Renting your Sunshine Coast property on Airbnb? This 2025 guide breaks down top suburbs, income potential, council rules, and expert tips to boost returns.
Thinking about listing your Sunshine Coast property on Airbnb in 2025? You're not alone. With rising demand for coastal getaways, increasing nightly rates, and more flexible travel habits, short-term letting has become one of the most profitable ways for property owners to generate income in this region.
But successful Airbnb hosting isn’t just about uploading a few photos and waiting for the bookings to roll in. Between Sunshine Coast Council regulations, ever-changing guest expectations, and the pressure to compete with polished listings, there’s a lot more involved behind the scenes.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from choosing the right suburb and understanding your legal obligations, to deciding whether to self-manage or partner with a professional Airbnb manager. Whether you're just starting out or already hosting and looking to improve, we’ll give you a 2025-ready roadmap to maximise income while protecting your time (and your sanity).
Over the past few years, short-term rental demand on the Sunshine Coast has surged — and 2025 shows no sign of slowing down. For local property owners, especially those with vacant investment properties or holiday homes, Airbnb has become more than just a side hustle. It’s a way to significantly outperform long-term rental yields while still retaining personal use of the property.
With flexible working arrangements and domestic tourism remaining strong, travellers are booking longer stays and seeking home-like amenities. Properties in beachside suburbs like Noosa Heads, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra continue to draw consistent bookings, especially when styled and presented well.
Many owners who previously leased their homes long-term are now switching to Airbnb for greater returns and the ability to block off time for personal stays — a benefit you simply don’t get with a 12-month lease.
Even accounting for seasonal fluctuations, the average short-term rental on the Sunshine Coast earns significantly more per month than its long-term counterpart. For example:
Unlike long-term tenants, Airbnb guests rarely stay more than a few nights, and properties are cleaned professionally between each booking. This keeps your home in better shape year-round and allows maintenance issues to be picked up quickly — often before they become costly.
As property values rise and rental laws tighten, many owners are also looking at Airbnb as a way to “future-proof” their investment. Short-stay rentals allow for more control, more frequent inspections, and easier access to the property when needed. In short: flexibility, income, and oversight.
Not all Sunshine Coast suburbs deliver the same results when it comes to short-term rentals. Some areas attract consistent year-round demand, while others are more seasonal or niche. Whether you're considering listing your existing property or buying an investment to rent on Airbnb, location plays a big role in occupancy rates and nightly rates.
Here’s a suburb-by-suburb breakdown of some of the best-performing areas on the Coast in 2025:
Who it suits: Premium properties, couples’ retreats, family homes
Why it performs: Noosa remains one of the most sought-after coastal destinations in Queensland, attracting high-spending domestic and international travellers. Think $400–$800+ per night for well-styled homes or apartments near Hastings Street or the river.
Watch out for: Council caps and neighbourhood scrutiny are stricter here, so compliance is crucial.
Who it suits: Holiday apartments, units with beach access
Why it performs: These areas offer a balanced mix of beachside appeal and accessibility. Walkable dining, surf beaches, and kid-friendly spots make it ideal for families. 2-bedroom apartments can average $250–$400 per night during peak season.
Watch out for: Building restrictions in some strata complexes.
Who it suits: Budget-friendly family stays, retirees, large groups
Why it performs: Caloundra is more affordable than Noosa or Mooloolaba but still sees strong demand thanks to its calm beaches and local feel. Larger homes here can earn steady bookings for multi-generational trips.
Watch out for: Lower average nightly rate than northern counterparts — but high occupancy can make up for it.
Who it suits: Couples, digital nomads, coastal workers
Why it performs: Slightly quieter than hotspots like Noosa, these areas appeal to longer-stay guests or off-peak visitors. Stylish studios and 1–2 bedroom homes do well here, especially when priced competitively.
Watch out for: Bookings may be more seasonal and dependent on smart pricing strategy.
📌 Pro Tip: Properties within walking distance to the beach, restaurants, and public transport tend to outperform similar homes further inland. A good view, balcony, or pool can also add hundreds to your monthly earnings.
One of the most common questions Sunshine Coast property owners ask is whether they’d earn more with a long-term lease or by listing on Airbnb. The answer? It depends on your goals — but in 2025, Airbnb is edging ahead for many owners, especially in high-demand suburbs.
Let’s take a typical 2-bedroom apartment in Mooloolaba:
In peak seasons (school holidays, summer, long weekends), many properties book out at $300–$500/night, pushing gross income significantly higher than long-term renting.
While short-term rentals can earn more, they do come with variable costs, including:
However, one overlooked benefit is property condition: regular professional cleaning means issues get flagged earlier, reducing long-term damage compared to a 12-month lease with little oversight.
Short-term rentals often allow for greater tax deductions, including:
It’s best to speak to a property-savvy accountant, but many owners report improved tax outcomes when switching to short-term letting.
Unlike long-term tenants, Airbnb lets you block out time to enjoy your own property — whether it’s a week over Christmas, a last-minute weekend, or the entire off-season. This is especially valuable for owners who plan to relocate, retire, or use the property occasionally.
Bottom Line?
If your property is in a desirable location and you’re open to some involvement (or using a good management company), Airbnb can comfortably outperform long-term renting in both income and flexibility — particularly in 2025’s strong domestic travel market.
At first glance, managing your own Airbnb might seem simple: take a few photos, create a listing, and wait for guests to arrive. But the reality is far more hands-on — especially if you want to earn consistently and avoid negative reviews.
Here’s what goes into managing a successful Sunshine Coast Airbnb on your own in 2025:
Creating a standout listing is more than uploading photos. You'll need to:
Without this upfront effort, your listing may get buried — or worse, attract the wrong type of guest.
Guests message at all hours — with questions before booking, requests during their stay, and feedback after checkout. You’ll need to:
Many hosts are caught off guard by how much time this actually takes — especially during weekends, public holidays, or peak season.
Short-term rentals must be cleaned to a professional standard after every stay. You'll either need to:
Even if you outsource cleaning, the coordination still falls on you — and guest expectations around cleanliness are higher than ever.
From leaking taps to broken aircon units, things will eventually go wrong. As the host, you're the point of contact — whether it's midday or midnight. You’ll need a go-to list of trades, spare supplies, and a fast way to react.
Yes — but be realistic. Self-managing is a part-time job at minimum. Some owners love the involvement, but many burn out or struggle to scale. If you're time-poor, live out of town, or want to avoid constant guest contact, a local Airbnb management service may be well worth the investment.
If managing your Sunshine Coast Airbnb sounds like a full-time juggling act — that’s because it is. This is where a professional property manager can step in, helping you earn more while doing less. But what do they actually do, and is it worth the cost?
A good short-term rental manager handles everything end-to-end, including:
Some managers (like Lane Property) also include insurance compliance, guest screening, and full financial reporting with monthly owner statements.
Management fees vary, but on the Sunshine Coast in 2025, you’ll typically pay:
At first glance, that might sound steep — but most owners find they earn more overall, even after fees, due to better pricing, occupancy, and reviews.
A property manager is likely worth it if:
Bottom line? If you're serious about earning well from your Airbnb — and want your property to be a true hands-off investment — a quality manager will pay for themselves many times over.
The Ultimate 2025 Guide to Airbnb Management on the Sunshine Coast has walked you through everything from council regulations to profitability comparisons — and by now, you’ve likely got a clearer picture of whether short-term letting is a smart move for your property.
The Sunshine Coast continues to deliver some of the highest Airbnb returns in the country, but success isn’t guaranteed. In 2025, managing an Airbnb means navigating guest expectations, pricing strategies, and compliance requirements — not to mention ongoing cleaning and maintenance.
So, is Airbnb management right for you?
For many owners, especially in hot spots like Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra, the smartest move is to hand the keys to a professional Airbnb manager. It transforms your property from a side hustle into a streamlined, fully optimised income-producing asset.
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