Heyscape cabins in the "other" Denmark. Photo / Kirsten Sivyer
It may be the ‘lesser-known’ Denmark, but this underrated gem in Western Australia delivers its own delightful brand of hygge, writes Julia D’Orazio.
When I think of “Denmark”, my mind swings like a pendulum between two very different places at polar ends of the Earth. Most of the world would instantly think of Denmark, the Nordic nation: the inventor of Lego; the originator of “hygge” – the ahead-of-the-times wellness trend of embracing cosiness and contentment; the maker of minimalist design; and of course, the producer of flaky Danish pastries. (A contentious frontrunner for the country’s tastiest export, perhaps?)
However, I also think of a city 4.5-hours drive southeast of Perth. In some respects, Western Australia’s Denmark bears some similarities to its same-name counterpart. It, too, has stunning scenery – dramatic coastline, ancient forests, gnarly granite formations – a dynamic food and wine scene that celebrates regional flavours and outdoor-loving residents.
I’m on assignment in this often-overlooked spot and besides pondering whether the Danes would find this charming, small Aussie town of roughly 6600 residents a perfect place for hygge, I’m reacquainting myself with all its charms.
I begin rediscovering this coastal hub at Heyscape Denmark. Named one of 30 global winners in National Geographic’s Hotel Awards in 2025, Heyscape’s five off-grid cabins appear as little black Lego blocks, sparsely positioned along the rolling green plains of Raintree Estate. (Ten more cabins and a communal sauna are set to open in autumn.) And what’s going off-grid without a dreamy outlook? The estate’s 880-acre patchwork of forests, freshwater lakes and rolling hills fringes the William Bay National Park, home to some of the state’s renowned natural wonders, with tall karri forests and snippets of the Southern Ocean in view.
Despite having some of the state’s iconic natural attractions right on my doorstep, I’m happy to stay put on estate grounds – for now. One good reason: Heyscape’s new two-bedroom cabins. Perfect for friends or two couples, two cabins are connected by a private sauna and outdoor deck that dinner host enthusiasts would only dream of (a Heston Blumenthal-branded barbecue, chic dining and acacia wood lounge area under an outdoor fan).
Hardly short of relaxation nooks (or places to swoon or bond), it also features two corrugated outdoor baths sitting side by side on the deck – another great place to soak in the views.
My friend and I take dibs on our individual cabins. Each cabin is thoughtfully curated, from a selection of local reads to unwind to, gratitude cards on a bookshelf, and fluffy bathrobes that eventually become uniform. Black and wood accents feature throughout the remote hideaway, including a kitchenette equipped with sleek appliances. The elevated queen bed, with burnished orange 100% European Flax linen, rests next to a giant window overlooking the undulating forest (and, at night, a starry sky). Will I experience a bout of cabin fever? I think not.
We spend the afternoon going back and forth between the bath and sauna, snacking on a grazing box stocked with local artisanal treats in between. Such is life out here.
But of course, being in this spectacular corner of the world, one must eventually find the willpower to go forth and explore, cast the plush bathrobe aside, as there’s plenty to do on the estate itself.
Locally owned and managed by the Birbeck family, Raintree Estate is also home to The Dam, a modern Australian restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients; an amphitheatre; and the Cannabis Botanical Distillery. The estate also offers an insight into life on the working farm with its hunter-gather marron experiences.
We meet with owner Stephen Birbeck at the restaurant, where he drives us to a secluded, small dam to try our luck catching a local delicacy – a small freshwater crayfish endemic to Western Australia – and to learn about the farm’s sustainable aquaculture practices.
“Everything we produce, we use here,” Stephen Birbeck says as he tugs a black rope from the patchy grass and reels in a square drop net.
Slender shells, small claws are sandwiched between black lattice, and I can’t make out how many marrons are caught. One immediately stands out among the brownish-red critters: an eclectic blue marron which looks toy-like. We take our turns holding (and shrieking at) the crayfish as it flinches it’s tiny claws, before we return to the restaurant for part two of the experience: indulging in our catch, deliciously prepared as a saucy linguine.
For adventures further afield, Heyscape makes it easy with complimentary e-bike hire. We zip through forests and travel a short section of the world-class off-road cycling trail, the Munda Bindi track, along the coast, darting through wildflower bushes en route. The sweeping vistas of green hearth, long stretches of white sands and the roaring ocean are just as vivid.
We arrive at one of the state’s most renowned beaches, Green Pool, in less than 30 minutes from our cabin door. The beach is beautifully flecked with smooth granite boulders, in and out of iridescent waters. A short stroll away is the region’s other natural icon, Elephant Rocks. Giant granite formations resemble a herd of eons-old “elephants” wading in the natural lagoon, an enchanting spot for a refreshingly cool dip.
Other giants are found a 30-minute drive away. Located in Walpole-Nornalup National Park, The Valley of the Giants is the region’s premier attraction, home to ancient red tingle trees towering up to 75m above the forest floor. While admiring the tree’s monstrous trunks is free along the Ancient Empire Walk, for a bird’s-eye view, we embark on the tree-top walk. The 40m elevated canopy walk weaves 600m through the woodland giants, offering spectacular panoramas of the surrounding wilderness.
More delights are found back on ground level, with honourable mentions to the award-winning vineyard Single File, family-friendly beer garden Boston Brewing Co, kayaking the Denmark River or grabbing a bite at Mrs Jones, a local favourite housed in a former butter factory.
Yes, this Denmark is perfect for hygge.
DENMARK, AUSTRALIA
GETTING THERE
Fly directly from Auckland to Perth with Qantas and Air New Zealand.
STAY
Cabins at Heyscape Denmark start from $606 per night (minimum two-night stay) | heyscape.com.au
EXPERIENCE
Marron Catch & Indulge experience is $431 for two people. See heyscape.com.au/locations/denmark
Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is $25 per person. See valleyofthegiants.com.au
*Prices have been converted to NZD
The writer was a guest of Heyscape.