Australia’s best holiday homes for 2025 unveiled

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
hero media
From dreamy coastal escapes to swoon-worthy luxe lodges. 

Something about staying at a holiday home makes a getaway feel extra special – the privacy, the space, the sense of escape. If you’re dreaming of your next trip, the reveal of Stayz’s 2025 Holiday Homes of the Year list is your cue to start planning. This year’s list showcases the crème de la crème of holiday rentals – each a perfect setting for your next unforgettable escape. 

Handpicked from over 50,000 listings, these 10 private Aussie rentals have guest ratings of 9.8 and above and are the stuff holiday dreams are made of. Think chic country escapes, jaw-dropping coastal stays and dreamy architectural retreats, all handpicked for their luxe factor and stellar guest reviews. 

1. Abercorn, Buckaroo, NSW 

Abercorn near Mudgee in Buckaroo, NSW 
Enjoy an authentic farm stay at Abercorn.

An architect-designed countryside retreat near Mudgee, Abercorn offers guests stylish, light-filled interiors, lush veggie gardens and a charming herd of Belted Galloway cows for a genuine farm-stay experience. 

2. Mountain Lodge, Sassafras, Vic 

Mountain Lodge in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria
Stay among the treetops at Mountain Lodge.

Perched among the treetops of the Dandenong Ranges, this lodge features a spectacular rooftop viewing deck – ideal for evening drinks and nature gazing in serene luxury. 

3. Carpe Mykonos, Margaret River, WA 

Carpe Mykonos in Margaret River, WA
Step into Greece at Carpe Mykonos.

Experience a Mediterranean-inspired getaway on just over three picturesque hectares in Margaret River at Carpe Mykonos, complete with a private tennis court, fire pit and expansive views from a spacious outdoor deck. 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

4. The Cape House, Dover, Tas 

Cape House, Dover, Tasmania
This luxurious property is found at the southern end of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

Nestled on a 100-hectare private estate near Dover in southern Tasmania, this luxurious farmhouse blends modern comfort with old-world charm, offering panoramic water views and a heated outdoor hot tub. 

5. The Hamptons Hinterland Retreat, Gold Coast, Qld 

The Hamptons Hinterland Retreat in the Gold Coast, Queensland
Hamptons Hinterland Retreat is perfect for large get-togethers.

This sprawling luxury estate accommodates up to 14 guests and includes a 16-metre saltwater pool, designer kitchen and multiple lounge areas, all just 20 minutes from the Gold Coast’s vibrant centre. 

6. Frogwell Hollow, Stirling, SA 

Frogwell Hollow in Stirling, South Australia
Stay at Frogwell Hollow in autumn.

A charming countryside escape in the Adelaide Hills, Frogwell Hollow features a wildlife-rich garden, sunlit conservatory, wood-fired oven and fire pit, perfect for peaceful getaways. 

7. The Bahama House, Port Douglas, Qld 

Bahama House in Port Douglas, Queensland
This Caribbean-inspired home is in Australia’s tropical north.

Steps from Four Mile Beach, one of Port Douglas’s best beaches, this Caribbean-inspired home boasts a large pool, gourmet chef’s kitchen and alfresco dining. Its central location makes it ideal for exploring Tropical North Queensland. 

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

8. Oliver’s Cottage, Yarra Glen, Vic 

Oliver’s Cottage in Yarra Glen, Victoria
Run yourself a bath in Oliver’s Cottage.

Set in the beautiful Yarra Valley, this spacious six-bedroom farmhouse offers a cosy gas fireplace, outdoor spa, cedar barrel sauna and panoramic mountain views. 

9. Braeside, Kangaroo Valley, NSW 

Braeside in Kangaroo Valley, Victoria
Braeside is a luxury retreat in Kangaroo Valley.

This two-hectare luxury retreat in Kangaroo Valley features a 12-metre saltwater swimming pool, wraparound decking and an inviting outdoor firepit, all within a tranquil, wildlife-rich setting. 

10. Le Chateau, Holgate, NSW 

Le Chateau in Holgate, NSW 
Bring your friends to Le Chateau.

Inspired by a French chateau, this grand mansion on the Central Coast accommodates up to 18 guests and features an infinity-edge pool, billiard room and an exquisite private art collection. 

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
View profile and articles
Cleves Hut in Nannup, WA
Australia

Aussies want to holiday like it’s 1995 – here are the country towns they’re visiting

Three towns, three states and a holiday that feels like 1995. Here’s where Aussies are looking this spring.

Read more
turquoise rock pools at Cape Schanck / Bushrangers Bay on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia
Australia

Don’t delay: these 9 summer holiday destinations are already 50% booked

Christmas-week beach houses are filling up fast. A cheaper, quieter week is still open, and so are three inland escapes.

Read more
Southern Ocean Lodge bathroom
Australia

Michelin has named these 3 Aussie hotels among the world’s best

Only 155 hotels in the world hold three Michelin Keys. Australia just went from one to three.

Read more
Capella Sydney, NSW
Australia

Just one Australian hotel made the World’s 50 Best list for 2026

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 is hot off the press – and Australia has once again made the cut.

Read more
hero media

6 of Australia’s best destinations to recharge in nature

(Credit: Hilton Cairns)

    Australian Traveller Australian Traveller
    Continue
    From coast to coast and everywhere in between, our collective backyard offers unforgettable nature experiences for every kind of traveller.

    Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast or prefer to while away the day at the beach, Australia has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world (and some epic Hilton stays to return to after each day of exploring). Slow down, breathe in, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure, and these destinations are perfect for a nature escape.

    1. Albany, WA

    Aerial view of travellers exploring Granite Skywalk, located within Porongurup National Park.
    Climb the Granite Skywalk fora unique nature experience. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Albany, in regional Western Australia, is a paradise for nature lovers, best known for its dramatic, rocky coastline and endless swathes of white-sand beaches. Explore it all from Hilton Garden Inn Albany, with a gorgeous waterfront location and close proximity to some of the most iconic natural landscapes.

    Head to Torndirrup National Park, where you can venture out onto a see-through platform to watch the waves batter the shoreline below – if you dare. Further north, marvel at Porongurup National Park’s Castle Rock, an imposing granite range over a million years old that you can scale via the Granite Skywalk.

    Between May and December, Albany becomes a whale watchers’ paradise as humpback whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales journey north towards the Kimberley. Pack your binoculars; there’s a good chance you’ll spot them from the shore.

    2. Alice Springs, NT

    views of the MacDonnell Ranges DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs
    Return from your explorations to enjoy views of the MacDonnell Ranges.

    Surrounded by dusty red desert, rolling spinifex dunes, and eerie ghost gums, Alice Springs sits upon a landscape so unique it’s otherworldly. From here, plan a day trip to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, where you can take in the unrivalled majesty of Uluru. While there, check out The Olgas, a cluster of 36 impressive rock formations perfect for hiking. Walking trails offer a mix of easy strolls and trickier hikes that wind through gorges and creek beds.

    Other bucket-list-worthy experiences in the area include Stanley Chasm Angkerle Antwatye in the MacDonnell Ranges, best seen at midday for a spectacular view of the sun passing through its crevice, and the rim walk at King’s Canyon, which will leave you feeling breathless as you take in views of the desert from the top of 300m high sandstone walls.

    Nestled on the banks of the Todd River with views of the MacDonnell Ranges, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs offers the ideal spot to relax and recharge after a day of adventuring.

    3. Busselton, WA

    Busselton Jetty, Busselton
    Watch the sunset reflect onto the endless blues at Busselton Jetty. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    For a deeply relaxing nature getaway, look no further than Busselton. This charming seaside city is the gateway to the Margaret River Region, where you’ll find no shortage of lush greenery, winding coastlines and unique marine life. Start the day with a stroll and a swim at Busselton or Dunsborough beach, and plan for a sunset walk along the Geographe Bay Foreshore to drink in the changing light. How’s the serenity?

    If you’re visiting Busselton in Spring, don’t skip a nature walk through Ambergate Nature Reserve, which is bursting with wildflowers of every colour once the weather begins to warm.

    A stay at Hilton Garden Inn Busselton puts the Margaret River region on your doorstep. Sitting on the pristine shores of Geographe Bay, it’s just a handful of steps from Busselton Jetty and underwater observatory, where you can see the vibrant marine life up close without getting wet.

    4. Cairns, Qld

    view from a room at Hilton Cairns
    Check into Hilton Cairns and soak in the beauty.

    There’s no shortage of natural wonders to marvel at from Cairns. Get up close and personal with the underwater wildlife by diving or snorkelling through Australia’s underwater playground, the world-heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

    Head away from the shore to the Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest surviving rainforest and home to iconic fauna like the cassowary, as well as infamous plants like the Stinging Tree.

    Wherever you go, Hilton Cairns or DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns make the perfect home base for a Cairns adventure. Both sit so close to the ferry terminal to get out on the reef, and offer easy access to dining and bar options to top off an amazing day.

    5. Darwin, NT

    two people floating in Florence Falls, Litchfield
    Explore Litchfield National Park’s beautiful swimming holes. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Safari Global)

    Australia’s northernmost city has plenty to offer nature lovers. Day trip to Litchfield National Park and hear the thunderous roar of Florence Falls, take in the mangroves at Charles Darwin National Park, or head to Mary River Wetlands to marvel at the rare birdlife that call the wetlands home.

    You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Darwin, with  Hilton Darwin, DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin and Hilton Garden Inn Darwin all providing excellent access to the city’s natural attractions (and a leisurely pool to cool off in after a day in the sun). Meet the top end’s most famous (and infamous) animal inhabitants at Territory Wildlife Park, or take a leisurely stroll through George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens.

    6. Gold Coast, Qld

    Hilton Surfers Paradise
    Stay at the iconic Surfers Paradise.

    It might be known for being a literal paradise for surfers – it’s in the name, after all – but there’s more to the Gold Coast than initially meets the eye. Check into Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences to take advantage of direct access to iconic beaches, coastal wildlife and the best of Surfers Paradise.

    But the hotel is also an easy drive away from the world-heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, a hinterland treasure teeming with walking trails. Make a day of it by stopping off at some of the local food producers that abound in the Gold Coast hinterland.

    Start planning your next nature escape at hilton.com.