Cosy travel: 12 winter getaways that are pure 'hygge'
Image: Visit Victoria
Hygge (pronounced HOO-guh) doesn’t translate perfectly into English at all, but it means something similar to ‘cosiness’ – being as snug as a bug in a rug. For Danes, it's a way of life, a state of being, a philosophy and something to aspire to; all rolled into one.
The feeling of hyyge is something like polishing off a pack of Tim-Tams by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa in hand, or huddling down under your favourite blanket after a long rainy hike, while watching your favourite film.
While Aussies might not shiver through the frost-bitten temperatures that the Danes do, we’ve still got a pretty good grasp on 'cosy', and there are plenty of perfect places around the country to get hygge-happy when winter rolls around. Here are some great ideas for a cosy mid-year escape in the land Down Under.
Melbourne (Victoria)
Image: Visit Victoria
Located on the southern end of the country, chilly Melbourne is one of Australia's biggest hitters when it comes to hygge. From hat-and-beanie outings to art galleries, to mulled wine at the Queen Victoria night markets, to world-beating coffee at one of the city’s countless hole-in-the-wall cafes, this vibrant cosmopolitan city has so much to offer a cosy connoisseur.
If you've had your fill of inner-city delights, Melbourne has dozens of cute little towns, picturesque national parks and seaside sanctuaries easily accessible by car on a short day trip as well.
Stay in the heart of town at YHA Melbourne Central.
Thredbo (New South Wales)
It doesn't get much more Hygge than a real alpine wonderland in our own backyard. Looking like something out of a snowglobe when winter rolls around, Thredbo is a tiny ski village nestled away in NSW's Snowy Mountains near the Victorian border.
If you're lucky enough to stay here during winter, you'll spend your days carving up the mountain on skis or a snowboard, before collapsing by the fire in a pile of aching limbs, rosy cheeks and blissful exhaustion. Hot home-cooked dinners, cups of cocoa and thick wool socks are the only thing you'll have on your mind, and you can expect some of the best sleeps you've ever had with all that exercise and mountain air.
YHA Thredbo is a purpose-built ski lodge just a short walk from the chairlifts and books out quickly when the snow starts falling, so take a chance and check if there's any availability!
Hobart (Tasmania)
The closest place to Antarctica of anywhere on this list, Tasmania's capital is a colossus of cosiness and a place whose culture aligns perfectly the Danes' hygge mindset. A land of craggy mountains, rolling farmland and a ubiquitous cool climate, Tassie is a world unto itself, and has a love for the rustic, the quaint and the cosy.
In Hobart you'll find quirky antique shops and markets, boutique breweries and distilleries, crumbling colonial architecture, exquisite eateries serving up wholesome, hearty fare. If you want to stretch your legs, hike or cycle up kunanyi/Mt Wellington before resting your weary feet by a cracking fire in one of the town's historic pubs.
The air in Tasmania is stunningly fresh for a city, and everything harkens back to a simpler time when people spent more time outdoors and enjoying simple pleasures. Absolute hygge.
Stay affordably just blocks from the waterfront at YHA Hobart Central.
Adelaide (South Australia)
Nothing says hygge like a glass of red, and nothing says wine like Adelaide. South Australia's capital is a relatively quiet and easygoing city where food and wine are a way of life, and people take things a little slower than in the big smoke of Sydney or Melbourne. Like the people, the climate here is mild, and the gentle winter months are a perfect time to relax and indulge in some hygge hedonism.
In the city centre, the hygge vibes are very much centred around the culinary. Nothing beats coming in from the cold on a brisk winter evening to the warmth and cheer of a packed bar or restaurant in a place so ignited by a passion for all things food. Take advantage of the cool weather for long walks around this open and walkable city. Peruse the Adelaide Markets for tasty treats and cosy comforts, take a stroll in the Botanical Garden with coffee in hand, or grab some wintery fish and chips overlooking one of the city's great beaches.
If you've had your fill of the City of Churches itself, hop on a day trip to explore the peaceful Adelaide Hills or surrounding wine regions. Wander through the picturesque vineyards of the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale or Clare Valley, and indulge in South Australia’s tastiest vino, meats and cheeses.
If you need some quality accommodation on a budget, YHA Adelaide Central will fit the bill nicely.
Apollo Bay (Victoria)
Picture this: You're driving down a winding stretch of highway along one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world. Below you, waves beat against limestone cliffs, having carved towering pinacles and gaping archways in the rock face. A light mist of rain conjures a rainbow across the sky.
Welcome to the Great Ocean Road in winter – an absolutely prime place and time for a hygge holiday. Apollo Bay is a windswept town about half way along this famous coastal route, sitting in the sweet spot between Melbourne and the stunning cliffs of the Port Cambpell stretch of the Great Ocean Road, but also right on the doorstep of lush rainforests, hidden waterfalls and quiet beaches of Cape Otway.
Hungry? Head to Lorne or stick with Apollo Bay itself for quaint cafes, bakeries and hearty pub food. And be sure to bring your thickest jacket and a good book with you when you visit in the cooler months to complete the hygge picture.
After a day exploring in nature, cosy up by the log fire with bowl of soup at YHA Apollo Bay Eco
Blue Mountains (New South Wales)
The UNESCO World Heritage listed Blue Mountains are a rugged region of sandstone cliffs, immense valleys and dense gum forest west of Sydney where hygge reigns supreme. Winters here tend to be crisp and clear, and the region's dramatic landscapes are punctuated with rustic cottages, log fires, kitschy boutiques and quirky art galleries. This is garden gnome country – pie shop and lace curtain country. Very hygge.
Whether you're an avid bushwalker, a climber or mountain biker, the Blue Mountains are a true outdoor playground, and there's no cosier feeling than settling in after a bracing day in the cool air in some heritage-listed accommodation with a hot drink and maybe a board game with friends.
Sound like you? Book a stay YHA Blue Mountains right in the middle of Katoomba.
Gariwerd/The Grampians (Victoria)
Tucked away in western Victoria, a few hours drive from Melbourne, lies Gariwerd/The Grampians. Like the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, this mountainous scar of land is characterised by craggy mountain ridges and deep valleys, and is home to picturesque lookouts, cascading waterfalls and some phenomenal bushwalks.
The hygge here is strong in winter time, when oversized knitwear, beanies and walking boots are the name of the game, and your days are best spent braving the nippy weather with outdoor adventures in the stunning Grampians National Park. Try to start early – mornings are often misty and atmospheric, and the sunsets are spectacular (though the temperature will drop quickly once the sun disappears over the horizon).
Take a leaf out of the slow travel playbook and savour your time. After each day exploring, dry off your shoes by the fireplace in the evenings and watch for kangaroos who usually emerge at dusk. Take a hot shower, change into your PJs and perhaps break out a pen and paper for a bit of journalling or sketching.
For an sustainable stay with hygge in its very DNA, look no further than YHA Grampians Eco
