Australia’s best award-winning holiday homes revealed | List

From coastal escapes to hidden gems in the middle of the bush, here are the homes named the best places to take a holiday in the country.

A renovated cottage in the Grampians has been named Australia’s best holiday home.

The winners of this year’s Stayz Holiday Home Awards have been announced, and it’s a coup for Victoria.

Over a third of the short-listed properties are from Victoria – the most of any state.

“Victoria is home to some of the country’s best wilderness experiences, beaches, wineries, cities and towns. Now, it’s also home for the third year running, to Australia’s number one holiday home again. While we sadly can’t visit right now, I think I speak for most travellers when I say we can’t wait to return soon,” Stayz travel expert Simone Scoppa says.

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Algona Views in Halls Gap, Victoria, is the winner of the 2020 Stayz Holiday Home Awards.

New South Wales came a close runner-up, with seven homes in the top 20 list.

This year’s awards are also a win for regional Australia with 95 per cent of homes outside of our cities.

The winners are decided based on the ‘most booked’ and ‘best reviewed’ properties on the Stayz platform over the past year.

WINNERS

1. Algona Views – Halls Gap, Victoria

This newly renovated self-contained two-bedder is proving popular with travellers who explore the Grampians National Park. Sleeping four adults, the holiday home is the quintessential no-fuss home that is the setting for relaxation, taking in the local wildlife and just hanging out with the ones you love.

Inside Stayz winning holiday home of 2020.

2. Capel Breeze – Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

In the heart of Capel Sound Beach on the Mornington Peninsula, this two-bedroom holiday home has also made it to the top 20 national list. Sleeping five people, with a Queen bed, bunks and a fold-out bed, the apartment is popular with families who want to explore the Peninsula Hot Springs, Cape Schanck National Park and nearby safe swimming beaches.

Capel Breeze in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

3. Bantam Cottage – Berry, NSW

This cosy 100-year-old cottage in central Berry is where guests can watch the world go by from the front veranda that looks onto the town. With a fully fenced backyard, the cottage is popular with pet owners and in winter, families can toast marshmallows on the open fire. The owners, who are dog lovers themselves, say Berry is a pet-friendly town and they share tips with guests on where to find off-leash areas including the beach at Shoalhaven Heads.

Bantam Cottage sits in Berry, NSW.

FINALISTS

Waters Edge – Scarborough, NSW

This elevated and oversized home with ocean views is great for large family gatherings and is only a five-minute walk to the patrolled beach and park.

The Little White House – Emerald, Victoria

Designed with your enjoyment and relaxation in mind, guests keep coming back for the bathtub that looks out over the valley. The home is set up to allow guests to make a weekend away feel like a private retreat.

The Pole House – Fairhaven, Victoria

A 2018 Stayz Holiday Home Award finalist, The Pole House at Fairhaven was built by Frank Dixon and instantly became a landmark, a man-made natural attraction and sentinel guarding the eastern gate to The Great Ocean Road.

Pineview – Bundeena, NSW

With beautiful water views and the beach on your doorstep, the home comes with a small kitchenette – perfect for a weekend city escape. The Royal National Park and all the hiking trails are within easy reach.

Otways Loft – Forrest, Victoria

This home is as quirky as it is stylish with interiors featuring recycled materials and locally felled timber. There’s a freestanding clawfoot bath in the master bedroom, wood-fired heater, airconditioning, piano, coffee maker and pets are welcome.

Number 96 at Pretty Beach – Pretty Beach, NSW

Just 90 minutes from Sydney, road trippers love this classic beachside holiday home at Pretty Beach near the Bouddi National Park. The three-bedroom home has high-speed NBN, making it the perfect place to ‘work from anywhere’.

Kinfauns – Yallingup, WA

This architect-designed house is designed around a contemporary interpretation of traditional rural style, with a strong emphasis on relaxation, comfort and convenience, nestled in the Yallingup Hills.

55 on Horatio – Mudgee, NSW

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 Mudgee region.

202 Frangipani on the beach – Whitsundays, Queensland

This Hamilton Island apartment’s balcony is large and includes a six-seater outdoor dining setting and barbecue – where you can take in the views from the top floor apartment. Guests also have access to the swimming pool and heated spa.

Bondi Beach Penthouse – Bondi, NSW

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.

Elanora Gerroa – Gerroa, NSW

A two-hour drive south of Sydney, guests enjoy staying with this large four-bedroom, three-bathroom property on Gerroa Headland. The property overlooks Shelley Beach and farmland best enjoyed on the garden deck that’s complete with a fire pit.

Belle Vue Beach House – Binalong Bay, Tasmania

This was a classic Tasmanian cray fisherman’s shack – until its recent extensive renovations. Perfectly positioned opposite the famous Binalong Bay swimming beach, the breathtaking views are truly rewarding.

Bellbird Studio – Kenilworth, Queensland

This exclusive, airconditioned rural retreat was originally built by an artist and has been recently renovated to provide a unique glamping experience. The outdoor undercover heated spa is a favourite for guests.

Arinya Retreat – Dayelsford, Victoria

An architecturally eco-friendly designed home nestled down an unsealed dirt track in the Hepburn Regional Park set among a private landscape. Guests have exclusive access to the retreat.

Amaroo – Halls Gap, Victoria

In the heart of Halls Gap, just metres from cafés, restaurants, shops and bushwalks, the Amaroo Retreat is luxury accommodation set among a peaceful garden, which provides you with unparalleled views of Mackeys Peak.

No. 41 Dennes Point – Dennes Point, Tasmania

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 wraparound deck that provides a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor living.