Get Off the Grid and Back to Nature at Victoria's Ten Best Tiny Homes

If there's one way to get cosy, it's a sleepover in a tiny house. Over the past few years, the Tiny House movement has gone wild, bringing incy wincy dwellings to valleys, fields, forests, river banks and beaches all over the Earth — from Mudgee, NSW, to Orléans, France.

While much of the craze is the work of start-ups, like Unyoked, Tiny Away and Into the Wild Escapes, locals have been getting on the bandwagon, too, offering their pint-sized stays via Airbnb and the like. The result is you have plenty of choice, whether you're looking for a one-night getaway in Castlemaine or a tiny house festival with friends in the Goldfields.

Little Sprout, Gippsland

Sometimes, staying at a tiny house is all about experiencing the house itself. But, at others, it's about where the tiny house is. Little Sprout by Tiny Away is a case in point. This gem lives in Gippsland, in the middle of a 60-acre olive grove, surrounded by regenerated eucalyptus forest. Just a stumble away is The Grove, where, on Sundays, you can join a long afternoon feast of smoky meats and seasonal sides. All that said about the location, the dwelling itself is lovely and eco-friendly, offering a comfy queen bed next to picture windows, a cute kitchenette with mod cons and good air con for all seasons.

Tiny Home, Gruyere

For an escape that isn't too far from Melbourne but still feels like a proper getaway, book the Tiny Home in Gruyere, just an hour's drive northwest of the CBD. This storybook spot is ideal for relaxing. Start with a coffee around the redwood table (made from a local sequoia tree), before sinking into a beanbag or hammock for a glass of wine. Come evening, make your own pizza and watch it bubble in a woodfired pizza oven. Up for some stargazing? While you're at it, keep warm and comfy by the campfire in an Adirondack chair.

Marcel, Castlemaine

Another baby home that isn't too far from Melbourne is Marcel in Castlemaine. It's a cute cabin deep in a gumtree forest, on the banks of your very own swimming hole, brought to you by Unyoked. Like all the company's tiny houses — there are many in Victoria — this one is solar-powered, and on a private property where you can neither see nor hear any human-made sights or sounds. Leave your phone in your bag (it probably won't connect anyway), and get lost in books, card games, cassette tapes and yoga mats (all provided) by the warmth of your woodfired heater.

Handcrafted Shack, Halls Gap

The Handcrafted Shack is a good example of what you can do with pre-loved goods. Every part of this tiny house features recycled materials — from the wood heater inside to the handcrafted red gum deck outside. Big, timber-framed windows give you beautiful views over the owner's regenerative farm, backdropped by mountains. Spend all day staring at them from bed, or brave the outdoor bath, cleverly built into the deck. If you're after a little action, head to Halls Gap for coffee, beers and bites, or into Gariwerd (The Grampians) for stunning walks.

Tiny Away Escape, The Grampians

Keen to get away but don't want to leave your crew behind? Tiny Away Escape in Geriward (The Grampians) is for you. It gives you not one, but ten mini holiday homes, on one property. So you can invite all your family and friends. When you're not hiding away at your place, meet them in the rec room or swimming pool, or by the fire pit. Every dwelling is built sustainably, and the houses come with kitchenettes, air-con and ensuites with gas-heated showers. In case you want to go even further off the grid, or invite even more people, there are powered and unpowered sites nearby.

Skypod, Cape Otway

For incredible water views, stay at a Skypod on Cape Otway. This collection of architecturally designed hideaways lives on a 200-acre private property on the coast, overlooking the Great Southern Ocean. Big glass walls let you soak up the vistas in all their glory, without leaving your queen bed. Or, if you want to feel the breeze on your face, kick back on your spacious deck. Every skypod is solar powered, and comes with an equipped kitchen, reverse cycle aircon, wifi and, for movie nights, a 100-inch projector screen. Visiting Cape Otway as part of a road trip? Get help from our 48 hours on the Great Ocean Road guide, and consider these seven lesser-known stops.

Pepe, Yarra Valley

Another tiny house from Unyoked is Pepe in the Yarra Valley. This one is on a delightful rural property, surrounded by green grass, pine forest and rolling hills. There's also a river right on your doorstep. When you're not snuggling up in bed or kicking back beside the wood-powered heater, head outdoors to freshen up under the shower before plunging into the hot tub. Whatever you get up to, you'll be miles away from other humans. On the way out, or in, you might want to explore the Yarra Valley, which offers wineries, breweries, pubs, eateries, art and cycling trails galore.

Rainforest Getaway, Sassafras

Disappear deep into the rainforest at this tiny home in Sassafras. It's in the Dandenongs, just 40 minutes' drive from Melbourne, so it's perfect for an overnighter if you're short on time. You'll have three acres of rainforest, interwoven with century-old gardens, to roam through. To cool off, follow the mossy path to babbling Sassafras Creek, where you'll find a "tranquillity platform". Or stay home the whole time, alternating between your Tylo cedar dry sauna and your spa bath, surrounded by scented candles and essential oils. Once you're fully relaxed, you'll be ready to spend a day or two exploring the Dandenongs.

Jumanji, Elevated Plains

For location, Jumanji is hard to beat. It's right on the edge of a cliff face, overlooking a rugged valley. Soak up the views from the comfort of your king bed, or jump into the outdoor bath — made with 20-million-year-old petrified stone and framed with fairy lights. Wherever you are, keep an eye out for kangaroos, and count on spectacular sunsets. The interior design, dotted with lanterns, sculptures and elephants, takes its cues from the African continent. The Elevated Plains are a brief drive from Daylesford. On your way home, check out these seven things you didn't realise you could do in the region — from trekking with a llama to having a spa bath in a treehouse.

Harper, Macedon Ranges

Another tiny home in the Daylesford region to check out is Harper, brought to you by Into the Wild Escapes. Just 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne, it's surrounded by native bush and magical rock formations. Swing by Kyneton on the way to pick up some local wine and produce, so you'll have everything you need to stay in bed for days. Or, if that sounds like too much effort, add a gourmet brekkie hamper or a charcuterie board to your booking. Keen to stretch your legs? Stroll around the property and along nearby walking trails, and maybe take a dip in a swimming hole — or head to Mount Macedon National Park for more serious hiking.

Helen, Lenore & Justyn, Goldfields

Another option from Into the Wild Escapes is this trio of tiny houses in the Goldfields region. Helen, Lenore and Justin are all on Mooramong Estate, a 1930s National Trust property that once belonged to silent movie star Claire Adams and her husband, millionaire heir Donald 'Scobie' Mackinnon. But they're less than two kilometres apart. There's space for four in each — so you can take up to 11 friends with you. When you're not visiting the nearby lake or enjoying the views of Mount Elephant, challenge your mates to a tennis match on the sand court. Racquets and outdoor games are provided.

Images: supplied