From basic tiny houses to luxury overwater villas, repurposed retro buses and eco cabins – I’ve pretty much done it all when it comes to WA stays on the small side. For my latest getaway, Mr H gets the credit for this one, finding it on Airbnb. Sa Bella Estate near Margaret River doesn’t have a social media presence, which makes sense why it wasn’t on my radar until now.
This value-for-money off-grid stay is a converted sea container. Where it lacks in slick finishes, it makes up for it with homeliness, an outdoor bath, fire pit, and hidden jetty.
Set on 100 secluded acres of farmland and bush, there are plenty of spots to find a little quiet. The container cabin is a little bigger and has a few more mod-cons than your average tiny house stay.
Sa Bella Estate Review
Personally, I don’t mind getting back to basics. If you don’t want to give up your creature comforts, Sa Bella Estate might be your kind of getaway. Inside, there’s a full kitchen with stove/oven and dishwasher. There is even a washing machine and real toilet (no eco looos/long drops) in the bathroom.
The cosy cabin is thoughtfully laid out, with a queen bedroom in the light, airy bedroom. The bed is on the softer side, but still comfortable.
At the other end of the container is a separate bathroom/laundry, and a spacious kitchen and lounge area in between. There’s an indoor fireplace too, for chilly evenings.
At night (after sitting around the firepit) we relaxed on the sofa and watched TV. You’ll need to be a bit “tech-y” to do this. It took us a hot minute to figure it out, as you have to cast from a device (mobile or laptop) to the TV, via an app like Netflix, Kayo, etc.
The kitchen is well equipped, and the full stove is handy. I found a lot of plates and mugs very high up in cupboards, a bit hard to reach. There’s tea and coffee making, and even a weather station too.
Sa Bella Estate Outdoor Bath and More
Sa Bella Estate’s deck takes in sweeping farmland views. It’s a lovely spot for a lazy breakfast, a glass of local wine, or simply sitting still and soaking up the quiet.
And of course there’s the dreamy claw-foot bathtub.
You’ll probably spot a roo or two from the deck at dusk.
I always think an outdoor bathtub is one of those special little holiday luxuries. Sadly, I had a bad cold, so I didn’t make the most of this one. We also loved having an outdoor fire pit. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to take the wheelbarrow for a spin and find your own wood to use. We found enough fallen wood nearby, though much of it was damp from recent rain.
During our stay, we explored some of the 100 acres, including farmland, streams and bushland. There’s a dam for a refreshing summer swim, and bushland to wander through if you feel like stretching your legs.
Metricup is so close to the main winery region of Margaret River, making it a lovely base for wine tasting adventures. One of our favourite casual lunch spots, Beerfarm, was just minutes away, and Island Brook Estate very close by.
Sa Bella Estate is peaceful, private (we didn’t see anyone the whole time we were there), affordable and a place that might not be on your radar, but should be.
They don’t have a presence on social media, but you can book Sa Bella Estate on Airbnb.