The holiday season is enough to give anyone cabin fever

SUMMER might be over but a holiday home doesn’t have to be on the beach. These rural cottages make the perfect getaway and they are all up for grabs.

A rural getaway in the artist’s haven of Bellingen Rose Bank Cottage is on the market for

The holidays giving you cabin fever?

For too long the concept of a holiday home has been an overpriced beach shack just a hop skip and a jump to the overcrowded sand, but come winter and there are other alternatives to walking along a windy coastline.

Buying a cabin in the bush could be the ideal family getaway, and there is always the possibility of the purchase being a money making manoeuvre.

For as little as $98,000 for a slice of bushland paradise, these cute cabins could be the next addition to your property portfolio and a perfect place to sit out the winter beside a log fire.

But buyers beware, leave your broadband, smartphone and pay TV habits behind in the city — when you check into these rustic residences you have to check out of the rat race.

Rose Bank Cottage, Bellingen — More than $290,000

This rural cabin in Bellingen is on the market for between $290,000 and $310,000.

Just 30 minutes from Coffs Harbour and its famous Big Banana, and a few minutes from the laid-back artists’ township of Bellingen, Rose Bank Cottage is in Kalang valley.

Surrounded by freshwater rivers, swimming holes and mountain ranges, the one-bedroom handmade mud brick cabin has landscaped gardens with grapefruit, lemon, lime and avocado trees and a host of eco-friendly inclusions such as solar hot water, rain water tanks and a Rayburn combustion stove.

Even the bathroom has an element of shabby chic with a claw foot iron bath and a two phase flush toilet septic system so no more late night toilet adventures.

Mountain View, Bar Point — $350,000

For $350,000 this wooden cabin with bush and water views at Bar Point could be all yours.

A tree house for grown ups, this cosy cedar cabin is on the Hawkesbury River just west of the Pacific Highway. The split-level holiday home has polished timber floors, an open plan kitchen and the living and dining space open onto the wraparound deck.

Perfect for a weekend mini break where most of the time is spent reading in a hammock, the cottage has sweeping bush and river views from the deck.

There is a slow combustion fire in the living room and a deep water jetty on the waters edge.

Yet to be named, Nimbin — $359,990

Far from the city lights, this Nimbin cabin is on the market for $359,990.

In the heart of the Northern Rivers’ hippy state, this Nimbin cottage is on a private tropical block minutes from town. With two bedrooms and a separate studio, the cabin would make a groovy home away from home or a retreat for creatives.

The block has fruit trees, a private spring fed dam and mountain views plus solar heating.

The self-contained cabin has a functional kitchen, bedroom, independent hot water system and a living room but the bathroom amenities are only for the adventurous — there is a shower recess (which needs to be plumbed in) and an outside toilet.

Numinbah, Tweed Valley — $222,000

Buy a share in this Numinbah property for $222,000 and get your own cabin.

A time share opportunity with a rustic twist, this one third share in a Tweed Valley cabin is a unique getaway idea an hour south of Brisbane.

The property covers almost 34ha in total with a small solid timber cabin surrounded by forest. There is one main living area with large bay windows, a small veranda, solar and gas, an outdoor shower area, composting toilet, landline phone and carport.

A nature-lover’s oasis, the property has rare and endangered native and exotic palms, rainforest trees and due to its position near a national park there is also plenty of wildlife on hand.

Yarramie Cottage, Great Mackerel Beach — $695,000

It only has one-bedroom but this cottage at Great Mackerel Beach is a hidden gem.

Built in the 1920s, this restored stone cottage is in a secluded corner of the Pittwater region that is still largely undiscovered by tourists.

It has a south east facing sun deck with views across the leafy Mackerel Beach valley and the beach itself is only five minutes from the cabin with several nature tracks nearby.

Mackerel Beach is a small community of just 130 houses opposite Palm Beach, but city slickers beware — there are no shops. Getting to and from the secret suburb is unlike any other commute. Locals use either the local ferry, or a seaplane to Sydney.

412 Murray Scrub Rd, Kyogle — $98,000

Ready for a little renovator TLC, this Kyogle cabin costs just $98,000 for a share in the 2ha estate.

Just the ticket for anyone wanting an extremely rustic getaway cabin, who is on an even more extreme budget.

About 45 minutes from Kyogle, which is west of Byron Bay, this timber, stone and colourbond rustic cottage is in need of a little TLC.

For less than $100,000 there is a chance to share in 2ha of forested land adjoining National Parks.

The cottage itself has one bedroom and one bathroom with an open plan kitchen and living room that features a wood heater and of course there is the obligatory wrap around veranda.

The property has a fresh rain water tank and a spring fed dam as well as solar power and water as well as a landline phone connection.