10 Unique Places To Stay When You Want Something A Little Different

If you think regional accommodation means floral bedspreads and motel kettles, it’s time for a change. The Riverina is quietly building a reputation for stays that are just as interesting as the destination itself - think design-led pods, off-grid farm retreats and heritage spaces transformed from churches, schools and old banks.

From Temora to Griffith, Narrandera to West Wyalong, here’s where to check in when you want something a little different.

School of Arts — Coolamon

Staying here feels a bit like being let in on a local secret.

The Coolamon School of Arts offers accommodation inside one of the town’s most significant heritage buildings. Expect character, history and a location that puts you steps away from Coolamon’s cafés, galleries and one of the prettiest main streets in regional NSW.

With three large bedrooms, open plan living and dining, it’s filled with beautifully restored original furniture from old school desks to dressing tables.

Flower Farm Cottage — The Rock

As dreamy as it sounds, set on a working flower farm near The Rock, Flower Farm Cottage is surrounded by seasonal blooms, open paddocks and golden light. Mornings start slow, afternoons drift by, and evenings are best spent watching the sun sink behind the hills.

Perfect for couples, creatives or anyone craving a break, it’s complete with a full kitchen and outdoor BBQ, bedroom adorned with Anna Blatman wallpaper and an electric vehicle charging station on-site.

Harberton House — The Guest Wing, Temora

Right in the thick of Temora’s historic main street, Habberton House is boutique accommodation done properly; layered with history, polished with modern comfort, and quietly impressive without trying too hard.

Located within the former kitchen and dining wing of the Union Bank manager’s residence, you’ll find a stylish, self-contained apartment with the flexibility of one or two ensuite bedrooms. Think high ceilings, heritage bones and thoughtful updates, including a European-inspired courtyard to make it feel both character-rich and contemporary.

The City Circle Train Carriage — Quandary

A fully self-contained restored train carriage surrounded by trees and park-land on a working farm in regional NSW, the City Circle Train Carriage is all about disconnecting to reconnect. There’s an outdoor bath, water garden views, a generous breakfast hamper and a range of games, a billiard table and books to enjoy — and the best part, no Wi-Fi.

Days are for reading, soaking and staring out into the horizon. Nights are for stargazing, silence and pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

Rooms of Renown — Leeton

Housed in a beautifully restored 1915 heritage building, Rooms of Renown features three luxe, Art Deco–inspired self-contained apartments, each with its own distinct personality.

Named after the Panaretto brothers who opened the original refreshment rooms here in 1920, the space blends bold Deco detailing with modern luxe.

Expect pressed tin ceilings, dramatic wallpaper, and an atmosphere that works just as well for a romantic escape as it does for feeling extremely important on a work trip.

La Mia Cappella — Narrandera

Once a chapel, now a seriously romantic retreat.

Built in 1890 and lovingly restored, La Mia Cappella is a luxury stay for two to four guests, complete with stained glass windows, wide timber floorboards and an ornate French bed that feels straight out of a period drama.

Add a private yoga studio out the back and you’ve got a stay that’s perfect for special occasions, slow weekends or switching off in style.

Cuba Farm Stay — Griffith

Off-grid, low-key and exactly the kind of place you book when your nervous system needs a hard reset.

Cuba Farm Stay is a tiny home tucked into a working farm just outside Griffith. It’s designed for couples, solitude and serious unwinding — think dam views, a crackling fire pit and a skylight positioned perfectly for stargazing from bed.

It feels remote, but you’re still close enough to duck into town for winery hopping, long lunches and good coffee. Best of both worlds.

The Felix, Three Ponds Estate — Temora

Minimalist, modern and wrapped in wide-open farmland, The Felix is what happens when good design meets big Riverina skies.

This contemporary two-bedroom accommodation can be found at Three Ponds Estate. Styled with a clean, Scandi-inspired aesthetic with soft tones, simple lines and calm energy, inside, you’ll find plush queen beds, luxe 800gsm Turkish cotton towels and a fully equipped kitchen that makes staying in feel like a good decision.

Outside is where it really shines. Two separate decks catch both sunrise and sunset, while a communal fire pit sets the scene for long evenings under the stars. Temora town is just minutes away, but it feels a world apart — especially during canola season, when the surrounding paddocks glow electric yellow.

Kortmar Manor — Barmedman

In a town that often flies under the radar, Kortmar Manor delivers a quietly elegant surprise.

Located on Queen Street in Barmedman, this beautifully restored primary school blends heritage charm with modern comforts, offering a refined base for exploring the Riverina’s lesser-known corners including the restorative theraputic mineral pools close by. A BnB that’s pet friendly (make sure you email ahead of time), the owners breed and show their Shiba dogs, and offer an exclusive Shiba Play & Stay package.

The Bank - West Wyalong

If you’re heading to West Wyalong, The Bank is the kind of stay that turns a night in town into an experience.

Set within a striking heritage building, this light-filled apartment is spacious, character-rich and designed for slowing down. Ideal for solo travellers, couples or groups of up to six, it offers plenty of room to spread out and settle in.

Accessed via a charming staircase, the fully furnished three-bedroom apartment features a well-equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a generous verandah, perfect for morning coffees or winding down at the end of the day. High ceilings and old-world details give the space a sense of history, while modern comforts ensure an easy, relaxed stay.