This one-bed farm-stay cottage, a 50-kilometre drive inland from the Sunshine Coast, pairs outback charm with a sense of luxury and romance. Hosts Veronica and Colin spoil their guests with personalised extras and thoughtful treats, such as cosy bath robes, locally sourced snacks including marshmallows for toasting over the firepit and an outdoor soaking tub with mountain views.

Sunrises are a speciality of Tony and Susie’s beachside studio, but don’t worry if you’re not an early riser – you can still see the dawn rising over the horizon from your king-sized bed. Located just 200 metres from the lapping waves of Louttit Bay, it’s a perfect stay for a laidback weekender by the sea and located close enough to Lorne’s local cafés and shops to make any necessary supply runs a breeze – although Tony and Susie will fully stock the pantry upon request.

This leafy, private one-bedroom guesthouse in the heart of East Freo, just south of Perth, is a 10-minute stroll from the beautiful Port and Leighton Beach. As well as a fully kitted-out kitchen with a Nespresso coffee machine (pods are complimentary, courtesy of host Amanda) and a spacious shower room stocked with essential toiletries, guests often share in their reviews how Amanda leaves additional snacks and warm notes to make guests feel extra welcome. This stay also boasts its own private courtyard garden, so you can enjoy the balmy West Australian evenings undisturbed. 

Taking its name from the tailor who once peddled his sartorial skills from this space more than 120 years ago, this elegantly restored Victorian terrace honours its period heritage while channelling a distinctly contemporary style. Up to six guests can stay at this plush three-bed townhouse, which features a wood-burning stove (guests arriving in the winter months will find it already burning when they walk through the door), an opulent bathroom with attached dressing room, an open-plan kitchen and dining area and a cosy parlour. A separate ‘Tailor’s Studio’ can also be booked to add another sleeping space complete with its own courtyard and firepit.

Perched on a rocky outcrop deep in Victoria’s High Country, this architectural triumph is a fusion of impressive design and sustainable credentials, which offers off-the-grid living with all mod-cons. With extraordinary views of its starkly beautiful surroundings including the stunning peaks of Mount Buller, this three-bedroom hilltop house with heated indoor swimming pool doesn’t compete with the vistas framed by its floor-to-ceiling windows. Instead, the interiors are minimalist and modern – a conscious counterpoint to the rugged landscapes around it.

This pair of guest houses hug a rocky slope just outside the town of Launceston with uninterrupted views of the mountains beyond. The two structures have been designed to both reflect and respond to their natural setting. The rusting Corten cladding adds to its evolving patina every time it rains, with the sandy, oxidised texture mirroring the bark of the nearby eucalyptus trees. Meanwhile, the stonework that supports the metal entryways cleverly provides a habitat for lizards and birds. Each studio, which can be booked as a pair or individually, contains a full kitchen, generous bathroom, built-in study space, bedroom, lounge and a dining space, with warm, relaxed interiors finished with sustainable materials such as natural cork and Tasmanian oak.

Designed by architect Shane Thompson, this multi-award-winning house is a symphony of natural finishes and utilitarian yet bold gestures conceived to make the most of its ocean-facing position overlooking Home Beach on North Stradbroke Island. Spotted Gum timber screens on the mid and upper level windows protect the interior spaces from the intense Queensland sun, while the hoop pine cladding on the interior summons a relaxed, beachy vibe.

The old adage “never judge a book by its cover” rings true at this award-winning micro-home within a seemingly unremarkable ‘60s apartment block. Superbly located in the upmarket suburb of Rushcutters Bay in the heart of Sydney's Inner East, its innovative use of sliding timber screens allows the space to effortlessly flex between daytime living and night-time calm. Sleek and stylish interiors echo the uber-cool energy of this corner of Sydney, with the thriving dining and nightlife hubs of Kings Cross and Potts Point, and the leafier harbourfront climes of Elizabeth Bay and Woolloomooloo, just minutes away on foot.

Nestled within a former dairy farm, this idyllic 1860s homestead comes with more than 150 acres of Victoria’s High Country to explore. Up to six guests can wake up to misty mornings and rural walks or else explore nearby regions Benalla, King Valley, Beechworth and Milawa, all areas known for their abundance of gourmet producers and artisan makers. The secluded property is set up to make the most of the seasons, with a wood-burning stove, wall heaters and buttery French bed linen to keep things cosy in the colder months, and an outdoor dining area, BBQ facilities and wrap-around porch, perfect for balmier times.

Top tip: the sun setting over the Tasmanian bush is best enjoyed from a private hilltop hot tub. This unique selling point is just one of the ways this two-storey holiday home, 30 minutes drive from Hobart, stands out, but its greatest asset is by far its combination of indoor comforts and outdoor vistas. Surrounded by rolling green hills embroidered with orchards and the gently swaying canopies of towering green gums, it’s a postcard-perfect location within striking distance of the Huon River, World Heritage Tahune Airwalk, Hastings Caves and Hartz Mountain hiking trails. Inside the property, its rustic styling – think exposed stringybark timbers, recycled and upcycled furniture and vintage pieces – perfectly echoes the laid-back character of this sleepy corner of Tasmania.

This modern barn conversion puts a sophisticated spin on the quintessential farm stay. Located 15 minutes outside of Mudgee by car, the mammoth property can sleep up to eight guests and is fully kitted out, promising a secluded country retreat that doesn’t scrimp on the luxury touches. Chock full of quirky antiques, exposed timber beams and traditional finishings, the interiors include two large living spaces, a sprawling kitchen and a dining room with barn doors that open out to views of the neighbouring alpaca and horse pastures. A wrap-around verandah overlooking the picturesque Riverlea Valley is the perfect place to fire up the BBQ and dine on the deck under the festoon lights.

Surrounded by 16 acres of orchards and the rolling vineyards of the Adelaide Hills, this stone farmhouse ticks all the country getaway boxes. Rustic kitchen with AGA oven: tick. Wood-burning stove and antique furnishings: tick. Unspoilt views of rural vistas to be enjoyed while sat around the firepit: tick. It also comes with some unexpected extras, such as an outdoor claw-footed bath and a huge entertaining deck with sun loungers and an alfresco dining area.

All aboard this quirky guesthouse that harks back to the golden age of the steam train. Originally built in 1926 at the Newport Railway Workshop in Melbourne, it spent much of its life on the rails as First Class carriage 61 AW and remained in operation until 1983. Thirty years later, following a nine-month transformation, it was reborn in 2014 as a secluded, three-bedroom holiday home, completed by red velvet curtains, mahogany furnishings, ornate chandeliers, polished brass fixtures and an outdoor ensuite. Conjuring a Roaring Twenties romanticism, this Gatsby-ready fantasy has since earned Steam almost 200 five-star reviews.

This self-contained and renewable-powered houseboat, permanently moored to the banks of the Murray River, is described as an “eco-pod”. This may sound futuristic – and indeed, the property’s sustainable ethos is certainly forward looking – but the reality of Bill’s Boathouse is more relaxed. Semi-open plan interiors offer privacy without making the compact space feel too claustrophobic, while the unbreakable connection to water, including two kayaks guests can use to explore the river, ensure the great outdoors is as much a part of the stay as the property itself. Interior finishes have a steampunk quality that gives Bill’s Boathouse a sense of fun and whimsy – as does the outdoor hot tub on the floating sun deck.

All kinds of working buildings are converted into holiday homes, from sheds and barns to garages and vehicle depots. But rarely does this list contain grain silos. This quirky complex of three circular, corrugated iron buildings, set on a 240-acre operational farm, offers indoor-outdoor living that seamlessly blends the furnished enclosed areas with covered and open-air spaces for a hybrid, glamping-adjacent experience.

What was once a small community chapel is now an elegant and romantic couples’ retreat in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. Shaded by the outstretched boughs of several mature oak trees, this studio-style getaway features a four-poster king-sized bed, cosy sitting room with wood-burning fireplace and a luxurious bathroom with a clawfoot tub built for two. Should guests want to venture outside, there’s also a private courtyard; an idyllic spot for morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening.