Cottages, carriages, churches: 15 of Queensland’s most unusual Airbnb stays
Holidays no longer have to be the same experience year on year with these quirky, one-of-a-kind Qld Airbnbs. Take a tour of the most unusual stays, from luxe to historical stone cottages and even a converted train carriage. SEE THE LIST
Sunshine Coast
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If you are chasing a fresh and different holiday experience these 15 stays are not your average Airbnb.
While a hotel or home stay can be fun, these quirky holiday destinations each have an unusual twist which make them a one-of-a-kind experience.
From Safari-style glamping, converted buses and historical hand-built cottages, explore 15 of the coolest and rarest Airbnb stays in Queensland, from Toowoomba to FNQ.
* Costs are estimates only on availability
$1,848.47 for two night stay: Luxury Train & Irish Pub, Biarra
Situated in Biarra, an hour and a half west of Brisbane, Oakhurst is a 50 acre farm stay with a twist, as guests get to sleep in a converted train carriage that sleeps 18 people.
Fully airconditioned, the private train is located next to a BYO Irish pub that is included in your stay, in addition to access to the outdoor campfire area, a nearby creek and the property’s own barn.
One of the most loved stays on Airbnb with a rating of 4.97, Oakhurst is wheelchair accessible, includes billiards and table tennis tables, space for camping, an abundance of green space and no Wi-Fi for those wanting to disconnect from the online world. Minimum stay is two nights, cost is $700 a night with a cleaning fee and service fee also included.
$10,025 for three night stay: Alkira Resort House and Rainforest Retreat, Cape Tribulation
An award-winning property, Alkira Resort House and Rainforest Retreat is a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece as well as a hyper-modern Airbnb stay. It comes with six bedrooms and 600 metres of private beach, accessible by car or helicopter.
Each of the house’s six wings has its own stunning view of the blue coastline or green rainforests of Far North Queensland, with each wing also provided with its own bedroom with private ensuites.
Surrounded by a man-made creek, the unique property offers complete seclusion in the Daintree Rainforest as well as a mix of modern design elements, including an open-air theatre, a wine cellar, a teppanyaki grill and a pool shaped the same as the One Pound Jimmy postage stamp. Minimum stay is three nights. Cost is $3,075 per night with a cleaning fee of $800.
$1,265 for two night stay: Classic Martini Houseboat, Noosa Heads
Perfect for those who love a splash in the water, the Classic Martini Houseboat is a rare Airbnb experience, situated on the Noosa River.
Ideal for couples looking for a unique romantic weekend getaway, the Classic Martini Houseboat is a private accommodation experience which includes a partially covered top deck area with Bluetooth speakers, a BBQ and bar fridge, a queen sized bed and a modern kitchen and dining space.
With champagne upon arrival, guests can also enjoy a number of activities including swimming, fishing, kayaking or simply soaking up the sun.
A complimentary motorised tender is included to access to the moored houseboat, which can also be used to explore the Noosa waterways during your stay. It costs $547.50 a night with a minimum two night stay with other costs added in for cleaning.
$7, 462 seven night stay: Mirage Estate, Port Douglas
A property that looks straight out of a James Bond film, the Mirage Estate is a four bedroom modern estate just two minutes away from the shorelines of Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas.
The winner of many architectural awards, the home includes a heated 15-metre lap pool, an open plan entertainment area with a spacious living room, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass and tranquil ponds surrounding the bedrooms.
Combining timber and brick detailing throughout its architecture, the unique home offers a luxurious accommodation experience, hosting up to eight guests. Cost is $1,066.11 a night with a minimum seven night stay.
$390 three night stay: Beach Dome, Trinity Beach
An igloo experience minus the snow, this fully self-contained Beach Dome is a unique stay in Tropical North Queensland, offering a coastal holiday experience, just minutes from the shorelines of Trinity Beach.
It features two bedrooms with one queen and two singles, and is great for families, friends or couples and comes with access to a swimming pool, BBQ area and free Wi-Fi.
Equipped with ceiling fans, airconditioning and a modern bathroom, this rare dome home also offers guests a full kitchen, with the unique stay a quick 22-minute drive north of Cairns Airport. Cost is $130 a night with a minimum three night stay with a cleaning fee included.
$160 a night: Rustic Stone Cottage, West Woombye
Situated on a 15 acre hobby farm in the mountainous Blackall Ranges, this Rustic Stone Cottage is ideal for couples looking for a cabin getaway to transport them to Medieval times.
Hand-built out of stone and timber, this quaint stay is a step back in time with modern additions for maximum comfort, including a fireplace, ceiling fans, airconditioning and a Nespresso coffee machine.
The Sunshine Coast holiday stay also allows guests to explore the nature of the hinterlands, with an outdoor fire pit and BBQ, outdoor deck area and a spacious private piece of land with sheep and horses. Cost is $160 a night with an added cleaning fee.
$473 for two nights: Cobhearthome, Maleny
With a near perfect rating of 4.97 stars, this Barcelona-inspired ‘Cobhearthome’ is an eco-stay entirely handmade, featuring grandiose designs of hand-picked salvaged materials, pink cob walls and murals that have won architectural awards for design.
Situated in the heart of Maleny, the stylish fully self-contained cob-home includes two queen bedrooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a log fireplace, couple’s hampers, outdoor bath and a fully equipped kitchen.
With views of Obi Obi Creek, the stay is just minutes from Maleny Wines, Maleny Dairies and includes a swap/share library and access to the property’s edible garden. Cost is $180 a night with minimum stay of two nights. Other fees apply.
$98 a night: The Boat in the Bush, Round Hill
A fun twist on your average bush holiday, this ‘Boat in the Bush’ accommodation is a rare holiday experience where guests can stay the night on a beautiful blue sailing boat, moored on a 40 acre property in the heart of the Round Hill bushlands.
Just eight minutes from Agnes Waters, this completely unique Airbnb includes a double bed and indoor lounge area, as well as a separate covered camp kitchen area and private bathroom shed.
A pet-friendly holiday stay, the Boat in the Bush experience is highly commended for its value and location, as well as for the friendliness of its host, Bruce. Cost is $98.20 a night.
$320 for two nights: Bertha the Bus, Wamuran
Ideal for those looking to digitally disconnect, Bertha the Bus is a 1960s bus, converted into a cosy Airbnb housing up to four guests across a double bed and sofa bed.
With no TV and no Wi-Fi, this holiday stay is ideal for those seeking some tranquillity among nature, situated on a private property near the Glasshouse Mountains where you can swim in the nearby creek, go for a bush walk or relax on the bus’s patio by the outdoor fire pit.
Located in the semirural area of Wamuran, Bertha the Bus is a favourite among Airbnb guests who have commended its location, cleanliness, value and accuracy. Cost is $140 a night with other fees. Total of $323.48 for two nights.
$265 for two nights: Mothar Yurt, Mothar Mountain
Nestled in Mothar Mountain in Gympie, Mothar Yurt is a glamping Airbnb experience located on a semirural property, offering its guests a quire and relaxed holiday among nature.
An eco-friendly accommodation, the yurt includes access to an outdoor fire pit and is just minutes away from a number of local sites and attractions, including Cedar Pocket Dam, the local Bone Museum and various local markets.
Highly commended for its excellent bathroom and campfire facilities, the Mothar Yurt is a favourite among families, with the Airbnb accommodating up to six guests across a queen bed, sofa bed, floor mattress and cot. Cost is $115 a night, total of $265.72 for two nights minimum with added fees.
$492 for two nights: Noosa Eco Retreat, Pomona
Rated a near perfect 4.96 by its guests, the Noosa Eco Retreat offers an eco-tourism experience on the foothills of the Mt Cooroora mountains in one of its six self-contained luxury yurts.
Set across 100 acres of land, each 50sq m yurt comes with outdoor deck seating, a skylight, comfy lounge areas, a double bed, kitchenette and full modern bathroom with a rain shower.
Guests can relax by the outdoor fire pit, explore the nearby bushlands, read a book in the sun or discover the local attractions of Pomona, including the nearby Majestic Theatre, the oldest running silent cinema in the world. Cost is $492 for two night minium stay.
That Blue Bus, Mudgeeraba
A 1979 former school bus refurbished into a quirky Airbnb, ‘That Blue Bus’ hosts up to four guests across its double bed and bunk beds and includes a kitchenette, deck area, fire pit, book nook, and a modern bathroom, all situated on a private piece of land just west of the Gold Coast.
Ideal for families, or couples looking for a unique getaway, this rare Airbnb also provides a grassy area with kid-friendly swings, a slide, a zip line, a hammock and a quaint fairy garden.
No price available: ‘Out of Africa’ Glamping Tent, Obi Obi
A fully luxurious glamping experience, this ‘Out of Africa’ Airbnb is a romantic safari accommodation where guests are welcomed to a private fireplace, bathrobes, a claw foot bath, wood heaters, a feature chandelier and 40 acres of private Sunshine Coast land.
Perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway, this two-guest glamping holiday stay is located in the heart of the Obi valley where guests can explore a range of nearby national parks, waterfalls and creeks.
$380 two night stay: Ruby Baby Bus, Verrierdale
Just seven minutes from Eumundi and 10 minutes from Peregian Springs, this 1975 Leyland Bus in Verrierdale is the perfect Noosa getaway for a group of friends, with the Ruby Baby Bus converted to host four guests across four single beds.
Equipped with a separate bathroom and toilet, the bus includes a kitchenette and lounge area, plus jetty access to a nearby dam, perfect for swimming in during warmer seasons, or alternatively, there’s a fire pit to cosy up by in the winter months. Cost is $381,25 for a two-night minimum stay.
$1,155.30 for minium two night stay: The Church Guesthouse, North Toowoomba
Rated an average of 4.99 by its guests, The Church Guesthouse in North Toowoomba is a one-of-a-kind holiday stay that allows you to stay overnight at the former St Thomas Anglican Church, first constructed in 1855 and fully updated as a prime accommodation location.
Featuring loft ceilings, timber flooring and maintaining much of its original woodwork detailing, the guesthouse is furnished with antique pieces and maintains many of its original architecture, including the Church’s altar, stained glass windows and the original lych gate which has been made into a summer house in the back garden.
With five bedrooms, including two queen bedrooms, this unique Airbnb is situated two kilometres from Toowoomba CBD in a quiet street near local restaurants and shops. Cost is $1,155.30 for a two-night minimum stay.
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Originally published as Cottages, carriages, churches: 15 of Queensland’s most unusual Airbnb stays
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