Three South Australian Stays for a Winter Weekend

Winter in South Australia has its advantages.

Open fireplaces become evening plans, outdoor baths feel even better under cold skies, and nobody questions opening the red before sunset.

These three stays make a very convincing case for escaping this winter.

Monapilla Escape, McLaren Vale

Set across 50 acres of McLaren Vale vines, Monapilla Escape has all the correct ingredients for a winter weekend: a genuine open fireplace, wood-fired outdoor tub, campfire and a bottle of estate Shiraz waiting on arrival.

There are two private villas, each sleeping up to four guests, with sweeping vineyard views and complimentary e-bikes for rolling between nearby cellar doors and long lunches.

Winter looks like: fresh eggs for breakfast, an afternoon among the vines and a wood-fired soak once the sky turns dark.

Nest & Nature, Inman Valley

High above Inman Valley, Nest & Nature is an adults-only retreat with two completely private suites and views stretching across the hills towards the Southern Ocean.

Inside, there’s a king bed, stone bathtub, underfloor heating and an indoor wood fire. Outside, a firepit and sunken bath wait beneath the stars.

Winter looks like: mist across the valley, coffee without checking the time and an evening moving between the fire and the bath.

Tanunda House, Barossa Valley

Winter with the whole group? Tanunda House sleeps up to ten across five king bedrooms and gives everyone enough space to settle in properly.

The grand Barossa estate has underfloor heating, a private cellar, theatre room and an outdoor entertaining area complete with a teppanyaki grill, bar and large open fireplace. It is also within walking distance of Tanunda’s restaurants, cafés and wine bars – although leaving the house may be a difficult sell.

Winter looks like: Barossa wine selected from the cellar, dinner around the teppanyaki grill and second bottles opened beside the fire.

Find your winter stay

Whether you want two days alone among the vines, an adults-only reset or a Barossa weekend with the whole group, winter might be South Australia’s best excuse to check in and stay put.