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Best Airbnb Markets in Australia (2026)

Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in Australia with key statistics and information, like short-term rental regulations, number of listings, occupancy rate, average daily rate, and annual revenue. This allows you to discover the most profitable cities to invest in, buy, and own Airbnb rental properties in Australia.

The Airbtics Market Score indicates how attractive a location is for investing in an Airbnb rental property. We determine this score based on the following criteria:

  1. Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
  2. Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
  3. Market size: The number of Airbnb listings. Larger vacation rental markets get a higher score as it is easier for investors to buy and sell properties.
  4. Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
  5. Seasonality: To what degree Airbnb performance is affected by seasonality. Less seasonal impact is preferred as investors can enjoy a more stable short-term rental performance throughout the year.
Learn more about how we collect the data and accuracy

Last updated: February, 2026

Australia Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)

National averages across all Australia markets
Average Occupancy Rate i
62.22%
Average Annual Revenue i
$72,035
Average Daily Rate (ADR) i
$318
YoY Supply Growth i
12.57%
YoY Revenue Change i
3.12%

Top 46 Australia Cities for Airbnb in 2026

Position Market Grade Market Name Regulation No of Listings Avg. Occupancy Rate Avg. Daily Rate Revenue Short-term Rental Yield Rent Gap
1CMelbourne
Lenient
19,84768%$228$58,30812.3%34.5%
2CSydney
Strict
11,43579%$264$78,05012.3%34.5%
3C+Gold coast
Lenient
6,10979%$313$92,07512.3%34.5%
4B+Brisbane
Lenient
5,58581%$217$66,04012.3%34.5%
5APerth
Strict
5,13285%$221$70,27212.3%34.5%
6CSunshine coast
Lenient
4,78574%$346$95,52112.3%34.5%
7BAdelaide
Lenient
3,91972%$240$64,73312.3%34.5%
8D+Mornington peninsula
Lenient
3,77949%$434$80,95312.3%34.5%
9CShoalhaven
Strict
3,71250%$433$80,99412.3%34.5%
10D+Great ocean road
Lenient
3,42852%$328$63,69812.3%34.5%
11C+Victoria's high country
Lenient
2,76751%$357$67,79612.3%34.5%
12DSurf coast - bellarine peninsula
Lenient
2,70248%$386$69,57812.3%34.5%
13C+Surfers paradise
Lenient
2,62583%$322$99,53812.3%34.5%
14C+Gippsland - south west
Lenient
2,54748%$329$59,46512.3%34.5%
15B+Augusta - margaret river - busselton
Strict
2,48471%$361$96,26012.3%34.5%
16CRichmond valley - coastal
Strict
2,41365%$378$91,45312.3%34.5%
17CCentral coast
Strict
2,21651%$422$81,62412.3%34.5%
18D+Phillip island
Lenient
2,04047%$332$58,76412.3%34.5%
19D+Bass coast
Lenient
1,98647%$332$58,76412.3%34.5%
20BCairns
Lenient
1,94777%$259$74,83812.3%34.5%
21DAustralian capital territory
Lenient
1,85572%$197$53,63412.3%34.5%
22C+Geelong and the bellarine
Lenient
1,81853%$310$62,36812.3%34.5%
23C+Hunter valley
Strict
1,81256%$343$72,07512.3%34.5%
24C+South coast
Strict
1,74055%$310$63,56112.3%34.5%
25C+Fleurieu - kangaroo island
Lenient
1,65158%$294$64,56912.3%34.5%
26C+Greater hobart tas
Strict
1,55175%$231$64,41412.3%34.5%
27ASnowy mountains
Strict
1,49450%$513$95,25012.3%34.5%
28ASnowy river
Strict
1,43349%$530$96,36612.3%34.5%
29CLower hunter
Strict
1,36049%$407$75,06912.3%34.5%
30BGoldfields
Lenient
1,31560%$215$48,60912.3%34.5%
31D+Phillip island
Lenient
1,30747%$340$60,00912.3%34.5%
32C+Blue mountains nsw
Strict
1,26959%$316$70,10012.3%34.5%
33CNelson bay–fingal bay
Strict
1,18254%$474$96,67312.3%34.5%
34D+Tweed heads nsw
Strict
1,15072%$357$95,93612.3%34.5%
35EMurray
Lenient
1,15054%$247$50,41312.3%34.5%
36C+Tweed valley
Strict
1,08368%$358$91,13112.3%34.5%
37C+Newcastle nsw
Strict
1,06569%$297$76,81012.3%34.5%
38D+Great lakes
Strict
99850%$370$69,58212.3%34.5%
39ADarwin
Lenient
93975%$253$71,08812.3%34.5%
40B+Launceston
Strict
72173%$226$61,95012.3%34.5%
41C+Port macquarie
Strict
67261%$241$55,21412.3%34.5%
42DGrampians
Lenient
65456%$200$42,43312.3%34.5%
43BNorthern and yorke
Lenient
60954%$264$53,63312.3%34.5%
44CHervey bay
Lenient
50474%$232$64,06912.3%34.5%
45CDaylesford
Lenient
45153%$346$68,65612.3%34.5%
46B+South brisbane
Lenient
39689%$243$81,25612.3%34.5%

Find the Best Airbnb Markets with Our Interactive Tool

Use our interactive Market Explorer to find the best places to start an Airbnb in Australia. Compare multiple markets side by side, apply filters like regulations, budget (property or rent prices), and market size, and even export the results to Excel.

Explore Interactive Tool

📊 Want a deeper dive into Australia's STR market?

Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for Australia, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.

View 2025 Market Report

Why Invest in Airbnb Australia in 2026?

In recent years, Australia has emerged as one of the best locations for investing in short-term rentals thanks to its popular tourist attractions, thriving business activities, growing digital nomad presence, and vibrant cities like Surfers paradise, Nelson bay–fingal bay and Snowy river. With millions of international visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb Australia a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.

Due to strong demand from travelers, Australia offers competitive average daily rates (ADR), healthy occupancy rates, and attractive revenue potential in the best Airbnb markets. Whether you're looking to start your first Airbnb business with a modest budget or to add a luxury short-term rental property to your portfolio, Australia has a profitable location to meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.

Market Saturation Analysis: Australia

Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to Australia's national averages (Supply: +12.6%, Revenue: +3.1%). Markets above the national average are marked with ↑, while those below are marked with ↓.

🟢

Healthy Growth

Supply > avg, Revenue > avg
Expansion with demand keeping up

  • Darwin Supply: +13.8% | Revenue: +28.1%
  • Snowy river Supply: +13.6% | Revenue: +18.6%
  • Snowy mountains Supply: +13.8% | Revenue: +18.1%
  • South brisbane Supply: +18.0% | Revenue: +15.9%
  • Brisbane Supply: +32.6% | Revenue: +15.6%
  • Perth Supply: +19.7% | Revenue: +12.9%
  • Sydney Supply: +39.3% | Revenue: +12.4%
  • Hervey bay Supply: +24.3% | Revenue: +10.3%
  • Adelaide Supply: +14.0% | Revenue: +8.8%
  • Melbourne Supply: +16.9% | Revenue: +6.2%
  • +2 more markets
🟡

Early Saturation

Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising

  • Australian capital territory Supply: +22.7% | Revenue: +0.2%
  • Greater hobart tas Supply: +17.2% | Revenue: +0.1%
  • Cairns Supply: +16.5% | Revenue: +0.8%
  • Gold coast Supply: +15.0% | Revenue: -5.6%
  • Surfers paradise Supply: +14.0% | Revenue: -7.8%
  • Tweed heads nsw Supply: +13.7% | Revenue: -8.0%
🔵

Under-the-Radar

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities

  • Launceston Supply: +12.2% | Revenue: +12.4%
  • Northern and yorke Supply: +8.2% | Revenue: +8.8%
  • Blue mountains nsw Supply: +10.8% | Revenue: +8.5%
  • Geelong and the bellarine Supply: +10.0% | Revenue: +8.3%
  • Newcastle nsw Supply: +12.2% | Revenue: +4.6%
  • Phillip island Supply: +7.3% | Revenue: +3.3%
🔴

Declining

Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets

  • Grampians Supply: +10.9% | Revenue: -14.3%
  • Tweed valley Supply: +12.2% | Revenue: -5.5%
  • Great lakes Supply: +4.1% | Revenue: -4.5%
  • Murray Supply: +10.8% | Revenue: -4.4%
  • Great ocean road Supply: +5.4% | Revenue: -4.3%
  • Sunshine coast Supply: +11.8% | Revenue: -4.1%
  • Port macquarie Supply: +8.3% | Revenue: -3.6%
  • Richmond valley - coastal Supply: +8.3% | Revenue: -3.3%
  • Nelson bay–fingal bay Supply: +5.1% | Revenue: -2.0%
  • Daylesford Supply: +3.8% | Revenue: -1.9%
  • +12 more markets

Best Cities for Airbnb in Australia by Budget

Top 3 Affordable & Mid-Range Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Below

These markets offer accessible investment opportunities with lower to moderate property prices, suitable for investors seeking entry-level or mid-range options.

  1. Goldfields
    • Property price: $228,000
    • STR revenue: $48,609/year
    • Yield: 22.2%
  2. Gippsland - south west
    • Property price: $380,000
    • STR revenue: $59,465/year
    • Yield: 13.7%
  3. Northern and yorke
    • Property price: $380,000
    • STR revenue: $53,633/year
    • Yield: 11.8%

Top 3 Premium & Luxury Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Above

These markets represent high-end investment opportunities with premium properties, ideal for investors with substantial capital seeking strong returns.

  1. Sydney
    • Property price: $1,064,000
    • STR revenue: $78,050/year
    • Yield: 9.2%
  2. Hervey bay
    • Property price: $1,550,400
    • STR revenue: $64,069/year
    • Yield: 3.9%

Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in Australia

  1. Snowy river
    • STR revenue: $96,366/year
    • Rent gap: $7,588
  2. Richmond valley - coastal
    • STR revenue: $91,453/year
    • Rent gap: $7,573
  3. Snowy mountains
    • STR revenue: $95,250/year
    • Rent gap: $7,495



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