Darwin City

As of June 2026, Darwin, Palmerston have 797 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 0% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Darwin City generates A$51K per year. High-performing properties earn A$85K/year, while low-performing properties earn A$21K/year. With virtually flat supply growth and declining revenue, the market faces headwinds despite minimal competitive pressure from new listings. The substantial gap between high and average performers suggests uneven market conditions where property-level factors significantly influence outcomes.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Darwin City. Average annual revenue is A$51K with 50% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to A$85K/year. Despite flat supply and declining revenue year-over-year, the significant gap between average and high performers suggests differentiation remains viable, though the market is contracting overall.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Darwin City is 50%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of A$266, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of A$89 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Darwin City, with annual revenue of A$88K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Darwin City market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Darwin City area. Darwin: Lenient. No specific short-term rental regulations or registration required. Operates under standard planning rules. Minimal enforcement focused on nuisance complaints only. Palmerston: Lenient. Falls under Litchfield Council jurisdiction with no dedicated STR regulations. Standard planning and health codes apply. Light enforcement, complaint-driven only. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Darwin City Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 0% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 12%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The 50% occupancy rate suggests moderate competition, while the $34,000 gap between average and high-performing properties indicates meaningful performance differentiation within the market.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 36% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-February) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Darwin City listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Tv (96%), Kitchen (93%), Washing Machine (92%), Balcony (79%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Bbq, Heating, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 61% more (A$68K/year vs A$42K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Darwin City over the last 12 months: May: A$3K, June: A$4K, July: A$5K, August: A$5K, September: A$4K, October: A$2K, November: A$2K, December: A$2K, January: A$2K, February: A$1K, March: A$2K, April: A$3K. 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 Darwin City is A$266, up 2% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average A$175/night, 2-bedroom properties average A$255/night, 3-bedroom properties average A$354/night, 4+ bedroom properties average A$500/night. Rates peak in July and are lowest in February.

Guests in Darwin City book an average of 39 days in advance, down 6% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 34 days, 2-bedroom: 40 days, 3-bedroom: 44 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 Darwin City Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 0%, revenue per listing decreased 12%, occupancy rose 6%, average nightly rates increased 2%, and lead time decreased 6%. The flat supply combined with rising occupancy suggests steady demand, though the revenue decline despite rate increases indicates margin compression—likely from shorter booking windows and the substantial performance gap between top performers ($84,932) and average listings ($50,951) reflects significant quality or positioning variance.

In Darwin City, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 9% higher occupancy than weekdays.