Top 5 best places to buy investment property in Australia​

Interested in purchasing property in Australia to start an Airbnb? Consider Australia's East Coast — home to big-time landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney's Opera House, the entire coastline has too many attractions to count that continue to bring together travellers, both local and from across the globe.

Here are 5 of the best east-side towns to buy property on Australia’s East Coast.

Already running your own Airbnb? Talk to one of our experts to learn how you can grow your short-term rental.

Brisbane

Australia’s third-largest city, Brisbane offers the excitement of living in a bustling city like Sydney or Melbourne – without the hefty price tag. Brisbane boasts a warm climate with tropical beaches, World Heritage sites, and the Great Barrier Reef  - hotspots that will attract every kind of traveller. Its rising profile, buzzing precincts, and blockbuster events, along with local tourism picking up in anticipation of the 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games, it's clear that Brisbane's rental market is booming.

Some of the best Brisbane suburbs to invest in for your short-term rental include Annerley, Caboolture, Carindale, Cleveland and Paddington.

Gold Coast

With 5,514 active listings and an average occupancy rate of 88% in the Financial Year 2025, demand for the Gold Coast's rental market is picking up. Tourist attractions like its sandy beaches and 3 of Australia’s biggest theme parks (Dreamworld, SeaWorld and Wet’n’Wild) drive steady demand year-round, while events-based tourism and business travel provide reliable occupancy and earnings even during off-peak seasons.

Key Gold Coast suburbs for investments include Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta.

Sunshine Coast

A coastal region in southern Queensland, the Sunshine Coast attracts over 3 million visitors a year with its beaches, surf spots, national parks and attractions like Underwater World Marine Park and Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. With Queensland experiencing steady population growth, low vacancy rates, and significant government spending on infrastructure, the Sunshine Coast rental market is one of the best options for property investors in Australia. International traveller numbers are also expected to increase further once the Sunshine Coast Airport begins welcoming international flights from Bali and Singapore in March 2026.

Some of the best Sunshine Coast suburbs to look at for your short-term rental include Coolum Beach, Caloundra, Mountain Creek, Peachester and Buderim.

Central Coast

Currently one of the most popular real estate markets in Australia after the recent migration from cities to regional areas, the Central Coast on the south of Sydney is known for its beautiful harbour setting, beaches, local villages, coastal terrain, shopping and lush national parks. Combine this with great restaurants and cafes, waterfront living. and a beachfront lifestyle, and you have yourself a short-term rental jackpot.

Some of the best Central Coast suburbs to look at for your short-term rental include Avoca Beach, Bateau Bay, Toukley, Forresters Beach, Booker Bay and Noraville.

Melbourne

The sports, arts, and cultural capital of Australia, it's no surprise that Melbourne's rental market is one of the strongest in Australia. One of the most consistent performers in the property market in the last four decades, Melbourne is the perfect location for a short-term rental investment, especially with demand continuing to increase even with higher supply in the local market.

While demand is steady year-round, occupancy and rates reliably increase in December-January for the holidays, and around major events in the city, such as the Australian Open in January, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in March, and during concerts like Taylor Swift and Oasis.

Some of the best investment suburbs in Melbourne for short-term rentals include Caulfield, Elsternwick, Ormond, Bentleigh and East Bentleigh, McKinnon, Brighton and Surrey Hills.

Partner with Hometime to increase revenue from short-term rentals

Managing an Airbnb yourself isn't passive like it's made out to be. It requires around 20-40 hours of work per week, with no guarantees of success. If you're looking for ways to boost bookings, increase revenue, or simply want to transition to hands-off management, then reach out to Hometime. Our pricing analysts and market experts use comprehensive booking data to adjust your Airbnb pricing strategy in real-time to maximise your returns, along with the following services:

• Property onboarding:
  We’ll help you set up your short-term rental as quickly as we can so you can start getting bookings ASAP.
• Listing optimisation:
  Our team constantly works on improving your listing through great content showcasing the best of the property with high-quality professional photos, and creating detailed guides for your guests. This includes Airbnb property styling and photography to make your Airbnb stand out and to maximise its appeal.
• Airbnb cleaning services:
  We’ll find the best cleaners in your area for regular cleans and restocking between stays, paid for using the built-in cleaning fee from the booking. No need to pay out of pocket between guest stays.
  
• Guest communication and management:
  We go the extra mile to ensure your guests enjoy every part of their stay, from making the booking, checking in, checking out, and everything in between. This includes taking care of maintenance issues quickly, providing alternatives for late-night arrivals, and even meeting them in person when needed!
  
• Property maintenance:
  Hometime’s local Airbnb experts will sort out all your maintenance needs to make both you and your guests happy. We’ll also do our best to get you the best rates for services in the area due to our close relationships with local businesses.
• Access to Hometime's all-in-one property management software