It may have the look of a grand English mansion but this heritage-listed YHA has the ambiance of a laid-back beach bungalow. Just a bikini strap away from the surf, there's complimentary bodyboard use, surfboard hire, plus several free pub meals each week.

The beach is at your doorstep (or should that be tent flap?) at this tourist park behind the dunes in Stockton, a short ferry ride across from Newcastle. With large, grassy camp sites, en-suites for vans and smart, newly built two- and three-bed villas, it's a flash place to park yourself for a couple of days.

The upstairs of this suburban pub has been transformed with nine flamboyantly appointed rooms featuring African animal themes and wacky colours. All have generous-sized beds and flashy bathrooms with disco lights and little privacy. Well located among the Junction's boutiques and cafes, it's just a 10-minute walk to the beach.

If giant TV screens, comfy beds and proximity to good coffee are your accommodation yardstick, consider this modern complex of 38 apartments on Newcastle's coolest street. The studios are bigger than your average hotel room and have kitchenettes, while the one- to four-bedroom apartments have full kitchens and generous living rooms.

What the Novotel's studio rooms lack in size they make up for in style. There's no pool, but the beach is just across the road, and there is a small gym. Accommodation and breakfast are free for kids under 16.

At the end of a long day of wine tasting or grape picking (it's often busy during February with workers) there's plenty of bonhomie around the barbecue and pool at this recently refurbished hostel. There are bikes for hire and a brewery pub within walking distance. The rooms can get stiflingly hot, though.

This idyllic 25-acre property features rose gardens, a lime orchard, a vineyard, a self-contained cottage sleeping up to five and a luxurious guesthouse with six double rooms. Rooms and common areas have an elegant French provincial sensibility.

Ideally located within walking distance of a variety of cellar doors, these bright, spacious studios and suites have sunny decks overlooking a shiraz vineyard. There's a good northern Italian restaurant on-site. The entry level rooms are only a small step up from motel accommodation, but offer good value.

Gregarious owner Bobby Jory runs this tranquil B&B with great elan, spoiling guests with treats such as gourmet breakfasts, port and chocolates in rooms, and wine and cheese on the terrace. There are three smart doubles with comfortable beds, and two rustic self-catering cottages.

More than 50 architecture students designed this stylish pad, based on a traditional Australian wool shed. Made from concrete, corrugated iron and reclaimed timber, it is divided into three two-bed apartments with an incredible 48m deck. Feel good about your outlay knowing that 100% of the profits go toward architectural community aid projects.

Surrounded by bushland these 12 luxury spa suites have king-size beds, complimentary minibar, and cosy lounge areas with open fireplace; a perfect spot for sipping shiraz in the winter. Unwind at the day spa or in the pool before a meal at the top-notch Restaurant Botanica ( GOOGLE MAP ; %02-6574 7229; spicersretreats.com; 555 Hermitage Rd, Polkolbin ; 2-courses $65, 3-courses $79; h6-10pm daily, 11am-3pm Sat & Sun).