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Looking for a more unusual place to stay in the NSW Blue Mountains? There are more than three million Airbnb listings around the globe and the Blue Mountains has about 300 on offer. Airbnb is often seen as a low priced night’s accommodation, but it also offers some wacky and wonderful listings. Here are some of the Mountains more unique offerings –  everything from an “enchanted cave” to a church, a treehouse and a train carriage. Live with the birds, high in the treetops. Fancy staying amongst 600 acres of private wilderness in a treehouse near Mt Tomah and Mt Wilson? This secluded accommodation offers just that –  a back-to-nature experience in style, nestled between two national parks and world heritage listed rainforest. The house has views of Bowen’s Creek Gorge and is only for couples. The secluded property has a queen bed, fireplace and floor to ceiling windows. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/3415111 Enchanted Cave, $1100 a night, Bilpin Open the small, round wooden door that seems straight out of Hobbiton, you step into the cave and into another world – with that view and an indoor spa. The clifftop cave is a one-of-a-kind treasure. It is built onto a natural rock platform overlooking the national park. Guests even have their own river to swim in nearby. The Berambing listing is from the same owner as the treehouse. Lionel Buckett has won 19 awards for his pioneering work building sustainable homes which he designed and built in the past two decades. This is a popular listing with more than 500 people viewing the property weekly. “Five stars are not enough for this place - it now sits at the top of my best places to stay ever list” said one visitor. Tours can also be arranged to a nearby glow worm cave.The location is about an hour from Katoomba. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/6006143 Say your prayers, The Church, Woodford, $260 a night This Woodford guest house is a 100-year-old church, set on one acre of private grounds and natural bushland. It comes complete with beautiful stained glass windows, decorative cornices, gothic wrought iron and wood paneling. It is on the highway and is up the road from the bike store and a walk from the station. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4023506 Strawbale cottage, Leura, $116 a night Relax in the beautiful warmth of a unique strawbale cottage after spending the day enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Mountains. It is earth rendered and the majority of the materials are sourced from demolition yards or scavenged. It has a slow combustion fireplace that heats the whole space and a rustic recycled claw foot bath plus a ladder to the loft reading area. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/12329261 The Priests Cottage, former convent, Leura, $165 a night Over a century ago, Leura was the site of several large residences built by various orders of nuns on prime sites on the crest of the Leura hill. One of these, St Raphael (circa 1902) remains. The charming, sunny priest’s cottage sits in the leafy St Raphael grounds. It sleeps one couple in a queen bed and is ideal for a romantic escape or makes a peaceful retreat for one. It boasts three elegant, self-contained holiday accommodations set in a 6000 square metre private estate with a rambling Sorenson garden and views to Sydney. Owner, "Mr Teapot" aka Maurice Cooper, throws in a 2 for 1 voucher for a Devonshire tea at Bygone Beautys. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/16337641 A log cabin, Scribble Gum Cottage, Katoomba, $160 a night Nestled amongst the scribble gums, this log cabin style cottage sits on a quarter acre of private native bushland. The cottage has two bedrooms. The master bedroom has one double bed with bush canopy views. The second bedroom is equipped with single bunkbeds. The lounge has a cosy atmosphere with woodfire heating. Cockatoos and kookaburras are regular visitors. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4952141 Remodelled train carriage,  Kurrajong Heights, $350 a night Wake up in your own 1920s refurbished train carriage to the sight of alpaca's grazing and experience hand feeding them. Explore the 83 acres bordered by national park or take a drive through the Blue Mountains. There are two refurbished trains. The carriages can accommodate up to four adults and two children. Not a train spotter? There are also eight cabins on site. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/8213544 Another one for train spotters in Bilpin, $201 a night A more modern train is available in Bilpin with expansive views over the 100 acres. Watch the cows graze in the paddock and see not another soul. It’s a cheaper option and has a well equipped galley kitchen with floor to ceiling glass living and dining room. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/8658570 Cosy garden lodge, Lawson, $65 a night Fancy a camping-like experience in a cozy lodge. This cabin in Lawson will have you slowing down and feeling mellow in no time. It comes complete with a ukulele and a drum kit.  The bathroom is made from recycled timber and corrugated iron, clean but rustic and the kitchenette is on the verandah. The hosts warn “if you are the street food, sailing boat, camping type, join us. If you feel more comfortable with McDonalds, Novotel and cruise ships, please reconsider”. Listing: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/15508417 Blue Mountains Gazette

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