The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations and a strong market for short-term accommodation. In the right suburb and building, an Airbnb can outperform a long-term rental, but council requirements, body corporate by-laws, seasonality and holding costs ultimately determine whether the numbers stack up.
Is an Airbnb Investment Property on the Gold Coast a Good Investment?
According to AirDNA’s latest Gold Coast data, updated 6 October 2026 and covering the 12 months to September 2026, there were 6,897 active short-term rental listings, with an average occupancy rate of 66% and an average daily rate of $234. Average annual revenue per listing was approximately $48,800.
These are useful market-wide benchmarks, but they should not be treated as a forecast for an individual property. Performance can vary significantly depending on the suburb, proximity to the beach and attractions, property size, views, amenities, presentation, pricing strategy and management.
It is also worth noting that the average daily rate has fallen 7.8% year-on-year, while occupancy has increased by 3.1%. This highlights why property buyers should look beyond headline Airbnb revenue and assess both demand and costs before purchasing.
Why the Gold Coast Suits Short-Term Rentals
The Gold Coast has one of Australia’s strongest tourism economies, making it an attractive market for Airbnb investment properties and short-term rentals. The region welcomed 14.4 million visitors in 2025, generating $8.9 billion in visitor spending, according to Tourism Research Australia data.
Visitors come to the Gold Coast for much more than the beaches. Families, couples, international tourists, business travellers and visitors attending sporting and entertainment events all contribute to demand for Gold Coast airbnb properties.
Gold Coast Airport also plays an important role, handling around 6.5 million passengers in FY2026, with international passenger numbers increasing by 25% year-on-year.
The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games provide another potential source of future accommodation demand, with the Gold Coast hosting several events and receiving investment in venues and infrastructure.
That diversity of visitors can help create demand for short-term accommodation throughout the year.
Seasonality and Events
Seasonality is an important consideration when buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast. Short-term rental demand and nightly rates can vary significantly throughout the year, with stronger periods typically occurring during school holidays, summer, long weekends and major events.
Major sporting events, concerts, festivals and conferences can also increase demand for Gold Coast holiday accommodation, pushing occupancy and average nightly rates higher in popular locations.
Best Gold Coast Suburbs for Airbnb Investment property
Choosing the best Gold Coast suburb for an Airbnb investment comes down to more than tourism demand. Location, Airbnb nightly rates, occupancy, purchase price, property type and ongoing costs all affect the potential return.
Hometime’s March 2026 analysis found average nightly rates of $330–$350 and occupancy of 65–72% across several leading Gold Coast Airbnb suburbs. These figures are useful benchmarks, but individual properties can perform very differently.
| Suburb | Typical Airbnb nightly rate | Occupancy | Median unit price | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfers Paradise | $330 | 72% | ~$865k | Beach, nightlife, restaurants, light rail and large visitor market |
| Broadbeach | $340 | 70% | ~$1.10M | Beach, dining, events, convention centre and The Star |
| Burleigh Heads | $350 | 65% | ~$1.25M | Surf, beach, restaurants and strong lifestyle appeal |
| Palm Beach | $350 | 66% | ~$1.23M | Beach, cafes, restaurants and newer apartments |
| Coolangatta | $330 | 65% | ~$1.28M | Surf, beaches, walkability and airport proximity |
Airbnb performance figures: Hometime, March 2026. Median unit prices: current 12-month sales data. These are market benchmarks, not individual property forecasts.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise remains one of the largest Airbnb markets on the Gold Coast, with strong visitor demand, direct beach access, restaurants, nightlife and light rail. With an average nightly rate of $330 and 72% occupancy, it offers strong short-term rental potential.
However, the large supply of apartments means building selection is critical. Body corporate fees, short-term accommodation rules, building quality and competition from similar apartments can all affect airbnb returns.
Broadbeach
Broadbeach combines beach tourism with dining, entertainment, business travel and major events. Its proximity to The Star Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre creates a broader visitor market.
Hometime reports an average nightly rate of $340 and 70% occupancy, while the current median unit price is approximately $1.10 million.
Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads attracts visitors for its beaches, surf, restaurants and lifestyle appeal. It recorded one of the highest average nightly rates in Hometime’s analysis at $350, although occupancy was lower at 65%.
With a median unit price of approximately $1.25 million, buyers need to carefully compare potential Airbnb income with the purchase price, finance and ongoing holding costs.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach has become an increasingly popular location for short-term accommodation, offering beach access, cafes, restaurants and a growing supply of modern apartments.
Hometime reports an average nightly rate of $350 and 66% occupancy, with a current median unit price of approximately $1.23 million.
Coolangatta
Coolangatta offers a different Airbnb investment proposition, with strong beach and surf appeal, a walkable town centre and proximity to Gold Coast Airport.
Hometime reports an average nightly rate of $330 and 65% occupancy. The current median unit price is approximately $1.28 million.
What about the Gold Coast hinterland?
The Gold Coast hinterland is a different type of Airbnb market. Rather than relying on walk-to-the-beach tourism, larger homes can appeal to families and groups looking for privacy, space and access to the hinterland and nearby attractions.
A larger property in Mudgeeraba, for example, can have a very different investment model from a one- or two-bedroom apartment in Surfers Paradise.
There is no single best suburb for Airbnb investment on the Gold Coast. The right choice depends on the purchase price, property type, expected Airbnb income, occupancy, holding costs and whether short-term accommodation is permitted.
For buyers, I recommend assessing the individual property and building before relying on suburb-level Airbnb statistics. A property with a lower nightly rate can sometimes produce a better investment result if the purchase price and ongoing costs are significantly lower.
Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental: The Numbers
The potential income difference between an Airbnb and a long-term rental on the Gold Coast can be significant, but higher gross income does not automatically mean higher profit.
Let’s use a typical two-bedroom Broadbeach unit as an example.
Current data puts the median rent for a two-bedroom Broadbeach unit at approximately $935 per week, while Hometime reports an average Airbnb nightly rate of around $340 and occupancy of 70%.
| Long-term rental | Airbnb | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly rent / nightly rate | ~$935/week | ~$340/night |
| Annual occupancy | 52 weeks | 70% |
| Gross annual income | ~$48,600 | ~$86,900 |
| Management | Lower | Higher |
| Utilities | Tenant pays | Owner pays |
| Furnishing | Lower | Higher |
Illustrative example based on current Broadbeach rental and Airbnb market data. Individual properties will vary.
In this example, the Airbnb generates approximately $38,000 more gross income per year than the same property rented long-term.
However, the difference in net profit is much smaller once you allow for Airbnb management, electricity, internet, furnishing, linen, maintenance, higher wear and tear and periods of lower occupancy.
This is why I would never assess an Airbnb investment based simply on the headline nightly rate.
A property generating $340 per night sounds attractive, but what matters is the annual net income after all operating costs, compared with the income the same property could achieve as a long-term rental.
There is also another important consideration: the purchase price. Paying too much for a property because it has strong Airbnb income can quickly reduce the investment return.
For example, if you are paying $1.2 million for a two-bedroom apartment, the gross Airbnb income needs to be assessed against the purchase price, stamp duty, body corporate, council rates, insurance, management, finance and other holding costs.
The best Airbnb investment is not necessarily the property with the highest nightly rate. It is the property where the purchase price, short-term rental income, occupancy and ongoing costs produce the strongest overall return.
Income
The simplest way to compare Airbnb vs long-term rental income is to calculate the annual gross income before expenses.
Airbnb: $340 average nightly rate × 70% occupancy × 365 nights = ~$86,900 gross annual income
Long-term rental: $935 weekly rent × 52 weeks = ~$48,600 gross annual income
This shows why an Airbnb investment on the Gold Coast can generate substantially higher gross rental income than a traditional long-term rental. However, higher income also comes with higher operating costs, so the net return is what really matters.
Costs
The cost of running an Airbnb on the Gold Coast is significantly higher than a traditional long-term rental. High operating costs can include cleaning fees and recurring maintenance, along with platform fees (about 3% host fee), management 15% to 25%, cleaning and linen, utilities and internet, furnishing $10,000 to $50,000 AUD upfront, insurance, body corporate levies, council rates, mortgage interest at 2026 rates.
The 80/20 Rule for Airbnb
When assessing an Airbnb investment on the Gold Coast, we focus on the 20% of factors that can make 80% of the difference: the purchase price, location, building rules, achievable occupancy, nightly rate and ongoing costs.
Getting these fundamentals right is often more important than simply finding a property with the highest advertised Airbnb income.
Gold Coast Airbnb Rules and Approvals
Before buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast, it is essential to confirm that short-term accommodation is permitted.
Rules can vary depending on the property’s zoning, existing approvals, building and location. Buyers should check:
- City of Gold Coast planning requirements
- Whether a Material Change of Use (MCU) approval is required
- Any existing development approval and its conditions
- Body corporate by-laws and short-term accommodation restrictions
- Fire safety and other applicable requirements
A property being listed on Airbnb does not automatically mean it is legally approved for short-term accommodation.
City Plan Zoning and Material Change of Use
Whether short-term accommodation requires development approval on the Gold Coast depends on the property’s zoning, existing approvals and applicable City Plan requirements.
In some cases, a Material Change of Use (MCU) approval may be required to operate a property as short-term accommodation. Gold Coast Development.i records show current applications specifically seeking approval for short-term accommodation, including in Surfers Paradise and Mermaid Beach.
Existing lawful use rights can also be relevant for properties that have been operating under previous approvals.
When buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast, reviewing the body corporate by-laws is an essential step in your property investment due diligence.
Under Queensland’s Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, body corporate by-laws generally cannot prohibit a lawful residential use of a property. However, rules relating to noise, parking, common areas and resident behaviour may affect short-term rental operations.
Not every Gold Coast apartment or townhouse is suitable for Airbnb. Council planning requirements, zoning, development approvals and the specific circumstances of the property may determine whether short-term accommodation is permitted.
Before purchasing a Gold Coast Airbnb investment property, review the body corporate by-laws, Annual General Meeting (AGM) minutes and committee records. Look for complaints about holiday rentals, disputes involving short-term guests and proposed by-law changes that could affect your investment.
As buyer’s agents, we recommend completing thorough body corporate due diligence and seeking legal advice before committing to a property intended for Airbnb or holiday letting.
Understanding these restrictions before you buy can help you avoid unexpected costs and make a more informed investment decision.
Council Rates, Licensing and Safety
When buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast, also check whether the property’s use affects council rates or rating category. The applicable category can depend on the property’s approved use, so confirm this directly with the City of Gold Coast before relying on projected holding costs.
Safety requirements are also important. Queensland smoke alarm laws require compliant, interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in relevant residential properties, including alarms in bedrooms, hallways and on each level.
Tax on Airbnb Income
Understanding the tax implications of Airbnb and short-term rental accommodation is essential when assessing the profitability of a property investment on the Gold Coast. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requires property owners to declare income earned through Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms in their annual tax returns. Under the Sharing Economy Reporting Regime, digital platforms also report relevant transaction information to the ATO, making accurate income reporting and record-keeping increasingly important. https://www.ato.gov.au/
Property investors may be able to claim deductions for eligible expenses associated with earning rental income, including platform fees, cleaning, property management, insurance, repairs and maintenance, utilities and interest on investment loans. Where a property is used for both private and rental purposes, deductions generally need to be apportioned accordingly.
What to Look For When Buying an Airbnb Property on the Gold Coast
Thinking about buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast? Before you invest, there are five key factors to consider to maximise your rental income and protect your long-term property value.
1. Check Airbnb Regulations on the Gold Coast
Before purchasing, check local council requirements, zoning, development approvals and body corporate by-laws to confirm whether short-term accommodation is permitted.
2. Choose the Right Gold Coast Location
Look for properties close to Gold Coast beaches, cafés, restaurants, public transport and popular tourist attractions. Location can play a major role in guest demand and occupancy rates.
3. Calculate Your Airbnb Rental Returns
When assessing an Airbnb investment property, consider potential rental income alongside body corporate levies, cleaning fees, insurance, maintenance, utilities and property management costs.
4. Focus on Guest Experience and Airbnb Appeal
Quality furnishings, modern amenities, secure parking, a swimming pool and professional photography can help your Gold Coast holiday rental stand out in a competitive short-term rental market.
5. Consider Long-Term Capital Growth and Resale Value
The best investment property isn’t just about short-term rental income. Consider future capital growth, resale appeal and whether the property could attract owner-occupiers or long-term tenants if your investment strategy changes.
Is buying an Airbnb property on the Gold Coast worth it?
A successful Airbnb investment requires more than a great location. Understanding local regulations, calculating realistic rental returns and choosing a property with strong long-term appeal are essential when investing in the Gold Coast property market.
Before you buy, make sure you understand the ongoing management requirements, as short-term rentals generally involve more guest turnover, cleaning and maintenance than traditional long-term leasing.
Risks to Plan For
Before investing in a Gold Coast Airbnb property, consider these key risks:
- Regulation changes: Council rules and body corporate by-laws may restrict short-term rentals.
- Occupancy and oversupply: Seasonal demand and competition can reduce bookings and nightly rates.
- Rising costs: Higher interest rates, insurance, cleaning and maintenance can reduce rental returns.
- Wear and tear: Frequent guest turnover increases maintenance and replacement costs.
- Financing: Some lenders assess Airbnb rental income differently, affecting borrowing capacity.
Always calculate realistic rental returns and assess the risks before buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast.
How a Buyers Agent Helps With an Airbnb Purchase
Buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast requires careful due diligence and a clear understanding of the local short-term rental market. An experienced buyers agent can help investors:
- Check zoning and body corporate by-laws before making an offer to identify potential restrictions on short-term accommodation.
- Access off-market properties and opportunities in established holiday rental buildings.
- Assess realistic rental income using local market conditions, historical occupancy data, seasonal demand and comparable properties.
- Identify suitable properties that balance guest appeal, running costs and long-term resale potential.
- Negotiate furniture packages and connect with local professionals who understand the Gold Coast holiday rental market.
Experienced short-term rental managers can also support Airbnb performance through dynamic pricing, local event strategies, multi-platform booking management and ongoing competitor benchmarking. However, rental income and occupancy levels are never guaranteed.
At White Sand Buyers Agency, we help investors identify suitable properties, assess the risks and make informed purchasing decisions based on their investment goals and local Gold Coast market knowledge.
FAQs
Is Airbnb profitable on the Gold Coast?
Airbnb investment on the Gold Coast can be profitable, but success depends on the purchase price, location, occupancy rates and ongoing expenses.
As buyer’s agents, we help investors assess short-term rental potential, compare investment properties and identify locations with strong tourism demand and long-term capital growth potential.
Before buying, we recommend analysing realistic rental income, body corporate fees, management costs, financing and short-term rental regulations to determine whether the property offers a sustainable return.
Do I need council approval to Airbnb my property on the Gold Coast?
Not always. Whether you need council approval to operate an Airbnb on the Gold Coast depends on your property’s zoning, existing approvals and how it will be used for short-term accommodation. Some properties may require a development application or Material Change of Use (MCU) approval.
As buyer’s agents, we recommend checking council planning requirements and body corporate by-laws before purchasing an investment property intended for Airbnb. This due diligence can help you avoid unexpected costs and restrictions.
Check your property’s requirements with the City of Gold Coast before committing to a purchase.
Can a body corporate ban Airbnb?
In Queensland, most body corporates cannot ban Airbnb or short-term rentals through their by-laws. However, owners must comply with rules relating to noise, nuisance and the use of common property.
Before buying an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast, we recommend reviewing the body corporate by-laws and checking whether council planning approvals are required.
As buyer’s agents, we help investors assess these potential restrictions before purchasing a property intended for short-term rental.
Important: Different legislation may apply to certain buildings, so always verify the rules for the specific property before committing to a purchase.
Does Airbnb report income to the ATO?
Yes. Airbnb reports relevant host income information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) under Australia’s Sharing Economy Reporting Regime.
If you own an Airbnb investment property on the Gold Coast, you must generally declare your short-term rental income in your annual tax return. Eligible expenses, including cleaning, property management and maintenance, may be tax-deductible depending on your circumstances.
Before buying a Gold Coast Airbnb investment property, consider the impact of income tax, deductible expenses and capital gains tax on your overall investment returns.
As buyer’s agents, we encourage investors to assess the potential rental income and ongoing costs before purchasing a short-term rental property.
For personalised tax advice, consult a qualified accountant or visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
