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The Most Dreamy Getaway Spots Of 2021

Another year of lockdowns later, and the thirst for local getaways gets even stronger! We wrote about these sublime accommodation spots with wanderlust surging through our veins, and now that summer is here it seems the perfect time to revisit our favourites.

From beach shacks on Stradbroke Island, to a Blue Mountains weekender that floats above the clouds, these are the hottest holiday rentals we featured this year!

Written

Annie Portelli

Las Palmas is a home and part-time accomodation venue in Myocum, NSW. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Duo Architects and Sally McGarry

The design is inspired by Robin Boyd’s Fenner House where owner Sally McGarry grew up. Photo – Tom Ferguson. Styling – Duo Architects and Sally McGarry

A Contemporary Reimagining of Robin Boyd’s Fenner House

Sally McGarry grew up in the Fenner House – a significant 1950s house designed by Robin Boyd in Canberra’s Red Hill – that inspired her own family home, Las Palmas.

Designed by DUO Architects in association with Davis Architects, the Byron Bay hinterland property is an entirely new build that captures the mid-century style of Boyd’s original, while responding to its very different site.

The property is home to Sally, her husband Matt, and three boys, and is also available to rent part-time as accommodation.

Read the full story here.

The top storey contains a generous verandah which looks out over the Coral Sea. Photo – Cieran Murphy.

The house was designed by architect Shane Thompson to unfold with the seasons. Photo – Cieran Murphy.

Straddie contains an abundance of native flora and fauna from whales and manta rays to natural gorges and pristine beaches. Photo – Cieran Murphy.

This Origami-Style Beach Shack Is The Perfect Coastal Getaway

Between February 2020 and February 2021, three TDF team members went on seperate holidays to Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) on Quandamooka Country. That’s saying a lot for a team of seven! Especially in a year so affected by domestic travel restrictions…

But the crystal surf, white sand and slow coastal pace makes Straddie a truly irresistible holiday location, and one that’s relatively unknown to travellers outside of Brisbane.

Originally designed by architect Shane Thompson, this superb coastal retreat on the Northeastern tip of the island is surrounded by native bushland, and unfolds onto the pristine coastal views. A dream!

Read the full story here.

Photo – Adam Gibson.

A Charming Coastal Cottage With Eclectic Interiors And Unbelievable Views!

The Burrows in Swansea was built as a stone cottage with a timber shingle roof in the 1860s, and remained in the same family until 2017! Over the years, add-ons were made to the cottage – and when Bek Burrows and Paul DeRuyter became its custodians, they embarked upon their own updates and additions, with the building work completed entirely by Paul.

The 2.5 acre plot on rambling coastal Tasmanian land is picture perfect!

Read the full story here.

Each of the Five Acres cabins has a slightly different colour palette – pictured here, the Barley cabin with kitchenette clad in Laminex AbsoluteMatte Earth surfaces. Interiors by Belle Bright. Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Each cabin has a toasty open fire for those cosy winter nights! Photo – Marnie Hawson.

Photo – Marnie Hawson.

These New Luxury Coastal Cabins On Phillip Island Really Raise The Bar!

Five Acres is a boutique accomodation offering of three beautifully designed farm-stay cabins, set amongst the rolling hills and farmland on Phillip Island with sweeping views of Western Port bay.

Conceived by husband and wife team, Katie and Rom Lamaro, with interiors by Daylesford based designer Belle Bright, the cabins on Victoria’s rugged south coast have been thoughtfully designed and beautifully appointed.

Read the full story here.

Wombat Lodge is a converted shearing shed, turned three bedroom holiday house. Photo – Ness Vanderburgh.

Wombat Lodge is a cosy family retreat, with rustic, moody interiors by Melbourne based Emily Fitzgerald. Photos – Ness Vanderburgh

This Spectacularly Beautiful Island Getaway Is Tasmania’s Best Kept Secret

Wombat Lodge is a three-bedroom farm stay property located on a working cattle farm in rugged, beautiful Killiecrankie, towards the top end of Flinders Island in Tasmania. Along with her family, Lucy was lucky to spend a weekend here early last year, exploring this truly magical little island (that despite its remoteness, is only a one hour flight from Melbourne). She came away totally smitten!

With moody interiors by Melbourne designer Emily Fitzgerald, this cosy, family-friendly retreat is the perfect base from which to explore the island.

This charming accommodation also backs right onto the Northern-most tip of the island – a short drive, walk or e-bike ride to the edge of the property reveals a pristine sparkling beach inaccessible by public roads, and an elevated look-out spot with the most jaw-dropping view of the coastline.

Read the full story here.

The main level contains a living and dining room in the one space cantilevered out over the bottom floor. Photo – Nic Gossage.

Windows run the length of this valley-facing level giving panoramic views out over the gorgeous scenery. Photo – Nic Gossage.

The sublime views out over the Blue Mountains. Mount Solitary and the Three Sisters rock formation can be spotted across the valley. Photo – Nic Gossage.

A Mountain-Top Holiday Spot That Floats Above The Clouds

Interior designer Josie Simpson of Altus Design Studio purchased this Blue Mountains property in 2019. While the settlement took longer than expected, she used the time to collect all her ideas and inspiration buzzing around her head for a unique new accommodation offering.

Cloud Parade is the result of all that planning. With sublime escarpment views and a clean, contemporary interior scheme, Josie has created a cosy and sympathetic companion to the spectacular national park surrounding this home.

Making the most of potentially the best views in the country? Mission accomplished!

Read the full story here.

Views from the sleep out. Photos – Jessie Prince. Styling – Sarah Ellison

This new accomodation is located in Bangalow, about 20 minutes from Byron Bay. Photos – Jessie Prince. Styling – Sarah Elliso

The original buildings on site were built in the ’70s. Photos – Jessie Prince. Styling – Sarah Ellison

This New Byron Bay Hinterland Accomodation Is Equal Parts Luxury + Rustic

The Northern Rivers region’s latest standout accommodation is The Perch, managed by Byron Beach Abodes. Owners Zach Holmes and Geoff Cochrane bought the Bangalow property in 2019, and spent a year bringing the existing 1970s buildings on site back to life.

While many envisioned a Hamptons-style accommodation being the best fit for the property, Zach and Geoff pictured something more in keeping with its origins. We’re talking mud brick, salmon pink wall render and characterful timber.

Read the full story here.

A Colourful Log Cabin Surrounded By Forestland

Insert crackling fire here. Photo – Nikole Ramsay.

Sage green bunk beds perfectly complement the timber walls and ceiling. Photo – Nikole Ramsay.

A Colourful Log Cabin Surrounded By Forestland

After an epic overseas family trip was cancelled in 2020, interior stylist Emma O’Meara, her husband Simon, and their young kids purchased their very own getaway instead and spent their spare time doing it up.

The log cabin is located in Johanna – a magical part of Southern Victoria in the Otways where the beach and the bush meet – and was originally a kit home from New Zealand built in the 80s. Now it’s an excellent rustic retreat full of personality.

Read the full story here.