The best holiday homes in Australia with great design

If you’re anything like me, design is a significant factor when considering where to stay on holiday. I see it as an opportunity to stay somewhere that I could never afford to own myself so when the people at HomeAway (formerly Stayz) made contact to let us know that its 2018 Holiday Rental Award design finalists had been announced, I couldn’t wait to take a look. From South Australia to Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, there is a treasure trove of design to be found across Australia when booking your next holiday stay.

Rotten Point House (VIC)
The gold medal winner in this year’s design awards, this rammed earth house is located just off the Great Ocean Road and sits on an untouched cliff top overlooking the Southern Ocean, between Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles. Nestled on 100 acres of native bushland the property stands like a modernist beacon in the wild and if you tire of the view, there’s plenty of design features to enjoy inside.

Cypress Hill, Apollo Bay (VIC)
Sitting on an acre of land five kilometres from Apollo Bay, this gorgeous home overlooks the Bass Strait and rolling green hills too. Gorgeous design lines aside, there’s plenty of floor to ceiling glass to really take advantage of the view.

Pineapple Pete’s, Port Douglas (QLD)
Located in Port Douglas, just a three minute walk to Four Mile Beach, this beach house is brimming with tropical vibes. Full of light and airy, open plan spaces plus palm leaf wallpaper and plenty of textured materials (think linen, leather and jute), this has boho beach stay written all over it.

Pineapple Pete's pool — The fabulous pool area

Oranjehuis, Aldinga Beach (SA)
Named after its signature colour, Oranjehuis is located on South Australia’s Aldinga Beach and features swathes of glass to take in the ocean view plus plenty of bright colour pops throughout. The home also features an impressive collection of Australian, Dutch and American original art and Dutch designer furniture and lighting.

Leftie’s at the bay, Gracetown (WA)
Located in Gracetown, a stunning coastal spot in Western Australia, this is the sort of sophisticated beach pad that you wish you owned. A monochrome colour scheme features throughout (with the odd timber touch) and the home boasts lovely sea views too. Rather conveniently, it is situated adjacent to the world-renowned Margaret River wine region.