Straw House Farm

The Summit is wine country, and this straw-bale cottage at Straw House Farm sits comfortably among the vineyards and national parks between Stanthorpe and Brisbane. The thick walls keep the single-bedroom space naturally cool through summer and cosy when you're running the fire in winter. It's genuinely unusual construction, and the owners clearly enjoy the novelty of it, but what makes it work is the quiet and the outlook over their 22-acre property.

You've got your own entrance and a deck where you can sit with a drink while the farm animals wander past. There's an outdoor kitchen and fire pit if you want to cook outside, plus undercover parking. Well-behaved dogs are welcome with prior notice. The whole setup works well as a base for visiting the local cellar doors and walking trails without feeling like you're stuck in town.