Small, inviting and fuss-free, cabins are the gateway to a simpler life; one where the words “shiny” and “new” are replaced with “well-loved” and “comfortable”.
Found along rugged coastlines, hidden in dense wilderness or dotted across awe-inspiring farmscapes, a stay at a cosy cabin is the perfect anecdote to the fast-paced grind. For fresh air, serenity and personality-packed accommodation, here are seven of the best cabins in Australia to book for your next getaway.
STRINGYBARK HUT
Tallong, NSW
Photography Abbie Melle
Built in the 1890s and sensitively restored in 2017, it’ll be impossible not to fall for the charm of this preserved timber cabin in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. Made from local stringy bark gums and peppermint, and lined with imperfectly perfect corrugated sheeting, Stringybark Hut is full of soul and character. Sleeping four people comfortably, pack a deck of cards and a few bottles of red for the ultimate getaway with friends. Light the fire out the back, spot the roaming wildlife and cows and exhale as the sun goes down and the sky lights up with a smattering of stars.
SALTY CABINS – THE CABIN
Yelgun, NSW
Close enough to Byron Bay for a day trip, but so quiet and secluded that you probably won’t want to leave, this is the Northern Rivers escape you’ve been pining for. Tucked amongst bushland and overlooking the Yelgun Valley, this solar powered hideaway offers eco-conscious accommodation, complete with dreamy luxuries to make your Slow Stay a special one. The views may be priceless — stretching all the way to the ocean — but it’s The Cabin itself that’ll take your breath away with its carefully-designed spaces (hello, cute kitchenette!), the sunken outdoor bath, divine built-in bed and the firepit area.
BLOODWOOD CABIN
Rawbelle, QLD
Photography Davina Bambrick
When it comes to capturing an authentic, dirt-infused country experience, make a beeline straight to Bloodwood Cabin. Sitting three hours inland from Bundaberg, where the service is patchy and a technology detox is inevitable, cabin guests will share a 20,000-acre farm with organic cattle and a plethora of native wildlife. Sustainable and offering the ultimate back-to-basics break, this is a step-up from camping where all the important things like a fridge packed with organic breakfast goods, comfy bed, wine, handmade ceramics, log burner, and indoor and outdoor baths are provided.
ROUND HILL CABIN
Mapleton, QLD
An epic contrast to a rustic abode, the sleek black façade of The Cabin at Round Hill is the first hint of the pared back elegance that awaits inside. Placed amongst the rolling pastures of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, this freshly launched luxury Slow Stay is truly something special. From the copper shower, complete with locally made Mukti products, to the light-filled living and dining area opening onto a European-style courtyard with a heated plunge pool, despite its short life, you can guarantee this retreat is one of the most beautiful cabins in Australia you can actually stay at.
WREN AND FOREST
Denmark, WA
Photography @parishawkenphoto
If the thought of a shabby set-up has deterred you from booking a cabin stay in the past, one look at Wren and Forest and any doubts will be a distant memory. Sitting on Upland Farm in Denmark, these adult-only dwellings are offer a truly indulgent stay with high-end furnishings, views you’ll never tire of and a concrete bath that’ll see you planning your bathroom reno mid-soak. If heaven is a place on Earth, these cabins could be it.
PETIT ECO CABIN
Yallingup, WA
Photography Rachel Claire
For an incomparable stay at one of the best cabins in Australia, don’t go past Petit Eco Cabin. Not only will you get to stay on a working organic vineyard in the pristine Margaret River region, but the timber pavilion you’ll inhabit has been architecturally designed complete with an oversized waterfall window in the raised sleeping area, a bone-warming fireplace and the most picture-perfect setting for an outdoor tub you’ll ever see.
HIDDEN CABINS
Near Perth, WA
Photography Rachel Claire
For the spontaneous, the adventure-lovers, the ride-with-the-wind kind of travellers, Hidden Cabins are your cabin match. Dishing up two off-grid homes in separate locations within three hours of Perth, all you need to decide between is bush or vineyard. From there, a few days out from the trip, you’ll be armed with the details of exactly where you’re going—and trust us, these handcrafted cabins, affectionately named Henry and Florence—are worth the wait.