Sunshine Coast short-term rental market report

Famous for its 100km stretch of beautiful sandy coastlines and sweeping hinterland, the Sunshine Coast draws in millions of travellers each year. Here, visitors can choose between relaxing by the beach or trying out outdoor activities like hiking and watersports.

While travel to the Sunshine Coast region peaks during the summer months due to its coastal location, its subtropical climate and lively culture generate demand year-round, particularly among domestic travellers in search of a quick reprieve from the city life. This consistent stream of inbound visitors, year-on-year, makes short-term rentals in the Sunshine Coast an appealing and reliable investment option.

Discover current market trends for short term rental and Airbnb management on the Sunshine Coast below:

Sunshine Coast short-term rental market statistics

1. Tourist numbers in the Sunshine Coast are increasing

The Sunshine Coast welcomed 4.5 million overnight visitors in the year to March 2024, up 2.9% compared with 2019 (pre-pandemic). Interstate visitors have largely fuelled this demand, showing an appetite for the region’s laidback charm.

Interstate travellers, on average, stay in the Sunshine Coast for 5.6 nights. Stays of international travellers to the Sunshine Coast, on the other hand, average 16.2 nights.

2. Demand for short-term rentals in the Sunshine Coast peak during the second half of the year

Despite having great weather all year round, short stays in the Sunshine Coast region typically experience an increase in demand in the second half of the calendar year.

Thanks to increasing visitor numbers, the occupancy rate of short-term rentals in the Sunshine Coast has surged in FY24 compared to FY23 .

3. Average daily rates (ADRs) are at their highest from December-January

Following occupancy rates, average daily rates (ADRs) of short stays in the Sunshine Coast typically peak in December and January, when demand and occupancy are at their highest.

4. Popular annual events

Another big draw for the Sunshine Coast is its culture — many visit the region to partake in various cultural events that take place throughout the year. Just check out a few of its most popular events:

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.

Why choose Hometime for short-term rentals in the Sunshine Coast?

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

With Hometime’s Airbnb management, you won’t need to worry about doing market research to determine pricing — we’ll do that for you! Our 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 Sunshine Coast are most popular during which times of the year
• Which amenities the most popular Airbnbs in the Sunshine 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.

What does Hometime’s Airbnb management in the Sunshine 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 on the Sunshine 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 Sunshine Coast can do for you? Leave us your details and we’ll be in touch about your short-term rentals in the Sunshine Coast.