Sometimes you might want to stay somewhere a little bit unusual, a little bit interesting, a little bit more noteworthy than your standard hotel room. Well, this list of quirky accommodation in Victoria has got you covered. From mud-brick cottages to gypsy caravans, read on to find out how your accommodation can become the major highlight of your trip when it’s a little bit out of the ordinary.
- 1. The Pole House – Fairhaven
- 2. Cape Nelson Lighthouse – West Victoria
- 3. Kanasta Caravan Park – Mornington Peninsula
- 4. Grampians Pioneer Log Cottage – Halls Gap
- 5. Grampians Historic Tobacco Kiln – Moutajup
- 6. Echuca Gardens – Echuca near Murray River
- 7. Yandoit Church – Yandoit
- 8. Tathra Mudbrick Cottage – Flowerdale
Destination: Grampians | Mornington Peninsula | Victoria | Australia
Types of Accommodation: Heritage | Quirky
Accommodation Resources
1. The Pole House – Fairhaven
Best for: Awe-inspiring Holiday Home for Two, Views, Location, Bucket-List
As the name subtly suggests, this house is perched upon a pole. A 40m tall pole to be precise, overlooking Fairhaven Beach along the Great Ocean Road, making it one of the most photographed houses on the most photographed stretches of road in Australia.
On top of sweeping infinity views from the 360-degree glass balcony, this architectural marvel boasts ultra-modern interiors and a fireplace hanging from the roof.
You might find yourself saying “wow” just a few times in this unusual accommodation in Victoria.
Good to Know
- Sleeps Two: one bedroom with queen bed
- Air conditioning, fireplace, heating
- Kitchen with Nespresso, microwave, toaster, cutlery, crockery
- Complimentary goodies basket
- Not suitable for children
- Book The Pole House at Booking.com
Location:
2. Cape Nelson Lighthouse – West Victoria
Best for: Historic Holiday Houses, Hot Tub, Full Breakfast, Beach, Peaceful
There’s something so alluring about lighthouses – they seem to be surrounded by an air of history and mystery. At Cape Nelson State Park, you can stay in one of five renovated historic cottages at the base of the red-and-white lighthouse that’s become an icon for the region.
Built in 1884, you can choose from the original keeper’s cottage, the caretaker’s cottage, or the sunset, sunrise, or annex cottages, all of which now have comfortable modern luxuries while maintaining the original colonial atmosphere.
Sunrise Cottage – two bedrooms for four guests, Sunset Cottage for two guests, Caretakers Cottage – two bedrooms for four guests, Head Keepers Cottage – two bedrooms for four Guests, and The Annex for two guests
Good to Know
- Access to BBQ
- Fully equipped kitchens, fireplace, lounge, dining, patio
- Breakfast provided
- Book your Stay at the Cape Nelson Lighthouse with Booking.com
Location
3. Kanasta Caravan Park – Mornington Peninsula
Best for: Retro Caravans, Beach, Playground, Swimming, Fishing, Family-friendly
This quirky accommodation in Victoria channels a 1960’s/1970’s kind of vibe with its retro caravans and funky cabins. Lovingly restored and decorated, the “glamper vans” have adorable names to match their individual personalities. Peggy Sue is cute in pink and lace curtains, while Elizabeth is chic in black and white with gold accents.
Located on the tip of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, you can soak up local attractions like Rye’s swimming beach before challenging your travel mates to a game of retro pinball or billiards in the games room.
Good to Know
- Caravans have one double bed and bunk beds – room for four guests
- Villas, three and four-bedroom houses available
- 1.5hrs from Melbourne
- Luxury linen included
- Kitchenettes
- Book your fun stay at Kanasta with Expedia
Location
4. Grampians Pioneer Log Cottage – Halls Gap
Best for: Holiday Home, Views, Log Fire, Kangaroos, Zoo Nearby, Family-friendly
Get a taste of early Victorian settler life in this restored Redgum Log Cottage near the famous Grampian National Park. Set on 60 acres of classic Aussie bushland, the hand-built cottage is made from a bunch of local recycled materials, even incorporating old grain harvester parts into the kitchen’s range hood.
Watch kangaroos roaming your front porch at sunset while you gather around the crackling open log fire.
Good to Know at this Quirky Accommodation in Victoria
- Two-bedroom cottage, sleeps 6. First room with double bed, second room with 4 single beds.
- Air conditioning
- Full kitchen
- Linen and towels provided
- Check prices and availability at Grampians Pioneer Log Cottage
Location:
5. Grampians Historic Tobacco Kiln – Moutajup
Best for: B&B on Sheep Station, Near Dunkeld Arboretum, Hiking, Grampians National Park
Near the southern end of Grampians National Park you’ll find this delightfully quirky accommodation in Victoria – a renovated old tobacco house. The two-story mini lodge sits amongst a working 1200-acre sheep farm, so be prepared to say ‘hi’ to one of the 4000 resident sheep, 1 alpaca and a farm dog.
Enjoy spectacular views of nearby mountains from your outdoor seating area before retreating inside to rustic timber furniture and cosy brick walls. Adventures nearby include hiking at Mount Sturgeon, Mount Abrupt and Little Picaninny. To refuel after all that exercise don’t miss the 150 year-old Dunkeld Bakery.
Good to Know
- Two bedrooms – one with large double bed and one with bunk beds
- Breakfast is included
- Bathrobes and slippers provided
- Kitchenette and BBQ
- Air conditioning
- For a degustation menu with French wines try the very modern Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld. For more casual dining the Parker Street Project at the Royal Mail Hotel is great too.
- Check prices and availability at Grampians Historic Tobacco Kiln
Location
Tours to the Grampians: See Tripadvisor’s 25 most popular tours as voted for by fellow travellers.
6. Echuca Gardens – Echuca near Murray River
Best for: Guest House, Gypsy Wagons, Pet-friendly, Banyule Park, Walks, Gardens
At this unusual accommodation in Victoria, you can stay in heritage-designed gypsy wagons, built as reproductions of travelling wagons used in the late 19th century.
A “grandma’s high bed” is the centrepiece of the wooden interiors decorated with plush velvet and lace.
Roam around the intricately designed water gardens of the property, or go exploring through next door’s Banyule Park State Forest.
Good to Know at this Quirky Accommodation in Victoria
- Pets allowed
- Gypsy Wagons accommodate 1-2 guests, and cottages and apartments accommodate up to 8 guests
- Run by an international piano player – enjoy live piano music each evening
- Air conditioning
- 10 min walk to the Murray River so a perfect stay before or after Murray River cruises
- Book Your Stay at Echuca Gardens with Booking.com
Location
7. Yandoit Church – Yandoit
Best for: Luxurious Holiday Home, Deck, Country Views, Pot Belly, Near Hepburn Springs
This church in the serene country town of Yandoit was built in 1884 to serve the local Swiss-Italian community. It was refurbished into the now award-winning quirky accommodation in Victoria, with the addition of a huge, modern two-story wing.
The original church serves as the spacious living area, with bright gothic windows and an immense vaulted ceiling. Original artworks and textiles combine with modern comforts such as a flat-screen TV and reverse cycle air conditioning.
Enjoy peace on your comfortable deck chairs, overlooking the tranquil pond and surrounding gardens.
Hepburn Springs is only 12 km from Yandoit for soothing hot pools, mud pools, spa treatments, bush walks, and eateries. See Tripadvisor’s Things to Do in Hepburn Springs here.
Good to Know
- Three bedrooms for up to 6 guests. Two bedrooms with extra large double beds and one bedroom with a double bed
- 20 minutes to Castlemaine
- Lopi wood-heater
- Full kitchen
- Book the Yandoit Church with Booking.com
Location
8. Tathra Mudbrick Cottage – Flowerdale
Best for: Farm Stay, Dog and Horse-Friendly, Affordable, Adult-only, Spa Pool
Hidden up on a hillside surrounded by landscaped native gardens sits this beautifully rustic mud-brick cottage. Embrace the privacy of your quarter-acre property by taking a wood-fire heated colonial outdoor shower, or stare at the stars from your own soothing outdoor spa.
Bring your fur-baby along too, because this unusual accommodation in Victoria is dog-and-horse-friendly. Luxurious Sheridan bedding, towels, and fluffy bathrobes will ensure you maintain maximum cosiness.
The outdoor private spa in nature is amazing and is the highlight of the accommodation. The accommodation is set on a hill in the hills and valleys of Flowerdale which provides unique views of the nature around and the weather rolling through.
Guest comment
Good to Know
- One bedroom with queen-size bed
- Kitchenette
- First night’s breakfast ingredients supplied
- Stables available for horses
- See the Tathra Farmstay website
Location – in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range
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