How profitable are Airbnb rentals in the Gold Coast? (January 2026)

Thinking about running an Airbnb in the Gold Coast in 2026? You're looking at one of Australia's most active short-term rental markets, with over 11,400 listings and an average nightly rate around A$260.

This guide breaks down the legal requirements, realistic earnings, and competitive landscape so you can make an informed hosting decision.

We update this blog post regularly to reflect the latest market data and regulatory changes.

And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.

Who is the author of this content?

BAMBOOROUTES

A team specialized in real estate investing in APAC countries (Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, etc.).

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in the Gold Coast. If you’d like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

Can I legally run an Airbnb in the Gold Coast in 2026?

Is short-term renting allowed in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting through Airbnb is generally allowed in the Gold Coast, but your property must be lawfully used for this purpose under Queensland's planning framework.

The Queensland Planning Regulation 2017 defines short-term accommodation as stays under three consecutive months, and hosts must ensure their property's zoning permits this use.

Beyond planning rules, many Gold Coast apartments have body corporate by-laws that can restrict or block short stays even if council zoning is fine, so check both layers.

Penalties for illegal short-term rentals typically come through council enforcement action, including compliance notices and orders to cease the unlawful use.

For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in Australia.

If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in Australia.

Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, there is no Gold Coast-wide maximum nights-per-year cap or mandatory minimum stay rule, as the council relies on planning approvals and zone-based assessment rather than blanket restrictions.

These rules do not differ by property type or host residency status, with no universal restrictions applying anywhere in the Gold Coast.

Since there is no annual cap to track, hosts do not need a specific compliance log for night limits, though accurate booking records remain essential for tax purposes.

Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in the Gold Coast right now?

There is no residency requirement for operating an Airbnb in the Gold Coast, as Queensland's Planning Regulation defines short-term accommodation based on property use rather than whether it is your primary home.

Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals, provided the property has appropriate planning status and is not restricted by building by-laws.

There are no additional permits specific to non-primary residence rentals, and the main practical difference comes down to body corporate constraints, as some buildings treat owner-occupiers differently than absentee investors.

Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in the Gold Coast right now?

There is no Gold Coast restriction preventing one host from operating multiple Airbnb listings, so you can legally run several properties under one name.

The city does not impose a maximum number of properties one person can list, with limits instead coming from each property's individual planning status and building rules.

There are no additional licensing requirements for multi-property hosts, though tax and compliance obligations become more complex as you scale, particularly with the ATO's Sharing Economy Reporting Regime tracking all transactions.

Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, there is no "Gold Coast Airbnb license" required, with compliance handled through planning approvals where required and building-specific rules.

You may need an Australian Business Number depending on how you structure your hosting, and you must declare all rental income to the ATO.

Platforms like Airbnb report host transaction data directly to the ATO under the Sharing Economy Reporting Regime, so accurate record-keeping is essential from day one.

Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, the Gold Coast does not have a list of neighborhoods where Airbnb is banned, but some zones are effectively more restrictive due to planning requirements.

Low-density residential suburbs inland, such as parts of Robina, Varsity Lakes, and Coomera, are more likely to require development approvals and may face neighbor complaints if use feels too commercial.

These residential areas are more restrictive because the planning scheme prioritizes permanent housing, while coastal precincts like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are structurally designed for visitor stays.

We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Australia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.

How much can an Airbnb earn in the Gold Coast in 2026?

What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in the Gold Coast is around A$260 (US$165 or €155), while the median sits closer to A$220 (US$140 or €130).

The typical nightly price range covering 80% of listings falls between A$150 and A$380 (US$95 to US$240, or €90 to €225).

The single biggest pricing factor in the Gold Coast is proximity to the beach, with ocean-view apartments commanding premiums of A$80 to A$150 per night over comparable inland properties.

By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.

How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, nightly prices vary by approximately A$190 (US$120 or €115) between the priciest neighborhoods like Main Beach at A$280 to A$380 and more affordable areas like Robina at A$190 to A$260.

The three highest-priced neighborhoods are Main Beach at A$330 (US$210 or €195), Mermaid Beach at A$320 (US$200 or €190), and Burleigh Heads at A$315 (US$200 or €185).

The three lowest-priced are Robina at A$225 (US$145 or €135), Southport at A$240 (US$155 or €145), and Coomera at A$250 (US$160 or €150), though these still attract steady bookings from theme-park families, hospital visitors, and business travelers.

What's the typical occupancy rate in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in the Gold Coast is approximately 62%.

The realistic range covering most listings falls between 50% and 72%, varying significantly based on listing quality, pricing, and location.

Gold Coast occupancy runs slightly above the Australian coastal average, reflecting year-round appeal as a holiday and events destination.

The biggest factor for above-average occupancy is professional listing optimization: high-quality photos, instant book enabled, competitive pricing, and consistent reviews.

What's the average monthly revenue per listing in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in the Gold Coast is approximately A$4,800 (US$3,050 or €2,850).

The realistic range covering 80% of listings falls between A$3,200 and A$7,500 (US$2,050 to US$4,750, or €1,900 to €4,450).

Top-performing listings achieve A$6,500 to A$9,500 monthly (US$4,100 to US$6,000, or €3,850 to €5,650) during peak periods. At A$300 per night with 78% occupancy, that works out to roughly A$7,000 gross.

Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in the Gold Coast.

What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, typical low-season monthly revenue ranges from A$3,000 to A$4,500 (US$1,900 to US$2,850, or €1,800 to €2,700), while high season delivers A$7,500 to A$10,500 (US$4,750 to US$6,650, or €4,450 to €6,250).

Low season runs from late May through August, while high season spans December through January plus Easter holidays and major events like Schoolies, Gold Coast 500, and Blues on Broadbeach.

What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, monthly operating expenses range from A$1,800 to A$3,600 (US$1,150 to US$2,300, or €1,070 to €2,150) for self-managed properties, and A$2,800 to A$5,500 (US$1,800 to US$3,500, or €1,650 to €3,250) with professional management.

The largest expense category is typically strata levies combined with cleaning costs, running A$800 to A$1,800 (US$500 to US$1,150, or €475 to €1,075) monthly in high-rise buildings.

Hosts should expect to spend 55% to 75% of gross revenue on operating expenses, excluding mortgage and income tax.

If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in the Gold Coast.

What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit ranges from A$1,200 to A$3,500 (US$750 to US$2,200, or €700 to €2,100), translating to A$40 to A$115 (US$25 to US$75, or €24 to €70) profit per available night.

The realistic range covering most listings falls between A$800 and A$4,000 (US$500 to US$2,550, or €475 to €2,400) monthly.

Gold Coast hosts typically achieve net profit margins of 25% to 45% of gross revenue after operating expenses but before mortgage and tax.

The break-even occupancy rate is approximately 40% to 50%, meaning hosts need 12 to 15 booked nights monthly just to cover operating costs.

In our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Australia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.

How competitive is Airbnb in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

How many active Airbnb listings are in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 11,400 active short-term rental listings in the Gold Coast across Airbnb and Vrbo.

Listing numbers have remained stable over the past year as the market has matured following post-pandemic growth, with a well-established supply base attracting both professional managers and individual hosts.

Which neighborhoods are most saturated in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods are Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Coolangatta, and Southport.

These areas became saturated because they combine tourism-focused zoning with visitor infrastructure like restaurants, light rail, and beach proximity, creating a cycle where guests search there and hosts follow.

Undersaturated neighborhoods with better opportunities include Helensvale, Coomera, Oxenford near theme parks, Robina, and Varsity Lakes, where genuine demand from families and longer-stay visitors faces less competition.

What local events spike demand in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, main demand-spiking events include Gold Coast 500 in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Marathon, Blues on Broadbeach, Schoolies week, and theme park holiday peaks.

During peak events, bookings typically increase 25% to 50% with nightly rates rising 30% to 80% depending on proximity to venues.

Hosts should adjust pricing and extend minimum stays 6 to 8 weeks before major events, as event guests book early and early-movers capture premium rates.

What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, top-performing hosts achieve 70% to 78% occupancy through professional photos, instant book, competitive pricing, and consistent five-star reviews.

Average hosts see around 62% occupancy, meaning top performers book 8 to 16 more nights monthly.

New hosts typically need 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer levels, as building reviews and climbing search rankings takes time regardless of property quality.

We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in the Gold Coast.

Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in the Gold Coast right now?

The most crowded price range is A$220 to A$320 (US$140 to US$200, or €130 to €190), particularly for one and two-bedroom apartments in the Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach corridor.

White space exists below A$180 per night (US$115 or €110) for quality budget stays and above A$400 (US$255 or €240) for genuinely differentiated premium experiences.

New hosts can compete in underserved segments with family-focused three-bedroom homes near theme parks, pet-friendly coastal properties in Burleigh or Palm Beach, and work-from-anywhere setups for extended stays in Southport or Robina.

What property works best for Airbnb demand in the Gold Coast right now?

What bedroom count gets the most bookings in the Gold Coast as of 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, two-bedroom properties get the most bookings in the Gold Coast, representing the sweet spot where guest demand and supply align.

The breakdown shows two-bedrooms at 39% of listings, one-bedrooms at 33%, three-bedrooms at 18%, and studios plus four-plus bedrooms at 10%.

Two-bedrooms perform best because they accommodate the most common guest groups: couples traveling together, small families, and friends on beach holidays.

What property type performs best in the Gold Coast in 2026?

As of the first half of 2026, high-rise and mid-rise apartments perform best for consistent year-round bookings, particularly in the Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, and Main Beach corridor.

Occupancy by type: apartments average 60% to 65% annually, townhouses 55% to 62%, and detached houses 50% to 68% depending on location and family/group appeal during peaks.

Apartments outperform because they offer beach proximity and walkability that visitors prioritize, resort-style amenities guests expect, and manageable operating costs relative to revenue.

What amenities do nearly all competitors offer in the Gold Coast right now?

As of the first half of 2026, table-stakes amenities include wifi (92% to 93% of listings), kitchen (91%), air conditioning (89%), and washer (88%).

Beyond basics, successful listings commonly provide secure parking, pool access, ocean views where available, and quality linens.

Differentiating amenities include dedicated workspaces, pet-friendly policies, premium coffee machines, beach gear like surfboards, and family-friendly touches such as highchairs and cots.

What location traits boost bookings in the Gold Coast right now?

As of the first half of 2026, booking-boosting traits include walk-to-beach under 10 minutes, walkable dining and retail, G:link light rail access, secure parking, and airport convenience for southern suburbs.

Theme-park corridor properties around Coomera, Helensvale, and Oxenford benefit differently: proximity to Dreamworld and Movie World drives family bookings, with highway access and multiple bedrooms mattering more than beach distance.

Traits that hurt bookings include being far from beaches or attractions despite technically being "Gold Coast," lacking parking in car-dependent suburbs, and residential locations where neighbor sensitivity creates compliance risks.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses in our property pack about the Gold Coast, we always rely on strong methodology and don't throw out numbers randomly.

We aim for full transparency, so below we've listed the authoritative sources and explained how we used them.

Source	Why It's Authoritative	How We Used It
AirDNA Gold Coast	AirDNA is one of the most cited short-term rental data providers, tracking actual Airbnb and Vrbo listings.	We used it for market baselines on occupancy, ADR, revenue, listing counts, bedroom mix, and amenities. We sanity-checked revenue using ADR times occupancy times nights.
City of Gold Coast Development Compliance	The local council's official guidance on short-term accommodation compliance.	We used it to anchor Gold Coast's definition of short-term accommodation and compliance approach. We cross-checked against Queensland Planning Regulation.
Queensland Planning Regulation 2017	Official Queensland legislation website, the source of truth for legal definitions.	We used it to define short-term accommodation as stays under 3 months. We translated that into practical implications for Gold Coast properties.
AustLII Planning Regulation Mirror	Widely used legal database making legislation easy to verify.	We used it as cross-reference for regulation terminology and to reduce risk of broken links on the official site.
ATO SERR Guidance	Australia's tax authority directly affecting how Airbnb host income is reported.	We used it to explain platform reporting to the ATO. We set realistic compliance expectations for record-keeping.
ATO Rental Income Guidance	ATO's plain-language guidance for people renting out homes.	We used it to outline declarable income and deductible costs. We kept profit calculations realistic and tax-aware.
Queensland Body Corporate Guidance	State government explaining how body corporate by-laws apply.	We used it to explain why many Gold Coast apartments have by-laws restricting short stays. We justified checking strata rules early.
RTA Queensland	Queensland's official tenancy regulator with practical landlord guidance.	We used it as benchmark for safety and maintenance expectations. We highlighted that compliance is part of serious hosting.
Tourism Research Australia	Federal government's core tourism statistics provider.	We used it as official demand backdrop for Gold Coast visitation. We cross-checked TEQ and Experience Gold Coast commentary against TRA data.
TEQ DoTS Snapshot	Queensland's official tourism body with standardized, source-linked reporting.	We used it for Queensland-wide travel demand dynamics flowing to Gold Coast. We supported seasonality and demand spike analysis.
Experience Gold Coast Visitor Data	Destination marketing organization citing region-specific tourism research.	We used it to localize demand drivers for the Gold Coast specifically. We treated it as local wrapper data cross-checked against TEQ.
ABS Tourism Satellite Account	Australia's national statistics agency with official macro tourism view.	We used it to contextualize why Gold Coast sustains large short-stay supply. We used it for macro confidence, not pricing.

We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Australia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.