Winter Stays with Epic Outdoor Fire Pits
Words Sarah Vercoe
Drape yourself in a cosy blanket and settle in at one of these winter stays with an epic outdoor fire pit where the hum of the blazing fire will lull you into a heady hygge state. From a luxury glamping nook perched on the craggy cliffs of Cape Palliser in New Zealand to a perfectly primped barn at the foothills of Mount Buller, these stays prove winter is made for evenings spent basking in the warmth of an outdoor fire pit.
Australia’s most epic outdoor fire pits:
Coombs Hill
Plucked from the plains of Indiana and nestled into the hills surrounding Mount Buller in Victoria, this lovingly restored circa 1860s barn is as unique as they come. Vaulted ceilings and polished concrete floors adorned with modern neutral-tone furnishings stave off any preconceived notion of a rustic retreat. Rather, this is where understated style comes to play, and she’s one alluring siren. Beyond the steel-frame doors framing Mount Buller lies the ideal nook to savour your seclusion: perched on one of the sandstone blocks encircling the fire pit you can revel in expansive views across rolling hills.
Courtesy Coombs Hill
The River Vista
When it comes to views, cliff-side is the perfect place to perch a stay and The River Vista is well acquainted. Sat alongside the ochre cliffs that hem the Murray, you can take it all in from the sunken alcove fire pit, purpose built into the bedrock. From here you’ll get a taste of quintessential Australia while indulging in fine local fare and slinging back locally made gin.
Photo by Kirsten Mulligan
Bullo River Station
This may be a working homestead—with an impressive 400,000 acres peppered with thousands of Brahman-cross cattle—but Bullo River Station tells a story of remote beauty like nowhere else. Days are filled with a mix of sultry heat and endless experiences amidst expanses of otherworldly terrain; choose to spend your time amongst it—like taking an invigorating dip in a hidden oasis—or working it as you learn the ropes of station-life. At the end of the day weary bones are best renewed around the outdoor fire pit, the canopy of stars shimmering overhead.
Read more about The River Vista and Bullo River Station in Volume 01 of our printed travel magazine. Designed to be collected and devoured, time and time again. You can order your copy below….
New Zealand’s most epic outdoor fire pits:
Faraway Cove
‘Faraway Cove’ is entirely apt when describing this remote stay. Nestled in a beguiling cove in the far reaches of New Zealand’s Cavalli Coast, it exemplifies the notion of reconnecting with nature. The region is so unfrequented arriving by helicopter is all but expected. The solitude this affords is purposeful - and frankly, addictive. Blurring the lines between outside and in, prying yourself away from the plush finishings that cosy up the indoors to immerse yourself in the elements is a cinch. First stop, the outdoor dining area where a roaring fireplace will keep you snug as you gaze across the Pacific Ocean.
Courtesy Faraway Cove
The Pallis
Paring things back in the most chic way possible, this is a ‘palace’ for those who like luxury with a side of authenticity. Offering glamping of exclusive proportions with a mesmerising view at the fore—every nook and cranny offers a spot to become entranced—The Pallis is the kind of place you go to unfurl and relish life for a while. Here you can pull on your cosiest garb, settle into the adirondack chairs on the deck, and quaff a glass of your favourite to the captivating crackle and pop of the outdoor fire pit while you assimilate the slow life.
Courtesy The Pallis
