Cosy wonderland crowned Australia’s most iconic listing

A hinterland resort with all manner of snug and intimate nooks has been voted the most iconic property listing on realestate.com.au this month.

Not all Australians dread winter — for some of us, our homes were made for exactly this season.

2124 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Booroobin has been voted the most iconic listing on realestate.com.au this month. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Many of revel in the cosiness of stone hearths, slow-combustion stoves or sculptural modern fireplaces. So when realestate.com.au asked viewers to crown the most iconic Winter Warmer in the latest ‘iconic listing’ social media poll, they picked an absolute cracker.

The Sunshine Coast isn’t the first place you’d expect to find an epic winter escape, but the extravaganza at 2124 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Booroobin, up in the hinterland, is cosy in ways you never knew you needed.

Perched high on the Blackall Ranges — where the air runs a few degrees cooler than the coast and locals go to escape the heat — ‘Wildhaven’ is a 105-acre estate with panoramic views across the Glass House Mountains and Cedar Valley.

The 105 acre sanctuary overlooks the Glass House Mountains. Picture: realestate.com.au

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The property comprises a four-bedroom main residence with storybook wraparound verandahs, three one-bedroom guest cabins, and a grand cantilevered entertaining pavilion, each fitted with heart-warming nooks built for huddling.

Think a curved glass spa bubbling away, a resort-style steam room, an outdoor lounge anchored by a stone fireplace with sunken seating for 12, a sculptural fireplace in the main living room, and a suspended fireplace in one cabin, positioned for uninterrupted mountain views.

The living and dining areas showcase a sculptural fireplace. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Agent Melissa Schembri at Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty Maroochydore describes ‘Wildhaven’ as “the perfect winter warmer”.

“It’s a place for gathering all your family and friends — there’s the spa, the pool, the outdoor fire, the steam room, the huge barbecue. And if you don’t want the spa hot, you can have it cold.”

The estate is owned by the former CEO of Domino’s, who wanted a place to disconnect from an intense career and reconnect with nature.

There’s plenty of fun for the warmer months too, thanks to a private cinema, infinity-edge pool, gym, motocross riding tracks, plus trails winding out to private creeks, dams and walking tracks.

The property includes a main home, 3 guest cabins, entertainment pavillion, sheds & tiny home. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Just 40 minutes from the beach and about an hour north of Brisbane, Wildhaven has income potential too — the cabins lend themselves to a high-end wellness retreat, weekend getaways, dual living options, or simply beautiful guest accommodation.

Priced at $7m–$9m, the property has drawn interest from local, national and international buyers.

The runners up

For a dose of seasonal ‘hygge’, the runners up also deliver in spades.

Butter Gum Lodge at 919 Buttermans Track, Christmas Hills, around 35km northeast of Melbourne, sounds — and looks like — it’s straight out of a festive fairytale.

919 Buttermans Track, Christmas Hills looks like the perfect place to host Christmas in July. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Built of Californian pine logs with exposed timber beams and natural stone throughout, this three-level chalet adjoins an architecturally designed modern extension and sits on 10 acres — and could be yours for $2.3m-$2.53m.

In the NSW Blue Mountains, Wild Wings Lodge at 14 Weemala Avenue in Linden is a grand timber home built in 2000 with artisan craftsmen.

14 Weemala Avenue, Linden is on the market for $2.6-$2.8m. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Seeking expressions of interest, this home boasts cathedral ceilings, a wood-burning combustion stove and panoramic views over the Grose Valley — an idyllic place to hole up when the cold draws in.

A slow combustion fireplace creates a cosy atmosphere throughout the cooler months. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges are arguably at their best in the cold, and many a visitor to Olinda would have stayed at 168-172 Falls Road, once home to ‘The Georgian’ guesthouse, one of the area’s most charming winter retreats.

168-172 Falls Road, Olinda is on the market for $2.9-$3.15m. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Today the property offers a stunning main residence, a two-bedroom cottage and two studios, set within botanically significant gardens that house ancient rhododendrons, azaleas and a magnificent tulip tree believed to be one of Australia’s oldest.