Where you stay on a group holiday can make all the difference. You want to ensure the home has enough space for everyone to sleep and hang out comfortably, and if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in it, that it has features that’ll help keep you all entertained – like a fireplace to sit around, a pool to swim in, or a backyard lawn or deck to BBQ or gather on.
With that in mind, it’s worth taking some time to pick the ideal home for your group trip, depending on what kind of stay you want to create. Fortunately, Stayz has done the work for you. Its Holiday Home of the Year Awards rounded up its annual picks for the best 10 homes across the country to rent on its platform.
“The medal-winning holiday homes are reflective of the different tastes that Aussie families have in homes, from luxe coastal experiences to unique regional accommodation,” says Simone Scoppa, Stayz Travel Expert.
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“The bronze medallist in the Otways region is also a pet-friendly property, along with 40% of the other finalists also welcoming pets. This is a trend we have seen huge demand for in recent years, with a survey we commissioned earlier in the year finding over two million Aussies are planning to take their pet on holidays in 2022.”
Ahead are Stayz’ chosen top holiday homes for this year.
Attunga KV, Kangaroo Valley, NSW
7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 18
Gold medal-winning home Attunga KV is a country escape on 150 acres of lush rainforest in the Kangaroo Valley. The seven-bedroom property sleeps 18 people and features its own pool, a vine-to-dine outdoor garden seating area, a barn for entertaining and an outdoor fire pit for those that love a bit of stargazing with a side of marshmallows.
Buderim Rainforest Retreat, Buderim, QLD
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 6
Silver was handed to Buderim Rainforest Retreat, a modern coastal beach retreat in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a chic outdoor pool and cabana area and a huge yard for the kids. It’s only a short drive to the beaches of Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore, too.
Bootmakers Cottage, Birregurra, VIC
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, sleeps 6
The ‘Bootmakers Cottage in the foothills of the Victorian Otways Ranges was awarded bronze. This three-bedroom, pet-friendly heritage cottage has been lovingly restored to evoke the simple and warm pleasures of Victoria’s pioneering past, while the outdoor cast iron bathtub allows for a bubble bath under the stars.
Flynn’s Hill, Kyneton, VIC
4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, sleeps 10
A four-bedroom modern country homestead in Kyneton, just a one-hour drive from Melbourne, Flynn’s Hill comes with a large stylish well-appointed kitchen, 15 acres to roam with the kids and a private deck for some sundowners.
Hamptons Hill, Sunshine Coast, QLD
5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 10
A resort-style home called Hamptons Hill, also in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, its elevated position looks out to a stunning pool and an entertainer’s kitchen, complete with a wine fridge.
The New Yorker, Mount Gambier, SA
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 6
A New York loft-inspired apartment, The New Yorker can be found in the regional village of Yahl, a short drive from Mount Gambier, SA.
Maison Du Lac, Margaret River, WA
3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, sleeps 8
Maison Du Lac in the Margaret River, WA, is perched on the property’s lake and feels incredibly remote, despite being only 400m from the town centre.
The Greenhouse Retreat, Pearl Beach, NSW
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 8
NSW Central Coast beauty, The Greenhouse Retreat at Pearl Beach, has its own backyard pool to retreat to after a day at the beach.
The Shed, Gerroa, NSW
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 8
A firm NSW South Coast favourite, luxury home The Shed at Gerroa has its own plunge pool with ocean views.
Tranquility by the Lake, Port Douglas, QLD
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 8
Waterfront home Tranquility by the Lake in Port Douglas, QLD has a heated pool that’s the centrepiece of the coastal home.
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