A Sunshine Coast property that started life as a 1970s beach shack has taken the gold in Stayz annual list of Australia’s top 10 holiday homes.
Barra Luxe Beach House at Point Arkwright is now an immaculately styled five-bedroom, four-bathroom holiday property with a swimming pool, covered deck, galley kitchen and all the mod cons you’d expert for a hassle-free beachside lifestyle.
Guests comment that they love the home’s relaxed vibe and its close proximity to Yaroomba Beach, where they often spot Loggerhead turtles, sea hawks, black cockatoos, dolphins and whales.
The low-season three-night minimum price to stay at the Barra Luxe Beach House, which sleeps 12, is $2550.
In the Stayz Holiday Home of the Year Awards, Barra Luxe Beach House beat silver awardee, Scandi chic Nord House: a luxurious three-bedroom family home down a quiet country lane in Red Hill on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, a short drive to popular Point Leo Beach.
Open-plan Dragon Tree House in Lennox Head, NSW, took the bronze medal for its family-friendly features including a gourmet kitchen, barbecue, pool and outdoor private bath, only a couple of blocks from the beach.
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Judging criteria included bookings over the past year, traveller reviews, star ratings, and relevance of amenities and the home catering to Aussie families. The seven other holiday homes on the shortlist are:
● A converted church in Echuca, Victoria. Originally built in 1869, The Wesley now offers travellers a once-in-a-lifetime stay with stained-glass windows, a full-size bar, swimming pool and outdoor entertainment area among the modern design features.
● A resort-style home set on 2ha of rainforest in the Whitsundays that makes guests feel like they’re holidaying on their own private island, with a swim-up bar for the adults and a cubby house and pool room for the children.
● A cosy, pet-friendly 1930s cottage in Mudgee, NSW, that sets Instagram alight with its modern interiors.
● A New York loft-style retreat at Encounter Bay in South Australia.
The pet-friendly, two-storey home oozes industrial cool and is popular for its entertainment spaces.
● A beachfront getaway in Busselton, WA. With eight rooms, large entertainment areas and a hot tub, it’s popular among families who travel together.
● A beach house in Margaret River, overlooking historic Cave House and a short stroll from Yallingup Beach.
● The Three Arches in Glenelg in South Australia. The aptly-named home has arched windows, high ceilings, a teenage retreat and entertainment spaces.
Stayz, which has has more than 50,000 properties across Australia, has held the awards for 10 years and expects this year’s list to help boost regional tourism as the industry works towards a post-pandemic recovery.
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Travel expert at Stayz, Simone Scoppa, said the awards couldn’t have come at a better time as many Australians, particularly those in lockdown, were bursting to travel again when they could.
“The winning homes reflect today’s travel trends where we’re increasingly seeing holidaymakers take frequent and sometimes last-minute road trips to private holiday houses in coastal locations,” she said.
“The homes are also reflective of the different tastes that Aussie families have in homes – from luxe coastal experiences to unique regional accommodation.
“Interestingly, all the gold, silver and bronze medal-winning homes are pet-friendly, reflecting another trend of how much Aussies embrace man’s best friend as part of the family.”
Full details of the 2021 winners list can be found at Stayz Holiday Home of the Year Awards
