Overview
The Australian winners for the Airbnb Host Awards for 2022 have just been announced. As well as operating impressive places to stay, these Hosts have been recognised for providing extra special hospitality, going the extra mile to provide things like breakfast hampers, welcome gifts sourced from local boutiques and other stand-out experiences.
It's far beyond the 'find your key in the lock box hidden in the carport, mind the rusty nails and spiderwebs' kind of hospitality. These Hosts truly go all out.
The coveted Host of the Year award went to Alstonvale's Carla Dawes (pictured below), whose Olinda Cottage in the NSW Northern Rivers welcomes guests with a mix of personal touches, unexpected features and warm and welcoming experiences.
Dawes cooks up homemade meals, gathers fresh flowers for each guest, buys local sourdough for brekkie and has even lent a hand with a proposal. (We just hope the couple left a five-star review.)
Tasmanians Peter and Charlie were named Best New Host for the luxury self-contained studio they run on their bush property in the Huon Valley. One of the biggest perks of this stay is the in-studio dining — the hosts cook up a restaurant-quality dinner made from produce grown in their very own permaculture food garden.
Meanwhile, The Winged House (pictured below), which is designed to look like a plane on a cliffside in Tasmania's Table Cape, has picked up the Most Unique Stay award. We'd also put it up for best room with a view — the panoramic sea views here are next-level stunning.
The sole Victorian property on the list took out the title of Best Designed Stay. Coombs Hill Barn (pictured below), located in Merrijig in Victoria's High Country, was a true labour of love for owners Katherine and Wade Harris — they spent three years dismantling, re-erecting and designing a 160-year-old barn that they had shipped over from the USA. The result is a truly breathtaking property that blends traditional, rustic and industrial accents with a natural palette inspired by the surrounding mountains.
The Best Nature Stay award, recognising Hosts who showcase the best of Australia's stunning natural landscape, went to The Container. Susie and Gordon (pictured below) have been Hosts for over 12 years, and wanted to ensure their Airbnb encompassed nature from the outside in while showcasing the possibilities of sustainable travel.
Everything here is eco-friendly, from the repurposed shipping container which makes up the shell of the accommodation to the solar- and hydro-powered electricity that the property runs on and chooks laying eggs for guests. Plus, this rural paradise is located just 20 minutes from Launceston, making it an easy choice for holidaymakers looking to reduce their travel footprint.
Of course, Airbnb isn't just about accommodation — it's also a platform for experience providers. Paul Quincey won the award for Most Magical Experience for his guided kayak tours along a secluded part of Noosa's Lake Weyba — and on-water experience that gives visitors the chance to see sea eagles and stingrays in their native habitats.
For the full list of this year's winners and runners-up in each category (and to plan your next stay), head to the Airbnb website.
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