Bundanoon in NSW’s Southern Highlands looks like the bucolic ideal of a cosy village in wintertime. The village comes in a small but perfectly formed package with cutesy cottages and a number of historic buildings. Rug up and follow the heritage trail around Bundanoon, which is known for its Scottish heritage and annual Highland Gathering. Or ramble around the beautiful country gardens and visit the Glow Worm Glen. Then, when you’re ready to hit the hay, do so at the charming Stringy Bark Hut at Wildernest, about 20 minutes out of town.

Follow the middle-aged folk clad in their fleeces to the centre of Blackheath to find out where’s best for coffee in the charming Blue Mountains village. Chances are they’ll be headed for Hounslow, a local fave that exudes warmth when the temperature starts to drop in winter. Blackheath is just an hour and a half’s drive west of Sydney, making it a top spot for a winter weekender. Go for a bush walk and then, when your fingers start to go numb, warm up with a glass of red around the fire at Blaq at retro-chic boutique hotel The Kyah.

To be a visitor in a place like Boorowa might just be one of the best ways to get to know country Australia. This tiny town is in the under-the-radar wine-growing region known as the Hilltops, four hours from Sydney. The charming town has a rich Irish heritage and is famed for its merino wool. Pick up a handknitted beanie and scarf from the Arts and Crafts Co-op before following the Shamrock Trail around town. Visit Marsden Street General for coffee and the Absolutely Superb Bibliothèque and Occasional Wine Bar, the perfect cosy spot for sipping on a glass of wine. Plan a return visit during the annual Irish Woolfest.

Murwillumbah is a must when it comes to regional towns for eating and drinking. But temperatures don’t drop to the extreme in the original Art Deco-era town making it a popular draw for families who want to get their kids out of the house. The Tweed can flip between seasons in a day. Pop into The Imperial Hotel for a pub meal, as it has a fireplace to warm up and is one of the town’s grand dames for eating and drinking. Pasta Bah and Kat Harvey Cheese are also warm and inviting eateries to visit in winter. Stay at the Glenelg Murwillumbah if you’re looking for panoramic regional views.

Wear sensible shoes when you hit the high street in Rylstone, the stone village on the banks of the Cudgegong River. Rylstone is no stranger to tourists, as its high street is lined with beautiful historic buildings and it’s an easy day trip from Mudgee. Rylstone is also a hot destination in winter thanks to 29 Nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House, known for its dumplings. Visit De Beaurepaire Wines to taste French-style wine grown on a single-estate vineyard in a charming cellar door that is an 1850s’ sandstone stable. And bunker down surrounded by bushland at Wollemi Retreat.

A vacay to Uki in the Tweed Valley during winter will help stave off cabin fever. It’s winter lite. The weather is warm enough to get a sunglasses tan during the day but cool enough to cosy up by the fire at night. The town of Uki keeps things lively with a roster of live entertainment at the cheery Mt Warning Hotel, which boasts views of Wollumbin. The tiny town is also a must-visit spot for those in search of pies and pastries from NSW’s best regional bakeries. Head to Bastion Lane Espresso housed in a 1909 post office for coffee before checking in at Chesson Lodge, which has an open fire and can accommodate four couples.

You don’t need to be travelling on a sled pulled by huskies to justify wearing woollen gloves and a puffer jacket in Australia. Young, the Cherry Capital of Australia can get pretty chilly. And this is what some of us want so we can get out our ugly Christmas in July jumpers and toast marshmallows around a crackling fire. Yeah, we know. It’s not the Swiss Alps. But the olive groves, orchards, vineyards and heritage architecture all turn up the cosy vibes in this regional NSW town, which is about a four-hour drive southwest of Sydney. Let the misty mornings melt into the afternoon. It’s on for Young and old.

A visit to Jugiong is not complete without a jaunt to Jugiong. Jugiong has gained notoriety as somewhat of a haven for foodies heading up or down the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne. The town buttressed by the Great Dividing Range and tucked away in the Riverina’s cattle country is your gateway to the Hilltops region of NSW. But you’re more likely to know it for being home to the 1850s’ hotel, The Sir George. The beautifully restored hotel is a landmark attraction in the charming village where cosy nights and seasonal fare are calling.

Pack your trundle. It’s time to bundle up for Nundle. The best towns to visit in regional Australia during winter give us an excuse to take our jackets out of mothballs. By the time July rolls round, we’ve figured out how to style our winter wardrobe and want to give our boots a burl. Seek shelter from the cold in the historic village of Nundle at the iconic Nundle Woollen Mill where yarns will definitely be spun. Shed a few layers for a pub lunch at the Peel Inn Hotel. Try your hand at fly-fishing at Arc-en Ciel Trout Farm. Complete the cosy circuit with a visit to the historic 1890s Odgers and McClelland Exchange store.

Everything is amplified during the cooler months on NSW’s South Coast from the painted-on blue skies to cosy venues like Milk Haus and The Milton Hotel which make for excellent respites from frosty weather. Sit on the sun-dappled terrace at The Milton Hotel for comfort food like wagyu beef short rib with slaw and sesame crumb. The Milk Haus in nearby Woodstock is also a must for hearty winter fare: think braised leek and beans, which showcase fresh seasonal produce. Milton’s weekly farmers’ market is also a must for seasonal bounty. Book a stay at Cupitt’s Estate so you can slow down and lean into the season.