Jump on your pushie and pedal to Porepunkah via the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. The town has a dedicated Rail Trail cafe, which is a magnet for MAMILs who have carved off the main trail to complete the Pedal to Produce Trail. The town is also a great base for exploring Mount Buffalo National Park. Include Punkah Pub and Punkah Pantry on your hit list. And stay at the luxury Kilnhouses, which look out over the lovely Ovens Valley landscape. visitbright.com.au

There’s nothing quite like Falls Creek in winter. While the landscape resembles a threadbare quilt in summer, it’s a scene straight out of a fairy tale in winter. There’s no shortage of places to eat, drink, play and stay in Falls Creek. But if it’s snug and ambient you’re after, head to the Scandi-chic Astra, which is giving European chalet. Wear your going-out Ugg Boots to the Little Chop Italian Shop or Sorella, both oozing European charm in Victoria’s High Country. fallscreek.com.au

Warm your cockles in Trentham by the 140-year-old wood-fired oven at RedBeard Historic Bakery, which runs workshops teaching bread-heads the art of wild ferment sourdough on Sundays. Crunch along a leaf-strewn track to Trentham Falls and then swap some tall tales over a Sunday roast and glass of pinot noir at The Cosmopolitan Hotel. The charming Cosmo is housed in a converted stable and has an open fire making it one of the cosiest towns to visit during winter in regional Victoria. visitvictoria.com

Ninety minutes from Melbourne, the dinky town of Daylesford has been drawing visitors in search of rest and relaxation since the gold rush days. That’s when Swiss-Italian migrants discovered the healing powers of the mineral-rich hot springs. We get it: there’s a lot to soak in. Soothe your aching muscles at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, eat extraordinarily well at the Lake House and then bounce between the town’s cool cafes, polished fine diners and bars. If that all weren’t enough, Victoria’s spa capital is regarded as one of the most welcoming places in the world. visitvictoria.com.au

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire scream winter in Stanley, Victoria. The historic gold mining village located just 10 kilometres southeast of Beechworth is known for its chestnut farms, which you can visit during the season. But it’s The Stanley Pub, established in 1854 and recently renovated, which piques the interest of visitors to the subalpine town in Victoria’s High Country. The pub is known for pan-Asian pub grub such as chicken katsu with sesame cabbage salad and Thai curries. explorebeechworth.com.au

Show off your new winter boots along Yackandandah high street, which is dotted with heritage buildings. The historic hamlet in Victoria’s High Country dates back to the 1850s. Wrap your hands around a cup of hot chocolate and fresh-baked pastry at the Happy Baker before jumping on your mountain bike and heading out to the Yack Tracks. Ask regional folk where to go after dark and they’ll point you to the Star Hotel, known for its build-your-own barbecue platters and live music. BYO woolen scarf. exploreyackandandah.com.au

You will need to rug up for winter in Rutherglen where the mean minimum temperature drops to about 2.5°C. Enjoy a couple of rich, robust reds around a roaring fireplace at cellar doors such as Buller Wines, Jones Winery and Campbell’s Wines. Head to restaurants Bonnie or Kin at All Saints Estate, which backs onto the banks of the Murray River. Lakeside Restaurant at Lake Moodemere Estate also has a fireplace in winter. Enjoy warm, country hospitality along the Pedal to Produce Cycle Trail, too. explorerutherglen.com.au

Olinda is one of the cosiest towns to visit in regional Victoria thanks to its location nestled in the folds of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Fossick for antiques. Wander through the rhododendrons in the botanic garden. And then ready that pinky finger for a darling Devonshire tea at the Olinda Tea House & Restaurant. On colder days, the Pig & Whistle Tavern makes for a cosy hangout. The English-style pub has a crackling fireplace and it’s totally cool if all you do is spend the day here waiting for the fog to lift. visitvictoria.com.au

Sovereign Hill is all about rum toddies and roaring hearths in winter when the district transforms into a glittering wonderland. Embrace the cooler evenings at the annual Winter Wonderlights festival where the snow might be faux but the vibes are high. Sovereign Hill is not technically a town or a suburb in its own right; it’s designed as a recreated Gold Rush town that traces the history of Ballarat following the discovery of gold in 1851. Get your fix of fairy lights under a flurry of snowflakes. sovereignhill.com.au

Bright is popular in autumn with leaf-peepers drawn to its fiery-coloured foliage. Come winter, the village in the Victorian Alps is considered one of the genuinely great cosy towns in regional Australia. Mount Buffalo is a short drive away for snowfields and alpine walks. Back in town, the food and coffee scene is well beyond what you’d expect. Head to The Alpine Hotel for a good pub food, pint and a game of pool. visitbright.com.au

Brush up on your bushranger history in Ned Kelly country so you can justify bunkering down at the Benev. The boutique hotel is housed in a building founded in 1813 by Australia’s first charity, The Benevolent Society, and has an onsite spa as well as a café and sippery. If you must head out, go to Bridge Road Brewers to enjoy a pint of Robust Porter and pizza. Pick up some souvenirs at providore Project Forty Nine and take a Ned Kelly tour to learn about the historic buildings linked to the notorious bushranger gang. victoriashighcountry.com.au

The Milawa Gourmet Region in Victoria’s High Country has long been one of the state’s great food and wine regions and winter is a fine time to see what it offers. Brown Brothers, one of Australia’s most storied family wineries, operates an excellent restaurant and cellar door. Enjoy a wee dram in a cosy pub with a fireplace. Cycle along the Pedal to Produce Trail to Milawa Cheese Factory and Milawa Mustards. Dinner at Ava is one of the best ways to warm up. victoriashighcountry.com.au

Set at the foot of Mount Bogong in the Kiewa Valley, Mount Beauty is the less-visited gateway to Falls Creek. In winter the town settles into a comfortable rhythm with pastries from Tawonga Baker before the lifts open, post-snow pints and local cheese platters at Crank Handle Brewery and local wines at Quaff Wine bar. The town got its name from local farmer, Charles Richardson who stopped while building a fence, looked at the view, and remarked on its beauty. Stay at Dreamers Mt Beauty. fallscreek.com.au

Port Fairy moves at the pace of a place that knows it doesn’t need to try too hard. The last stop on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast is known for its wide streets lined with National Trust cottages and pretty working port where crayfish and abalone are offloaded in the mornings. See southern right whales offshore in winter and visit during the Port Fairy Folk Festival each March. Port Fairy is one of the best regional foodie towns in Victoria, providing more than enough reason to linger over a long weekend near Victoria’s Surf Coast.

Pootle up the Murray River onboard PS Adelaide to get a sense of place in Echuca-Moama. In winter, the rich history of the river comes alive at the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival. The sister towns that straddle the border of Victoria and NSW in Australia’s River Country are known for everything from wineries to wildlife. Embrace the season at The Echuca Hotel, which has fire pits and festoon lighting. And go off the beaten path to Lost & Found Retreat in Barham, one of the best farm stays for foodies in Australia. visitechucamoama.com.au