Glamping, tiny homes and cute cabins: Victorian holiday homes with a twist
Tiny luxury has come a long way from overheated caravans and cramped DIY tents. Glamping “pods”, mini cabins, and even avant garde-inspired huts are all just a few hours from Melbourne. Here are some of the state’s most unusual options.
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The scorching summer days are coming to an end and Victoria’s about to hit that sweet spot for outdoor adventures.
But if the thought of lugging camping gear puts you off, or you like it a touch more “luxe”, these quirky cabins, posh tents and out-there tiny homes could entice you.
Many are labours of love, like a popular airstream caravan rental in the Otways.
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Cattle farmers Brett and Christine Smith rent out three very different options on their property at Pennyroyal, about 20km inland from Lorne, but one of the coolest is a 52-year-old airstream caravan. They spent two years searching for it and several months refurbishing the sleek chrome van.
“Our selling point here is we’ve got a unique environment to stay in and enjoy, with lots of birdlife,” Mr Smith said.
“We have a lot of guests who just want to come and chill out on the property.”
And they’re not alone. Here are some of Victoria’s most out-of-the-box accommodation choices.
Pennyroyal
From $259 per night, via glampinghub.com
Country stays usually deliver truckloads of rustic style — if that bores you to tears, this cool 60s-style chrome camper ought to do the trick.
Pop art on the walls, designer retro furniture, a flat screen TV and airconditioning are all part of the sleek interior.
The outdoor attractions include an alfresco bath, deck and fire pit to add that camping holiday vibe.
Owner Brett Smith said they get plenty of honeymooners as well as fans of the iconic airstream caravans from around the world.
Castlemaine
From $108 per night, via glampinghub.com
If you’ve watched too many of those tiny house reno shows, or wondered what life a bit “off the grid” might be like, this is the glamping spot for you.
Solar hot water, a little wood-burning fire place, and all those space-saving tiny house touches make this eco-friendly home on wheels a different holiday rental.
Grab a cup of tea on the veranda and watch the Castlemaine to Maldon steam train chug by or relax in the Japanese-style bathtub.
Phillip Island
From $393 a night, via glampinghub.com
This spot has taken the safari tent up a notch.
Two beds (a four-poster queen and a king) make it good for small groups, families or those after more space. But what really seals the deal is the outdoor hot tub, which makes “roughing it” a lot easier.
Mornington Peninsula
From $265 per night
If you’ve managed to send the kids off to the in-laws for the weekend, the last thing you want is to turn up at your camp site and see children everywhere.
That’s got to be one of the reasons why this adults-only glamping site exists in one of Victoria’s favourite wine regions.
Within stumbling distance from Blue Range Estate winery’s cellar door, the pillow-topped queen sized beds in 10 tents include solar power to keep your phone charged, a barbecue area, and bathrooms nearby.
Crossover
From $280 per night, via glampinghub.com
Can’t get all the way to Barcelona? Consider heading just over an hour east of Melbourne for a couple of nights in this cabin with a twist.
Inspired by the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s designs, the distinctive exterior decoration hides a spa bath, glass spire for stargazing, two bedrooms and a treetop balcony.
Healesville
From $219 per night, via glampinghub.com
These timber cabins are definitely cosy but the arched ceilings and deck give holidaying pairs a bit more space.
They’re part of a larger campsite, so if you want to have access to a pool, tennis courts, heated spa, full communal kitchen and playground for kids, this could be the ticket.
These cabins have access to shared bathrooms for the glamping sites, plus a mini fridge, microwave and basic breakfast appliances.
The same location also has family-friendly bell tents available, starting from $251 a night, that can sleep more people.
Various, Mornington Peninsula based
From $330 for two nights and two people
You book a site, the Let’s Glamp crew do the rest.
Some of their favourite campgrounds include Point Leo, Balnarring Beach and Capel Sound, but they can set up most places on the Peninsula. They’ll also travel anywhere in Victoria for a bit extra.
They bring it all in and take it all away — including beds, linen, a camp cooker, board games, even fairy lights.
Balgownie Estate, Bendigo
From $155 a night for two in a bell tent
Clearly wine and glamping are meant to go together. Explore this wine region from a safari tent with a claw-foot bath tub on the deck, or enjoy your cellar door purchases in one of the smaller bell tents.
Queen-size beds, homely touches like rugs and even airconditioning make these tents closer to hotel rooms than something you stayed in at scout camp.
Cottles Bridge
From $134 a night, via glampinghub.com
Waking up to sweeping views like this could set you back a pretty penny. But this luxury tent comes at a fraction of the price of a posh resort.
Take in the Yarra Valley region views from your queen-size bed with feather bedding. This spot also has solar power and flushing toilets so you’re not roughing it too much.
Various, Mornington Peninsula based
From $500 for two people and two nights
For those dreaming of an old-school caravan holiday but without their own set-up, Wanderlings can deliver, style the van and tow it all away again.
They’ll bring one of their cute retro vans to you for free within approximately 50km of Balnarring, on the Mornington Peninsula, but there’s a delivery fee for sites up to 100km.
Is there a gem we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
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