The CABN homes are South Australia’s first eco-friendly, off-grid tiny houses in Ssix secret locations across the state (as well as two soon-to-open spots in the Clare Valley). The original is the wild and welcoming Jude – named after the founder’s mother. The elegant wooden cabin is hidden among 73 hectares of scrubland and is just big enough for two (plus a couple of little ones or the family dog). 

Make no mistake: this place is tiny but it’s not a house. It’s a straw-bale yurt and it’s gorgeous. Despite its diminutive size, Alkira is richly decorated with hand-picked pieces and has a fantastic outdoor kitchen for whipping up feasts al fresco. From its high, north-facing position the yurt overlooks a fern-lined creek and, in the distance, the Warburton ranges.   

Picture yourself falling asleep in front of a crackling fireplace and waking up to the sight of a flock of sheep milling just outside your window. Behind them, nothing but rolling, green fields stretching out into the distance. At Wilga Station, a 15-minute drive south-west of the main Bathurst township, this could be your daily routine. While there’s the larger five-bedroom Shearers Hall for groups, the off-grid Farmers Hut – perfect for two – has everything you need for a romantic getaway, including a sunken outdoor bath, a private barbecue area and fire pit. You’ll also find a complimentary bottle of locally sourced wine and breakfast hamper waiting in the kitchenette.

This extraordinary copper-clad tower, perched on a hillside overlooking the vineyards and farmlands of NSW’s Central West, is so secluded it doesn’t even have its own address. With only the local kookaburras for company, you won’t have to worry about anyone watching when you take an outdoor shower beneath the gum trees. 

Hidden away on an organic farm 10 minutes drive from Devonport, this miniature barn is a slice of Scandi-minimalism in Tassie’s rugged north. Guests are encouraged to forage from the herb and veggie garden, while the stockpile of board games is a reminder that relaxation doesn’t always have to involve a remote control. 

This original Shacky proved so successful that there are now several more, in The Grampians and Victoria's High Country. Shacky Yarra Valley has its own private spot on the property of founders and full-time cattlers farmers Sarah and Matt and is close to wineries, hikes and national parks.

As charming as it looks, with rustic timber cladding and cosy creature comforts, Micah is all about location: nestled in a private valley next to sandstone cliffs and a twinkling stream. Unyoked rates her in its top level of adventurousness, which means you’re guaranteed middle-of-nowhere wilderness vibes to the max.    

Sancho is close to foodie-focused Hepburn Springs and spa mecca Daylesford, 90 minutes north-west of Melbourne but you can do as much or as little as you like when you get there. Expect fresh linen, a cosy firepit and views across a secluded paddock filled with resident goats and local kangaroos just passing through.

Central Tilba is one of the gems of the Sapphire Coast and Tilba Lake Camp is the ideal spot from which to savour it. There are Bell Tents for the glampers but if you want an elevated space, Bonnie and Clyde are twin “Pods” that strongly resemble tiny houses. Small but perfectly formed, these two cabins make for a very comfy coastal getaway – Clyde even has a log-burning fire.

This is idyllic country living at its best, complete with a charming coverage of ivy on the small stay’s stone exterior and the near constant presence of miniature goats. Inside, Hideaway Farmlet continues the charm offensive with landscape paintings, a cosy reading nook and a cute selection of games, puzzles and pastimes perfect for an evening in.

Inspired by the owners’ Hawaiian honeymoon, this cute cabin has a sleeping loft with an opening skylight, indoor and outdoor eating areas and floor-to-ceiling louvered windows. It’s surrounded by a tropical garden and has mountain views and a relaxed, coastal vibe.

Tallarook looks like a full-sized house writ small. It’s adorable. There’s a set of tiny stairs leading up to a tiny verandah. Open the (regular-sized) front door and you’re greeted with a kitchen/living area, bathroom and sleeping nook accessed by ladder. Sitting on the verandah with a hot cup of tea on a cool, misty morning, the case could be made for living the small – nay, tiny – life.

Sitting beneath a stand of native trees in a local’s back paddock, this Southern Highlands bolthole offers the peace and quiet of farm life just minutes from town. There’s no wi-fi but don’t worry – this tiny home has a coffee machine for your morning brew, a pétanque set if you feel up to it and a bucolic location that promises birdwatching par excellence.

Retreat to your own quiet patch of Kangaroo Valley at this itty-bitty solar-powered property. Situated in a forest clearing, the thoughtfully designed home has a combustion heater and outdoor fire pit for winter weather, as well as air-conditioning and a barbecue for summertime. It’s compact but sleeps three, has a nifty kitchen, and a bathtub surrounded by mirrored glass (so no-one can peep in).

The view of Pigeon House Mountain from the outdoor deck of this listing is just as incredible as the vista framed by the picture window in the comfortable sleeping nook inside. It’s a short drive to the South Coast towns of Milton, Mollymook and Ulladulla but why would you leave?

This is the kind of tiny house you see on design blogs: it’s perfectly styled, niftily designed and has the kind of location art directors dream of. There are two sleeping areas, one a loft and another a stylish bedroom with doors that open onto a deck. By day, read in the hammock; by night, hang out by the fire-pit.

This sweet stay is like something out of a fairy tale, or perhaps Hobbiton. Built in a beautiful rainforest setting, the sweet little shack sleeps two adults and one child. Waking up in the loft bed and looking out the octagonal window at the lush surroundings, the day’s possibilities seem endless – even if you only end up drinking coffee in the garden and feeding the chooks! 

Located in leafy Balmain, this city-based charmer is close to Sydney ferries and shops. Accessed through a private entrance, it’s dog-friendly if you’re travelling with a furry friend. It’s also light, bright and has an ensuite and kitchenette.

For a wine weekend with a difference, book a getaway at this bush-fringed listing in the heart of the Hunter Valley. After a day at the nearby cellar doors, take a hot shower, put together one last cheese board in the kitchenette and enjoy a glass or two by the fire pit before retiring to the cosy queen-sized bed.

One of three tiny pavilions that share a pool yet are entirely private, thanks to the lush rainforest between them, this cleverly designed “shack” packs plenty in. A loft bed sits above the seating area, a deck (a hangout for birds) extends the living space into the trees and the galley kitchen fits a fridge, microwave, stove and oven for the keenest of cooks.

This elegant listing doubles its footprint with a deck that has tranquil treetop views, a claw-foot bathtub and a hammock. Nap in the double bed, prepare meals in the petite gourmet kitchen and, after a long day of relaxation, treat yourself to a starlit soak in the tub. It’s only 20 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport yet feels worlds away.

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