One-of-a-kind accommodation in NSW national parks

Galong Cabins, Blue Mountains National Park 

These two cosy cabins are tucked into a remote corner of the Megalong Valley in the Blue Mountains National Park.  Each cabin sleeps four people and has a fireplace for those cold mountain nights. Towering eucalypts are framed in every window and lush bushland rolls out in every direction; your only company will be eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies. Pick up supplies in Blackheath or Katoomba, both around an hour away, and visit the Megalong Valley Tearooms for a Devonshire tea on the way in or out. 

Explore the outdoors: Set out on some of the best bushwalks in the Blue Mountains, like the Grand Cliff Top Walk that connects Wentworth Falls and Katoomba or the iconic and epic Six Foot Track. Both are multi-day walks, but you can easily try out smaller sections. 

Galong Cabins, Blue Mountains National Park - Credit: Simone Cottrell

Assistant Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages, Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area 

Be the first person in Australia to welcome the new day at the Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages. Sitting on the Cape Byron headland, the most easterly point of the country, the sunrises here are set against a backdrop of uninterrupted water views. The two heritage cottages have been carefully restored to maintain their historic charm, and each has three bedrooms, a full kitchen, fireplace and spectacular views from verandahs on both sides. 

Explore the outdoors: The 3.7km-return Cape Byron walking track starts right on your doorstep, taking you through rainforest and along towering cliffs. Spend the rest of the sun-filled days surfing and swimming at Byron Bay’s famous beaches; Wategos and Clarkes are just a 15-minute walk away. 

Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay

Hilltop Cottage, Royal National Park 

It’s only an hour south of Sydney but the Royal National Park is a world away from the bustle of city. The historic Hilltop Cottage is the ideal blend of old and new, with beautiful heritage features but modern amenities including a well-stocked kitchen (with its own water views) and heating. It sleeps up to six people but you won’t want to spend too much time in bed – the sprawling verandah and deck jutting out over the edge of the rocks offer sweeping views of Port Hacking and the surrounding bushland. 

Explore the outdoors: Tackle a section of the epic 1-2 day Coast Track, trek to nearby Winifred Falls or Uloola Falls, and cycle the historic Lady Carrington carriage route. If you want to venture further into the park, there are myriad spectacular spots to swim, surf or paddle. 

Hilltop cottage, Royal National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Head Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, Barunguba Montague Island Nature Reserve

If you’ve ever dreamed about having an island all to yourself, here’s your chance. When the day trippers to Barunguba Montague Island Nature Reserve (just off the South Coast near Narooma)  head back to the mainland, you’ll become a voluntary castaway, with a stay at the 1881-built five-bedroom Head Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage. Your stay includes boat transfers and a 2.5-hour tour of the island. After, retreat to the cottage verandah and look for wildlife – don’t forget your binoculars.

Explore the outdoors: Follow the 1.5km Barunguba Montague Island Walk, a short but challenging trail that takes you past dramatic coastline scenery and penguin breeding boxes. Join a snorkelling tour to frolic underwater with the island’s playful seals, the largest colony in NSW. The island is also home to 90 species of birds, and whales regularly swim close to its shores between May and September.

Montague Island Lighthouse with Montague Island Discovery Tours experience, Narooma

Lyrebird Cottage, Kosciuszko National Park

This luxurious eco retreat sits in the Yarrangobilly area of the Kosciuszko National Park, in between Tumut and Cooma. Lyrebird Cottage sleeps four across two bedrooms and has a compact kitchen, open plan living area and wraparound deck. This is a true off-grid escape, with little to no phone reception or internet, so there’s nothing to disturb the chorus of lyrebirds and currawongs. 

Explore the outdoors: The cottage is just off the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool Walk, which will take you to a gorgeous outdoor pool where the mineralised water stays at 27 degrees Celsius year round. Keep a look out for the elusive platypus who call the nearby river home. You’re also next to the 440-million-year-old Yarrangobilly Caves, where you can go underground to admire epic cave networks and their limestone formations.

Lyrebird Cottage, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Adam Klumper/DCCEEW

Davies Cottage, Myall Lakes National Park

Perched on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of Sugarloaf Bay near Seal Rocks, this chic cabin makes for the ultimate beach holiday. It’s spacious and modern, sleeping up to six people across three bedrooms. There’s a barbecue and dining table on the large deck so you can eat all your meals al fresco or you can take in the views from one of the comfy deck chairs. Spend the afternoons spotting dolphins jumping over the waves and look for any whales swimming past during their winter and spring migration.

Explore the outdoors: The quiet Boat Beach is right in front of the cottage – wander down for a swim, surf or paddle. Follow the Treachery Headland or Submarine Beach walking tracks to pass through lush rainforest and discover secluded stretches of sand. Myall Lakes is also a popular fishing spot, so bring your rod for a chance to nab bream, whiting, salmon, flathead or mullet.

Davies Cottage, Myall Lakes National Park - Credit: Brent Mail/DCCEEW

Mount Wood Homestead, Sturt National Park

Get a taste of the lives of early Outback settlers in this remote homestead in the vast Sturt National Park. Built of rubble stone before 1890, the five-bedroom Mount Wood Homestead was once part of a working station and gives an insight into the challenges of living in this isolated corner of the state. While the property has been renovated, you’ll need to bring your own drinking water, food and supplies – the tiny town of Tibooburra is a 30-minute drive from the house.

Explore the outdoors: Admire the dramatic desert landscapes and red rolling sand dunes on outback drives or walks (just remember to take plenty of water with you). Bring your binoculars for birdwatching – bustard, kestrels and wedge-tailed eagles are often spotted close to the homestead.

Mount Wood Homestead at dusk, Sturt National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Muluerindie, Warrabah National Park 

Tucked into bushland in the lesser-known eastern end of Warrabah National Park, Muluerindie promises a remote wilderness retreat with the comforts of home. Settle into the unique, hand-built stone cottage that looks out over the Namoi River through huge glass windows and a large outdoor deck. There are comfortable beds, a full kitchen and a fireplace but the toilet and shower are outside in a separate building, so you can still feel like you’re roughing it a little. 

Explore the outdoors: Throw a line in at one of the many fishing holes along the Namoi and keep an eye out for the platypus and rare Bell’s tortoises that call the river home. Bring a lilo to float lazily along the river, taking breaks to soak up the sun from secluded sandbanks. 

Muluerindie, Warrabah National Park - Credit: Sam Doak/DCCEEW

Fairfax House, Hill End Historic Site

Gold fever arrived in Hill End in the 1850s and Fairfax House was built not long after. Parts of the original 1870s building have been retained but there are modern touches like a new kitchen and an indulgent clawfoot bathtub. It sleeps four people across two bedrooms and is just a couple of minutes from the popular tourist town, visit the with shop, local cafe, pub and check out the area’s thriving art community.

Explore the outdoors: The large yard surrounding the house is a popular hangout for wombats, echidnas, eastern grey kangaroos and red neck wallabies. Learn more about the area’s gold rush history along the Bald Hill walking track, an easy trail that passes through native woodland and old mine sites.

Fairfax House, Hill End Historic Site - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW

Myer House, Mimosa Rocks National Park

This is a little piece of 1970s nostalgia tucked into an isolated bay in Mimosa Rocks National Park, just north of Tathra. Designed by renowned Australian architect Roy Grounds and built by Kenneth Myer (of the Myer stores and Myer Foundation), Myer House is inspired by the great hall of Melbourne’s National Art Gallery. It sleeps up to 12 people, runs entirely off solar power, has vintage features like record players and old school dial phones, and there’s a private tennis court out the back. 

Explore the outdoors: The water is just steps away. Swim at the secluded Penders Beach or paddle in the calm waters of Wapengo Creek. Follow coastal walking trails to take in the stunning vistas and look out for whales between May and November – you’re almost guaranteed to spot them from the headlands.

Myer House, Mimosa Rocks National Park - Credit - John Spencer/DCCEEW

Please note: All campgrounds in NSW national parks require a booking. Stay safe in NSW national parks. Plan by checking the NPWS website for alerts and closures before visiting a park. For more safety tips and park alerts, visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety.