Tasmania’s most expensive, popular and noteworthy Airbnbs
New data shows the rapid spread of short-stay accommodation in Hobart which saw a “huge number” come online over the last six months alone. FULL REPORT >>
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Airbnb claims to be Tasmania’s largest accommodation provider, outstripping Federal Group and every other major hotel chain in the state’s market.
The company has come under fire from Hobart City Council, which say the spread of Airbnbs has pushed up housing prices and made rents less affordable for locals.
An Airbnb spokesperson said Hobart Airbnbs made up a tiny fraction of Hobart’s housing stocks, and were unlikely to make a significant impact on housing affordability.
Country manager Susan Wheeldon said Hobart City Council was narrowly focusing on Airbnbs, instead of the larger underlying issue.
“Unfortunately, the Council’s current proposal will fail to address the most significant underlying causes of housing affordability and supply,”
“The fact is that short term rentals like Airbnbs make up a tiny portion of housing in Hobart. In contrast, empty homes and rooms are far more prevalent, along with the fact that the City of Hobart’s population is growing faster than the number of new homes being built by a ratio of almost two to one.”
However Hobart City Council committee chairwoman Helen Burnet said it was a “travesty” that homes were still being turned into short-stay tourist accommodation.
Hobart has seen a 10 per cent increase in Airbnb whole-house permits in the last six months, as more people turn to the increasingly profitable short-stay sector.
Airbnb currently lists ten houses charging over $10,000 per week, with the most expensive active Airbnb charging $20,343 per week.
There are 256 Airbnbs charging over $3465 per week, with the average Airbnb charging around $1722 per week.
The Mercury has compiled a list of some of the most expensive, popular, and noteworthy Airbnbs on the market.
Cooma House
Cooma House is the most expensive active Airbnb in Tasmania at time of writing, charging $20,342 for one week’s stay, with a $1000 bond before arrival.
The Flinders Island listing comes with breakfast, but you need to pay $20 for lunch, $80 for dinner, and extra for wine.
The listing says guests are responsible for all damages, breakages, theft, and loss of property during the stay.
Guests are warned they must “comply with all applicable house rules for the property concerning occupancy, property, health, safety, and quiet enjoyment of the property and our neighbours.”
All furniture and furnishings must be left in the position they were in when you arrived.
It notes that any complaint, which cannot be resolved locally, must be notified in writing to management prior to departure from the property.
The house comes with a septic tank.
Maria’s at Swansea
Maria’s at Swansea is the Airbnb co-owned by planning Minister Michael Ferguson and his wife.
In December Labor’s Ella Haddad accused Mr Ferguson of having a conflict of interest for defending the Airbnb sector while owning an Airbnb himself.
Her comments came after the government knocked back Labor’s bid to put a cap on Airbnbs ahead of the border opening on December 15.
At the time the government described her comments as a “grubby smear” done for cynical political gain.
At the time his Airbnb charged $2033 per week, but is now down to $1321 per week making it one of the cheapest bargains on this list.
Derwent River Home
Derwent River Home charges $10,339 per week, has 53 five star ratings, and has no open reservations until December 16.
Unlike many Airbnbs this one is an actual family home that is rented out during holiday periods when the owners are not using it.
The listing boasts scenic views of the River Derwent.
“Options for entertaining are plentiful with a gorgeous terrace at the rear that flows from the dining room as well as a covered veranda at the front of the home, ideal for taking in the afternoon sun and watching the MONA ferry pass by,” it says.
“The manicured and stunning landscaped grounds are filled with sandstone walls, perfect lawns and established trees.
Slow Beam
Slow Beam charges $4003 per week and is an eight minute drive from the Salamanca waterfront.
The listing was awarded the Airbnb Best Designed Stay prize in 2021 and has been featured in Vogue Living and Wallpaper magazine.
The owner describes it as an “inimitable” house that combines a luxurious modern house with a rugged busy environment.
“Slow Beam is an architecturally designed house, created specifically for a unique Hobart getaway,” the listing says.
“Our 2 story house is nestled in a private bushy street, with amazing views of the Derwent River, South Hobart, Sandy Bay & beyond, from our floor to ceiling windows.”
The cheapest Airbnb in all of Hobart is a bunk bed in an eight-shared female dormitory which charges $259 per week.
The “boutique bunkhouse” listing says it is suitable for backpackers, groups of friends, couples, and families.
The listing comes with “adorable dogs” and reviewers describe the host as “animated and super friendly”.
‘No longer homes’: 60 Hobart short-stays online in six months
New data shows the rapid spread of Airbnbs in Hobart, which saw a 10.8 per cent increase over the last six months alone.
The Hobart City Council planning committee figures reveal that as of June 2022 there were 553 whole-house short-stay permits in the Hobart municipality.
The highest concentration was in Sandy Bay, which went from 129 houses in December to 141 houses in June.
The Airbnb website shows one Sandy Bay listing charging $6482 per week, with another house on Grosvenor Street charging $4867.
Council planning director Neil Noye blamed the government for introducing the 2018 Planning Directive No. 6, which cut regulations around short-stay accommodation.
“The government introduced PD6 that opened the floodgates to that land use in Battery Point, and we saw a huge number of applications come forward,” Mr Noye said.
“I think the government got the message that we tried to advise them prior to them introducing PD6 that this was not a good thing. There was significant lobbying.”
Planning committee chair Helen Burnet said the recent spike in permit applications was likely an “unfortunate” side-effect to council’s attempt to crack down on Airbnbs.
Council had asked the Planning Commission to cap new permits in the Hobart area, and Ms Burnet said some landlords may be trying to get their permits before the doors close.
Ms Burnet said Airbnbs were taking houses off the rental market and making housing less affordable for local Tasmanians.
“I think this is a travesty for our city. We are seeing this constant conversion of houses that have been rental properties or have been where people have been living,” Ms Burnet said.
“So many places have been going off the market, no longer being places where people can call them homes. It’s an indictment on us as a community.”
Tenants’ Union of Tasmania principal solicitor Ben Bartl said this report contained some sobering statistics.
“With Hobart already having one of the highest densities of Airbnb in the world it is shocking that in just six months the numbers have increased by more than 10 per cent,” Mr Bartl said.
“The Government’s priority must be ensuring housing for Tasmanians, not holiday homes for tourists”.
The report shows that West Hobart’s Airbnbs rose 24 per cent, New Town by 16 per cent, and North Hobart at 10.4 per cent over the six month period.
One New Town Airbnb is charging $101,969 per week.
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