The cosy South Australian town of Angaston has long been a destination for day-trippers from Adelaide. And that ease of access from the South Australian capital makes it more than worthy of a coolcation in winter. Explore the tree-lined streets by bike and visit some of the Barossa Valley’s best cellar doors, such as Saltram and Yalumba. The charming town is also home to cosy Casa Carboni, an Italian cooking school and wine bar. Pick up a bottle of Barossa shiraz from the Otherness Cellar Door, Wine Bar & Bottle Shop to enjoy back at your luxury digs at The Louise, just 11 minutes away. angaston.org.au

Sitting beside a roaring fire with a glass of wine in the region where it’s produced is an absolute indulegence. Clare is a town in the Clare Valley wine region that is known for historic buildings like old stone churches and a heritage courthouse. Wander the streets, cycle the Riesling Trail and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Clare community. Stay in the Clare Valley Wilderness Lodge which is a convenient jumping off point for a three-day guided walking tour. Warm up in front of the fireplaces at the Clare Valley Wine, Food & Tourism Centre and Eldredge Wines. southaustralia.com

Blink and you may well miss the wee village of Verdun. Wander the frosty, picturesque grounds of painter Hans Heysen’s The Cedars, then retreat for a toasty brunch at Fourth Hill Providore. One of the main drawcards in this cosy South Australian town is a rebuilt $2.5 million sandstone building that rose from the ashes of the old Grumpy’s Brewhaus. Grünthal Brew pours craft beer and gin on one side, while Udder Delights Cheese Cellar holds court on the other with tastings of its punchy blue or oozy brie in the snug surrounds. Thaw out beside the crackling fireplaces at historic pub Stanley Bridge Tavern.discovertheadelaidehills.com.au

Start your day with a pastry and ristretto at Port Elliot Bakery, one of the best regional bakeries in South Australia. The Fleurieu Peninsula bakery has been family-run for more than a century and the original wood-fired oven adds to the charm. Port Elliot is one of Victoria’s most popular seaside towns. Embrace your status as a newcomer and arrive at country pub, Hotel Elliot, via the iconic Cockle Train. The hotel is just 350 metres from Horseshoe Bay Beach, so it makes sense to retreat around the roaring log fire with a glass of red after exploring the countryside. southaustralia.com

Embrace winter in the Adelaide Hills in Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, established in 1839. As well as being home to some of the best winery restaurants in South Australia, the town is one of the state’s most bewitching in winter. Celebrate Christmas in July at the family-run German Village shop which will transport you to the chocolate-box villages of Bavaria. Pick up a souvenir beer stein and then head to the German Arms for a Big Daddy Schnitzel. For the ultimate snug retreat, book a stay at cosy CABN, which has a sauna. hahndorfsa.org.au

Stirling offers the opportunity for outdoor adventures as well as cosy indoor experiences. The town serves as a jumping-off point to the Adelaide Hills, offering access to wineries, wildlife parks and other attractions. Start your day at Thorngrove Manor House, just a seven-minute walk away from Stirling. The chilliest day of winter never looked better than at a classic, cosy country pub like The Stirling Hotel which has an indoor gin bar and elegant bistro. The Miss Perez Kitchen & Bar will also warm the cockles. visitadelaidehills.com.au

The Limestone Coast becomes even more of an enchanting getaway in winter. Stay in the historic Royal Oak Penola in Coonawarra wine country. And gather around the roaring fire at Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1873, for specials such as spiced chickpea and feta salad or chilli crab and prawn linguine. Penola is rich in colonial history and peppered with cellar doors. Pop into Moss and Wild to pick up a Quilted Cocoon Jacket before venturing to Mayura Station for a paddock-to-plate experience at The Tasting Room. southaustralia.com

The perfect winter weekend away in Crafers is all about staying active to beat the seasonal blues. Make the most of the shorter, colder days by hiking around Mt Lofty Summit, a five-minute drive from Crafers. Wandering around Cleland Wildlife Park or Mt Lofty Botanic Garden will also put a bit of colour in your cheeks. When your 10,000 steps are complete, head to the historic Crafers Hotel for a pub lunch before retiring to Sequoia Lodge or the more low-key Carriage House B&B. Conclude your cosy weekend away with dinner at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant at Mt Lofty House. visitadelaidehills.com.au

The coastal town of Victor Harbor is a Fleurieu Peninsula favourite, one of the state’s top beachside towns for eating and drinking. The seaside village is known for everything from waves to wildlife in winter, when southern rights arrive in winter to nurse their calves off Basham Beach. Warm up by cycling along the Encounter Bikeway or climbing the bluff for the best clifftop view. One of the best reasons to visit Victor Harbor in winter is the town’s month-long Whale Fest in June. Bounce between book shops, bars and boutiques in the town centre and stay at McCracken Resort or the cosy Hotel Victor. visitvictorharbor.com

Fans of the Bargain Hunt might recognise Strathalbyn, one of Australia’s prettiest towns, from an episode of the British TV show. The main street of the unofficial antique capital of South Australia is lined with shops filled with curios you didn’t know you needed. Loop through Soldiers Memorial Gardens until you land at The Victoria Hotel, where a fireplace and glass of red will make short work of a cold afternoon. The heritage pub is one of the best country pubs in South Australia for a classic Aussie feed. strathalbyntourismassoc.org.au

You won’t get diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) when holidaying in this cosy regional town in South Australia over winter. Middleton is often dry and quite mild in the winter (average minimum temperature is about 8°C) so you might even want to Wim Hof it with an icy dip in the ocean. The town’s candy-striped Beach Huts Middleton are popular with families who come here to whale watch during the season. Must-dos include catching the iconic Cockle Train and visiting the Middleton Tavern for some pub grub. middletonsa.com.au

Lobethal is known for its lush valleys, pretty orchards and German heritage. Embrace the chill at Golding Wines, which hosts an annual ‘winter wine escape’. Or simply taste the terroir at the rustic family-owned estate, which will charm the woollen socks off you in winter. Hunker down in the sandstone barn, which houses a tasting room and acclaimed Gingko restaurant. Stop by the cosy South Australian town for a German pastry at Lobethal Bakery and factor in a detour to the Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard in nearby Lenswood. southaustralia.com

Inglewood is barely a town with just a handful of streets tucked into the misted folds of the Adelaide Hills, named for the sandstone pub that anchors it. Built in 1857, the Inglewood Inn looks over the Para River valley through glass walls, pouring cool-climate reds and local gin by a roaring fire. Frosty mornings call for a fossick in some of the local stores and a long, unhurried lunch and maybe a word with the resident ghost, named Wilhelmina. From Adelaide, it’s about a 30-minute drive via North East Road. visitadelaidehills.com.au