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This off-grid Blue Mountains cabin was just crowned Airbnb’s best nature escape

Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
Airbnb just unveiled the winners of its 2025 Australian Host Awards, and the lineup will have you booking your next getaway.

From a heritage-listed Hobart bakery turned boutique retreat to a nature-filled sanctuary in Kangaroo Valley, Airbnb has announced the winners of six categories in its annual Australian Host Awards. Officially, the awards celebrate the creativity, care and community impact of local hosts across the country. Unofficially, they help you pick your next awesome getaway, with accommodation to boot.

“Our local Aussie hosts are shaping the future of travel by creating spaces that reflect local culture, foster genuine connection and support their communities," shared Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia.

outdoor bath at Ligo, airbnb winner Australian Host Awards
Picture yourself in Australia’s best Airbnbs, like Ligo.

“Their hospitality is more than just welcoming guests. These hosts actively support small businesses, help to revitalise neighbourhoods, and hosting provides families with an income stream. These award-winning stays demonstrate the powerful role Airbnb hosting plays in fostering economic opportunity and community-led tourism."

Winning hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, with oversight from a panel of judges. The annual awards recognise hosts who go above and beyond, welcoming guests with warmth, thoughtful design and local flavour. And while there are many ways to be a winner, it’s Ligo’s outdoor bathtub surrounded by the stunning Blue Mountains that has us reaching for our leave forms.

Best Nature Stay – Ligo, Wolgan Valley

aerial of Ligo, airbnb winner Australian Host Awards
Take in the beauty of the Blue Mountains.

This off-grid Blue Mountains escape (and its outdoor bathtub) has us hooked. The winner of the Best Nature Stay (awarded to stays which showcase the best of Australia’s stunning natural landscape) is Ligo in Wolgan Valley.

As an award-winning tiny house retreat set in the heart of the Wolgan Valley, it offers a peaceful escape in the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Built from reclaimed materials after bushfires and floods, this off-grid escape offers cosy interiors, passive heating and cooling and expansive bushland views.

“Ligo is a masterpiece of minimal, low-impact, off-grid design," said Huang. “It merges wilderness and architecture with humility and intention. The outdoor bath, reclaimed timber, solar innovations and immersive wild setting make this a deeply atmospheric escape – elegant in its restraint."

Host of the Year – Braithwaite, Hobart

hosts of the year Braithwait airbnb winner Australian Host Awards
Join the country’s best hosts at Braithwaite.

It would be remiss of us not to mention the winners of the coveted Host of the Year prize, recognising hosts who have gone above and beyond this year. In 2025, winning Airbnb rental, Braithwaite , is a chic heritage-listed former bakery turned boutique courtyard apartment stay in Sandy Bay.

This heritage-listed offering was thoughtfully restored with vintage charm and modern luxuries like a king-size bed, a sunlit courtyard with a full-size outdoor bath.

Panel judge, Sarah Huang, described it as a “hyper-personalised, emotionally resonant hosting. They don’t just provide a stay, they create a moment in time that’s deeply meaningful. Whether it’s a handwritten note referencing a guest’s life or welcoming descendants of original bakers, these hosts transform history into hospitality. Guests often cancel their plans just to stay in."

Best Design Stay – Banksia House, Sunshine Coast

the pool at Banksia House, airbnb winner airbnb winner Australian Host Awards
Soak in the unique design of Banksia House.

This category recognises the hosts who have a unique and amazingly distinctive home, and Banksia House earned its crown .

This striking coastal retreat on Caloundra’s headland was designed by a landscape architect to immerse guests in nature and reap its calming benefits. The rental home features a magnesium pool, bocce court, two fireplaces and outdoor baths and showers; all set among lush gardens. Separate living and sleeping pavilions are linked by breezy courtyards, with raw, tactile materials and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

“Guests highlight its Scandinavian simplicity, earth tones and calming energy," said panel judge Sarah Huang. “This is a masterclass in rugged luxury. Every detail, from the absence of plasterboard to the immersive gardens, tells a story of raw nature meeting refined thought. The flow between architecture and landscape creates a meditative, outdoor-centric living experience. The design is minimal yet luxurious, perfect for rest and retreat."

Find the full list of award finalists at airbnb.com.au .

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Your guide to feeling rested and reconnected after your holiday

    Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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    The wild, otherworldly beauty of The Grampians offers a perfect place to unwind, slow down and relax.

    Not all holidays yield the same result; some are bustling, with endless things to do, events to book and places to see. All great things, but they leave you feeling more tired than before. Then, there are destinations that help you slow down, making real connections and participating in self-care.

    Destinations like The Grampians : surrounded by untouched nature, allowing a chance to reconnect with yourself and loved ones at a slower pace.

    Discover six science-backed ways to enjoy a holiday and feel restored at the end of it.

    1. Practice mindfulness

    Hamilton Gallery, the grampians
    Be present at Hamilton Gallery. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Mindfulness – the practice of tuning into the present moment – has been found to help in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One way to practice this art is by immersing yourself in art.

    Hamilton Gallery has been in operation for over 60 years, and is not only home to many significant art pieces but also runs workshops and events for all ages to expand their awareness and understanding of art. The gallery is also the custodian of the largest collection of Gunditjmara artefacts held on country.

    If you prefer to practice mindfulness through movement, visit Halls Gap Zoo to feed the meerkats – who wouldn’t feel better after focusing on these little guys? Or visit The Grampians Horse Riding Centre for an unforgettable morning ride through 10 kilometres of bushland. Enjoy the soothing movement of the horse and experience the bush anew.

    2. Indulge in self-care

    two people swimming in the Venus Baths, the grampains
    Take an immersive bath in nature on the Venus Baths loop walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    While the term self-care might conjure up images of indulgent bubble baths or a soothing massage, there’s more to it than pampering. Self-care is any action that protects your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

    Like taking an immersive ‘bath’ in nature. Do just that on the Venus Baths loop walk – ideal for less experienced hikers or those walking with kids – stopping at freshwater-filled rockpools to cool down along the way.

    Serious hikers (we’re talking some rock hopping and traversing slippery tracks) can tackle the Wurgarri, or Mount Sturgeon walk, which rewards the effort with panoramic views from the summit.

    For those whose idea of self-care leans more towards arts and culture, a visit to WAMA is a must. Australia’s first national centre for environmental art is home to exhibitions that explore the natural world through film, installation, painting, performance and more.

    3. Embrace nature

    Boroka Lookout, the grampians
    Soak in incredible views over Halls Gap at Boroka Lookout. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Spending time in nature is the ultimate way to soothe your body and mind. It’s been proven to help with all manner of things, from reducing stress to boosting cognitive function. And there’s no better place to enjoy it than among the raw sandstone, wildflowers and native creatures of The Grampians.

    Rocklands Reservoir, spanning 6700 hectares, is an ideal spot. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view over Grampians National Park. Cast a line, hire a canoe or follow nature trails along the water’s perimeter. How’s the serenity?

    To appreciate nature’s imposing power, head to Splitters Falls. Here, find unrivalled tranquillity. Spring is the best time to visit, when bouquets of native spring flowers greet visitors.

    Those with limited mobility will appreciate Boroka Lookout, a viewing platform surrounded by breathtaking views over Halls Gap and the eastern Grampians. Come early to witness a sunrise you’ll never forget.

    4. Prioritise Rest

    outdoor bathtub at Nook On The Hill
    Recharge at Nook on the Hill. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Above all else, a holiday should be an opportunity to recharge, and there’s no better way to do it than to get a good night’s sleep. We don’t need to tell you how essential sleep is, for everything from mental health to strengthening the immune system.

    Try Wanderlust Glamping , where guests fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature after an evening relaxing around the fire pit and wake to your very own green oasis.

    For pure luxury in the foothills of the Grampians National Park, look no further than Nook on the Hill – a handcrafted tiny house surrounded by rewilded, lush native Australian bush. It might be small, but Nook on the Hill has everything needed to unwind in style, including an outdoor bath for balmy nights.

    For a modern farm stay, book at Mount William Station in the foothills of The Grampians. The station combines old-world charm with modern amenities and easy access to everything this region has to offer.

    5. Engage Your Senses

    Salingers Cafe, destinations that help you slow down
    Indulge in a meal at Salingers. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Few human senses are as fun to indulge in as taste. A meal at Salingers in Great Western is the ultimate treat, and not only for the taste buds. The food is excellent, but Salingers’ really unique attraction is the bustling beehive that lives within the walls of the historic building.

    For an expertly smoked burger, ribs, or beef brisket, head to Flame Brothers in Halls Gap. Tuck into delicious food while you enjoy the view.

    If you prefer your senses heightened by the pump of adrenaline, Grampians Soaring Club offers an eagle-eye view of the Grampians National Park and Pyrenees Ranges from a glider. Take in the sights with a cross-country flight, ridge soar, or altitude wave flight.

    6. Connect and reconnect

    The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria
    Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

    Making shared memories is a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. These unexpected finds make it easy to discover something new in The Grampians.

    Amateur geologists will delight at the Kanawinka geotrail, which covers 60 sites over Australia’s most extensive volcanic province. Visit the Penshurst Volcano Discovery Centre to learn more about volcanic activity in The Grampians, or head to nearby Mount Napier State Park for a trip into the Byaduk lava caves.

    Pop in to the Ros McArthur Art Studio to peruse the gardens full of native and exotic plants and flowers that serve as the subjects of Ros’s still life paintings.

    For a shopping experience like no other, head to the Dimboola Imaginarium . Far more than a shop, the Dimboola Imaginarium is an immersive experience where you’ll find all manner of quirky bits and pieces. Expect the unexpected.

    Put these science-backed holiday benefits to the test during a trip to The Grampians. Plan your peaceful getaway at visitgrampians.com.au.