Sustainable Stays: Six Unique Retreats

You know the shots we mean: scrunched doonas and steaming hot mugs of coffee inside architectural cabins or isolated cottages. Turns out that the Margaret River Region has a few of these Insta-worthy gems tucked away. Think sustainable tiny houses, houseboats, ‘glampavans’ and more.

So why not add a little something extra to your holiday and go a wee bit left-field? Here are six unique accommodation options.

An architecturally-designed and sustainable cabin in the midst of an organic vineyard? Where have you been all our lives! Tucked among the trees and alongside a lake on the Windows Estate property, this is the perfect private retreat to get away from it all. Waterfall windows let the stars in at night, and day beds inside-and-out allow for 24-hour lazing. Other amenities include a vintage outdoor bathtub, fireplace & baker’s oven.

The timber heavily featured in the cabin was milled by the owners; members of the Davies family itself. The cabin captures all its own rainwater, its grey-water is recycled onto nearby fruit trees, & a solar hot water system keeps things toasty. Best of all is its proximity to the Windows Estate cellar door.

Margaret River Heartland boasts two accommodation options to fulfil all your country frolicking fantasies: a bohemian, artistic “glampavan” and an eco-aligned, rustic timber cottage. It is a charming farm property located (as the name suggests) within the latticework of wineries, cheese, nougat and chocolate factories among other delights. The glampavan was once a worker’s accommodation unit & has been lovingly renovated over three years as an artistic expression of the owner, Anita Revel.

Eclectic & vintage touches are peppered through the intimate space, including a record-player (!) to serve as a backdrop to the farmland & vineyard views. Settlers Rest is an entirely off-grid wooden cottage with a rustic country charm, right down to its baker’s oven/fireplace & piano. The property is replete with the Wilyabrup Creek meandering through, private forest trails, outdoor art & sculpture & even the option to host weddings.

The striking eco-friendly pods at Barn Hives lie just minutes from Smiths Beach, with views down to the water and delicious food at the doorstep thanks to Yallingup’s well-loved Barnyard 1978 restaurant. Taking inspiration from the beehives that are dotted around the property, the accommodation plays into the owners’ “casually classy” ethos, providing a touch of luxury on their vineyard and bee farm.

The pods are solar passive with cross-ventilation crucial to their design, and are self-sufficient with rainwater collection and solar panels. A pellet-fire heater warms in winter, while fans circulate those down south summer breezes. Each pod has a private deck with views (and barbecues!) and a fully equipped kitchen, while the upper storey is devoted to an elegant master suite. The restaurant makes its own pasta daily and provides tastings of its honey & wine.

The two award-winning cabins at Tree Chalets are eco-luxury at its best. Stroll the surrounding trails, enjoy a languid soak in the cast iron outdoor bath, or just take a moment to soak in the serenity – all in the knowledge that your stay has been carefully designed to ensure a gentle footprint. Single use plastic? You won’t find any here, with dispensers in the bathroom for the toiletries and a breakfast hamper of fresh local produce. It may even include fruit freshly picked from the orchard.

Tucked away in a Rose Gum forest, the view from the private deck through the silvery trunks of the soaring trees is truly unique.

Add this to your bucket-list. What could be better than putting along the Blackwood River, dining under the stars and lazing on the top deck of your very own houseboat? Cruise up to 28 kilometres of the Hardy Inlet & national park (or even further in your dinghy tender!), relax, kayak, bushwalk, birdwatch or spot wildflowers and wild river dolphins.

Blackwood River Houseboats has 2, 4 or 6 berth boats available, and no skippers ticket is required, with the vessels easy to drive. The dinghies can be moored at the Augusta townsite  at other jetties along the river for day trips or popping back for creature comforts (or a meal with spectacular views at the Augusta Hotel!). If ‘staying on location’ while fishing is your scene, you can look forward to King George whiting, black and bream, crab, tailor and mullet.