Australia’s best Airbnb homes to holiday in Queensland, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria
From a home designed to look like a plane on the side of a cliff to a 160-year-old barn, these are the best Airbnb stays in Australia. See the winners.
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From a 160-year-old barn shipped from the US to fresh hen-laid eggs cooked for breakfast each morning – these are the Aussies who are turning stays in their own homes into five-star luxury experiences.
And it’s Airbnb hosts in Tasmania who have come out on top – taking out three of the five Host Awards categories.
With categories such as Most Unique Stay, Best Designed Stay and Best Unique Stay, winners range from a house designed to look like a plane on the side of a cliff in Tasmania to a 160-year-old barn dismantled in the US and rebuilt in Victoria.
Carla Dawes from the Northern Rivers Region of NSW was named Australia's Host of the Year, with her cottage located on 14 acres of the rolling green hills of Alstonvale attracting 5-star reviews from guests around the world.
“I started to host five years ago when my two sons had finished school and headed out into the world,” Ms Dawes said.
She said she offers her guests breakfast every morning using fresh eggs from her hens and homegrown produce from the garden.
According to the accommodation platform, winning hosts were selected based on extensive data, guest scores and reviews, and with oversight from a panel of judges.
“Local Hosts are the backbone of the Airbnb community,” Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon, said.
“More than two years since the start of the pandemic, the travel revolution continues to unfold and the benefits of tourism are spreading further afield into regional Australia and New Zealand, and empowering locals to earn a living and make ends meet.”
So here’s a look at Australia’s standout properties:
HOST OF THE YEAR
Recognising hosts who have gone above and beyond to ensure guests have an amazing stay.
WINNER: Carla Dawes, Alstonvale, NSW
Not only is it the stunning views that leaves guests in awe, Carla leaves little extras around the cottage like chocolates, freshly baked sourdough from Harvest in Newrybar, local Brookfarm Muesli, Byron Bay cookies and always fresh flowers from her property.
BEST NEW HOST
WINNER: Peter Clarke, Franklin, Tasmania
The Little Seed Hosts Peter and Charlie pride themselves on offering a beautiful and memorable stay for their guests.
“As regular Airbnb guests ourselves we knew it was the simple and little things that really make the difference during your stay,” Mr Clarke said.
“This is why we want our own guests to have the same luxury and welcoming experience that we love from the very start, so we leave a personal welcome note accompanied with a little jar of homemade shortbreads, light the fire on cold days as well as a fragrant oil burner, and turn the music on in studio for their arrival.”
BEST DESIGNED STAY
Recognising hosts who design their homes in a way that reflects their inner personalities and passions.
WINNER: Katherine and Wade Harris, Merrijig, Victoria
Coombs Hill Barn Hosts Katherine and Wade Harris spent three years dismantling a 160 year old barn in America before they restored and rebuilt it on her family property in Victoria‘s High Country.
“It was important for us to retain the integrity of the 160 year old barn wood so this was the focal point of our design,” Mrs Harris said.
“We knew everything else we choose from the paint to the furnishings needed to be neutral tones to highlight the old barn wood.
“We wanted the place to have a warm and inviting feeling to all who walked through the doors.”
BEST UNIQUE STAY
Recognising hosts who have a unique and amazingly distinctive home.
WINNER: Quentin Dempster, Table Cape, Tasmania
From the inside, guests enjoy a 180-degree perspective of dramatic seascapes. From every room, you are mesmerised by the wild sea views, ever-changing light, cloud formations, eagles and the occasional seal
“The Winged House is cantilevered over a cliff at Table Cape (tulip territory). It was designed by renowned artist and architect Richard Goodwin with engineering by Harry Partridge and built in 2008 by Tassie master builder John de Jong,” Mr Dempster said.
“We offer guests a spectacular view with dramatic seascapes over Bass Strait, a gourmet kitchen with stocked larder, complimentary Tassie Josef Chromy wine and extra virgin olive oil we produce from our olive grove on the property.”
BEST NATURE STAY
Recognising hosts who showcase the best of Australia’s stunning natural landscape
WINNER: Susie Aulich, Lilydale, TAS
“Be the change you want to see is our philosophy at The Container. Nature is your host, guests won‘t meet us but expect a visit from the kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and chooks,” Ms Aulich said.
“The Container is powered by the sun and our own Hydro system, created from an up-cycled shipping container with its additional build repurposed from recycled and found materials.
“Firewood is sourced from the mountain, all food waste is composted for our garden or fed to the chooks who in turn lay eggs for our guests.
“We hand knit our dishcloths from organic cotton, when they wear out we re-purpose them for mulch on our garden beds, knitting needles and the pattern are provided for guests to knit their own to take home.”
MOST MAGICAL EXPERIENCE
Recognising Experience Hosts who, through their expertise and passion, have the ability to immerse guests in a whole new world
WINNER: Paul Quincey, Noosaville, QLD
Kayaking secret waterways full of stingrays
“When I was working in Sydney I spent years using all my annual leave to spend as much time as I could in the Noosa Shire,” Mr Quincey said.
“It‘s an absolute adventure playground. So eventually it dawned on me, why not live in paradise and share my love of the area, the outdoors and for adventure with others.”
“After a few years in lockdown and the busyness of modern life, guests often note they loved mindfully switching off as they paddled and floated down the tranquil lake.”
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