Sunshine Coast

As of May 2026, Noosa, Caloundra, Maroochydore have 2,716 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 9% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Sunshine Coast generates A$60K per year. High-performing properties earn A$111K/year, while low-performing properties earn A$27K/year. The wide revenue variance highlights a bifurcated market where top-tier assets capture significantly more value despite a contraction in overall supply and total market revenue.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Sunshine Coast. Average annual revenue is A$60K with 47% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to A$111K/year. The performance gap suggests that while market-wide revenue is currently softening, specific listings maintain strong appeal by capturing a larger share of remaining demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Sunshine Coast is 47%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of A$353, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of A$112 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Sunshine Coast, with annual revenue of A$100K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Sunshine Coast market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Sunshine Coast area. Noosa: Moderate. Part of Sunshine Coast Council - registration required, code of conduct compliance, noise/parking rules. Growing enforcement with complaint-driven inspections and fines for non-compliance. Caloundra: Moderate. Same Sunshine Coast Council rules as Noosa - registration mandatory, operational standards apply. Enforcement increasing but primarily complaint-based rather than proactive. Maroochydore: Moderate. Sunshine Coast Council jurisdiction - registration required, code of conduct adherence. Moderate enforcement focused on problem properties and neighbor complaints. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Sunshine Coast Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 9% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 13%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The synchronized decline in supply and revenue suggests the market is recalibrating toward a new equilibrium as listing counts adjust to lower per-unit earnings.

Launch around October, 2-3 months before peak winter season (January peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -18% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Sunshine Coast listings include: Kitchen (96%), Air Conditioning (89%), Tv (88%), Washing Machine (84%), Balcony (76%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Pool, Air Conditioning, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 42% more (A$73K/year vs A$52K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Sunshine Coast over the last 12 months: May: A$2K, June: A$2K, July: A$3K, August: A$3K, September: A$3K, October: A$3K, November: A$3K, December: A$5K, January: A$5K, February: A$2K, March: A$3K, April: A$5K. 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 Sunshine Coast is A$353, up 9% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average A$224/night, 2-bedroom properties average A$289/night, 3-bedroom properties average A$388/night, 4+ bedroom properties average A$676/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Sunshine Coast book an average of 35 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 30 days, 2-bedroom: 34 days, 3-bedroom: 36 days, 4+ bedroom: 43 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Sunshine Coast Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 9%, revenue per listing decreased 13%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 9%, and lead time decreased 22%. Increased nightly rates paired with shorter lead times signal a shift toward more spontaneous, price-sensitive booking behaviors.

In Sunshine Coast, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Tuesday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 38% higher occupancy than weekdays.