As a writer who travels for work – and for fun whenever I can – I’ve stayed in my fair share of cool Airbnbs and luxury hotels around Australia. But I think I’ve just found the cutest and cosiest stay yet – and it’s only a five-minute stroll from the Bay of Fires, recently crowned Australia’s best beach for 2025. I spent two dreamy nights here this July, curled up by the fire, listening to the waves crash in the distance and soaking up the moments of stillness. It was the winter escape I didn’t know I needed – and here’s why I think you’ll love it too.
Hidden just up the hill from Binalong Bay – a sleepy seaside hamlet famed for its pristine white sand, turquoise water and orange lichen-covered boulders – Sabi Stays is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one. It’s the kind of place that gave me permission to fully switch off and discover the quiet magic of a cool Tasmanian winter.
While it feels worlds away from reality, Sabi Stays is just a two-hour drive from Launceston Airport or 3.5 hours from Hobart, with both routes serving up seriously scenic road trip vibes. Pulling into the driveway, I couldn’t help but let out an audible “wow!” This luxuriously cosy cabin is the result of a two-year labour of love by Jess and Frank Eggleston, who were inspired to build it after discovering the magic of Binalong Bay shortly after moving to Tasmania in 2019. They lovingly handcrafted the gingerbread-style structure from stone and timber, creating something that looks like straight from the pages of a storybook. Inside, it’s all earthy tones, raw textures and natural materials designed to ground you – and yet, it couldn’t feel more warm or snug.
If the name didn’t give it away, Sabi Stays is inspired by the Japanese philosophy ‘wabi-sabi’ – all about finding beauty in “imperfection, impermanence and incompleteness”. It’s more than just a namesake; it’s reflected in every nook, texture and detail. The spaces are intentionally stripped back, but never sterile. There’s no clutter or over-styling – just room to breathe, unwind and simply be with your thoughts.
Jess and Frank selected walnut-coloured timber reminiscent of a traditional Japanese ryokan, completed by soft lantern lighting, reclaimed Tasmanian oak and light linen textures. The kitchen is a design-lover’s dream, thoughtfully kitted with custom-made ceramics, mouth-blown glassware, cast-iron cookware and specialty Japanese knives. You’ll also find everything you need for slow, ritual-filled mornings, including ceremonial tea tools, matcha essentials and a full suite of coffee brewing gear.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the lounge centres around a heroic stone fireplace that soars six metres high into the vaulted ceiling. It’s flanked by two futon-inspired daybeds, where I spent two blissful evenings, deep in conversation and mesmerised by the flicker of the flames.
Upstairs, the master suite was easily my favourite room in the house. At first glance, it’s just a spacious yet intimate retreat, anchored by a minimalist king-sized bed. But tucked just around the corner is a beautiful surprise – a Japanese-inspired onsen, crafted especially for Sabi using a reclaimed oak barrel. And in true storybook fashion, it wasn’t until my second day that I stumbled across a tiny hidden reading nook, concealed behind Narnia-like doors on the other side of the room.
Sabi Stays isn’t just a place to sleep — it’s a philosophy to live by. Embracing the wabi-sabi mindset, I took time to be fully present, letting go of the rush and distractions of daily life, and simply appreciating the calm, quiet moments.