Australia’s most unique Airbnb: It might look like a quaint forest cottage but this hideaway in Melbourne hides a secret that traces back to 1926
Tucked away in a rural town in Victoria is a striking house built from the remains of an old first class railway carriage.
Dubbed Australia’s ‘most unique Airbnb’ for 2023, Steam: Train Carriage is a beautiful hideaway brought to life by husband and wife team Mike and Fleur Leslie, who spent nine months restoring the 1926 first-class train carriage.
The carriage was built at the Newport Railway Workshop and transported travelers throughout regional Victoria until it was withdrawn to a Collingwood rail yard in 1983.
Once sold to Mike and Fleur, it was put on a truck and arrived at Forrest in the Otway Ranges, two hours’ drive from south-west Melbourne, where they began the restoration and used salvaged materials to create an original interior.
Due to budget constraints, the couple couldn’t authentically restore it to its original glory, so they converted it into a three-bedroom property with a “playful, steampunk theme.”
Tucked away in a rural town in Victoria is a striking house built from the remains of an old first class railway carriage
The carriage was built at the Newport Railway Workshop and transported travelers throughout regional Victoria until it was withdrawn to a Collingwood rail yard in 1983.
Once sold to Mike and Fleur, it was put on a truck and arrived at Forrest in the Otway Ranges, two hours’ drive from south-west Melbourne, where they began the restoration and used salvaged materials to create an original interior.
The double compartment with a queen bed serves as the master bedroom and features two mahogany armchairs and an open sliding door to a private outdoor bath with polished brass taps.
The two smaller compartment cars each form a bedroom, one with a double bed and the other with two single beds. The main bathroom has an art deco sink, shower and luxurious amenities. The entire carriage seats six people.
Later, in 2020, Fleur and Mike carried out a second renovation, giving a more elegant and intimate feel to the interior with warm wooden antique furniture, ornate chandeliers, deep red velvet curtains, a leather lounge and black wooden floors.
Fleur and Mike carried out a second renovation, giving a more elegant and intimate atmosphere to the interior with warm wooden antique furniture
“Our vision was to create a space that evokes feelings of nostalgia, adventure and old-world charm,” said Fleur
The pair have been honored with the title of Most Unique Stay from Airbnb, where they were recognized at the Host Awards for offering a ‘unique stay in a separate home’.
The small but fully functional kitchen has a stove and oven and the wood fire in the living room is burning alongside a bluetooth speaker and a selection of books and board games.
“Our vision was to create a space that evokes feelings of nostalgia, adventure and old-world charm,” said Fleur.
‘We have noticed that guests of all ages have a love for train travel. We haven’t been able to find out exactly why. Maybe it’s the feeling of nostalgia, the thrill of adventure, or the reliable songs that once connected people to new worlds.
“If guests could only imagine for a few days the enchantment of a 1920s train journey, another era, another life – we created a unique experience and unforgettable memories.”
‘We have noticed that guests of all ages have a love for train travel. We haven’t been able to find out exactly why. Maybe it’s the feeling of nostalgia, the thrill of adventure, or the reliable circuits that once connected people to new worlds,” Fleur said.
“If only for a few days guests could imagine the enchantment of a 1920s train journey, another era, another life – we created a unique experience and some unforgettable memories,” she said
Now the pair have been honored with the title of Most Unique Stay from Airbnb, where they have been recognized at the Host Awards for offering a ‘unique stay in a separate home’.
The winners were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, overseen by a panel of judges including Airbnb country manager Susan Wheeldon from Australia and New Zealand and superhost Sarah Huang (Yang-Fen), who is also a participant from Airbnb’s global Host Advisory Board.
“The property is undoubtedly a unique residence and a rare opportunity to go back to the 1920s,” commented one of the judges, Sarah.
The winners were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, overseen by a panel of judges (Fleur in the photo)
The two-compartment, queen-size bed carriage serves as the master bedroom and features two mahogany armchairs and an open sliding door to a private outdoor bath with polished brass tapware
“The property is undoubtedly a unique residence and a rare opportunity to go back to the 1920s,” commented one of the judges, Sarah.
‘The restored wooden steam car is elegant and lavish and offers all the amenities and luxury guests desire.’
The Airbnb Host Awards celebrate the best hosts and their properties across the country and aim to shine a spotlight on the incredible hospitality and benefits hosts bring to their communities.
Steam is available for $440 per night and can be booked here.