Find all 100 unique stays around Australia

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Discover Australia’s 100 most unique stays.

Whether your perfect holiday looks glamping in the outback or staying at a chic hotel in the city, this list of unique stays has something for everyone.

Luxury

Here is 1-11 of Australia’s most luxurious holidays

 

1. Be cossetted in luxury while interacting with nature at Sequoia, SA

2. Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef at your doorstep with a stay at Lizard Island, QLD

3. Lay back in minimalistic luxury at Como the Treasury, WA

4. Take in Sydney’s CBD views from Crown Towers, NSW

5. Stay in the stunning architecturally designed Dune House, SA

6. Immerse yourself in wine, food and culture at Kingsford the Barossa, SA

7. Experience Tasmania from a grand old house at The Woodbridge, Tas

8. Unwind in a secluded valley at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, NSW

9. Catch your breath in a cosy stone cottage at The Coach House at Hillenvale, SA

10. Retreat in the tropics at Silky Oaks Lodge, QLD

11. Holiday by the sea at the vintage Halcyon House, NSW

Hidden Gems

Here is 2-18 of Australia’s most unique hidden gems

 

12.  Sleep amongst the whimsical gardens at The Potting Shed at Acre of Roses, Vic

13. Take in the turquoise ocean and rusty red cliffs from every angle at Faraway Bay, WA

14. Soak up the stillness of Marramarra Lodge, NSW

15. Discover the mountains from an intimately nature-bound hideaway with Spicers Sangoma Retreat, NSW

16. Learn fascinating history and meet eccentric locals at the iconic Hotel Corones, QLD

17. Isolate yourself in tropical paradise at the Secret Cabin Society, QLD

18. Switch off at on the peaceful Pieman River with a stay at Corinna Wilderness Experience, Tas

Regions

Here is 19-27 of Australia’s most unique regional stays

 

19. Sleep below an inky-black sky filled with stars at Jr’s Hut at Kimo Estate, NSW

20. Lap up the endless biscuits and smiles with a stay at William Arnott Hotel, NSW

21. Blend country living with boutique luxury at Farmers’ Home Hotel, WA

22. Simplicity and serenity go hand-in-hand at the Ardingly Tiny House, Tas

23. Have a slow weekend by the countryside at Goonoo Goonoo Station, NSW

24. Plan a romantic getaway in this quaint cabin at 1860 Beechworth, Vic

25. Stay at a renewed World Heritage-listed farm and estate at Brickendon Estate, Tas

26. Appreciate the beautiful art deco details of Tattersalls Hotel Armidale, NSW

27. Escape the Snowy Mountains chill and snuggle up by a fire at Moonbah Huts, NSW

Island and coast

Here is 28-38 of Australia’s most unique coastal stays

 

28. Discover King Island’s strong community spirit, thriving art scene and renowned produce at Kittawa Lodge, Tas

29. Holiday simply at the dreamy, design-led dens at Five Acres, Vic

30. Let your castaway fantasises come to life with a stay on Wilson Island, Qld

31. Marvel at the eclectic shipping container design of the Coastal Pods Wynyard, Tas

32. Ocean activities and stunning views are at your disposal with a stay at Kooljaman At Cape Leveque, WA

33. Wake up to tropical paradise at the luxurious qualia, QLD.

34. Nestle yourself between bush and ocean at Woody Island, Recherche Archipelago, WA

35. Fall in love with the coastal-inspired design details of Whale Song, Tas

36. Take in the coastal-chic decor, crisp linens and sparkling ocean views at Tiwi Island Retreat, NT

37. Watch Australian wildlife interact with untouched beach landscape at Sal Salis, WA

38. Uncover SA’s coast from this sea-swept storybook in the form of a house My Sister & The Sea, SA

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Outback

Here is 28-38 of Australia’s most unique outback stays

 

39. Stay at the wonderfully surprising 109-year-old stone structure Broken Hill Outback Church Stay, NSW

40. Taste spectacular new foods in Australia’s outback at Prairie Hotel, SA

41. Leave your worries behind with a homely getaway at Trilby Station, NSW

42. Kick back after a full day of adventuring Uluru at Desert Gardens Hotel, NT

43. Escape the outback heat with a cool stay at Bullo River Station, NT

44. Lay back poolside with a drink in hand after a day of exploring the outback at White Cliffs Underground Motel, NSW

45. Fly your way into an outback oasis at Davidson’s Arnhemland Safari Lodge, West Arnhem Land, NT

46. Glamp on Queensland’s stunning outback landscape at Wallaroo Outback Retreat, QLD

47. See the Kimberely Coast like never before at Berkeley River Lodge, WA

48. Experience a genuine desert getaway at Birdsville Hotel, Qld

Eco-friendly

Here is 28-38 of Australia’s most unique eco-friendly stays

 

49. Gaze majestically into the sea whenever your heart desires from the Naiko Retreat, SA

50. Let your stay make a difference at the social enterprise hotel Change Overnight, Tas

51. Breathe in the fresh air of the Flinders Ranges at Eco Villas at Rawnsley Park Station, SA

52. Escape reality and find yourself in a tropical landscape of jungle at Swell Lodge, off WA

53. Leave your worries at home and retreat to the bush at B amurru Plains, NT

54. Rest awhile amid hiking the stunning Three Capes Track at Three Capes Hut, Tas

55. Explore Kangaroo Island from the environment-friendly Oceanview Eco Villas, SA

56. Experience Australia’s only underwater accomodation in the Great Barrier Reef at Reefsuites, Qld

57. Enjoy a remote stay among the vineyards at CABN X, SA

58. Surround yourself with the stilness of nature at Heyscape Tiny Cabins, WA

Family

Here is 59-65 of Australia’s most unique family-friendly stays

 

59. Soak in the views of NSW’s South Coast with a stay at the contemporary Dovecote, NSW

60. Stay right on the beach with a lighthouse as your backyard at Lighthouse Keeper’s & Heritage Cottages, WA

61.  Spend a week of fun with your family at Sunset 4 Fraser Island House, Qld

62. Spend your days in the sun and your nights at the retro Hillcrest Merimbula, NSW

63. Teach your children about Indigenous culture in-depth at Bawaka Homeland, NT

64. Glamp with koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, NSW

65. Be transported into the jungle with a zoo stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, ACT

Boutique

Here is 66-74 of Australia’s most unique boutique stays

 

66. Be greeted with big smiles at the Northern River’s community hub Eltham Hotel, NSW

67. Marvel at this old sailors’ tavern reimagined as the now Ship Inn Stanley, Tas

68. Bushwalk your way to this secluded holiday home on the water at The Little Black Shack, NSW

69. Uncover an oasis of boutique luxury at the very top of Australia at Seven Spirit Bay, NT

70. Explore a luxe farmhouse stay packed with interestingly quirky features at The Silo House Inverloch, Vic

71. Enjoy the stunning design details of this boutique stay at Warders Hotel, Fremantle, WA

72. Retreat in Queensland’s country with a timber stay at Saltbush Retreat, QLD

73. Stay on a private sanctuary on 43 hectares of cattle farmland at Upland Farm, Denmark, WA

74. Become educated of Victoria’s old goldfields towns with a stay at The Provincial Hotel Ballarat, Vic

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Glamping

Here is 75-81  of Australia’s most unique glamping stays

 

75. Lay back and enjoy off-grid country luxe living at Glenayr Farm, Mudgee, NSW

76. Explore Lamington National Park from a safari-style tent at Nightfall, QLD

77. Stay below the gumtrees and neighbour the regions most impressive cellar doors at Bellwether, SA

78. Connect to the Australian bushland like never before with a stay at Karijini Eco Retreat, WA

79. Take in desert views and learn more about Aboriginal culture at Kings Canyon Resort, NT

80. Rest amongst the eucalyptus bush and stay at the rustic Alkira Eco-Glamping Retreat, Vic

81. Discover some of Australia’s most beautiful swimming holes with a classy outback experience at Hideaway Litchfield, NT

City

Here is 82-91 of Australia’s best city stays

 

82. Stay right in the city and become a Melbourne local in no time at United Places Botanic Gardens, Vic

83. Explore the hidden gems of Adelaide from Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, SA

84. Make the most of your Canberra trip with a luxurious stay at A by Adina,  ACT

85. Visit Fitzroy, Melbourne’s oldest and most eclectic suburb at Napier Quarter, Vic

86. Experience a foodies haven at the Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, Tas

87. Uncover Melbourne through food and design at Next Hotel Melbourne, Vic

88. Stay at one of the oldest independent art studios in Melbourne at The Blender Loft, Vic

89. City meets beach at the grand Crystalbrook Kingsley, NSW

90. Enjoy a cultured stay in the petite but comfortable Little National Hotel Canberra, ACT

91. Explore the bustling  city or relax by the pool at The Calile Hotel, Brisbane, Qld

Wow factor

Here is 92-100 of Australia’s most unique stays that have the wow factor

 

92. Marvel at the architectural wonder and stunning design of Domic, Qld

93. Stay between the Great Ocean Road and Cape Otway at Sky Pods, Vic

94. Surround yourself with vineyards, bush and farmland at Jackalope, Vic

95. Be immersed in all things art and design at Mona Pavilions, Tas

96. Escape the business of life and retreat to a luxurious bush getaway with Lon Retreat & Spa, Vic

97. Soak in the experience of staying at a hotel built into a sporting ground at Oval Hotel, SA

98. Stunning Tasmanian scenery meets modern architectural design at Coastal Pavilions at Freycinet Lodge, Tas

99. Lap up luxury accomodation and experiences at the Clifftop at Hepburn, Vic

100. Connect with Indigenous culture through the beautiful architecture and design of Krakani Lumi, Tas

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The road trips and trails you need to experience in Victoria now

    Kellie Floyd Kellie Floyd
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    Wind through fern tunnels, stop for a wine in a tram bar, or chase giant murals across the wheatbelt. These drives and rides prove Victoria’s best stories are found off the straight and narrow. 

    There’s something unmistakably Australian about a road trip: car packed, playlist on, landscapes shifting. Travelling down the highway toward Healesville, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley , the mountains rise, flanking me on both sides. I feel its embrace, a silent invitation to explore what lies beyond.  

    Moss-covered embankments rise on either side, and towering mountain ash trees form a green tunnel overhead. Road signs warn of wombats and cyclists but with giant ferns lining the roadside, the landscape feels prehistoric, as if a dinosaur might suddenly emerge. This, the Black Spur , is one of my favourite road trips. 

    The Black Spur 

    The Black Spur drive
    Through the forested canopy of The Black Spur drive that winds from Healesville to Narbethong. (Image: Neisha Breen)

    Location: Yarra Ranges
    Duration: 30 kilometres / 30 minutes 

    The Black Spur is short compared to other Victorian road trips, just 30 kilometres, stretching from Healesville to Narbethong. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in scenery. Just outside Healesville, Maroondah Dam offers bushwalks and scenic views. However, if pressed for time, Selover’s Lookout is an easy roadside stop offering uninterrupted views of the dam.  

    In Narbethong, close to the Marysville’s snowfield, is the Black Spur Inn , a charming double-storey brick hotel that’s been welcoming travellers since 1863. Here, diners cosy up by the roaring fire or gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows, imagining horse-drawn coaches carrying hopeful gold seekers to the eastern goldfields.   

    Victoria’s Silo Art Trail 

    Silo Art Trail
    The Silo Art Trail in the Wimmera Mallee region. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Location: Various towns across the Wimmera Mallee region
    Duration: More than 200 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days  

    What began as a way to draw travellers back into town bypassed by highways – places such as Nullawil, Sea Lake and Patchewollock – has grown into a celebrated outdoor art movement. The Silo Art Trail now includes 23 silos, each transformed with large-scale mural portraits sharing local stories, celebrating community heroes, Indigenous history, farming life, or regional identity.  

    The Nullawil silo, for example, is a portrait of a local farmer in a chequered flannelette shirt alongside his loyal kelpie, painted by artist Sam Bates (AKA Smug). And the silos at Albacutya in the Grampians, painted by artist Kitt Bennett, depict her joyful memories of growing up in the countryside. Many of the murals sit right in the heart of small towns, such as Rochester and St Arnaud , making them perfect spots to pause for a country pub meal or something sweet from a local bakery.   

    Metung to Mallacoota  

    Gippsland lakes
    Gippsland Lakes. (Image: Visit Victoria/Josie Withers)

    Location: Gippsland
    Duration: Approximately 220 kilometres / 4 hours  

    The Gippsland Lakes are a much-loved holiday spot in Victoria, but road-tripping further east reveals much more. Begin in Metung and time your visit with the monthly farmers’ market, or simply linger over lunch on the lawn of the Metung Hotel. Twenty minutes away is Lakes Entrance , where you can watch the fishing boats return with their catch. 

    Lakes Entrance
    Lakes Entrance. (Image: Visit Victoria/Iluminaire Pictures)

    Continue to Marlo, where the Snowy River spills into the sea, and Cape Conran for its many beaches and walks. If needing to stretch your legs, Croajingolong National Park is home to the historic Point Hicks Lighthouse and the Wilderness Coast Walk. Birdwatching and rainforest trails near Bemm River are worth a pit stop before arriving in Mallacoota, where the forest meets the sea. 

    Great Ocean Road 

    12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road
    The 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

    Location: South-west Victoria, from Torquay to Allansford
    Duration: Approximately 250 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days  

    Victoria’s most famous road trip delivers it all: world-class surf breaks, rainforest walks, clifftop lookouts and wildlife encounters. The journey begins in Torquay, the state’s surf capital, then hugs the coast past Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay, before curving inland through the lush rainforest of the Otways. Stop at Cape Otway Lightstation or take to the treetops at Otway Fly.  

    Between Cape Otway and Port Campbell lies the most photographed stretch – seven of the Twelve Apostles still standing, alongside the golden cliffs of Loch Ard Gorge. Further west, Warrnambool is a winter whale-watching hotspot, before the road winds to Port Fairy, a charming fishing village of whalers’ cottages, walking trails and offshore seal colonies further along the coast. 

    Bellarine Taste Trail 

    Terindah Estate
    Terindah Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Location: Bellarine Peninsula
    Duration: Approximately 80 kilometres / 2–3 hours  

    The Bellarine Taste Trail is a feast for the senses, winding through coastal towns, past boutique wineries and artisan producers. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure style trail – simply grab a map and build your own delicious journey.  

    You might wander historic, seafront Queenscliff, sip wine in a converted tram bar at Terindah Estate , sample a locally distilled whisky at The Whiskery in Drydale or pick up a jar of honey at Wattle Grove in Wallington. Seafood lovers can head to Portarlington, famous for its mussels. Eat them fresh at local restaurants or head out on the water with Portarlington Mussel Tours. 

    O’Keefe Rail Trail – Bendigo to Heathcote 

    Pink Cliffs Reserve
    Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Location: Central Victoria
    Duration: Approximately 50 kilometres / 4 hours cycling 

    Travellers first journeyed between Heathcote and Bendigo in 1888, when the railway line was built to link the towns. Trains stopped running in 1956, but today the route has a new life as the O’Keefe Rail Trail . The path is mostly level for easy riding, and along the way you’ll cycle past bushland, waterways and reserves. There are plenty of places to picnic, birdwatch, and if you’re lucky, spot a platypus.  

    The trail is well supported with water stations, bike repair points, shelters, and signage. Axedale makes a great halfway stop, with the pretty Campaspe River Reserve for a rest and local cafes for refuelling. Begin in Heathcote, known for its wineries and cafes, or in Bendigo, which is easily reached by train from Melbourne/Naarm. Shorter sections, such as Heathcote to Axedale, are also popular. 

    Goldfields Track – Ballarat to Bendigo 

    Location: Central Victoria
    Duration: Approximately 210 kilometres / 2–3 days cycling  

    The Goldfields Track traces a route once so rich in gold it made Melbourne one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Starting at Mt Buninyong, south of Ballarat, the trail leads mountain cyclists and walkers north through Creswick, Daylesford and Castlemaine before finishing in Bendigo. Along the way, you’ll encounter granite outcrops, eucalypt forests, rolling farmland and remnants of the region’s mining past.  

    As it passes through the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung people, the track shares gold rush history and Indigenous stories brought to life by interpretive signs. Walk or ride the full trail or choose from one of its three distinct sections. With cosy stays, cafes and pubs, it’s easy to mix wilderness with comfort.