Move over, summer: this pint-sized travel trend is shaking up winter holidays

Winter used to be a time for hibernation, but a new simple winter travel trend is waking Australians up to the joy of the colder months.

The demand for tiny houses has increased dramatically since last winter, making these small escapes the hottest new domestic trend.

Australians are increasingly swapping crowded beaches for star-filled skies, fire pits and more relaxed getaways in comfortable, yet pint-sized, tiny homes that make them feel closer to nature.

New booking data from Tiny Away shows tiny house bookings have increased 41 per cent year-on-year, with winter now overtaking summer as the busiest season.

Tiny Away co-founder, Jeff Yeo, said winter has become the season Australians are looking forward to most.

"Guests are telling us they want local stays and experiences that encourage them to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy life's quieter moments," he said.

Mid-week bookings have increased by more than 51 per cent as flexible workers extend their holidays.

Family bookings are also up almost 100 per cent on last winter, as simple, nature-based holidays increase in popularity.

Yeo said the trend reflects a shift in the way Australians are choosing to travel domestically, with more people seeking peaceful escapes in nature and embracing simple pleasures.

Misty morning coffees and long walks through national parks are some of the ways guests are choosing to spend their escapes in the colder months.

Some of the organisation's most popular getaways are in vineyard country such as the NSW Southern Highlands and the Victorian Yarra Valley, where guests can revel in cool mountain air and savour farm-to-table dining.

Guests are also embracing rugged coastlines and hot springs around Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, as well as the majestic and dramatic bushland of the NSW Blue Mountains.

Tiny Away's tiny houses start from $179 a night.

Reflections Holidays has added 18 new tiny houses to its holiday parks across Scotts Head, Lennox Head, Evans Head, Byron Bay and Seal Rocks during the past 12 months.

CEO, Nick Baker, said Australians are taking more regular breaks in 2026, and nature-based escapes like tiny houses offer simplicity, comfort and value.

"Couples continue to be our biggest tiny home guests, particularly those looking for a comfortable nature escape without needing a larger family-sized cabin," Baker told Explore.

"At the same time, we're seeing the appeal broaden. Families, solo travellers and even people combining work and leisure are choosing tiny homes because they offer a unique way to experience nature while still enjoying modern comforts."

A tiny house at Reflections at Jimmys Beach on the Mid North Coast of NSW starts from $160 a night, while premium offerings with beach front access at Byron Bay start from $430.

While these prices are comparable to some hotel rooms, Baker said spending time in nature is one of the biggest draw cards for tiny houses.

"Tiny homes allow guests to enjoy beautiful natural settings without the need for extensive planning or packing. They're thoughtfully designed, easy to settle into and offer a chance to slow down from everyday life," he said.

Airbnb Australia country manager, Susan Wheeldon, said Australians are prioritising shorter, lower-pressure escapes that help them disconnect from busy routines and reconnect with nature.

"Rather than waiting for an annual holiday, people are looking for simple, memorable stays they can enjoy more often throughout the year," Wheeldon told Explore.

Tiny houses are a low-key, stress-free way to relax without screens, offering a "physical boundary" people are looking for to help them get off their screens and into their bodies and the outside world.

Some of Airbnb's most popular tiny homes are in regional areas, just a few hours drive from major cities. And many of these are on working farms.

These include a tiny house with a large deck overlooking a dam on a working horse farm in Moss Vale, NSW, and a tiny house with an outdoor bath on a working chicken farm in Kangaroo Valley, NSW.

Wheeldon said the "incredible diversity" is one of the appeals of tiny houses.

"Many tiny homes offer exceptional value, providing a highly affordable entry point for couples or solo travellers looking to enjoy a stunning, private pocket of nature," she said.