Best tiny holiday houses to escape to around Australia
The tiny house craze has spilt over to holiday rentals and the charming properties are popping up in some of the best destinations in Australia.
The tiny house movement has swept the globe – and while we’re all fascinated by the boom in these compact, minimalist homes, in reality, few of us are likely to make the dramatic downsize.
But tiny holiday homes? Well, that’s a totally different story.
More and more tiny houses are popping up as holiday rentals around Australia, offering travellers all the charm and cosiness of a tiny house at a fraction of the cost of a comparable full-property stay.
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And they’re available in all parts of the country, from coastal towns to the bush, letting travellers get off the grid and enjoy the simple things as they soak up the spectacular environment around them.
Here are some standouts among Australia’s tiny rental home offerings.
JUDE, ADELAIDE HILLS, SA
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Only a half-hour drive from the city of Adelaide, but in the midst of the lush Adelaide Hills, is Jude – one of the properties offered by tiny house provider Cabn.
With ultra stylish Scandinavian design features and built from natural timber, the minimalist cabin is the perfect place to get off the grid and soak in nature – but in comfort.
Able to accommodate up to four people, it features a loft king bed and a single bed or day bed, an indoor shower and toilet, indoor gas heater, mini fridge and freezer, two-burner stove and kitchen amenities, a camp fire pit and plenty of board games to spend the time.
Guests can also enjoy food package add-ons, such as cheese platters or a hot breakfast.
While it feels like a world away from civilisation, the cabin is just a stone’s throw from all the sights and sounds of the Adelaide Hills.
Nearby is Hahndorf Main Street in what’s believed to be Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, where visitors can indulge in handmade goods, local produce and wine.
Another must-do is visiting the Stirling Market, open on the fourth Sunday of the month, or the Mt Lofty Summit Hike, which rewards trekkers with jaw-dropping views.
The Adelaide Hills is a goldmine for foodies – Lost in a Forest at Uraidla serves wood-fired pizzas in a historic church and Sazón Espresso at Mount Barker combines Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine.
And no visit to the Adelaide Hills is complete without enjoying local wines – the region is packed with wineries and cellar doors to visit.
JR’S HUT, NANGUS, NSW
Perched on a hill overlooking NSW’s breathtaking Kimo Valley and Murrumbidgee River, JR’s EcoHut – an eco hut on the property of Kimo Estate, west of Gundagai – is the perfect way to enjoy simplicity in style.
Architecturally designed and built from just local timber, steel and galvanised iron, the triangular prism-shaped hut is also eco-friendly, using solar power for light and water.
Large windows provide incredible views of the quiet countryside from anywhere inside the cabin, although the most impressive view might be from inside the stylish bathroom.
Breakfast is included but there is no TV, so there are no distractions from the beautiful surrounds.
JR’s EcoHut is designed to give guests a sense of solitude in the countryside, but it’s just a 10 minute drive from the historic town of Gundagai.
There is plenty to do in town, from checking out the iconic Dog on the Tuckerbox sculpture and the incredible Marble Masterpiece – an intricate display built from more than 20,000 pieces of marble – through to antique shopping, bird watching, the Gundagai River Walk, and a visit to Gundagai Goal and the 135-year-old Gundagai Railway station.
TINY HOUSE ON BRUNY ISLAND, TAS
Available on GlampingHub
Tucked among the bushland on spectacular Bruny Island, off Tasmania’s southeastern coast, is this charming tiny house that’s perfect for a romantic escape.
The minimalist tiny house manages to cram in all the comforts you’ll need from a private kitchen, full bathroom, comfy queen bed and washer and dryer.
Highlights includes an outdoor sunken bathtub and wood-fired baker oven.
And it’s the perfect place to spend your nights after days exploring Bruny Island.
The island offers plenty to do, from a variety of walking tracks through the picturesque wilderness – including to the historic Bruny Island Lighthouse – through to galleries and museums, including the fascinating Bruny Island Quarantine Station.
While you’re on the island, be sure to collect some local goodies to eat and drink, including artisan cheese and breads from the Bruny Island Cheese Co, fresh oysters from the Get Shucked Oyster Farm, jams, ice-cream and freshly plucked berries from the Bruny Island Berry Farm, and a souvenir or two from the Bruny Island House of Whisky.
TABITHA THE TINY HOUSE, LAIDLEY SOUTH, QLD
Adorably quaint Tabitha is a tiny house on wheels in the heart of Queensland’s scenic Lockyer Valley.
Located on a hobby farm in Laidley South, about an hour from Brisbane, “Tabitha” is a perfect example of tiny housing done right.
The house contains a fully functional kitchen and full-sized bathroom, washing facilities, indoor seating area and a bed, while managing to maintain comfort and charm.
There is plenty of space to enjoy outside – and a good chance you’ll get a visit from some of the wandering farm animals.
Further afield, there is lots to enjoy in the Lockyer Valley, including local farmer’s markers, quirky boutiques and national parks.
A unique local highlight is the Laidley Pioneer Village and Museum, a 1800s-era time-warp village with more than 100,000 exhibits.
Another is the Das Neumann Haus Museum, which features Annie’s Place Coffee Shop – a must-visit spot in Laidley, where you can enjoy Devonshire tea or strudel under a 100-year-old jacaranda tree.
ROBERT, CANBERRA WINE REGION/NSW
Just 30 minutes from Canberra, this charming, miniature sanctuary named “Robert” sits on a 10,000 acre property, surrounded by sensational paddocks and valleys.
The house sleeps two in a queen bed and is packed with everything you need for the perfect countryside stay, including a bar fridge, hot shower, fan and heater, stovetop and barbecue, fire pit, and outdoor seating.
Just bring food and drinks – all the kitchen equipment is there, along with bathroom amenities, books and board games.
The nearby village of Bungendore buzzes with arts and antiques sellers, a woodwork gallery, gift shops, restaurants and cafes, and historic buildings. Drop in on Nelson’s Pie Place, selling all kinds of pies, and for something a little fancier, the George Bar and Dining, which dishes up modern Australian fare.
There are also plenty of places to stock up on local produce, including chestnuts and truffles.
If you’re serious about truffles, book a spot on the Turalla Truffle Hunt, where you can add the option of cooking and eating the delicious treasures.
But the even bigger highlight around here is the wine. There is a massive range of wineries and cellar doors to choose from, given the variety in altitudes and soil types across the region.
TOBY HOME, QUINDALUP, WA
This colourful luxury container home sits on the banks of the sensational Toby Inlet in the small town of Quindalup, between Busselton and Dunsborough, south of Perth.
Just big enough for three guests – but ideal for a couple’s romantic getaway – the property comes with a queen sized bed, a large heated spa and barbecue, along with stunning waterfront views.
The impressive property is also decked out with a kitchen, workspace, airconditioning, TV and other essentials, and there is even a canoe available for paddling down the inset or over to the beach.
Toby Inset is the perfect spot to soak up the coast while escaping the crowds – and it’s close to some of southern Western Australia's best spots.
In Busselton, discover seaside cafes, alfresco restaurants, art galleries and craft breweries. The hub of the area is the famous 1.8km Busselton Jetty. Over in Dunsborough, enjoy wine bars and boutique shops as you soak up the tranquillity of lovely Geographe Bay.
And don’t forget to explore the incredible wineries of the nearby Margaret River wine region.
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