As the cooler weather approaches, cosy cottages beckon.

Thanks to the legacy of the gold rush and pioneering farmers, our region is home to charming and historic cottages. Many of these have been lovingly restored and can be booked for a cosy holiday. Here’s a selection of the best.

THE BARN, WOODEND

The Barn is a stylishly renovated, one-bedroom cottage in Woodend, featuring soaring cathedral ceilings and spacious living areas. A delightful wood fire invites you to linger inside on cold wintry days, while the lush, private courtyard invites you to venture outside in warmer months.
thebarnwoodend.com.au

LITTLE WREN COTTAGE, ROMSEY

Built 70 years ago, Little Wren has been renovated into a beautiful one-bedroom cottage surrounded by rolling hills and eucalypts. This cosy cottage features a log fire and beautiful French doors that open onto a verandah and hundreds of acres of countryside. Relax in the hammock, enjoy a barbeque, or get cosy by the firepit.
littlewren.au

PARADISE VALLEY COTTAGE, SPRING HILL

Paradise Valley Cottage is a charming three-bedroom country cottage, surrounded by bushland in Spring Hill. A perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort make it an ideal getaway. Enjoy glorious sunrises and birdsong from the deck as you sip your morning coffee, or relax with a glass of wine as the sun sets behind the private lake and surrounding bushland.
relaxholidayrentals.com.au

SOMA HOUSE, TRENTHAM

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the heart of Trentham, Soma House is a three-bedroom cottage that expertly blends old-world charm with modern comforts. Curl up with a book by the crackling fire, enjoy a glass of local wine in the alfresco area, or admire the joyful seasonal colours in the picket-fenced garden.
discoverdaylesford.com/soma-house

COTTAGE 4A, DAYLESFORD

This gorgeous one-bedroom cottage encapsulates all that is Daylesford. Beautifully decorated, Cottage 4A welcomes you from the moment you walk in the door. Enjoy gorgeous views from each room, relax by the cosy gas log fire, make the most of the large spa bath or gaze into the wilderness in the lush garden.
daylesfordcountryretreats.com.au/ accommodation/cottage-4a

ILLOURA, HEPBURN SPRINGS

Illoura is a dreamy two-bedroom cottage, located an easy walk from Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa in Hepburn Springs. Surrounded by a delightful garden, with multiple seating and dining areas, this is an idyllic home away from home. Be sure to book in advance, it is one of Dayget’s most sought after properties.
dayget.com.au/accommodation/illoura

THE GREY GOOSE, HEPBURN SPRINGS 

Nestled amid lush foliage, The Grey Goose in Hepburn Springs exudes refined beauty with its vintage-inspired interiors. This recently refurbished, three-bedroom cottage offers a cosy, yet light-filled retreat. Antique paintings, rich wooden furniture and dark floors lend the space contemporary elegance with a vintage twist. 

thehousesdaylesford.com/accommodation/the-grey-goose 

THE DAIRY, CASTLEMAINE

Built in Castlemaine in 1856, at the height of the gold rush, The Dairy served as a produce storing facility for the neighbouring farmhouse, Green Gables. Brimming with character 168 years later, The Dairy has been lovingly restored by the current owners, inviting guests to be transported to a bygone era.
castlemaineaccom.com.au/the-dairy

THE SHOPKEEPER’S QUARTERS, MALDON

Maintaining its original character, The Shopkeeper’s Quarters in Maldon has undergone a labour-of-love restoration. This historic two-bedroom cottage has a definite vintage vibe, with French linen sheets and locally-sourced provisions. Fire up the wood-fuelled heater and a cosy getaway at Shopkeeper’s is complete.
maldongetaways.com.au

ELLERSLIE COTTAGE, GLENHOPE

Ellerslie Cottage is a charming, one-bedroom stone cottage located on a former sheep farm in Glenhope, (about 15 minutes from Kyneton) You’ll feel a world away in this rustic, yet cosy cottage, which features stylish interiors and an open fire, along with a rock-walled garden.
flophouse.com.au/ellerslie-cottage

Hero image: The Barn Woodend

About the author

KREATE MadeleineBlake
Madeleine Blake
PR manager at  | More Articles

Madeleine is the PR manager at Daylesford Macedon Tourism and the editor of Daylesford Macedon Life magazine. A Woodend local, she loves getting out and about meeting with tourism operators and helping to spread the word about the many amazing things to do in the region. On the weekends, Madeleine can be found exploring the region with her three young kids in tow.