Arrivals & Departures Top 10: Australia's most desirable Airbnb rentals

The nine-bedroom villa in Bali, the sleek mid-century modern classic in California's Palm Springs and the Yallingup beach house with its own cave all have at least two things in common: they're all listed as holiday rentals on Airbnb, and they all appear on my wish list of dream stays that I've saved on the home-sharing website.

And now Airbnb is giving us a peek at what other users are saving to their wish lists, having tallied up the 10 properties among the more than 115,000 listed in Australia that appear most frequently on travellers' wish lists.

1. Gold Coast Hinterland Villa

Taking the top spot is a luxury villa set on 10 acres in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Sleeping up to 10 people, it has sweeping rural views, a lap pool and outdoor spa — and is available to rent from $241 per night. 

2. Forest Cabin Byron Bay  

This timber cabin is surrounded by subtropical rainforest in the hinterland of Byron Bay. It's a real back-to-nature escape, with an outdoor bathroom, rainwater for drinking, a toilet with a forest view and no TV or mobile phone reception. It's from $150 per night and sleeps two.

3. WaterDragon Studio Apartment

Also in Byron Bay, this modern self-contained studio is located close to the beach and town in a nature reserve. A pool, spa and daybed are shared with the main house, and guests can enjoy wine and chocolates on arrival. It's from $185 a night for two people.

4. Treehouse in the Blue Mountains

Sleep among the trees at this cute treehouse cabin in the Blue Mountains, about a 10-minute drive from the town of Blackheath. There's a big deck to enjoy the views, and the cosy timber-lined interior includes a kitchenette and loft-style bed. It sleeps two and costs from $145 per night.

5. Luxurious Melbourne apartment

The highest-ranked urban property on the list, this one-bedroom apartment for two people is right in the centre of Melbourne, next to the Southern Cross Train Station. Sitting 20 floors up, it has free wi-fi and guests can use the building's gym, heated pool and sauna. From $70 per night.

6. Classic and contemporary on Collins

Minimal and chic, this one-bedroom apartment on Melbourne's Collins Street looks an ideal city bolt hole, with high ceilings, timber floorboards and a 10th floor north-facing outlook. Priced from $118 a night, it comes with a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, fast wi-fi, a TV and more.

7. Potts Point Apartment 

Affordably priced from $99 per night, this one-bedroom apartment lays claim to "one of the best locations in Sydney" in leafy Potts Point. Amenities include free wi-fi, an iMac for video calls and internet access, free local calls, a mobile phone and a sofa bed for a third guest. 

8. Tree Tops in Noosa

Take in national park views, enjoy a candlelit bath in the indoor-outdoor bathroom, relax in the private yoga studio or even book an in-house massage at this eco retreat in Noosa. It costs from $138 per night for two guests, with a free pick-up service available from the bus station.

9. Melbourne Rooftop Terrace

A private rooftop terrace with city vistas can be yours to enjoy when you stay at this Melbourne studio apartment. It has free wi-fi but no TV — although with views like that, you probably won't miss having one. It costs from $160 per night and sleeps two.

10. Igloo by the Sea

This quirky beachside stay in Trinity Beach, north of Cairns, is known as the Igloo by the Sea: a collection of domes containing one-bedroom apartments, all set around an octagonal swimming pool. It sleeps up to four, with one bedroom and a loft bed over the kitchen, and costs from $89 per night.