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This cosy cabin in rural NSW is among the world’s 10 most-loved Airbnbs

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
This scroll-stopping hut overlooking NSW’s Liverpool Plains has snagged a spot on Airbnbs’ 2025 list of most-loved rentals.

Whether it’s the flexibility of a breezy beachside home or the escapist element of a treehouse retreat, there’s a lot to love about the incredible selection of Airbnbs up for grabs these days. The accommodation booking platform has just announced the 10 Airbnb listings that received the most love on social media in 2025, based on total engagement on TikTok and Instagram. Here’s the lowdown. 

The takeaways of the most-loved Airbnbs on social in 2025

The most-loved Airbnbs on social media list reveals the accommodations social media users found most captivating in 2025. The general consensus? Nature-led stays that invite the outdoors in, along with those boasting unique designs and standout architecture. Further, these stays encourage switch-off time through facilities such as soul-warming firepits and calming bathtubs – creating escapes that feel far away from the everyday and lend themselves to deep rest. 

The Australian Airbnb that made the list 

gilay estate cabin
The cabin offers beautiful country views. (Image: Morning Swim)

Located near the town of Quirindi in north-west NSW, Gilay Estate has been named among the top 10 most-loved Airbnbs in the world for 2025. With a striking A-frame build that stands out against the surrounding countryside, the luxury off-grid escape has captured the eyes of travellers and social media users far and wide. (Who could blame them?) Two near-identical, tiny home-style huts are available, both sleeping two. 

gilay estate bedroom
Relax in timber-clad Gilay Estate. (Image: Morning Swim)

The central spaces feature a contemporary fireplace and king-sized bed looking out through generously sized panes of glass to tree-scattered, pastoral greens. Awash in timber panelling with splashes of dusty orange and charcoal hues, interiors are a stylish mash-up of raw natural materials and structured human touches.

Outside, savour complimentary sparkling from local Hollydene Estate Winery while spotting roaming wildlife from the wood-fired hot tub. Or perhaps sharpen your culinary skills using the Gozney pizza oven and open firepit grill. It’s a stay that truly encourages guests to rejuvenate and switch off. 

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

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The most-loved Airbnbs on social in 2025

North Cascades Haven airbnb
North Cascades Haven is a delight. (Image: Airbnb)

Earning their place alongside Gilay Estate are a host of nine more inspiring Airbnbs guaranteed to make you stop scrolling. 

Sitting right on the edge of the glacier-fed Cascade River in Washington, USA, North Cascades Haven at the River Cabin promises to lull guests to sleep with the continous sound of running rapids and ethereal forest views. In New York, Birch Falls Spa Cabin at Evergreen Cabins also draws on the element of water and forested surrounds, spotlighting an indoor waterfall and soaker jet tub.  

Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest
Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest. (Image: Airbnb)

Brimming with creativity, Come & Dream in Quetzalcoatl’s Nest in Mexico’s Naucalpan de Juárez is an oasis of futuristic design. The four-bedroom house comprises layered levels of wavy edges complemented by a series of stunning gardens and water ponds. 

Cozy Cabin in Black Mountain
Cozy Cabin in Black Mountain, USA. (Image: Airbnb)

Also named one of the most Insta-worthy Airbnbs in the world in 2025 was Cozy Cabin in Black Mountain, North Carolina. This USA stay is a sanctuary for reflection, lending itself to slow getaways with a picturesque reading nook, sunroom, hot tub and outdoor terrace with a firepit and knockout valley views. 

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.