Bobbing gently on the surface of Sydney’s Pittwater is the Lilypad cabin – a hybrid couple’s retreat that reconnects guests with nature.

Named after the buoyant leaf of the lily flower, Lilypad was designed by Chuck Anderson – a welder with a passion for the water, who spent five years developing the floating holiday home.

‘Although boating is second nature to me, to others [it] can be an intimidating or daunting experience,’ Anderson says. Lilypad seeks to bridge that gap for those Anderson calls ‘the “non-boatie”’, letting them experience the tranquillity of the water with the comfort of four solid walls and a roof.

The floating holiday home is available to rent directly, starting from $1,650 AUD per night. It comprises a timber platform mounted with a solar-powered hut. It’s reachable only by boat or seaplane, but everything guests need for a quiet getaway is provided, including a kitchen, living room and sleeping loft.

Guests can take a dip in the water, or explore the shore with their own private tender. Water taxis are also available to take them to dry land. Overnight packages also offer dinner, breakfast a selection of handpicked wines.

Log cabins nestle behind the sand dunes in Western Australia