Luxurious, unique, off-the-grid: NSW’s top 30 Airbnb stays for your next holiday
Beachside getaways, designer tiny homes and off-the-grid farmstays – these luxurious accommodations could be your next hot holiday destination. Check out our list of the top 30 Airbnb stays in NSW.
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Say goodbye to the golden era of holidaying in five star hotels and resorts – private and cosy Airbnb stays are becoming the ideal way to spend the long weekend for more and more Australians.
Offering categories like beaches, mansions, tiny homes, tree houses, cabins, vineyards and barns, Airbnb has become well-known for its diverse offerings of holiday homes and weekend getaways, with some areas in NSW home to some of the best in short-term holiday rentals.
Latest data from AirDNA, a short-term rental data and analytics provider, found that the most popular areas for Airbnbs were in Sydney, with notable exceptions of the Bega Valley and Mid-Western Regional Council.
An AirDNA spokeswoman said that following the impact of COVID-19, coastal and rural destinations “picked up popularity during the pandemic as drive-to destinations”.
In fact, some rural and seaside destinations were the ones that made the highest revenue across the state, with Cessnock, Sydney and Lennox Head topping the list for the highest-earning areas.
“Most of these markets are more rural or seaside destinations, where properties are typically larger with better amenities than in a city,” the AirDNA spokeswoman said.
“So owners are able to charge more, and stays are typically longer.
“The largest markets are led by, not expectedly, Sydney (23,782 average monthly listings), followed by Shoalhaven City Council (4,533), Wyong (3,242), Shoalhaven City Council (3,107), and Byron (3,094). However, available listings in January 2023 in Sydney remained 58% below where they were in January 2020.”
Data of the highest average daily rate for short-term holiday rentals revealed that Broken-Head, Lovedale and Wollondilly Shire Council were the priciest stays, with averages of over $900 per day, noting that these markets do contain a higher proportion of larger properties, pushing averages up.
With demand for domestic short-stay accommodations booming, NSW rural towns in particular have become the hottest new holiday spot.
Sunrise presenter Edwina Bartholomew and her journalist husband Neil Varcoe run short-stay holiday accommodation ‘Warramba’ in the state’s central west, and said the isolation of rural destinations has become a major selling point.
“When we first opened it up … we wondered if people would visit because it is quite isolated and quite remote, and that trend has turned out to be the biggest selling point,” Bartholomew said.
“People are completely separate from their city life – they can put their phones down, they can relax, feed the cows, and really immerse themselves in the country experience without any of the work.”
“We are seeing lots of people travel right through the Central West, right across the state and up the coast, and we’re definitely seeing that reflected in Warramba,” she said.
Bartholomew and Varcoe decided to make the move and buy a holiday home on New Year’s Eve in 2015 while relaxing at home.
“Edwina was doing a crossword and she said what’s the widest valley in the world, and I said “it’s the Capertee Valley”,” Varcoe said.
“ … So then she just typed up “farms for sale: Capertee Valley” and this stone cottage came up,
“And so three weeks later we came down as soon as we could … within seconds, I think it was so obvious there was a very special energy to this place, a very special feeling to it, so we jumped at it.”
Edwina and Neil bought the farm in 2016 and built the place from scratch, handling frogs living in the toilet, no stock water and 51 birds nests on the side of the house – Neil referring to the project as “a renovator’s delight”.
The couple worked with Melbourne-based Studio Esteta co-directed by family friend Felicity Slattery who made the plans to transform the property into a timeless rural cottage.
“She did some incredible plans – it was basically build by numbers because the plans were just so great,” he said.
“We had a great team from Mudgee, a local builder, local trades, local plumbers, local electricians … within six months of starting the full project was done.”
Located a three hours’ drive from Sydney and set across 100 acres of rural property, the sandstone cottage features traditional and modern design, a heated mineral pool and a cosy fire pit area.
“We do refer to it as ‘a simpler time’ … life really slows down out here.” Varcoe sai.
“We’re getting a lot more longer stays, normally people were coming for the weekend – they’d come on the Friday night and leave on Sunday morning.
“But what we’re finding now is that people are starting to come on Monday and they’re staying through to the weekend, sometimes five days, sometimes seven – the duration of stays has lengthened.”
When prompted to describe Warramba in three words, Edwina chose “relax, recharge and reconnect”.
“People really decompress the minute they get there. They leave thinking they’ve spent five days there, even when they’ve just been there for the weekend,” Edwina said.
“And the reconnection – lots of families are busy in the city, and kids are growing up and they’re distracted by things … it’s a great chance just to spend quality time with each other.”
“It’s a really lovely way to spend time together as afamily, which is what we love when we’re out there.”
With beachside getaways, luxurious tiny homes and off-the-grid rural homesteads, Airbnbs have become the new top desired holiday spot for couples, families and groups alike.
Looking for some holiday inspiration?
Here’s our pick of the top 30 Airbnbs in NSW.
30. Secluded Magical Rainforest Retreat, Main Arm
A mix of Balinese and modern design, this treetop holiday home is the perfect romantic getaway, privately set among the bush with beautiful features including a wood fire and a chandelier dining experience, as well as a rustic wooden bridge to welcome you into the abode.
Complete with timber flooring, various relaxing outdoor deck areas and a spacious Queen bedroom, this classic cabin is ideal for a couples weekend away to chill back and escape into nature.
29. Iconic Beach House, Copacabana
A quaint A-frame home only five minutes from Copacabana Beach, this two-bedroom holiday house is perfect for families looking for a beachside weekend getaway.
With a cosy front deck made to soak up the sun, a spacious fully-enclosed backyard for any pets looking to join in on the holiday fun and coastal-style decor made up of timber flooring and freshly painted white interiors, this charming property is a peaceful sanctuary that comes at an incredible price.
28. Olinda Cottage, Alstonvale
Winner of Airbnb’s 2022 Host of the Year, Olinda Cottage is a beautifully designed retreat set on 14 acres of land, where guests are welcome to pick out fresh produce from nearby fruit trees, stroll through local rainforests or soak up the gorgeous view of mountain ranges from the property’s private deck.
The sapphire green kitchen plays centre to the cosy cottage, which perfectly combines classic and traditional elements to create a timeless holiday spot, only made better by an outdoor fireplace and hot tub.
27. Creekside Tiny House, Foxground
Neighbouring a local creek, this mini ‘escape pod’ is a unique holiday destination perfect for couples looking for something cosy, intimate and completely private, set among Australian nature.
Equipped with an indoor fireplace, compost toilet and outdoor bath and shower amenities, this tiny home is ideal for those looking to get off the grid for a weekend in order to explore nearby waterfalls, go for a dip at local beaches and discover Kiama’s small town of Foxground.
26. Wilgowrah Church, Mudgee
A heritage-listed building with an abundance of character, this full-brick church has been gorgeously transformed into a completely one-of-a-kind Airbnb, renovated immaculately for guests to enjoy, complete with vaulted ceilings, Gothic windows and a comfy sitting area.
Located on the luxury farm Wilgowrah in Mudgee, this quaint building has been updated with a separate toilet, full kitchen, Queen bed area and outdoor fire pit, making a completely one-of-a-kind weekend getaway, ideal for couples who want to live outside of the box.
25. Laguna Sanctuary, Upper Colo
Located along the Colo River, this Balinese-style cottage is perfect for exercise lovers, fanatic fishers and those just wanting to relax, offering an abundance of activities including swimming, kayaking, bushwalking, fishing and cosy areas inside the home to nod off.
Equipped with the additional benefits of an outdoor heated spa, outdoor gazebo and fire-pit area, this gorgeous holiday home comes with two spacious queen bedrooms and looks like something taken straight out of an Instagram feed.
24. ‘Werona’ Country Cottage, Burrawang
A finalist for Airbnb Australia’s 2022 award for Best Design Stay, ‘Werona’, named after the Aboriginal word for ‘quiet’, is a 1930s cottage in the Southern Highlands that combines luxury and comfort, resulting in a beautiful home that mixes English and Australian interior decor.
Painted throughout with a mix of bold heritage colours and clean white paint, the quaint cottage features a log fire, heated bathroom floors, a sunny living area and a designer kitchen that plays centre, complete with brick features and antique gold detailing.
23. Mountain Top Farmhouse, Stony Chute
Only a quick drive from Nimbin, this renovated ‘off-the-grid’ farmhouse is ideal for a family getaway into nature, with three spacious bedrooms, a loft-style lounge room and an outdoor wood fired BBQ area, all complete with stunning white and timber modern interiors.
If you can last a few days without Wi-Fi, this mountain top holiday home is perfect for you, located in a beautiful rural setting with views that can be enjoyed from loungers and hammocks on the spacious backyard deck.
22. Hideout Cabin, Moss Vale
A luxurious tiny home in the beautiful Southern Highlands, this quaint modern holiday home is set on a working horse farm where guests have the option to fully immerse in farmland life and go for a horse ride around the property.
Designed with stylish exposed light fixtures, pale pink bathroom tiles and exposed timber cladding, this modern twist on a tiny home is best suited for a couples retreat, with 150 acres of farmland to explore and only five minutes from the historically-rich town of Moss Vale.
21. The Plot, Binna Burra
Located between Newrybar and Bangalow, this classic Queenslander home is a beautiful holiday destination to unwind and pop your feet up, with features for every member of the family to enjoy.
With three bedrooms, a heated mineral salt plunge pool, outdoor fire pit and kitchen garden, this boho property and its traditional French doors, VJ panelled walls and original fretwork is a timeless holiday retreat that’s completely private, peaceful and quiet.
20. Gawthorne‘s Hut, Mudgee
Winner of Airbnb’s 2021 Best Unique Stay award, this architecturally designed triangular hut is a luxurious modern space that is completely one-of-a-kind, designed with cosy warm timbers and interiors, contrasting the deep green outlook of the Mudgee valley.
Enjoy off-the-grid life in this country escape, breathe in the fresh air by the outdoor fire-pit or put on some pyjamas and get cosy inside by the indoor wood fireplace where you can wake up to the sunrise shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
19. Wondernest, Blackheath
Fans of Gothic design will adore this picturesque country home in the Blue Mountains, a stark black cottage complete with Scandinavian interiors, dark stained timber and stunning features including an internal fireplace, a spacious back deck and a massive window box acting as the perfect nook to read a book in the morning sunshine.
Complete with two upstairs chalet-style Queen bedrooms, feature skylights, a sunny galley-kitchen and contemporary features throughout, there's no question how this stunning ‘cabin in the woods’ became a finalist in Airbnb Australia’s Best Designed Stay award in 2021.
18. Pepper Tree Passive House, Unanderra
Winner of the Institute of Architects’ Sustainable Architecture Award 2022, this eco-house was designed by architect Alexander Symes and features a mix of dark and warm-coloured timbers, with a 50-year-old Pepper tree gorgeously integrated within the home’s design, playing centre stage on the house’s spacious outdoor deck.
Complete with modern shadow lights, warm timbers and materials, this actual treehouse lets in an abundance of natural light through its many windows and is perfect for a luxurious weekend away with enough room for three guests and a cosy atmosphere that will make you never want to leave.
17. The Salty Dog, Newport
Attention all boat lovers – this completely unique luxury houseboat is the perfect romantic getaway for you.
Located in Newport on Sydney’s northern beaches, this one bedroom space sits literally on top of the ocean, isolated from the rest of the world and featuring one loft-style Queen bedroom, a casual living space with a skylight, and a back deck to sit and enjoy the sound of waves, try your luck at catching some fish or go for a late night dip.
16. River Ranch, Riverlea
Just 15 minutes from Mudgee, River Ranch is the ideal place for a ‘digital detox’, with guests given the entire farm to explore, in addition to the adorable barn equipped with a wraparound veranda, wood burning fireplace and pool table.
Picnic baskets and rugs are provided to guests, providing a classy twist on barnyard living, the home featuring four loft-style bedrooms, a luxurious bathroom and an open plan living area, making the ideal rural escape for families and friends, with enough space to house eight guests.
15. Eyrie House, Kangaroo Valley
Privately located on 2.5 acres of land looking over Kangaroo Valley, Eyrie House is an award-winning family home, recognised for its stunning architecture made from locally sourced spotted gum timber, perfectly complementing the natural surroundings.
Only 15 minutes from Berry, this hidden away holiday retreat is equipped with two Queen bedrooms, an island kitchen, media room, vegetable gardens and outdoor entertainment area featuring a BBQ area and a plunge pool that sits over trees.
14. Arabella, Beaumont
Set on the edge of the Cambewarra Ranges, Arabella is an award-winning tiny home overlooking Kangaroo Valley, earning praise for its one-of-a-kind outdoor bathroom, camouflaged with mirrored walls in nearby bushland that opens to a grand freestanding bath with 360 degree views of Australian wildlife and nature.
Located on 140 acres of a private former dairy farm, the eco-cabin offers guests complete tranquillity and an off-the-grid experience, featuring a wood fireplace, ultra-modern timber detailing, a cosy kitchen, a loft-style bedroom and another bed that looks out into the nature from a giant floor-to-ceiling window.
13. Treetops, Wagstaffe
Set in the quiet beachside suburb of Wagstaffe, this classy architecturally designed retreat is the perfect serene weekend getaway, with views of the bush and the bay where guests can enjoy the sights and sounds from the nearby Bouddi National Park.
Equipped with a cosy fireplace for cooler months and a spacious northeast facing deck for those hot summer days, this three-bedroom ecologically designed home is ideal for relaxation, featuring massive floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the stunning views, crisp white interiors and a completely private setting where you can get among nature and enjoy the peace and quiet.
12. Warramba, Glen Alice
Owned by well-known journalists Edwina Bartholomew and Neil Varcoe, Warramba is a luxurious homestead near Lithgow that acts as a perfect escape from the craziness of everyday life, offering guests an opportunity to surround themselves by Glen Alice’s sandstone cliffs and Australian wildlife in their beautifully renovated farmhouse.
Originally built in the 1890s, the farmhouse has been architecturally designed with accents of sandstone, neutral tones and white hues to mimic the surrounding cliffs and paddocks, with additional benefits of a mineral water pool, two fire pits and a swag available for a more intimate experience to connect with Australian bushland.
11. The Black Chapel, Austinmer
Featuring in both Australian House Garden Magazine and Married At First Sight, this luxurious retreat is a stunning prestige home located only a 500m bushwalk from the beach, with Moroccan design incorporated throughout and beautiful features included a plunge pool, a Finnish sauna, and a stylish black and white kitchen with a tiled feature wall.
Children will love the massive level backyard while adults will admire the elegant mix of modern tiling, marble and antique detailing that completes the cosy luxurious estate making the perfect escape into a life of grandeur, relaxation and class.
10. Jamberoo Valley Farm Cottage, Jamberoo
Jamberoo Valley Farm is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and interact with farm animals, with guests of the divine property given the opportunity to have the 65-acre farm completely to themselves.
Designed with Scandinavian finishes, the home offers a luxurious twist to your typical farm stay accommodation, with an outdoor Swedish hot tub, an indoor fireplace, an expansive outdoor entertaining area with a wraparound deck and two spacious bedrooms – a space so comfy and beautifully curated that it was a finalist in Airbnb’s 2021 Australian Host Awards.
9. Machinery Shed, Blackheath
Located in the beautiful Blue Mountains, the Machinery Shed is one of the most wishlisted Airbnb’s in Australia, set upon an apple orchard, this unique Airbnb offers guests the opportunity to wander through the apple trees or enjoy the sound of nature in a private freestanding treetop bath.
On those cooler nights you can relax inside the spacious living room, complete with polished timber floors and a ceiling donned with fairy lights, plus a fireplace playing centre stage – perfect for snuggling up and taking in the mountain views of the Australian bush.
8. Bundeena Beachside Oasis, Bundeena
Just one minute from Jibbon Beach, this beachside abode is the ideal coastal getaway, completely renovated with timeless design, this property comes with unbeatable ocean views, sun-filled rooms and an expansive outdoor deck perfect for spending those summer nights with the family and loved ones watching the sunset.
Three bedrooms accommodate a maximum of six adults, making the perfect holiday spot for big families or a group away with friends, with each one of the rooms spectacularly finished with modern features including and a mix of warm and grey tones for maximum aesthetic appeal.
7. Hikari House, Kingscliff
Beach lovers will adore this luxury mid-century home in the seaside town Kingscliff near Byron Bay, housing a total of eight people and offering a quarter acre beachfront block with its own magnesium pool, stylish open plan living areas, and massive first class bathrooms with freestanding baths and marble detailing.
Explore multiple bushwalks nearby the property or take a quick stroll to the beach that’s at your doorstep – and no need to fret on those colder rainy days when you have an indoor fireplace smartly integrated into the living area to keep you cosy regardless of the season.
6. The Moroccan Retreat, Bilgola Plateau
Live like a king or a queen in this Moroccan-inspired castle-like abode featuring its very own library, private pool and completely unique architecture and finished with stained glass windows, orange paints, gorgeous Persian rugs and a massive bathroom with its own stunning tiled mosaic feature wall and Juliet balcony.
A finalist of Airbnb Australia’s Host 2021 award for Best Unique Stay, this one-of-a-kind holiday destination is made completely out of recycled eco-friendly sustainable materials and can house a total of eight people who want to escape into to the world of Morocco, Northern Africa or India, without splurging on an expensive plane ticket.
5. The Glass House, Darlinghurst
More of a city person than a beach lover? This Paddington home and winner of the House & Garden Magazine’s Top 50 Rooms in Australia Award is the ideal holiday destination for fans of architectural perfection and luxury, without worrying too much about travel time and pesky road trips.
A smart home with voice control for lights, heating and music, this futuristic home lives and breathes high class, with marble tiling throughout, a kitchen featuring top-end European pieces and modern bathrooms that will make you feel like you’re staying at the best five-star hotel, with the convenience of having the whole home to yourself.
4. Luxury Warehouse Home, Lilyfield
Formerly a candy factory in Sydney’s inner west, this open-concept warehouse-style home has been completely transformed into a renovated luxury holiday stay, complete with five bedrooms, a formal dining area and an open-plan kitchen with breakfast bar which leads to a courtyard and pool area.
Experience architectural perfection throughout the home, with glass walls, stylish exposed bricks, reclaimed timber, ambient lighting, green tree canopies and an integrated Sonos sound system, plus the additional bonus of a killer location in the quiet inner city suburb of Lilyfield.
3. Rhyanna Park, Chatsbury
Feel like a character from Bridgerton in this Georgian-style farmhouse, featuring three separate residences that can sleep up to 18 guests, featuring massive 38ft ballroom ceilings, a 22m lap pool and a hidden one bedroom cottage separate from the main house.
Live and breathe luxury on the grand staircase where you can admire the stunning chandeliers, or relax in one of the many entertaining areas including a paved 12-person outdoor area that comes with a pizza oven and BBQ or go for a walk to the property’s adjoining paddocks where you can interact with the black angus cattle.
2. Rosedale Farm, Orange
Opened in February 2023 by Insta-famous interior stylist Steve Cordony, Rosedale Farm is Cordony’s latest renovation project, completely revitalising the 1877 farmhouse with contemporary European features including dark timber flooring and bathrooms with elegant gold accents.
Only seven kilometres from Orange, this dream farmstay can house up to 14 guests across nine bedrooms, with guests encouraged to explore the farm, interact with the animals and walk through the manicured gardens.
1. Picadilly House, Coopers Shoot
You can’t get better luxury than this – with unbeatable views of Byron Bay, an infinity pool and seven spacious bedrooms to house even the largest of families, Picadilly House in Coopers Shoot is a first-class resort experience with clean, stylish and simple design.
With Mediterranean stylings throughout, this resort-style home can house up to 14 guests, and includes benefits for each member of the family including a hot tub, a games room with pool table and bar, two outdoor fireplaces, a 1963 Airstream caravan, a children’s treehouse, and multiple alfresco entertaining areas including an 18-person dining table with nine-metre high ceilings.
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