 The best Canberra Airbnbs and holiday homes 

There are a plethora of great Canberra Airbnbs and holiday homes to stay in across the capital and beyond.

Airbnb Canberra options range from slick waterfront apartments and design-led inner-city stays to farm cottages and tiny homes on the city’s fringes. While Canberra is hardly short on incredible hotels and luxury accommodation, choosing an Airbnb or holiday home offers something different: space to spread out, kitchens for slow mornings and neighbourhood stays that let you live like a local.

Here are  the best Airbnb and holiday homes on offer in Canberra.

Best Airbnbs in Canberra

Across the capital, Airbnbs cluster close to Canberra’s best restaurants, cafes and major events such as Floriade.

1. Luxurious Waterfront, Kingston

a suite with a balcony at Luxurious Waterfront, Kingston — Settle in for a cosy stay next to Lake Burley Griffin.

Best for: Those who want a relaxing retreat in the heart of the city

This Canberra Airbnb is set apart due to its stunning views over the Kingston foreshore.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in both the bedroom and living space of the Luxurious Waterfront Unit invite that outlook in, giving the apartment an easy, breezy, light-filled feel. You’re steps from some of Canberra’s best restaurants and cafes, with the city centre just 10 minutes away. Sleeps 2.

2. Entire Loft in Kingston

an entire Loft in Kingston — The Kingston loft evokes a warehouse feel.

Best for: Friends looking for a polished stay with personality

This moody industrial-style Airbnb brings a bit of an edge to your stay in Canberra. Expect leather accents, natural textures and soft French linen bedding that softens the warehouse feel of the Kingston loft .  The kitchen is set up for fun nights in with friends. But you’re also close to some of the best bars and restaurants in Kingston and minutes from the action in Canberra. Sleeps 4.

3. Two Bedroom On Lonsdale Street, Braddon

the arched balcony at Two Bedroom On Lonsdale Street, Braddon Airbnb — Base yourself in this idyllic Lonsdale Street Airbnb.

Best for: Feeling like a local

This lovely Lonsdale St Airbnb drops you straight into the beating heart of Canberra’s cafe culture. Braddon has long been considered the coolest neighbourhood in Canberra and a stay at this Lonsdale Street Airbnb will insert you right in the thick of it, feeling like a local. If you’re looking for a dog-friendly Canberra Airbnb, this is also a great choice as the owners allow up to two house-trained pets. Sleeps 4.

4. Entire Rental Unit in Reid

the living room inside a Rental Unit in Reid — Stay in the heart of the city at this three-bedroom Rental Unit in Reid.

Best for: Access to a shared swimming pool; a luxury for inner-city Airbnbs in Canberra

This bright and airy Canberra Airbnb is situated right in the centre of Canberra’s CBD with public transport on your doorstep. Being close to the city’s main attractions is also handy if you don’t want to drive. For those nights you’d prefer to stay in, the three-bedroom Rental Unit in Reid offers modern interiors, a generous living space, full chef’s kitchen, high-speed internet and a selection of streaming services. Sleeps 6.

5. The Secret Little House, Hackett

Best for: Getting around using the light rail

The Secret Little House in Hackett is one of Canberra’s most wish-listed Airbnbs. And it’s easy to see why. The light-filled one-bedroom house is tucked away in the leafy suburbs, away from the hubbub of the city. The bright, boho space is anchored by a floor made from upcycled timber from a basketball court. Bounce from the homey Hackett Airbnb to the nearby MetroTram to access the city’s best cafes, pubs and restaurants.  Dogs are welcome. Sleeps 2.

6. The Kindred, Braddon

the balcony at The Kindred, Braddon — The Kindred features a lush balcony.

Best for: Creative types with a love for detail

Experience Canberra at its most considered with a stay in this light-filled two-bedroom, two-bathroom Airbnb apartment. The interiors of The Kindred are like an essay in subtle hues and natural materials. The enchanting apartment overlooks a giant elm tree and will appeal to kindred spirits who will covet the vintage Danish dining table, local art and ceramics. Two vintage-style bikes are available for guests to burn to Braddon or Ainslie. Sleeps 4.

7. Bunda House, Narrabundah

the outdoor deck of Bunda House, Canberra — Soak up the sun on the outdoor deck.

Best for: Groups of friends looking for Airbnb utopia

A stay at the stylish Bunda House in Narrabundah will transport you back in time to the 1960s before catapulting you back into the present day. The newly renovated bungalow has a backyard and patio built for entertaining, layered interiors and a bathroom with a rain shower and freestanding tub. Pick up some fresh produce from the markets and cook up a storm in the spacious kitchen. Sleeps 6.

8. Designer Series Corner Apartment, Braddon

the bed inside the Designer Series Corner Apartment, Braddon — Bed down at this modern apartment in Braddon.

Best for: Relaxing in the sun-drenched winter garden

Floor-to-ceiling windows enhance the aesthetic of the Designer Series Corner Apartment .  The north-facing apartment feels at once plugged in and removed from busy Lonsdale St below. It has a winter garden that catches much of the light and is softened by trailing greenery that works as well for a morning coffee as it does for switching off at night. The apartment – all timber and leather, polished concrete and brass finishes – sits inside the swanky Nibu building. Sleeps 2.

9. Entire home in Ainslie, Australia

an Airbnb in Ainslie — This family-friendly, four-bedroom house in Ainslie is spacious and stylish.

Best for: Families with active kids

Stylish and spacious, this Four-Bedroom House in Central Canberra backs onto the Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve where the kids can burn off some energy before dinner.  Inside, you’ll find an expansive kitchen with plenty of bench space to prepare family meals. There’s also a backyard and balcony at the Ainsley Airbnb, close to some of the best restaurants and cafes in Canberra. Sleeps 9.

10. Horseshoe Hideaway, Mullion

an indoor shower at Horseshoe Hideaway — Horseshoe Hideaway is an absolute haven on a serene patch of farmland in Mullion.

Best for: Those seeking solitude

If switching off matters to you more than being in Canberra’s busy city centre, consider Horseshoe Hideaway an absolute haven. The Airbnb is 40 minutes outside of town on a serene patch of farmland in Mullion. Part of a sheep property, this Canberra Airbnb is a cosy tiny home, ideal for a couple or solo traveller. The wood-fired hot tub  morphs into a plunge pool in summer. Sleeps 2.

Best holiday homes in Canberra

Whether you’re visiting for culture, food, family time or fresh air, these are some of the best holiday homes Canberra has to offer.

11. Riversong Rest

the Riversong Rest retreat exterior — Retreat into Riversong Rest on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

Best for:  Casting a line in or picnicking by the water

Push your search a little further out from Canberra’s CBD to find rural retreats such as Riversong Rest that are still within easy driving distance of the city. Set on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, Riversong Rest is a compact, carefully designed retreat made for slow stays. Retreat indoors with books and board games, then sit on the deck, telescope trained on the night sky.

12. Beltana Farm Cottage

the exterior of Beltana Farm Cottage — Country charm meets modern design.

Best for: Living life in the slow lane

The Cottage at Beltana Farm is about succumbing to life’s simple pleasures. Like reading a book while curled up in the two-bedroom Cottage. Jumping on a bike to explore your surrounds.  Or participating in a truffle hunt (throughout the winter months) or visit to a nearby winery. There’s also the indulgence of having a restaurant and tennis court onsite.

13. The Cottage at Petrichor Farm, Gundaroo

Best for: Immersing yourself in the country

You’ll find The Cottage At Petrichor Farm 40 minutes outside of Canberra in the Gundaroo wine region. The relaxing property includes one of the best wedding venues in the country. It’s surrounded by gardens and tastefully decorated with elegant, elemental interiors. You can visit local wineries and providores, but make sure you block out an afternoon to soak in the picturesque outdoor bathtub, too.

14. Tiny Away

the Tiny Away Airbnb in Canberra — This tiny home sits in a secluded part of Canberra near Lake George. (Image: Alex Davey)

Best for: Spotting kangaroos.

From a distance, this Tiny Away Overlooking Lake George appears like a captivating work of art. Perched above Lake George, which is blanketed with fog at dawn and dusk each day, it has everything you need for an enjoyable stay. Perhaps the greatest luxury at the tiny but mighty accommodation is the large windows that frame views over the water and sky. Expect a snug loft bed and fully equipped kitchen. Sleeps 2.

15. Cubby & Co

Best for: Oenophiles with a love of interior design

Mt Majura is an undeniably magical place, home to a rich array of flora and fauna and a bush trail that traces the bony spine of the mountain. Landscape and architecture are woven together at the Cubby & Co accommodation, which comprises three cubbies dotted around the property, just 15 minutes from Canberra’s CBD. The single-site vineyard is known for standout tempranillo, reisling and shiraz.

16. One-bedroom villa at The Truffle Farm

the kitchen inside The Truffle Farm cabin — Spend a couple of days in the countryside for some R&R.

Best for: Foodie couples

This bougie property, just 15 minutes from the heart of Canberra, is right in the heart of the Majura Valley. Designed for two, the off-grid luxury cabin at The Truffle Farm looks out over groves of oak trees and rolling countryside. It features a wood-fired hot tub made for long, slow evenings. Time your stay with truffle season to join a hunt. Enjoy al fresco dining on the deck in summer.

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.