Quirky Airbnbs you can book in Victoria

Named Australias number one holiday home in 2020, Clifftop at Hepburn is the romantic retreat of your dreams. The two-bedroom converted shipping container is perched on the top of a cliff, offering floor-to-ceiling views to the pine forest valley below. Every luxury is considered, including a fireplace, Bose sound system, two-person spa, stone bath, outdoor infinity daybed and fancy toiletries and snacks.

It took nine months to renovate this genuine steam train carriage into accommodation that can sleep six (or four, more comfortably). The steampunk-inspired aesthetic inside matches the carriage's surrounds, and it includes an open-plan living room, a wood-burning fire and a full kitchen. Pets and children are welcome. All aboard!

The host's own wooden carvings adorn the rooms in this post-and-beam barn, which has been converted to comfortable two-bedroom accommodation. The Geelong suburb of Belmont is within a few minutes' drive of the start of the Great Ocean Road, as well as a few minutes from famed Geelong fine dining restaurant Igni. The property includes fancy rustic touches like stone vanities, as well as a deck and gazebo.

You want quirky? How about a straw-bale yurt? The cleverly designed eco-friendly accommodation is cool in summer and warm in winter, thanks to smart airflow. You'll feel very close to nature with the outdoor kitchen and outdoor seating area, and the property has a toilet and shower in a separate shed. Friendly cows will be your only neighbours, and Emerald is a great base to visit Puffing Billy, the Kokoda Track and 1,000 Steps, and more bushwalking in the Dandenongs. 

The Sea Gypsy caravan can be set up at any of the campgrounds on the Mornington Peninsula for you, so you can stay beachside and listen to the waves lapping the shore from your own glamping caravan. The Sea Gypsy includes a queen-sized bed, kitchenette, running water, outside furniture and a funky, hippie design.

If you want to pretend you're staying in a French castle instead of the Victorian town of Rutherglen, this could be the one for you. The 1903-built property spans over three levels, connected by a spiral staircase. It's designed for a couple, with the queen bedroom and a marble bathroom on the top level, and a sitting room and library on the first floor. Downstairs is a dining area. It's on the property of Mount Ophir Estate and within easy reach of many of Rutherglen's other wineries. 

If you want to get off the grid completely, this could be a good choice. It's entirely solar powered, but don't worry – you'll still have hot showers, ambient lighting, tea and coffee, a wood fireplace, clean water and music. The tent has two beds, a queen and a king, so it's good for couples, families or groups who don't mind sharing a space. You can bring your dog, and it's close to all the natural attractions (yes, including the penguins) the island has to offer. A wood-fired outside hot tub is provided on request – and you should definitely request it. 

A two-minute stroll from Balnarring Beach, this one-bedroom apartment is the perfect seaside getaway. The light-filled space is a study in greys and whites, giving it a very contemporary luxury feeling. The wineries, beaches and restaurants of the Mornington Peninsula are just a short drive away.