If you’re planning a trip to the Land Down Under, you’ll find plenty of Airbnbs to choose from whether you’re thinking glamping, luxury or something in between. For those who prefer the more quirky, there are a number of unique options that include everything from underground retreats to stays on the water. These are our top picks, guaranteed to make your time in Australia especially memorable.
Hamptons on the Hill with Island Views - Airlie Beach, Queensland
This rental for four not only boasts spectacular panoramic 270-degree views of Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands and marinas, but it comes with the 2020 Housing Awards Pool of the Year for your own private use. You’ll stay in the self-contained two-bedroom guest apartment that provides exclusive access to the pool and BBQ area while being just a 10-minute walk to the beach and restaurants. Enjoy those incredible views from the bedroom and lounge area along with a kitchen that includes a large electric frying pan, coffee machine, dishwasher, fridge, toaster, and a large built-in convection/microwave oven. A TV for watching Netflix and Internet are included too.
Tiny Home Private Escape - Bridgewater, South Australia
This rental offers an adults-only stay, exclusively for two guests. It sits on a 10-acre organic farm with friendly cows, lambs, alpacas and kangaroos. You might even enjoy watching a kangaroo hop by as you relax in the outdoor tub. Totally off-grid, you’ll enjoy an eco-friendly yet luxurious stay with a couples rain shower, a panoramic sauna, hydronic heating, and cooling. You’ll even get a complimentary breakfast for your first morning with farm-fresh eggs, sourdough bread, spreads, yogurt, granola, coffee and tea. A complimentary minibar is provided with bottled water, local craft brews and organic wine too. No wonder it’s been featured among the most wish-listed Airbnbs, as they say, Casa Luna is truly unlike any other.
Camel Beach House - Venus Bay, South Australia
An Instagrammable Airbnb if there ever was one, the Camel Beach House offers a boutique getaway on a 250-acre heritage property with panoramic views of the coastal wilderness. It sits at the southern tip of the Chain of Bays on the wild Eyre Peninsula which is home to several endangered species like the Australian sea lion, osprey and white-bellied eagle. An architecturally designed eco-home that’s entirely off-grid using pure rainwater and solar panels for energy, it’s just steps from Camel Beach. It sleeps two to four guests and includes a full kitchen with a commercial fridge and wine cooler as well as a Marshall Stanmore Bluetooth speaker system.
Cosy Beach Shack with Ocean Views - Hideaway Bay, Queensland
The beach shack is all about affordable luxury, ideal for the adventurous nestled among the trees boasting magnificent ocean views. While access may be a bit challenging for some, with external stairs ascending a hill to reach it, those who make the effort can expect a magical stay. It includes a balcony overlooking the Coral Sea with its endless brilliant blue waters, a full kitchen with an espresso machine and a TV with Netflix.
Treehouse Blue Mountains - Bilpin, New South Wales
This treehouse is magnificent, raised on stilts with breathtaking views over the Blue Mountains among 600 acres of private wilderness just over an hour west of Sydney. For adults only, it’s ideal for romance-seeking couples who want a unique experience while enjoying plenty of luxuries. It comes with a spa tub and is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows for views from nearly every vantage point. There’s a cozy wood stove to curl up to, a telescope for stellar stargazing, and a kitchen too.
38 on Frangipani - Cable Beach, Western Australia
38 on Frangipani can accommodate up to four, offering a prime location just a short walk from Cable Beach, cafes, restaurants, and shops. It boasts a spectacular outdoor living area with access to a gorgeous pool, deck, BBQ grill, lounge, and a huge outdoor TV. Both bedrooms are air-conditioned and have TVs, while the kitchenette includes silverware, dishes, a microwave, and a fridge.
Bass Lodge Luxury Escape - Loorana, Tasmania
Escape to Bass Lodge, a haven of luxury with four bedrooms that can accommodate up to eight guests. It’s nestled on a 35-acre property of pristine private bushland and provides exclusive beach access as well as the opportunity to watch for native wildlife like kangaroos. Perched atop sand dunes, it boasts an elevated vantage point for jaw-dropping ocean views that can be enjoyed indoors and out, including while relaxing on the deck. There’s a fire pit, a BBQ grill for cookouts, a hot tub, and even a private sauna. Inside, prepare your meals in a top-of-the-line kitchen, watch your favorite shows on cable TV, and take advantage of the on-site laundry facilities.
Secluded Grass Tree KI Coastal Retreat - Cuttlefish Bay, South Australia
Seclusion, ocean views, kangaroos, wallabies, and more all await at this coastal retreat for up to 10 guests. Tucked on the Eastern Dudley Peninsula of Kangaroo Island, you’ll have access to over 155 miles of unspoiled beaches and more than 772 square miles of wilderness, including fabulous wine, gin producers, and mouthwatering cuisine. Just a few of the other highlights include indoor and outdoor dining with a BBQ grill and a large bug-proof and weather-proof deck. The kitchen has all the appliances and then some, including a soda stream and rice cooker, and there are multiple Smart TVs, a bunk room with an Xbox, and a washer/dryer.
Palm Trees Forever - Holloways Beach, Cairns
Palm Trees Forever offers a unique beachfront getaway for up to eight guests in the charming suburb of Holloways Beach near Cairns. A tropical paradise, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled coastal experience with direct access to the ocean, just steps from your private deck. You can even let the sounds of the waves serenade you to sleep each night. There are many upscale amenities, from an essential oil diffuser and plush Turkish-style beach towels to a fully equipped kitchen with a Nespresso machine. Enhance your beachfront adventure with an umbrella, a beach blanket, and snorkeling gear, all included.
Live Like a Local Underground in 2-Bedroom Cave - Coober Pedy, South Australia
This rental is located in one of the world’s most unique cities, Coober Pedy, sometimes referred to as the “opal capital of the world” due to the high quantity of precious opals that are mined there. With soaring temperatures that reach as high as 125 degrees, it was built underground, including the homes, restaurants and churches, constructed from old abandoned mines in the middle of Australia’s red desert, 500 miles away from the capital of Adelaide along the coast. This two-bedroom cave home allows you to experience life as a local, with your own lounge, kitchen and dining space. You’ll have a 58″ HDTV with Chromecast and a DVD player, Wi-Fi, a/c and an indoor fireplace.
Pleasant Point Cottage Exclusive Seaside Haven - Rhyll, Phillip Island, Victoria
Located in the peaceful fishing village of Rhyll on Phillip Island, famous for its Little Penguin Parade and wide range of unique wildlife, Pleasant Point Cottage sits on a seaside farm property offering magnificent ocean views. There’s a winery just up the road and you’ll have an outdoor patio with a bar table and stools, a perfect place to sip that glass of wine. An electric grill is included for cookouts too. The interior includes luxurious fixtures, a full kitchen with a dishwasher and Nespresso machine, and a living area with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a 55″ TV with 5G Wi-Fi access and the host supplies designer toiletries as well.
The Dome - Seaforth, New South Wales
Located 10 minutes from Manly, accessed by ferry across Sydney Harbour, this Airbnb is a great choice for architecture enthusiasts. It offers seclusion with the best of beach and bushland views through huge glass walls and jaw-dropping architectural design. It’s been featured in multiple magazines and exhibitions, sleeping up to four in two bedrooms. It includes lots of luxurious perks like a sunken lounge ’70s retro style, with a full sound system and 48″ TV with AppleTv, Netflix and Stan. There’s a wood-burning fireplace, a fenced grassed garden, a heated outdoor bath and even an indoor/outdoor pond with native bass and carp among a long list of other impressive features.
The Stable at Twamley Farm - Buckland, Tasmania
Tucked under shady English oak trees, this picturesque converted stable that dates back to 1840 blends luxury and comfort with country-rustic architecture. A fabulous romantic retreat, it has an open-concept living and dining area with an indoor fireplace and a well-equipped kitchen that includes full breakfast provisions and a gourmet mini bar. The bedroom features a gable skylight and bathroom that comes complete with high-end bath products. Guests can also take advantage of complimentary mountain bikes for explore the bush trails on the farm.
The Container Eco-Luxe Recycled - Lilydale, Tasmania
This unique container home in Lilydale, a small town in Northern Tasmania, was a 2016 Finalist in the Tasmanian Tourism Awards. A recycled shipping container, it was renovated using local eclectic materials to create a luxurious one-bedroom getaway that includes an organic breakfast, a minibar stocked with Tassie wines, prepacked meals and a wood fire. Ideal for a couple, it sleeps up to two in a king-size bed with French flax linens.
Hatter's Hideout CAVE and Lodge - Bell, New South Wales
This very unique Airbnb is a cave located on eight private acres of Blue Mountains wilderness in the Western Downs Region of Queensland. Sleep deep within a mountain gorge among lush temperate rainforest, enjoy the warmth of a campfire (wood and kindling included. There’s a gas BBQ, icebox, table and chairs as well as candles and solar-powered lights, while rainwater is on tap for cooking and washing. Basic cooking condiments, utensils and a kitchen sink are all included. The property also offers lodge rooms.
Old Tarcutta Inn Big Red Bus - Tarcutta, New South Wales
Located in south-western New South Wales on 10 acres on the outskirts of the village of Tarcutta, the Big Red Bus offers a quirky stay for two surrounded by a scenic rural landscape that’s home to horses, a donkey, ducks and geese. It includes a kitchen stocked with coffee, tea and items for breakfast, including fresh eggs, bacon, tomatoes, juice, milk and bread. Upon arrival, you’ll get a small cheese platter too. There’s also a boat guest can take out onto the dam.
