The Gold Coast rental market in 2026: key stats for STRs

The Gold Coast remains a bustling Australian short-term rental (STR) market in the 2025 Financial Year with 5,514 active listings and an average occupancy rate of 88%. Stunning beaches, theme parks, nightlife, and hinterland drive steady demand year-round, supported by a packed calendar of sporting, music, and cultural events, including the Magic Millions Carnival, Blues on Broadbeach and the Gold Coast Titans All Schools Tournament.

Learn more about the current performance and market trends for short term rental and Airbnb management on the Gold Coast:

Demand for short stays on the Gold Coast are increasing

The number of available short-stay listings has grown over the past financial year, and so has demand for them. This highlights continued momentum in the region’s short-stay market. We’ve found that homes that are well-maintained and thoughtfully presented consistently perform best, securing steady bookings year-round.

Average daily rates (ADRs) peak around the holidays

Following occupancy rates, average daily rates for short stays in the Gold Coast also consistently experience a major peak during two specific periods: June-July for the winter school holidays, and December-January for Christmas, New Year's, and summer school holidays.

The 2025 winter school holidays commenced a week later than the 2024 school holiday period, shifting winter school holiday demand to the July 2025 period. However, ADRs continued to peak during the summer holiday period of December and January as they normally do every year. For owners, these demand spikes present a reliable opportunity to optimise pricing and capture higher returns over shorter booking periods.

Gold Coast events drive demand, even during off-peak season

While the winter and summer holiday periods remain the strongest pricing windows, limited-time events like major sporting fixtures and international concert tours also generate short-term surges. The steady pipeline of events helps drive strong short-term rental demand throughout the year, particularly in high-traffic areas like Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, and precincts close to major venues and transport links.

Visitors often book in advance, stay for multiple nights, and are willing to pay premium nightly rates for accommodation close to the beach, event locations, and entertainment hubs. For property owners, that translates to reliable occupancy outside of summer, frequent pricing lift during key event dates, and steadier STR income compared to destinations driven mainly by seasonal demand.

Stay ahead by taking a look at the Gold Coast's 2026 events calendar below:

Hometime tip: Check out our list of the best Airbnb markets in Australia for more info on how other short-term rental markets in Australia are performing.

What do top-performing Airbnbs on the Gold Coast have in common?

• Convenient location: Homes in high-demand lifestyle pockets consistently perform well, especially those close to the beach and major hubs such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, and Coolangatta.
• Dedicated workspace: The Gold Coast attracts a growing number of “workcation” guests who blend work and leisure, especially outside of peak holiday seasons. A comfortable, well-lit workspace (with strong Wi-Fi) appeals to remote and hybrid workers and can help drive longer stays and more consistent year-round occupancy.
• Modern or coastal style: Clean, bright interiors with a fresh coastal feel tend to outperform on the Gold Coast. Homes with standout design touches, whether modern coastal, resort-style, Hamptons or relaxed beach chic, also create stronger guest appeal and help listings stand out in a competitive market.
• Lifestyle amenities: While not essential, features like a pool or gym are particularly appealing for larger groups (homes) or guests on extended stays (apartments).

Why Hometime for Airbnb management in the Gold Coast?

1. Data-driven insights to determine nightly rates and boost property value

Hometime's algorithms will fine-tune nightly rates based on current market fluctuations to make sure that we maximise returns while maintaining high occupancy rates, helping you earn more:

Hometime’s data can also provide various insights to increase your property’s value, such as:

• Which areas in the Gold Coast are most popular during which times of the year
• Which amenities the most popular Airbnbs in the Gold Coast feature
• What you can add to your short-term rental to increase its booking appeal, leading to an increase in occupancy rates and nightly rates.

2. Top-quality guest communication to help you get great reviews

Hometime is a trusted Airbnb management company in Australia that delivers quality results to both short-term rental owners and Airbnb guests.

• 1 million+ nights booked across Australia
• 4.7/5 average guest rating on Airbnb
• 3,500+ properties managed since 2016

Hometime uses its very own property management software that can do it all — from managing bookings, guest management, and even coordinating Airbnb cleaning services. We also offer a dedicated booking platform for guests to increase your visibility, drive more bookings, and drive rental returns further.

3. Dedicated local Airbnb managers in the Gold Coast

We’ll connect you with experienced local co-hosts with years of experience in the Gold Coast short-term rental market and have welcomed many guests to your area. They will be your first point of contact and will manage everything related to your home, from managing bookings, communicating and vetting guests, and assisting them with any concerns.

What does Hometime’s Airbnb management in the Gold Coast include?

Our full-service Airbnb management solutions include:‍

• ‍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 styling and photography to make your Airbnb stand out and to maximise its appeal.‍
• Dynamic pricing strategy: Hometime’s pricing analysts and market experts will help optimise your revenue while increasing occupancy at the same time.‍
• Airbnb cleaning services: We'll find the best cleaners in Gold Coast 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.

Ready to see what Hometime’s Airbnb management in the Gold Coast can do for you? Leave us your details and we’ll be in touch about your short-term rental: