Top 10 unique accommodation offerings around Australia

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Top 10 unique accommodation offerings from our 100 Incredible Experiences (right here in your backyard) special issue.

Having stayed in amazing accommodation across the country, the Australian Traveller team is often asked what our favourite places are. Contrary to popular opinion, what we consider to be the ‘best’ is not always the most luxurious or au courant; these days, we prefer accommodation with a difference. Here, we’ve collated 10 of the most unique and beautiful stays around the country.

1. Retreat to the mountains – Moonbah Huts, Moonbah Valley, NSW

Who hasn’t dreamt of staying in a cute stone cabin nestled in the snow in the mountains? Moonbah Huts are located on the outskirts of Jindabyne in NSW’s Snowy Mountains. On the banks of the Moonbah River, each of these two charming huts boasts a large open fireplace, underfloor heating, and an indoor bathroom. Depending on the season, the area is fabulous for getting out and about, whether it be fly fishing, horseriding, bushwalking, snowshoeing, and, of course, skiing.

 

Who will love it? Great outdoors enthusiasts. There’s no television reception, but when you can read a book on this sweet verandah, taking in some of the crispest air you’ll ever breathe, why would you need it? 

2. Sleep in a Scandi-style Federation house – The Estate, Trentham, Victoria

This estate is an absolute treat for the eyes: raw, simple styling inspired by Scandinavian design, fresh white walls, dark floors, natural wood, a glorious blend of old and new furnishings… this 1902 Federation house sits less than an hour from Melbourne, in Trentham, a small town nestled midway between Woodend and Daylesford at the top of the Great Dividing Range. Guests stay in one of three chic bedrooms cosying up in bespoke pure linen. The lounge area is just as cushy with oversized sofas layered with blankets and cushions, large wool rugs, and an open fireplace; there’s a second fireplace in front of the tub in the central bathroom.

 

Who will love it? Cooks. The gardens surrounding the house are pretty and practical – there’s an array of herbs and veggies fresh for picking, as well as a mini orchard, an idyllic spot for a long lingering lunch. 

3. Enjoy a remote outback oasis with some frills – Karijini Eco Retreat, Karijini National Park, WA

Deep in the heart of the rugged Pilbara region is Karijini National Park, a breathtaking oasis of pristine pools and dramatic gorges dating back a staggering 2500 million years. despite being utterly remote (its nearest town, Tom Price, is 60 kilometres away), visitors are not left to rough it in a swag, unless you want to, of course. Karijini Eco Retreat is a sustainable getaway, 100 per cent owned by the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation.

 

Who will love it? Happy glampers. Just a short walk from some of the park’s incredible natural attractions including Joffre Gorge, the retreat offers comfortable tents, an al fresco restaurant and bar.

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4. Stay in a surf shack like no other – Roozen Residence, Margaret River, WA

The Roozen Residence is a stunning architecturally designed home that overlooks surfers’ favourite Prevelly Beach in the Margaret River region. The house has a relaxed industrial vibe; its exterior is resplendent in cement render and copper, the interior with polished terrazzo floors and crisp white walls.

 

Who will love it? Surfers. Owner and artist Ron Roozen (whose art graces the walls), and designer, Dale Jones-Evans (the man behind Bennelong at the Opera House), are surfing fanatics. With 180º ocean views, you can check the surf from almost every room and watch as surfers ride world-class breaks into shore. 

5. Feel a million miles away – Marion Bay House, Marion Bay, Tasmania

The work of award-winning architects, the simplistic design of Marion Bay House was inspired by weathered rural farm buildings, built with natural timbers, cement sheeting, and rugged, rough-sawn macrocarpa. The interiors are spacious, with large windows inviting the dramatic landscape in. Despite being just an hour from Hobart, you’ll feel completely secluded.

 

Who will love it? Design devotees. Suspended from the ceiling, the fireplace can rotate 360⁰ to warm any area in the living/dining space – it’s so unique, it was exhibited in Stockholm’s Museum of Modern Art in 2000. 

6. Rent an historic seaside cottage – Dickebusch, Patonga

This humble fibro–weatherboard cottage built in 1929 is an enigmatic stay located in the quiet seaside suburb of Patonga on NSW’s Central Coast. Its unusual name was chosen to commemorate the son of its original family who died in the First World War and was buried in Dickebusch, Belgium. Though the outside retains its original form, the interior has been almost completely rebuilt by its current owners, the same people behind Australian design brand Koskela.

 

Who will love it? Families. Just a couple of quiet blocks from the beach, one block from the lake, and surrounded by national park, this is the perfect family weekender and the complete antidote to city living. See koskela.com.au/accommodation

7. stay in a restored convict cottage – Ratho Farm, Bothwell, Tasmania

In the 1860s, a well-travelled English writer described the house on Ratho Farm as one of the most picturesque and ideally English homes outside of England. Snuggled in the highlands of Bothwell just an hour from Hobart, Ratho Farm has survived an interesting history; past guests (some uninvited) include bushrangers, golfing royalty and exiled Irish nationalists. The restored colonial farm buildings and convict cottages retain elements of its remarkable past with original masonry and carpentry.

 

Who will love it? Golfers. The farm is home to Australia’s oldest golf course, which has been consistently played on since the 1800s. 

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8. Have a wild (luxurious) adventure – Bamurru Plains, Kakadu, NT

On the edge of Mary River floodplains in Kakadu National Park, this exquisite lodge offers a uniquely Australian experience, one they like to call ‘wild luxury’. Complementing the natural beauty of this biodiverse area, Bamurru Plains lodge has creature comforts such as safari bungalows, fine food and wine, an infinity pool, and a well-stocked library.

 

Who will love it? Adventurers. This is an extraordinary experience where you can discover abundant wildlife and some 236 bird species by foot, 4WD and airboat. 

9. Get stranded (by choice) on a remote island – Haggerstone Island, Queensland

Live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies at this private island, which lies 600 kilometres north of Cairns in the Great Barrier Reef. Getting to Haggerstone is an adventure via private charter, but once here, life is simple with the only necessities cossies and bare feet. You’re not a complete castaway, though, with a very civilised bar, fireplace, wine cellar and library in the main house to share with just a handful of lucky guests. The accommodation itself is made up of a host of individually designed rustic lodges sitting within a tropical canopy with views of the pristine Coral Sea.

 

Who will love it? Castaways. This island is a place where coconuts are abundant, Champagne is served at sundown, and the only other locals you’ll likely meet are turtles, rays and the abundant sardine population. 

10. Make like a Bond villian – Alkira, Cape Tribulation, Queensland

Located on 28 hectares of rainforest in Cape Tribulation, with direct access to a private beach, this incredible house sits at the point where two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics, meet. This otherworldly piece of architecture comes with a kitchen fit for a hatted chef, a 2400-bottle, temperature-controlled wine cellar suitable for any sommelier, and a grand open-plan design to suit any fussy family or two. Its name Alkira comes from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘A happy place in the sun’.

 

Who will love it? Eco warriors. The carbon-neutral sanctuary is the work of local architect Charles Wright and is completely self-sufficient. See contemporaryhotels.com.au

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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.