Australasia/ Pacific

Unique accommodation: 12 quirky short stays in New South Wales

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Ditch the ho-hum of the same, same motel and hotel rooms or camping grounds. Book a unique accommodation experience that you’ll want to write home about.

New South Wales is full of quirky accommodation choices to satisfy curious travellers. Here are twelve unique short stays to add to your travel bucket list.

Ditch the ho-hum of the same, same motel and hotel rooms or camping grounds. Book a unique accommodation experience that you’ll want to write home about. New South Wales is full of quirky accommodation choices to satisfy curious travellers such as Permanent Camping in Mudgee.
Image: from Permanent Camping in Mudgee (www.permanentcamping.com.au)

New South Wales and its wide open roads

From stunning coastlines, to snow peaked mountain ranges and raging river courses, to wineries, to the outback, New South Wales roads are wide open to adventurous short stays or extended road tripping.

The accommodation choices available are as diverse as the tourist routes. Think underground Lightning Ridge through to a cave with outlooks from a-high to gasp at.

Is it about time you truly got away from it all? Here are just some of the accommodation gems we’ve discovered to inspire your next holiday.

While your author would love to be sharing first hand experiences in staying in these short stays, she hasn’t. The accommodation we’ve chosen to share with you has been selected based on the level of uniqueness, the sight-seeing options offered by the location and the flurry of positive and current online reviews.

Go on. It’s time to go and create your own stories. We’d love to hear some of your first hand experiences!

Shearing sheds and barns

Black Sheep Inn: Orange

Orange is located less than 4 hours drive west of Sydney’s CBD.

The Black Sheep Inn is over 100 years old and has been converted into contemporary, one of a kind accommodation.

There are various choices of accommodation available,  with B&B in the historic Black Sheep Inn – 5 bedrooms each with their own en-suite, three of which offer an additional single bed. Former Shearers’ quarters Whispering Moon Cottage is also available for one or two couples, or small families.

Find out more by visiting http://www.blacksheepinn.com.au/.

Woolshed Cabins: Blue Mountains | Kalimba valley

Kanimbla Valley is located less than 2 hours drive west of Sydney’s CBD.

Woolshed Cabins are two award winning architect designed eco cabins nestled on 250 acres in the tranquillity of the Kanimbla Valley. The Cabins sit beside a heritage shearing shed that inspired the accommodation.

In total, both cabins will accommodate up to 12 people comfortably. There is a choice of a two bedroom or three bedroom cabin and a minimum two night stay.

Find out more by visiting http://woolshedcabins.com.au/.

1830’s converted barn with sauna: Windsor

Windsor is located less than one hours drive north-west of Sydney’s CBD.

Conveniently located in the centre of historic Windsor is an 1830’s barn that has been fully renovated with modern conveniences including a Finnish sauna. The cabin accommodates four people for a minimum two night stay.

We figure 90 glowing reviews is convincing enough for us!

Find out more by visiting Airbnb at https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1110247?s=GO6WqFUm.

Permanent camping and glamping

Mudgee Eco Accommodation: Mudgee

Mudgee is located less than four hours north-west of Sydney’s CBD in central western NSW.

A simple eco friendly, architect designed two storey tower reminiscent of a simple but luxury version of a shearers shed. On the ground level the sides all open up to create a ‘bring the outdoors in’ airy living space. This one is on my bucket list (…actually so are the rest)!

This permanent camping experience accommodates a maximum of two people.

Find out more by visiting http://www.permanentcamping.com.au/.

Paperbark Camp: Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is located less than three hours drive south of Sydney’s CBD.

Paperbark Camp was one of the leaders in introducing glamping (glamorous camping) to Australia. The Camp offers unique luxury tented accommodation in a peaceful bush setting near the glimmering white sands of Jervis Bay. There is a choice of 12 safari style canvas tents on raised platforms and all with private en-suite bathrooms.

Find out more by visiting https://www.paperbarkcamp.com.au/.

The Escape Glamping Experience: Clyde River

Shallow Crossing (Clyde River) is located 3.5 hours north of Sydney’s CBD.

The Escape offers luxury tent or studio accommodation sitting high and dry on 80 acres of bushland with a couple of kilometres of frontage on to the Clyde River. All accommodation has its own private en-suite bathroom and a minimum two night stay. I am so there!

Plan your next escape. Visit http://the-escape.com.au/.

Lighthouses

Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottages: Byron Bay

Byron Bay is located around 9 hours’ north of Sydney’s CBD.

Byron Bay’s iconic lighthouse in the Cape Byron State Conversation Area is a popular tourist spot by day. The heritage listed Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages are open for accommodation and in a perfect setting for whale spotting.  There is a minimum three night stay.

Whale season kicks off around June through until the end of October and early November. Find out more by visiting nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.

Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Accommodation: Seal Rocks

Seal Rocks is located around 3.5 hours’ north of Sydney’s CBD.

This historic lighthouse provides three self-contained cottages tucked behind picket fences – two keepers’ cottages and a larger Head Keeper’s Cottage. In true lighthouse style, it is the ocean views and sounds as well as potential for whale spotting that entices guests. There is a minimum two night stay.

If unspoiled natural coastal beauty is beckoning you, start planning by visiting http://sealrockslighthouseaccommodation.com.au.

Caves

Yes. You read correctly!

The Enchanted Love Cave in Bilpin is only a couple of hours drive from Sydney. Unique. Quirky. Stunning views.
The Enchanted Love Cave is only a couple of hours drive from Sydney. Unique. Quirky. Stunning views.

The Enchanted Love Cave: Bilpin Cave

Bilpin is located around 1.5 hours’ north-west of Sydney’s CBD.

Really, the photo from the website says it all. This accommodation appeals to the primitive in all of us. The Enchanted Love Cave is built into a cliff top cave on a natural rock platform. Accommodates up to two people and yes, it has a bathroom too. There is a minimum two night stay.

To rekindle a romance, or just to satisfy your curiosity, visit http://www.lovecabins.com.au/Love-Cave.aspx to find out more.

Image: from www.lovecabins.com.au

Bell Hatter’s Hideout Cave: Bell

Bell is located around two hours’ north-west of Sydney’s CBD.

You’ll find this 20 metre high; wide and deep cave and hand built lodge and retreat on 8 private acres of Blue Mountains wilderness. Bring the extended family! The cave and the lodge combined can accommodate 16 plus people. There is a minimum 3 night stay.

Start planning your next family get-together. Gather some conversation starters by visiting https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/535709.

Tree houses

Blue Mountains Treehouse: Bilpin

Bilpin is located around 1.5 hours’ north-west of Sydney’s CBD.

600 acres of Blue Mountains wilderness safely viewed from the warmth and intrigue of a beautifully crafted tree house. Yes please! This stunning accommodation is designed for a maximum of two people and a minimum 2 night stay on a Friday and Saturday night.

To plan to celebrate a wedding anniversary (or just because you want a true escape) find out more by visiting https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/3415111.

Mullumbimby Treehouse: Main Arm near Byron Bay

Main Arm is located around 9 hours drive north of Sydney’s CBD.

A simple, rustic wood cabin / tree house set up high overlooking Mullumbimby bush, and free from electricity so you can enjoy a candlelit dinner, sleep when the sun sets and rise with the sun.

The tree house sleeps up to two people and has no restrictions – at the time of writing – on a one night stay.

Plan your short stay up in the trees, electricity free. Find out more at https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4218496.

Need help choosing a camping tent click here

 

2 Comments

  1. India-Rose

    Great story, the Enchanted Love Caves sounds like an awesome getaway for me and my husband.

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