Saunas, sledding and empty shores: Guardian Australia staff’s favourite east coast winter breaks | Australia holidays

New South Wales

Take the plunge in Sydney’s ocean pools
It’s a truth universally unacknowledged that in winter, the ocean temperature in Sydney is often warmer than the air (and certainly warmer than the inside of our poorly insulated homes). So when the days turn crisp and the tourists dissipate, I like to squeeze into my swimming wetsuit and neoprene bathing cap, pop in my earplugs (to stave off surfer’s ear) and slide into one of the city’s 30 or so ocean pools, which extend from Palm beach in the north to Cronulla in the south.

There’s the initial hit of numbness as you break the glassy surface, then an inner warmth envelops as you out stretch out into the water, nothing but seagrass or sand or a straight black line beneath you. Afterwards you feel cleansed, reset, superhuman.
– Janine Israel

Brews and thermal pools near Tumut
New South Wales’ Riverina region provides cosy vibes during the colder months.

In winter you can rug up and go for a crisp morning walk along the river with the ducks, grab a ginger beer at the Tumut River Brewing Co or drive to the nearby mountain town of Batlow to catch a glimpse of the snow. Just over an hour away is Yarrangobilly Caves in the Kosciuszko national park, where you can swim in the 27C spring-fed thermal pool all year round or hike along the meandering river.
– Emily Wind

Cold hikes and hot soaks in the Blue Mountains
You can’t go past the Blue Mountains for a winter weekend getaway. Every second hotel or restaurant has a Christmas in July special that extends well into August, but if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, head to Mount Victoria. Hotel Etico is a delightful social enterprise set in an old Fairfax mansion, with a restaurant and bar that has live music on Fridays.

The Victoria & Albert Guest House and Cedar Lodge Cabins are also within walking distance from the train station and village centre. There are plentiful hikes or – in case of rain – Mount Vic Flicks should do the trick. It is only a 20 minute drive from the spectacular Japanese Bath House overlooking Lake Lyell – a perfect recovery from the thigh-busting trek to Victoria Falls.
– Gabrielle Jackson

Victoria

Three-dog nights in Dinner Plain
As someone who doesn’t ski, my snow holidays have…