11 Tiny Homes To Stay In During Your Australian Vacation

Living & Lifestyle

Published on: March 8th, 2022
5 minutes read

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Tiny homes are in trend, whether they are stand-alone on a plot of land, parked near the sea, up in a tree, or on wheels. They have become popular due to their ability to maximise space in creative ways despite their small sizes and get us off-grid to switch off for a while. This has made them Pinterest trends for minimalistic, eco-friendly interior design inspiration.

With borders slowly opening up and the tourism industry getting back on its feet, some of us may be planning vacations down under. With their scenic natural backdrops, Australia has become a popular destination for tiny home-cations. It’s a cosy little abode set among lush panoramic views and starry night skies - hard to say ‘no’ to, yes?

So why are tiny homes - or rather, tiny homestays - getting so popular?

Brent Anderson, Regional General Manager of South & South East Asia for Tourism Australia, deduces three reasons from Tourism Australia’s annual Consumer Demand Project:

Seeking “unique, bespoke and immersive experiences”
Switching off from “the busy cosmopolitan city life in Singapore” and getting a break from the cyber age
Growing awareness of the environment and the need for eco-friendliness + sustainability

“Research from our annual Consumer Demand Project report shows that Singaporeans are looking for destinations with world-class nature and wildlife, good food and wine, clean cities and family-friendly spots,” he explained. “Tiny homes are just another example of Australia’s diverse range of experiences, while bringing to life the creative DNA of many of our tourism operators – and with sustainability at their core.”

“In today’s modern world, switching off is the ultimate indulgence, and more remote retreats and tiny houses have opened in regional areas across the country – complementing Australia’s already incredible camping options.”

As Singaporeans make their plans for overseas holidays, we spoke to Tourism Australia and collated 11 tiny homes to spend your South Australian vacation in:

1. Unyoked

Unyoked’s small off-grid cabins are all about going off the beaten paths, getting close to nature, and doing more with less.

Launched in 2016 by brothers Cameron and Chris Grant, they have become popular due to their unique off-the-grid experiences and spaces designed for wellness.

There are currently 17 Unyoked cabins (as of late 2020), each an hour’s drive from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Each cabin is on private land, solar-powered and self-sufficient, tapping on resources from their natural surroundings.

The forests surrounding each cabin provide breathtaking views and acres of peaceful space to explore, meditate, and take your mind off your everyday hustle-bustle.

Unyoked Cabin at Pascal, Canberra. Photo © Unyoked.co

2. Cubby and Co.

Cubby and Co. (formerly Naked Cubby and Co.) launched its latest accommodation offering, Dinny, in 2021. A tiny house nestled in the foothills of Mount Majura Winery in Canberra, it is located only 15 minutes from Canberra’s city centre.

The queen-sized bed faces a picture window with views of Mount Majura’s Riesling block and the vineyard beyond. Curated with a collective of local producers, designers and furniture makers, the cubby and overall experience is centred on all things local.

Guests also have the choice to upgrade their accommodation to include delicious food delivered to your door from local Canberra restaurants, XO and The Boat House.

Photo © Cubby _ Co

3. Tiny Rosie

Tiny Rosie, one of in2thewild Tiny Holidays’ offerings, is perfect for young families who enjoy wildlife watching. Equipped with a queen bed by the window and a double bed in the loft, it is located on a 365-acre sheep farm in the idyllic Southern Barossa area and is just an hour’s drive from Adelaide.

Not only can you enjoy resting next to the scenic Mount Crawford Forest, watching the local wildlife (kangaroos, possums, echidnas, emus, koalas and a variety of birdlife), and exploring the local wineries, you can feel pampered by Tiny Rosie’s furnishings - Carlotta and Gee’s pure linen bedding and Wandering Folks’ beautiful bohemian rugs.

Photo © in2thewild Holidays

4. CABN

CABN is one of Australia’s top contributors for tiny homestays, and they are now releasing eco-friendly tiny homes along the iconic Cooloola Great Walk in Queensland.

Thanks to their partnership with the Traditional Owners, the Kabi Kabi people, you can enjoy ecotourism in a CABN homestay - sustainable tiny eco-cabins made using locally sourced materials that complement the landscape.

Explore the Great Walk and be in awe at perched lakes, ancient sand dunes, and diverse ecosystems brimming with Australia’s unique flora and fauna. If you love stargazing, then CABN Georgia at Fox Gordon Winery is for you; the tiny homestay features a glass ceiling to let you see the stars as you fall asleep.

Michael Lamprell, CABN Founder, shares how tiny stays are beneficial to travellers: “We have created spaces that are very clever in design to make the most out of a small space and allow people to immerse themselves in nature and the moments they share together – preferably without technology to interrupt the joy and health benefits that nature gives us.”

This positive impact is seen in the feedback that the CABN team receives from its stayers: “The feedback and handwritten letters our team receives from guests around the world tell us how we changed the way they see travel, or that they will be back!”

CABN Kuitpo - Georgia, SA © CABN _ Isaac Freeman

5. Kimo Estate

If you prefer luxury in your tiny homestay, Kimo Estate in Gundagai in regional New South Wales offers three private, off-grid, luxury eco-huts. Their unique architectural design enables them to sit high on hilltops, overlooking the beautiful Murrumbidgee River flats and the grand hills surrounding them.

Each eco-hut runs on solar power and is equipped with wood-fired hot tubs (to let you enjoy the views amidst a nice soak), bathrooms, kitchenettes, and fireplaces - all running on natural resources. And no worries about food - the eco-huts also have eskies with self-cooking breakfast packs.

Photo © Kimo Estate

Photo © Visit NSW

6. Sky Pods

True to their name, Sky Pods are ‘suspended’ over panoramic views of the ocean. If you love all things related to oceans and beaches, stay at any of the two Sky Pods at Cape Otway.

Each Sky Pod is eco-friendly and made to minimise any impact on the environment; they are off-grid, solar-powered, and equipped with reverse-cycle heating and cooling systems. You can also enjoy city-life amenities such as a fully equipped modern kitchen, an adjustable remote-controlled queen-sized bed, a 100-inch projector screen with Bose Bluetooth speaker, and free WiFi.

Other than exploring the beaches and visits to Redwood Forest, Cape Otway Lighthouse, and Triplet Falls Rainforest, you can also plant a native tree to help revitalise the land. Both Sky Pods can accommodate up to two people only, making it a great honeymoon or vacation spot for couples.

Photo © Sky Pods

7. Pink Lake Tiny House

This is one of the most unique tiny homestays in Australia. The Pink Lake Tiny House is a singular eco-friendly tiny home on wheels, located adjacent to Lake Bumbunga, South Australia’s iconic pink lake.

The views from this tiny home are Instagram-worthy; snap some shots of the beautiful Lake Bumbunga, the sunrise and the changing colours of the sky from dawn to dusk. The Pink Lake Tiny House accommodates up to four people (four Japanese futon beds in two separate loft bedrooms), so you can bring your family with you to bask in this experience.

Eco-wise, the House is solar-powered and harvests rainwater from the roof. Shower greywater is filtered to water the House’s plant bed. Mains utilities are available as backup if required. And if you don’t feel like driving over to Adelaide for a day trip, karaoke systems and board and card games are available for a nice day in.

Photo © Pink Lake Tiny House

8. River Cabins Derby

River Cabins Derby has three luxury cabins located beside the trails of Blue Derby Tasmania - Ringarooma (for four people), Cascade (for two people), and North Esk (for two people).

This is the perfect tiny homestay for avid riders and trekkers - blaze your bikes around Derby Tasmania’s green and blue trails, especially the Lake Derby trail. You can also relax in your cabin and enjoy scenic nature views. At the end of the day, lounge on the cabin’s deck, fire up the BBQ or sit around the communal fire-pit as you listen to the river and black cockatoos nearby.

Ringarooma Cabin. Photo ©River Cabins Derby

9. Eco Eyre

The Eco Eyre’s two luxury eco-pods, Stormbird and Spindrift, are also great honeymoon or vacation getaways for couples. Located at Port Gibbon, each eco-pod offers uninterrupted beachfront views, fresh sea air, and all modern amenities. Enjoy the bathtub for two, outdoor deck with BBQ, sun lounger, double bed, kitchenette, TV and WiFi.

This is truly a private beach paradise, as couples will be treated to soft white sand and clear blue waters during the day and beautiful sunsets and starry skies at night. Activities you can do as a couple include dolphin watching, sea lion spotting, sand dune climbing, oyster feasting, street art viewing, and even fishing.

Photo © Eco Eyre

Photo © Tourism SA

10. Skyview Bubble Tent

You may have seen this on your social media feed, and it deserves to go viral - this unique tiny homestay is set in a clear-roofed bubble-shaped tent, giving you unobstructed views of the sky’s beauty in both day and night.

Set in a native Australian bush clearing, it is a great off-grid glamping spot that lets you rest in nature without compromising on comfort. Cooking and showering (with hot water, no worries!) take place outside under towering trees.

Outdoor activities include exploring the surrounding woodlands, visiting the orchard, vegetable patch, and bee zone, and watching alpacas and chickens. If you feel like staying in, WiFi and charging power are available, so you can snap and share your photos of the bubble tent’s cool interior. In addition, Central Daylesford is just a five-minute drive away if you are craving some city comforts.

The Skyview Bubble tent is good for honeymoons, couple-stays, and solo travellers.

11. EYRE.WAY

EYRE.WAY’s Yambara Tiny Abode is the brainchild of the Hogg family, who are passionate about eco-sustainability and sharing the beauty of nature with others.

This is a private beachfront homestay perfect for a family of four, as you can view and explore the picturesque Sandy Point Beach and watch whales with your loved ones. “Yambara’s is close to its own private beach,” says Amanda Hogg, Director of EYRE.WAY. “To have access to a pristine beach – with its crystal clear water and pure white sand - all to yourself for the duration of your stay sets Yambara aside from most other accommodations.”

Yambara is solar-powered, with compostable flushing toilets, rainwater harvesting, and gas cooking. This eco-friendliness and off-grid serenity, Amanda points out, are what vacationers seek out today.

“Analysis of our guests’ feedback indicates they are in search of a unique experience that has little or no impact on the environment,” she explained. “They enjoy a little luxury and appreciate being off-grid, as well as the resulting minimal carbon footprint and overall sustainability of the experience.”

“Feedback we are receiving from guests is that tiny stays are the unique experience that travellers are searching for. A chance to travel sustainably, and experience a unique off-grid life that they can’t find elsewhere. In addition, tiny stays encourage putting away technology, absorbing nature and connecting with loved ones. It’s a growing trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing down in this fast-paced world we are living in.”

With demand for unique holidays with a focus on sustainability and ultimate relaxation, it may be time to try a tiny homestay if you are heading to South Australia during the holidays. Are there any tiny homes on this list that tickle your fancy?