Byron

As of May 2026, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lennox Head have 1,844 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 17% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Byron generates A$71K per year. High-performing properties earn A$151K/year, while low-performing properties earn A$32K/year. The stark revenue variance suggests that earnings are heavily tied to specific property positioning rather than market-wide performance, as total supply and revenue metrics remain stagnant over two years.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Byron. Average annual revenue is A$71K with 39% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to A$151K/year. Despite a 17% contraction in supply, the significant earnings gap highlights a fragmented market where revenue concentration favors a small segment of operators over the broader average.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Byron is 39%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of A$507, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of A$138 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Byron, with annual revenue of A$114K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Byron market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Byron area. Byron Bay: Strict. 90-day annual cap for non-hosted, 180-day hosted, registration required. Active enforcement by Byron Shire Council with compliance officers and penalties. Ballina: Strict. 90-day annual cap non-hosted, registration mandatory, density limits in some areas. Active council enforcement with monitoring and fines. Lennox Head: Strict. Same as Ballina Shire - 90-day cap non-hosted, registration required, density restrictions. Active enforcement through council compliance. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Byron Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 17% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 15%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The parallel decline in both supply and revenue suggests that market contraction is offsetting potential oversupply, stabilizing the competitive landscape.

Launch around October, 2-3 months before peak winter season (January peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -31% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (May-June) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Byron listings include: Kitchen (93%), Tv (90%), Air Conditioning (83%), Washing Machine (81%), Balcony (71%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Hot Tub, Washing Machine, with Pool properties earning approximately 74% more (A$134K/year vs A$77K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Byron over the last 12 months: May: A$3K, June: A$2K, July: A$3K, August: A$3K, September: A$3K, October: A$4K, November: A$4K, December: A$6K, January: A$7K, February: A$4K, March: A$5K, April: A$6K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Byron is A$507, up 2% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average A$264/night, 2-bedroom properties average A$408/night, 3-bedroom properties average A$612/night, 4+ bedroom properties average A$1K/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in June.

Guests in Byron book an average of 36 days in advance, down 18% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 30 days, 2-bedroom: 36 days, 3-bedroom: 39 days, 4+ bedroom: 45 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Byron Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 17%, revenue per listing decreased 15%, occupancy fell 9%, average nightly rates increased 2%, and lead time decreased 18%. These shifts reflect a tightening market where reduced booking windows and lower occupancy are exerting downward pressure on total revenue.

In Byron, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 33% higher occupancy than weekdays.