bistro Terroir, and start the day right with the fresh and considered breakfast offerings at Pancho, or with a brunch and browse around Cliffy's Emporium. 

The Mornington Peninsula may be a beachy region but take a closer look and you’ll find that it lends itself spectacularly as one the best Victorian winter holiday escapes. Acclaimed wineries are open all year round, while their onsite fine diners (such as Pt Leo Estate’s Laura and Oakridge) are destinations in their own right.

You could also book into newly minted Alba Thermal Springs & Spas, or the award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs for mineral-rich thermal bathing, go on a truffle hunt and tasting at Red Hill Truffles or simply enjoy your stay at one of the region’s luxurious accommodation options.

These accommodation options are generously peppered throughout the pristine landscape. We love Polperro Farmhouse. This luxe 3-bedroom space is a celebration of the iconic Australian 1950’s holiday home, conjuring a familiar sense of nostalgia - and it's set on a working vineyard. Set with a backdrop of a mystical pine forest, surrounded by an established European garden setting and distant ocean views, it provides true tranquility come winter. 

Want your Victorian winter holiday destination with a side of prestige? The Intercontinental Sorrento will deliver it in spades. Onsite restaurant Audrey's by Scott Pickett is an essential experience, boasting fresh seafood and an elegant atmosphere reminiscent of 1920's glamour. And take a moment to pause, breathe in, and escape into a world of serene luxury and personal wellness at Aurora Spa & Bathhouse. 

Food wise, make a beeline for Bistro Elba, for a taste of Southern French cuisine and some of the best oysters in Mornington. 

If you’re the type that still wants to go outdoors in winter, the Grampians is the place for you. Their intrepid hikes are in fact easier to tackle during cooler weather (and much less busy), with spectacular vistas and waterfalls a worthwhile reward for your efforts. Back in town you can relax up at charming cottages and sumptuous five-star retreats, while the region’s wineries are renowned for their winter-friendly shiraz.

Grampians Wine Bar is where to settle in to sample the region's best. Set within the Grampians' majestic mountainscape, this pint-sized cellar door is all about taking guests on a round-the-region tour through wine. With 20 local drops and seasonal varieties available at any given time, Grampians Wine Cellar has become a destination within itself, offering the perfect spot to enjoy a glass while taking in the area's breathtaking vistas.

For delicious food and more local wines, venture out to Dunkeld’s shining culinary star, the Royal Mail Hotel. The mint-hued Art Deco building houses Wickens, a mesmerising open kitchen that serves a daily changing menu, all sourced from Australia’s largest working kitchen garden. The public bar and wine cellar make this mainstay an absolute must.

A weekend in the Grampians promises adventure and romance all rolled into one, making it one of Victoria's best winter holiday destinations. 

A SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY

A labour of love and a masterclass in modern sustainable design, Nook on the Hill is the latest luxury accommodation to arrive in the Grampians. Every aspect of this gorgeous tiny house has been considered, from its floor to ceiling windows that look onto an expansive garden of Australian natives, to the outdoor recycled cast iron bath and hamper of local goodies that are gifted on arrival. Offering a "slow escape from a fast world", when it comes to accommodation it really doesn't get better than this.

Pack your thermals and goggles for ski season in Mount Buller. Being only three hours from the city, it’s a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing alongside top-notch après ski facilities. Even if snow sports aren’t your thing, there’s plenty to see and do here, from great bars and restaurants to luxuriant day spas, plus the annual Banff Mountain Film Festival, which showcases adventure films from around the world.

There's no need to stay mountainside either, with nearby Mansfield providing delicious wining and dining at The Fields and Delatite Winery. Delatite is where you'll find one of the region's most spectacular viewpoints; a literal 'door in the wall' with the mountain rising up like a frosted cake beyond. 

You should also consider descending the mountain for a bracing jaunt around Lake Eildon, making sure to take in the captivating scenes atop Fogg's Lookout. 

FOR THE ULTIMATE GROUP GETAWAY

A stay at Coombs Hill Barn is the quintessential winter holiday in Victoria escape; a genuine 160 year old American Barn imported from Indiana, USA and lovingly restored and rebuilt in the shadow of Mt Buller overlooking the pristine Delatite Valley.

It's a truly unique luxury private home set on 100 acres of farming land in Victoria's High Country. Perfect for couples, groups and families alike, Coombs Hill is ideal for a family birthday, anniversary celebration, or group getaway. 

This former gold rush town has become a well-loved winter destination for friends, couples and families with its rich cultural landscape and kid-friendly activities. Stay rugged up as you explore art galleries, enjoy live theatre and eat your way through top restaurants and wineries. Meanwhile, the young ones will love gold mine tours, escape rooms and the absorbing Bendigo Science and Discovery Centre.

Bursting with country hospitality, Bendigo has an old-world charm that truly delights. With its rich history and vibrant foodie scene, holidaymakers can get a fancy taste of the action at cafes like Percy and Percy, beckoning in the rugged up crowds with coffee and modern breakfast fare. Watch the world go by from the courtyard or settle inside amongst a cosy setting of wooden tables and low pan lighting. 

There’s paddock-to-plate dining (try Masons of Bendigo and The Dispensary) and local farmers’ markets offering up a bounty of fresh produce. Those looking to get back to nature can bushwalk or mountain bike along the Goldfields Track, that stretches more than 200 kilometres from Bendigo to Ballarat.

Accommodation wise, we're completely smitten with Hotel Ernest. Situated in the heart of the CBD, and a stone’s throw from the city’s coveted eateries and the renowned Bendigo Art Gallery (a must), Bendigo Ernest Hotel is a boutique beauty that provides winter-holiday-in-Victoria-makers with a luxurious getaway set against a grand heritage backdrop.

Love our list of Victoria's best winter holiday destinations? We’ve got plenty more travel inspo for you via these bucket-list Australian road trips, gorgeous Victorian farmstays, adorable yet luxe tiny cabins and unique destinations. Click through and get dreaming!