The Best Holiday Homes in Australia for 2020
Aussie travellers voted with their wallets over the last year to tell us what the most popular holiday home was in the country. Be sure to check out the rest of the finalists when planning your next holiday.
GOLD MEDAL
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
A self contained two bedroom red cedar cottage set amongst the beautiful gum trees in the heart of Halls Gap in the Grampians National Park is the winner of the best holiday in Australia.
Book this accommodation in Halls Gap.
SILVER MEDAL
Capel Breeze – Mornington Peninsula, VIC
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 5
This two bedroom luxury apartment is located in Capel Sound on the Mornington Peninsula. Offering open plan living with polished flooring throughout the kitchen & living areas, the apartment is a perfect destination for couples & small families wanting a beach holiday to recharge and relax.
Book this accommodation in Mornington Peninsula.
BRONZE MEDAL
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
Bantam Cottage is a cosy, cute, 100 year old pet friendly cottage and is the ideal house to make your home for a few days. Just a short stroll to the shops of Berry, the cottage has a beautiful open fire to keep you warm in the winter and is only a short drive to the beaches of the South Coast for a Summer swim.
Book this accommodation in Berry.
FINALISTS
Bellbird Studio – Kenliworth, QLD
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 2
This exclusive, air conditioned rural retreat was originally built by an artist and has been recently renovated to provide a unique glamping experience. Imagine yourself wrapped in our fluffy bathrobes in front of the studio’s internal wood heater or watching the stars come out around the outdoor fire. The outdoor undercover heated spa is a favourite for guests.
Book this accommodation in Kenliworth.
The Little White House – Emerald, VIC
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
The Little White House is designed with your enjoyment and relaxation in mind, and the guests keep coming back for the beautiful bath tub that looks out over the valley. The home is set up to allow guests to make a weekend away feel like a private retreat is the perfect place to recharge, rekindle romance and revitalise the busy urban mind and body.
Book this accommodation in Emerald.
The Pole House – Fairhaven, VIC
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 2
A 2018 Stayz Holiday Home Award finalist, The Pole House at Fairhaven was built by Frank Dixon and instantly became a landmark, a manmade natural attraction, a concrete apostle, a sentinel guarding the eastern gate to The Great Ocean Road. The modern home takes in the view as up and down the coast and is a modern luxury getaway for anyone wanting to escape for the weekend.
Book this accommodation in Fairhaven.
The Cube Murray River – White Sands, SA
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 2
Another 2018 Stayz Holiday Home Award finalist, The Cube Murray River is a modern concept floating eco pod that is designed as a stylish getaway for two people right on the Murray River. Where else can you jump out of bed and dip your toes into the water, and relax in the hanging egg chairs to take in the sunset sky.
Book this accommodation in White Sands.
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 2
The Pineview Suite has beautiful water views with the beach literally on your doorstep. The home comes with a small kitchenette and is suitable for city slickers wanting to escape for the weekend. The Royal National Park and all the hiking trails are within easy reach for a weekend away of outdoor adventure.
Book this accommodation in Bundeena.
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
Luxury accommodation in the heart of Halls Gap, just metres away from cafés, restaurants, shops and bush walks. The Amaroo Retreat is luxury accommodation set amongst a well established peaceful garden, which provides you with unparalleled views of Mackeys Peak.
Book this accommodation in Halls Gap.
Bondi Beach Penthouse – Bondi, NSW
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 5
The Bondi Beach Penthouse offers stunning panoramic views taking in the full length of Bondi Beach and sweeping out across the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye can see. From both the spacious contemporary open plan living area and the large terrace, guests have a front row view of life on the ocean – spot dolphins, whales and watch the famous Bondi surfing action.
Book this accommodation in Bondi.
Waters Edge – Scarborough, NSW
5 Bedroom, 4 Bathroom, Sleeps 10
This elevated and oversized home offers unique and uninterrupted ocean and coastal views and has an expansive front and rear terrace for entertaining and relaxing. The home is great for large family gatherings and is only a five minute walk to the patrolled beach and park.
Book this accommodation in Scarborough.
202 Frangipani on the beach – Whitsundays, QLD
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 5
This Hamilton Island apartment is located opposite Catseye Beach and The balcony is large and includes a six seater outdoor dining setting and a BBQ where you can take in the views from the top floor apartment. Guests also have access to the apartment blocks private swimming pool and heated spa, as well as the wider resort facilities.
Book this accommodation in Hamilton Island.
Belle Vue Beach House – Binalong Bay, TAS
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 6
Belle Vue Beach House was a classic Tasmanian cray fisherman’s shack that, until its recent extensive renovations, has remained untouched for the past 60 odd years. Perfectly positioned opposite the famous Binalong Bay swimming beach, the breathtaking, uninterrupted views are truly the most pleasing and rewarding experiences that this unique beachside environment has to offer.
Book this accommodation in Binalong Bay.
No. 41 Dennes Point – Dennes Point, TAS
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 5
Nestled above Nebraska Beach at Dennes Point, you can stroll down the steps to the safe, sandy beach in front of the home. This property has a wide wrap around deck that provides a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor living, with outdoor furniture and a gas BBQ.
Book this accommodation in Dennes Point.
4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
This home is a stunning architect designed house designed around a contemporary interpretation of traditional rural style, with a strong emphasis on relaxation, comfort and convenience, nestled in the beautiful natural environment of Yallingup Hills. It also features a self contained guest suite that sleeps tow and is separate to the main house. Book this accommodation in Yallingup.
Arinya Retreat – Dayelsford, VIC
4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 10
Arinya Retreat is an architecturally eco-friendly designed home nestled down an unsealed dirt track in the Hepburn Regional Park set amongst a private landscape. Guests have exclusive access to the retreat where they can have a massage, bathe in the salt spa, undertake a yoga class or take a stroll on one of the many nature walks, especially to the mineral spring area on the property. Book accommodation in Dayelsford.
Number 96 at Pretty Beach – Pretty Beach, NSW
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Just 90 minutes from Sydney, road trippers love this classic beachside holiday home at Pretty Beach near the Bouddi National Park. Guests are greeted with complimentary wine, chocolates, coffee and quality bed linen for the three-bedroom home. Upstairs, guests will find the living, dining and kitchen area with a covered wrap-around deck complete with BBQ and outdoor dining tables. The three-bedroom home has high speed NBN, making it the perfect place to ‘work from anywhere’. Book accommodation in Pretty Beach.
3 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
Featured in Better Homes & Gardens and in Country Style magazine, this home is equally quirky as it is stylish. The builder lived in a shed on-site and craned in a train carriage to use as his workshop whilst building the house on the Great Ocean Road. The interiors feature recycled materials from the train carriage, a nearby church and locally felled timber. The three-bedroom, one bathroom property has a free standing claw foot bath in the master bedroom, wood fired heater, air conditioning, piano, coffee maker and pets are welcome.
Book this accommodation in Forrest.
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Sleeps 4
Within walking distance to Mudgee’s cafes, restaurants, pubs and boutique shops, guests enjoy the convenience of this newly renovated two-bedroom cottage. Newly renovated, the cottage has a fully equipped kitchen and separate lounge with all the extras including DVDs, books and games. The large deck is enjoyed by families in between exploring the local Mudgee region.
Book this accommodation in Mudgee.
4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, Sleeps 8
A two-hour drive south of Sydney, guests enjoy staying with this large four-bedroom, three bathroom property on Gerroa Headland. With uninterrupted ocean views, the property overlooks Shelley Beach and farmland best enjoyed on the garden deck that’s complete with a fire pit. Three large rooms mean the home is popular with groups of three couples whilst the downstairs living room can be converted into a fourth bedroom with two single beds.
Book this accommodation in Gerroa.
About the Awards
In its ninth year, the Stayz Holiday Home Awards celebrate the best holiday homes in Australia. In a year where travel has been restricted and holidaying closer to home is a top priority, there is a holiday home out there for any sized family or group of friends.
Judging
The finalists of the best holiday homes in Australia was based on booking data from Stayz from August 15, 2019 to August 15, 2020. Traveller reviews, star ratings and cleanliness ratings were also taken into account.