Southern Highlands
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Overview
Annual Rev
A$77.1k
12 mo avg
↓9%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
40%
12 mo avg
↓3%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
A$452
12 mo avg
↑0%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
35 days
12 mo avg
↓7 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
A$149
12 mo avg
↓18%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Southern Highlands market data as of September 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
| Amenity | Listings With | Revenue Boost | Revenue With | Revenue Without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool | — | +$136,778 | — | — |
| Gym | 🔒 7 (•%) | 🔒 +$1••••• (+•••%) | 🔒 $2••••• | 🔒 $9•••• |
| Hot Tub | 🔒 3• (•%) | 🔒 +$7•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $9•••• |
| Barbecue | 🔒 2•• (••%) | 🔒 +$4•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| Sauna | 🔒 9 (•%) | 🔒 +$4•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $9•••• |
| TV | 🔒 5•• (••%) | 🔒 +$2•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| Heating | 🔒 4•• (••%) | 🔒 +$2•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| Parking | 🔒 4•• (••%) | 🔒 +$2•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $8•••• |
| Pets Allowed | 🔒 2•• (••%) | 🔒 +$1•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $9•••• |
| Lake Access | 🔒 1• (•%) | 🔒 +$1•••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $9•••• |
| Bicycles | 🔒 1• (•%) | 🔒 +$9••• (+••%) | 🔒 $1••••• | 🔒 $9•••• |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
3 bedrooms (3.8 nights)
4+ bedrooms (3.6 nights)
2 bedrooms (3.1 nights)
1 bedroom (3.1 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms (A$188)
3 bedrooms (A$95)
2 bedrooms (A$59)
1 bedroom (A$53)
Professional host share
Professionally managed (65%)
Independent hosts (35%)
Over the 12 months ending August 2026, the Southern Highlands market averaged 903 active Airbnb and VRBO listings, up 0% from a year earlier.
An average Southern Highlands listing earns A$72K/year. High-performing listings earn A$153K, while low-performing listings earn A$32K.
Average occupancy in Southern Highlands is 34%, producing RevPAR of A$146 per available night.
4+ bedroom listings generate the highest average annual revenue in Southern Highlands, at A$109K.
Rules vary across Southern Highlands. Bowral: Moderate. Part of Wingecarribee Shire - development consent required for STR, 180-day cap for non-hosted, code of conduct. Moderate enforcement with complaints-based action. Mittagong: Moderate. Same Wingecarribee Shire rules as Bowral - DA required, 180-day limit non-hosted, neighbor notification. Enforcement via complaints, some operators continue without approval. Kiama: Moderate. Registration required, code of conduct compliance, 180-day cap for unhosted. Council responds to complaints but many unregistered hosts operate. Verify requirements for the property's jurisdiction.
The Southern Highlands Airbnb and VRBO market does not show clear signs of oversaturation. Supply has grown 0% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 10%, suggesting demand is outpacing available supply.
RevPAR is highest in July and April; it is lowest in February and September.
The most common amenities are Parking (97%), Heating (95%), Kitchen (94%). The strongest positive revenue associations are Pool (+159%), Hot Tub (+97%), Bbq (+68%).
Average daily rate in Southern Highlands is A$509, up 9% year-over-year. Rates peak in June and are lowest in September.
Guests in Southern Highlands book an average of 36 days in advance, down 10% from last year. Booking windows range from 32 days for 1-bedroom listings to 42 days for 4+ bedroom listings.
Booking demand is highest on Saturday and lowest on Tuesday. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekend occupancy is 99% higher than weekday occupancy.