Why would you stay in standard accommodation when you could, instead, spend time away in one of these quirky Australian Airbnbs? To provide you with some inspiration for a holiday a little out of the ordinary, Leon’s found eight of the most interesting guesthouses available on Airbnb.
1. The Enchanted Cave, NSW – $1035 per night
Built into a natural rock platform overlooking the majestic Blue Mountains, this enchanted cave is the accommodation of dreams. Complete with cosy fireplace and all the trappings of a hobbit’s lair, this secluded, magical cave dwelling will have you feeling as if you are in some fictional world of wonder. Oh, and did I mention you can enjoy a spa above the treetops?
2. Treehouse Blue Mountains, NSW – $730 per night
Another fantastic (in the true sense of the word) Airbnb is this superbly designed treehouse set among the trees of the Blue Mountains, overlooking Bowen’s Creek Gorge and a lush rainforest. You’ll feel as if you’re living atop a tree – and that’s because you literally will be. This breathtaking bush accommodation includes a spa and fireplace and all the private wilderness you can handle. This treehouse is truly one for the books.
3. Igloo by the Sea, QLD – from $105 per night
More kitschy than cool, the Igloos by the Sea in Queensland are situated across the road from the gorgeous Trinity Beach and the cool-as-heck Cairns coastal café culture. The Casablanca Domes was built in the 1970s and is a Cairns landmark that offers quite a unique holiday experience.
4. The Yurt Alpine Retreat King Valley, Vic – $110 per night
Perched in the Victorian High Country amid a vineyard and natural bushland, the Yurt Alpine Retreat is not for those looking for five-star boarding, but, rather, a quirky Mongolian-style stay that you’ll remember forever. Cool in summer and warm in winter, you can stare at the stars at night through a glass dome in the roof or look out to see some of the most stunning views in Australia.
5. Steam: Train Carriage in the Otways, Vic – $190 per night
For all the rail buffs out there, this nostalgic steam train carriage has been converted into a three-bedroom holiday house complete with all-original fixtures. Recommended for the adventurous, this unusual accommodation is beautifully restored, sleeps up to six people, and offers a truly distinctive guesthouse ideal for a weekend getaway.
6. Tipi, Burnside, WA – $96 per night
If life is becoming a bit intense, why not get away and spend some relaxing time ‘in tents’? Tipi at Burnside in Western Australia provides luxury, eco-friendly teepee accommodation set on a farm that grows its own fruit and veg. And it’s in the heart of the Margaret River region, so you can pick up a few bottles of wine to enjoy after a long day’s tasting. A great choice of restaurants and vineyards abound, but Tipi can organise meals or prepare a hamper of local produce for you ready on arrival.
7. The Thalia Haven, Tas – $751 per night
The Thalia Haven offers your very own private beach and garden set on a private 130-acre peninsula surrounded by the pristine waters of the Great Oyster Bay in Swansea. Enjoy a hot-tub overlooking the ocean with some of the most spectacular views you’ll ever find. If you had to come up with a word to describe this beautiful Airbnb, it would probably be ‘perfection’.
8. Honeyfield Lover’s Retreat, SA – $151 per night
Designed in the style of a French Salle, Honeyfield Lover’s Retreat is certainly aptly named. Guests are welcome to wander through the orchard and pick apples and pears (when in season, of course!), or wake to collect fresh eggs from the resident hens, then spend the day meandering through the surrounding property. Specifically built for a couple, why not head off to Robe for a romantic weekend, or a longer stay, if you so desire?
If money was no object, which of these properties most interest you? Do you know of any other unusual Airbnbs or accommodation elsewhere?
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Airbnb: find out if it’s right for you
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How to have a fab Airbnb experience
