Australia’s best destinations for holiday homes
The holidays are about getting away from it all. It’s about leaving the comforts of home behind and playing “I spy” in the car, on your way to somewhere new.
From a whimsical cave-like house hidden in the woods, to the ultimate glamping experience in the outback, here’s a list of Australia’s most unique destinations, for those looking to check-in to something a little different.
1. The Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse: Seal Rocks, NSW
Drive along the east coast of Australia, towards Seal Rocks, and here you will find The Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, a beautifully restored and heritage-listed lighthouse cottage that offers architectural excellence. Stay here and discover nature trails, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, and diving – all in pristine waters and an unspoilt environment.
Image credit: Airbnb
2. The Enchanted Cave: Bilpin, NSW
If you’re on the hunt for a truly unique getaway, then perhaps a trip to Bilpin is for you. Just under two hours drive from the Sydney CBD, The Enchanted Cave is built on a natural rock platform, overlooking incredible views of the Blue Mountains. Open up the round wooden door and cosy up to a warm fireplace as you enter what feels like another world entirely.
3. Yurt in the City: Fitzroy, VIC
Yurts are traditional homes of Mongolian nomads and rarely seen outside Mongolia, yet here is one smack bang in the centre of Fitzroy, Melbourne. This charming abode is surrounded by a garden of seasonal vegetables and decorated in a cosy, colourful way inside. Aptly named Yurt in the City, it’s easy to forget this unusual accommodation’s inner-urban locale.
Image credit: Airbnb
4. The Pole House: Great Ocean Road, VIC
If you’re wanting to escape Melbourne entirely, take a drive along the Great Ocean Road and make a pitstop at The Pole House. One of Australia’s best-known homes, this magnificently designed structure sits 40 metres above Fairhaven Beach, which juts out from the cliff, giving it a spectacular right-on-the-ocean feel.
5. Castle Keep: Stirling, SA
Care for a bit of romance? Why not consider a stay in Castle Keep, awarded by Stayz in 2014 and 2015 as the ‘Most Romantic Place to Stay’ in South Australia. Enter a world of imagination, with endearing quirks of romantic architecture, including stone spiral staircases, Gothic arched and shuttered French doors, and magical surrounding gardens.
Have you been to any of these places?
Written by Pauline Morrissey. First appeared on Domain.com.au.