Take a look inside the best holiday homes in Australia for 2026
Staying in a holiday home will always be a popular alternative to a traditional hotel or apartment.
You can live it up in a country cottage, a beachside apartment or a lavish homestead.
Stayz has revealed its 2026 Holiday Homes of the Year to celebrate the best listings.
They're in popular holiday destinations across Australia, including Margaret River, Western Australia, Berry, NSW Mornington Peninsula, Victoria and Hamilton Island and Noosa in Queensland.
Sarah King, Stayz Travel Expert said: "This list should inspire travellers to take their next group getaway and demonstrates how easy it is to find a trusted, high-quality holiday rental every time they plan a trip.
Stayz says the homes were selected based on criteria that "exemplify high-quality stays and give guests the confidence to book their next trip."
Read on to see the ten which are considered the top spots to holiday.
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Montville, Queensland
The Jasmine at Montville features a serene main home and self-contained studio with expansive decks, landscaped gardens, and countryside-to-ocean views.
It sleeps eight across four bedrooms and offers elegant interiors straight out of a magazine.
The home even wine and cocktail bar, and a cosy lounge with fireplace, perfect for slow Sunshine Coast hinterland escapes with friends or family.
Montville is a village inland from Noosa known for its scenery, shops and art galleries.
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Berry, NSW
The Homestead at Bundara Farm is a beautifully designed country retreat, perfect for gathering friends or family to live our your hobby farm dreams.
Sleeping up to 18 it offering a vine covered outdoor dining area, a grand fireplace, games room and expansive grounds amid the rolling hills.
It's close to the popular Southern Highlands town of Berry, around 90 minutes south of Sydney.
It even has resident chickens and mini horses and isn't far from Seven Mile Beach.
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Hamilton Island, Queensland
"Southwinds" delivers an infinity pool home above the Hamilton Island Marina on the popular holiday island.
It has vast deck with panoramic views, dual kitchens and two living areas.
The family-friendly home sleeps 16 across eight bedrooms and four bathrooms.
It comes with two golf buggies for easy island exploring.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Skibo House, in the famous wine region of Western Australia spreads across five acres with a cubby house, lawn games, and a seasonal outdoor fire pit.
The country home sleeps 10 with light‑filled living areas, three bathrooms, a kids' playroom, and a kitchen with butler's pantry.
It is located near farmer markets as well as the all-important cellar doors.
If you're a bushwalker, the Wadandi Track is nearby too.
Marino, South Australia
One Eighty Marino is in the beachside suburb south of Adelaide, Marino.
It showcases an infinity edge 25-metre pool home, cinema, gym, and 180 degree ocean views.
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