10 Most Unique Places to Stay in Australia
Australia’s stunning diverse landscapes and natural beauty is part of why I love my home country. Being able to explore and share these places is such a privilege, and I’ve spent the last year falling in love with Australia over and over again.
But alongside some of the beautiful places we’ve visited, we’ve also been lucky enough to discover and stay in some incredible locations all over Australia too.
From unusual places to stay in Tasmania with complete tranquility, to secluded island escapes in the Whitsundays, these are some of my favourite places that we’ve stayed and the most unique stays Australia has to offer. If you’re looking for the best accommodation in Australia, make sure to add these stays to your Australia bucket list!
Captains Rest - Tasmania
I can’t talk about unique places to stay in Australia without mentioning Captains Rest!
We stayed in Captains Rest on our Tasmania road trip, and it was the most perfect, peaceful and magical experience.
Located in Strahan, a small town on the west coast of Tassie and about a 4-hour drive from Hobart, Captains Rest is a perfect stop in this little fishing village and ideal if you’re on your way to Cradle Mountain.
With a log burning fire, the cosiest living space and interior, light streaming through the large glass windows and a peaceful view of the shoreline and jetty right outside, this rustic fishing cabin is the perfect place to escape, unwind and appreciate the beauty of Tasmania.
If you watched my Instagram stories when we stayed here, you’ll know how much I fell in love with this unique stay in Tasmania. It felt like walking into a movie scene or a real-life romance novel!
If you stay here, book Captains Rest for a couple of days so you can really enjoy this cute little beach shack and its surroundings. Don’t forget to feed the resident ducks too!
Eagles Nest - Tasmania
Another completely different but just as magical stay in Tasmania is Eagles Nest, located near Mount Roland, around an hour north of Cradle Mountain.
If you’re looking for luxury accommodation, ultimate relaxation and incredible views, Eagles Nest Retreat is for you. The property has 3 different ‘Nests’ to choose from depending on the size of your party and what you’re looking for. They sleep between 2-8 people, so this is also a great option if you’re planning a couples getaway, a girls trip or a family group vacation and want somewhere unique to stay.
We spent one night in Eagles Nest III and one night in Eagles Nest I. We preferred Nest III but both were extraordinary.
This stay is ideal for anyone wanting drinks with friends around a cozy fire pit with incredible views of the mountains at sunset. The house itself has floor to ceiling windows with views of the landscape, and I can promise there’s nothing more amazing to wake up to than a view like that!
Kyle and I especially loved relaxing in the hot tub overlooking the rolling green hills leading to the rocky mountain tops. We enjoyed a glass of wine at sunset in the hot tub, and I wished we had more nights there to end them all that way!
Cabn - South Australia
Cabn is the cutest tiny house in South Australia! If you’re visiting the vineyards of Mclaren Vale then make sure you book to stay at Cabn.
This tiny home is completely off-grid and you feel totally immersed in nature, even though you’re just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Mclaren Vale.
The cabin is cosy although the huge windows make it feel so much bigger. It sleeps 2, so it’s perfect for a romantic couples getaway. We just loved sitting on the deck at sunset with a glass of SA wine, overlooking the beautiful vineyards as the golden light covered the landscape.
Cabn also has other properties in SA as well as in Victoria and Queensland, so you can experience this super unique Australian accommodation in other states too!
Hillview Dairy - Queensland
This little slice of paradise is nestled in the hills of the Gold Coast Hinterland, and the property is every bit as beautifully boho and rustic as the pictures.
Hillview Dairy is the ultimate Australian country experience, with luxury amenities and decor but truly off-grid living with minimal 4G and no wifi. It’s really a place to disconnect and escape while staying in this historic wooden dairy barn.
The incredible pool is like a huge rustic wooden barrel and is set to a backdrop of the stunning Mt Tallebudgera. With wildlife and farm animals grazing in the valley below, it’s a truly tranquil place to stay and one of the best Airbnbs in Australia.
I feel super lucky to have beautiful places to stay in Australia like this right on my doorstep. Hillview Dairy is just 30 minutes from Gold Coast and 1 hour from Byron Bay, so it’s close enough to plan a romantic weekend getaway or do what we did and gather a group of friends together for a weekend of laughs and relaxation.
Elysian Retreat - Whitsundays, Queensland
There’s just so much I love about this secluded eco island retreat, and being the first solar-powered resort on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience to stay here when you’re visiting the Whitsundays!
The Whitsundays always land on the list of top bucket list destinations in Australia and the island itself is pure bliss. You’re surrounded by rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. There is literally breathtaking nature in every direction, and Elysian Retreat immerses you in it all.
Elysian is one of the most boutique stays Australia has to offer since there is a maximum of 20 guests able to stay on the island at a time. With a private cove, incredibly dedicated staff and amazing tailored experiences, it feels super exclusive and private.
There are island tours, beach picnics, scenic helicopter rides, snorkelling trips, cultural tours, spa treatments and nature walks available for those wanting activities to fill their stay. There is so much to do on this island that it has to be one of the best luxury resorts in Australia.
Dolce Sole Camper - Queensland
Without a doubt, this is the happiest, most feel-good accommodation on this list! And it doesn’t get more Aussie than a camper van.
The Dolce Sole camper is a ray of sunshine in every possible way! From her gorgeous sunny yellow exterior to the lemon yellow interior decor, this camper gives you all the vibes of European summers, right here in Queensland.
I instantly felt at home in this Italian inspired camper. It is built by our good friends, Tegan and Ned, and their attention to detail is just incredible! The pullout seating area at the back is absolute perfection for a weekend away with the girls or a longer escape for a couples road trip.
Of course it’s also completely Instagrammable and you won’t be able to stop snapping photos in the cute Dolce Sole camper!
If you want a unique way to explore Queensland, Dolce Sole is a dream to rent, and there’s no better way to see Australia than on a road trip in a campervan!
Top End Safari Camp - Northern Territory
Camping in the desert, outdoors showers, seeing the Milky Way twinkling in the night sky above you, absolute silence in the Australian outback. If that sounds magical then you have to stay at Top End Safari Camp in Northern Territory.
We stayed here on our Top End road trip, and the safari camp is not only a unique place to stay, but it’s also a total experience. The camp is owned by a croc wrangler, so you’re almost guaranteed to see crocs while you’re there.
Our glamping tent was surrounded by massive termite mounds that towered over me, and with an outdoor shower and just canvas separating us from the wild landscape, this really is the up close and personal Australian outback experience.
But the experience gets even better because you can arrange cruising down the billabong, fishing and even a chopper ride (which was unreal). Of course you’ll head out croc spotting too. We saw massive crocs on our jet boat ride, and it was so epic to finally see them in the wild in NT. Our jet boat driver actually got in the water with one of them named Bone Cruncher who’s become familiar with him over the years.
You can also get up close to some crocs at the safari camp, and since the camp staff are professionals, they let you know exactly how to get up close safely!
Nightfall Camp - Queensland
Simple, easy living at its best here at Nightfall Camp.
The camp sits in a deep gorge, completely surrounded by rainforest and mountains in one of the most ecologically diverse and beautiful parts of Australia.
Sustainability and minimal impact is the focus of this eco-luxury camp, and they’re certified by Eco-tourism Australia. The emphasis is on less is more, with homegrown food and pure water taken straight from the mountain stream.
When the tent canvas walls are rolled up, you’re surrounded by the natural sights and sounds of the Australian rainforest. But with vintage bathtubs and quirky rotating fireplaces in the tents, plus organic food and wine included, you have all the luxuries to make your Nightfall Camp stay completely unique.
Esperance Chalet Village - Western Australia
I never wanted to leave here! We stayed for four nights, and it was so relaxing. We got to meet and chilled out with lovely owners too.
The A-frame chalets are beautiful and so cozy but with a real beachy, coastal vibe which I loved. Even though there are several chalets, it’s very quiet and peaceful.
The chalet village is the best place to stay in Esperance in my opinion and a great base to explore the surrounding areas from too. You can even use the cute complimentary village bikes to explore the village and town beyond. Don’t miss my guide to the best Esperance Beaches to help plan your trip!
There are shacks available for up to four people, so it’s perfect for romantic vacations or family trips to the beach. You honestly won’t find anywhere more homey or welcoming on your travels around WA.
Palmer & Gunn - Gold Coast, Queensland
This was one of our more recent getaways together, and we had the most perfect time disconnecting from work and relaxing together in this gorgeous tiny home in Gold Coast Hinterland.
The tiny home is so beautifully put together and it feels like you’re stepping back in time, with vintage decor and antique furniture, a peaceful bedroom and veranda, plus the best part - a wood-fired cedar hot tub next to the creek.
Another off-grid quirky Australian gem that I just can’t get enough of, Palmer and Gunn is run off solar power and doesn’t have wifi. The products they use are all eco-friendly and so perfectly thought out that we couldn’t have been more comfortable or content during our stay.
Final Thoughts
If you want to make your Australia travels even more memorable, I highly recommend booking one of these unique stays in Australia. No matter what state you are travelling to, you’ll find there are unique stays to make your holiday a totally unforgettable and unique experience.
For more Australia tips, check out the Australia section of our blog.
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