From Beechmont to Doonan: Popular Airbnb rentals in Queensland
From an uber-cool barn to a rustic rainforest retreat, these are the weird and wonderful Queensland properties travellers are dreaming of escaping to.
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Exclusive: Queenslanders are dreaming of an escape to the country as the school holidays draw near.
With international travel off the menu and restrictions around some domestic borders, travellers are looking to explore their own backyards.
Airbnb has exclusively revealed to News Corp the incredible homes they are hopeful of escaping to.
A rustic red barn featuring an interior with a modern twist was Airbnb’s most ‘wish-listed’ home in Queensland for the period June to August.
Aptly named “Little Red Barn”, the three-bedroom residence is located in Doonan, about half an hour north of the Sunshine Coast.
Featuring spectacular views of the trees, guests can enjoy the tranquillity while soaking in a freestanding bath on the home’s deck, or while relaxing in the pool.
Inside is a visual feast too, with an incredible vaulted ceiling and a wood-fired heater.
Those after an escape were also looking at a seriously impressive container conversion in Beechmont, about 45 minutes from the Gold Cost.
Surrounded by rolling hills and horse pastures, the home features sections of glass ceilings so visitors can gaze up at the stars while inside.
There’s also a pizza over and outdoor fire place available for use.
Third on the Queensland ‘wish list’ was “The Bower”, situated in Wootha.
Described as a rustic rainforest retreat for couples, visitors can relax to the sound of birdsong, kick back in the pool, or if the weather calls for it, sit by the wood-burning fireplace.
Travellers were also hoping to head to a cabin in the Noosa Hinterland, complete with a kingsize bed, kitchen, surround-sound system and BBQ. There’s even on-side yoga massage available.
Rounding out the top five was a luxury villa in Mt Nathan.
Dogs, and even horses, are welcome at the modern villa, equipped for up to 10 guests with a 25-metre lap pool, outdoor spa, as well as a kitchen and laundry.
Nationally, popular listing types included farm stays, cottages and villas, according to Airbnb.
Pet-friendly accommodation was the most searched for amenity, followed by pool, kitchen, wireless internet and jacuzzi.
And in the last two weeks of August, the accommodation giant also recorded a 23 per cent increase in Australian home searches with at least one child in tow.
“It’s been really heartening to see Australians display such incredible enthusiasm for exploring their own backyard. We’re seeing a lot of demand for nearby stays in regional areas and towns, often places that are driving distance from capital cities. There’s certainly a trend towards longer term stays, as the notion of working from home becomes working from any home on Airbnb,” Country Manager for Airbnb Australia and New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon said.
Dr David Beirman, a tourism expert at the University of Technology Sydney, said the silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic was that travellers were now exploring their own backyards and finding Australia had some “fantastic destinations”.
Dr Beirman said even once interstate and international travel resumed, domestic tourism was still likely to benefit in the long run.
He believed travel bargains to some South East Asian destinations – Australian favourites like Bali and Thailand – would not be as cheap as what they were pre-COVID, with people instead looking to holiday across Australia or in there home state.
“I think there will be some apprehension around international travel generally, and airlines won’t be able to fit as many people on a flight if they’re adhering to social distancing rules,” Dr Beirman said.
“If flights aren’t running at full capacity and hotels don’t have as many quests, it’s likely they’ll look to increase prices.”
He said when holidaying in regional or rural Australia, tourists should make sure they are spending money at local stores and paying for experiences to help local economies.