Whether you were lucky enough to have one in your backyard as a child or simply grew up watching movies where they were a No Grown-Ups Allowed escape for kids, treehouses have always been a place to leave the world behind. But here's the secret only adults know. We never really feel like proper grown-ups so have lifelong access to treehouses. And now we have the chance to book our own flights to stay in some next-level ones around the world. From four poster beds on platforms under the stars to treetop modern art that you can sleep in, here are 11 of the best.
Out of Africa
Perched in a centuries-old leadwood tree in South Africa, this treehouse is named after explorer Guy Aubrey Chalkley, who is said to have camped up the tree in the 1930s to avoid predators. Now you can do the same but in a much more romantic way in a four-poster bed lit by lanterns. Part of the MORE Collection's Ivory and River Lodges, this treehouse is open to the wild elements so you can watch and listen out for lions, elephants, giraffes and more before falling asleep under those big sky stars.
Bring up: A bottle of South Africa's signature red wine, Pinotage, to sip with your gourmet picnic.
On the ground: Sign up for a Lion Sands safari where the big five along with more than 150 other animals and 500 kinds of birds roam and fly free.
Explore more: more.co.za/lionsands
Twitcher's delight
A 2022 addition to the Treehotel in Sweden that brought us the fantasy treehouses of the Mirror, the Bird's Nest and the UFO, the Biosphere is a bird lover's dream. Surrounded by 350 bird boxes, the Biosphere was created by Danish architecture studio BIG in collaboration with Swedish ornithologist Ulf Ohman and uses different-sized bird boxes to create a sphere and give a variety of birds a safe space in the trees. The two-level living space for humans includes a comfy double bed and lots of large windows for bird watching.
Bring up: Snack away on quality Swedish liquorice, including Lakritsfabriken's salty and sweet varieties, and pack an eye mask to block out the midnight sun rays.
On the ground: Join an Arctic Herbs Workshop to make your own wild herbal remedies with a local forager.
Explore more: treehotel.se; lakritsfabriken.se
Love bomb
Just a couple of hours from Sydney the Secret Treehouse feels like another world. One where you're a big happy kid who gets to sleep high in the gum trees and look out over Bowen's Creek Gorge from your bed, lounge, balcony and sunken spa bath. The treehouse comes with a fireplace to keep cosy on those brisk Blue Mountains nights, floor-to-ceiling wrap around windows and a kitchenette so you can make your own meals and snuggle in for the stay.
Bring up: Stock up on locally hand-made breakfast goodies, cookies and chocolates at Whisk & Pin in Katoomba.
On the ground: Join a Love Cabins glow-worm tour and learn about these bio luminescent creatures as you gaze up from a custom-built viewing platform.
Explore more: lovecabins.com.au; whiskandpin.com.au
Twist away
In the Treeful Treehouse resort in Okinawa, Japan, there are some modern takes on treehouses along with one that looks like a childhood dream come to life. With no pillars fixing it to the ground, the Spiral Treehouse sits in the branches of an akagi tree with a trunk through its roof and a winding staircase for easy access. The sustainable resort uses eco-electricity and the treehouse has a compost toilet, a semi-double bed, mini fridge and two hammocks to swing like the leaves in the breeze.
Bring up: Beni Imo tarts and cakes are a purple Okinawa sweet potato treat that can be found in lots of convenience stores.
On the ground: Go forest bathing on a river trek with a nature guide while being introduced to the plants, rocks and animals of Okinawa.
Explore more: en.treeful.net
Have a ball
One of the Free Spirit Spheres on Vancouver Island, Luna is a shiny silver ball in the trees that looks like a Christmas bauble you can curl up in. Luna has a double bed that's tucked up in the daytime for more living room space, a settee-style table, a sink and five windows for rainforest views. At Free Spirit they also hand make spheres for people to put in their own backyards to keep those treehouse vibes alive.
Bring up: Locally sourced, made and loved, the pickled vegetables and fruit from Catie's Hot Dilled Beans are great for snacking and Caesar cocktails.
On the ground: Look out for bears, eagles, mink and more on a walk along the Big Qualicum river, a mere 500 metres from the property.
Explore more: freespiritspheres.com; catieshotdilledbeans.com
Family tree
Lofty, Wales
In a UNESCO biosphere on the edge of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the Living Room has six off-grid treehouses with wood burners, hot showers and fully functioning kitchens. Each treehouse is about nine metres high in the treetops and has a private wood-fired hot tub and access to a communal sauna, and while most are built for two, Lofty is also child-friendly with room for three children up that spiral staircase. Take in the views from your deck or get cosy in the living room when you're not out exploring in the Welsh mountains.
Bring up: A bottle of award-winning Dyfi Distillery gin that's made with botanicals from your treehouse's valley and distilled right next door.
On the ground: Choose your mountain-bike adventure from scenic rides to intense, red and black diamond graded trails.
Explore more: living-room.co; dyfidistillery.com
Safari in style
More of a stunning sculpture that you can sleep in than a traditional treehouse, this steel and mesh structure sits in the Okavango Delta, where you can watch wildlife from your luxury vantage point. Part of the Xigera (pron: kee-jera) Safari Lodge, the treehouse has three levels including a spacious bathroom and two ways to sleep: a bedroom with optional canvas walls on level two, or under the stars in a king-sized bed on the top deck, 10 metres above the floodplain below.
Bring up: A piece of jewellery from ethical Botswana accessory company Xita to wear in its home country before taking it back to yours.
On the ground: Glide along the Delta in a traditional mokoro carved from a single tree trunk where polers can get you closer to shy species thanks to their motor-free boats.
Explore more: xigera.com; xitadesigns.com
Monkey around
In the Amazon rainforest there's a lot going on in the treetop canopy and you can wake up with the monkeys, sloths and birds in one of 12 treehouses at the Treehouse Lodge in Peru. Our pick of the bunch, the secluded Treehouse Seven is only accessible by crossing two steel-cable bridges, a raised walkway and 16-metre spiral staircase, and is where your mosquito-netting-draped bed sits beside a tree trunk 20 metres above the jungle floor for the full sleeping in the treetops feels.
Bring up: A blood wood (palo sangre) carving from a local artisan to decorate your treehouse before declaring it to customs as you bring it home.
On the ground: Go pink river dolphin spotting on a sunset Amazon cruise where you can hear the jungle sounds change as the sun goes down.
Explore more: treehouselodge.com
Tiara time
A treehouse fit for a princess, Hautefort is a castle-themed treehouse in a 100-year-old oak tree where the fairytale stay starts with a walk across a wooden footbridge over a moat. Part of Chateaux dans les Arbres, which translates to Castles in the Trees, the treehouse can sleep up to six people and has a hot tub on the large private terrace. And when you're not relaxing in your castle you can enjoy the Perigord estate's spa, sauna and pool.
Bring up: Savouring Perigord black truffles in a castle treehouse in Perigord just makes sense.
On the ground: Explore nearby villages including Monpazier and Villereal where you can stroll along pretty streets and visit medieval market halls.
Explore more: chateaux-dans-les-arbres.com
Frond friends
Set among gently swaying palm trees in the foothills of San Jose del Cabo, the treehouse resort Acre has 12 self-contained treehouses for two, with a connecting skybridge to create a double treehouse for up to four. The thatched-wall treehouses have soft king-sized beds with mosquito nets, ensuites, outdoor showers, minibars and private terraces for jungle-oasis views. Guests can join yoga in the mango orchard, swim in the Jungle Pool, and swap tales around the fire under the stars.
Bring up: Your favourite bottle of the award-winning and sustainably produced La Tierra de Acre Mezcal after trying them all in the dedicated tasting room.
On the ground: Saddle up or ride bareback through cool-water trails and on deserted beaches with Baja cowboy, Lencho Roman.
Explore more: acreresort.com/treehouses; latierradeacre.com
Hello deer
On a deer-breeding farm on New Zealand's South Island, five treehouses sit in the canopy of a native Kanuka grove. Along with one-bedroom options at Hapuku Lodge, you can find two family treehouses with a master bedroom up top and a smaller bedroom in the lower branches. Treehouses come with fireplaces, viewing decks and custom-made furniture, and kids have their own bathroom so adults can enjoy more time soaking in their tub with a view.
Bring up: You've had manuka, now try its close relative, kanuka honey from local small scale beekeepers Bee Box.
On the ground: When you paddle out with Kaikoura Kayaks you're guaranteed to see fur seals and could also have bonus sightings of dolphins, penguins and even whales.
Explore more: hapukulodge.com; beeboxonline.co.nz; kaikourakayaks.nz
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The Echidna
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