The 10 Most Adorable Cottage Stays In Australia

From creative retreats to farmyard chic: discover the best cottages for holiday rentals around Australia.

As our modern lives get busier, bigger and more connected, there’s a growing urge to run away to the countryside and forget it all. Cottagecore became a trend for a reason, after all. While in reality we may not be willing to leave it all behind, these adorable cottage stays around Australia invite us to disconnect and relax at one with nature, at least for a little while.

1. Poet’s Lodge, Daylesford, Victoria

If the phrase ‘roof to floor bookshelves’ doesn’t have you packing your bags, maybe the rolling ladder across it will. Nothing screams writer’s retreat like the three cottages of Poet’s Lodge . Only a few minutes walk to Daylesford and everything it has to offer, still get an off-grid, rustic feel with a warm fireplace or hot bath. Sit down as a group in large dining rooms, cosy up with a book, gaze and original paintings hung about the cottages or relax in your private courtyard.

lounge room and fireplace at Poet's Lodge, Daylesford VIC — Settle in by a roaring fire.

2. Liptrap Loft, WalkerVille, Victoria

The draping vines, wooden walls and quaint farmland setting make Liptrap Loft a thing of Cottagecore dreams. Designed in a modern, Japanese-influenced architectural style, the shape alone is alluring. But then the recycled materials used give a unique, magical pull. This is a stay all about secluded comfort in a rural and coastal setting. Wake up to the sun peaking through your windows as the birds create a chorus outside them.

exterior shot of liptrap loft holiday rental cottage in WalkerVille VIC — Enjoy unique and modern, Japanese-influenced architecture.

3. Grampians Pioneer Cottages, Halls Gap, Victoria

There’s a lot about the old world we’re happy to leave behind, but adorable and cosy wood log cottages aren’t one of them. Grampians Pioneer Cottages are built from Australian and New Zealand reclaimed timbers, stone, mudbrick, corrugated iron and 100-year-old redbricks, giving their outside a unique look. Inside is just as eye-catching. All self-contained, find wood finishings, thatched rooves, stone fireplaces and more. What’s more, they’re all wheelchair friendly with vistas of the Grampians.

loungeroom of Grampians Pioneer Cottages, Halls Gap, Victoria — Step into an adorable and cosy wood log cottage.

4. Captain’s Cottage, Hobart, Tasmania

There’s a lot to fall in love with around the sloped, residential streets of historic Hobart, and this Airbnb stay is the perfect place to start. Aptly named, the Captain’s Cottage was originally built in the mid-1800s for a ship’s captain, and has since become such an iconic stay that its textured furnishings (think velvet chairs and linen sheets), striking claw-footed tub and whimsical courtyard garden have featured in design and style magazines around the country.

fireplace and desk in Captains Cottage, Hobart TAS — Stay in a vintage Hobart home, originally built for a sea captain.

5. My Sister & The Sea, Marion Bay, South Australia

This rustic 1950s weatherboard cottage may have been brought in from Sweden, but nothing could look more at home in this coastal town. Light and bright interiors keep the cottage seaside-chic, including all three bedrooms. Its relatively large size for a cottage makes it perfect for small group getaways, not to mention the spacious farmhouse table, large kitchen and cosy fireplace with plenty of seating.

hallway inside My Sister & The Sea, Marion Bay SA — Stay in a rustic 1950s weatherboard cottage from Sweden. (Image: Frankie The Creative)

6. Cowboy’s Cabin on Wollombi Brook, Hunter Valley, NSW

Everything about Cowboy’s Cabin feels like an instant classic, from the slab-timber walls to the vintage rocking horse decoration. The name of the furnishing game is timber cosy and country florals, with an open plan kitchen and living space inviting guests to settle in for the evening. Set on a working farm, the only creatures you may wake up to are the grazing cattle as they wander by.

kitchen table inside Cowboy’s Cabin on Wollombi Brook, Hunter Valley NSW — Relax in country comfort on a working farm.

7. Bay & Bush Cottages, Jervis Bay, NSW

This boutique property near Huskisson is set up for all your coastal cabin dreams; whether that be staying cosy in winter or diving into summer. Find just eight self-contained cottages hidden amongst coastal and marine National Parks. Be welcomed to Bay & Bush by kangaroos and kookaburras, star gaze by the outdoor fire pit at night (ideally with marshmallows roasting), whale watching between late April and mid-November, head into town for museums and galleries or stay put with locally sourced food and wine.

8. Riverdale 1898, Kalgan, Western Australia

This cottage has the type of casual, whimsical charm that seems impossible to achieve in your own home. Take a step back in time – while keeping modern comforts firmly in place – to this farm. Wander the working cattle farm, small vineyard and flower-growing business onsite by day, then return home to a fully equipped kitchen at night to start the fireplace glowing. Cosy up with the well-stocked bookshelves boasting local and natural history, floral design and local authors.

loungeroom inside Riverdale 1898, Kalgan WA — Enjoy the casual charm of Riverdale 1898. (Image: Jemma Keech)

9. The Postman’s Cottage, Montville, Queensland

The rustic romance of The Postman’s Cottage is begging for a couple’s getaway. Set on Montville Estate, this cottage is believed to have started life as a railway house in a neighbouring town, then brought to the estate around 1895 for the lady of the house to birth six children in. Today, it’s been built to celebrate slow living. Find a king-sized bed, kitchen, classic clawfoot tub and a range of books and board games with a fireplace to enjoy them by. You’ll even find a Bluetooth speaker, but no TV or wi-fi. So get ready to disconnect.

ensuite inside The Postman’s Cottage, Montville QLD — Book a romantic getaway to The Postman’s Cottage. (Image: Yani Rae)

10. Whispering Valley Cottage Retreat, Maleny, Queensland

The Sunshine Coast might be known for its stunning beaches, but its Hinterlands hold their own, very underrated, pristine beauty. Imagine being nestled in lush green rainforest – uninterrupted for 18.6 hectares – fireplace burning and a tasting plate of local, fresh produce from the gorgeous breakfast hamper and welcome cheese platter and not another soul in sight. That’s the vibe at Whispering Valley Cottage Retreat . Each cabin has a fireplace, spa bath and fully equipped kitchen.

Whispering Valley Cottage Retreat, Maleny QLD — Step into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for the perfect cottage retreat.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

The 10 most adorable cottage stays around Australia