Cooktown Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Queensland, Australia
Is Airbnb profitable in Cooktown in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Cooktown, Queensland, Australia to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Cooktown, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 19 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Cooktown, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Cooktown Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Cooktown Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Cooktown (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Cooktown is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Cooktown is typically June, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Cooktown across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $4,518+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,563 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $1,642 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $993, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Cooktown
Cooktown Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Cooktown STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Septembersees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while March experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Cooktown:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 71%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 60% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 43%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 22% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Cooktown
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Cooktown (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Cooktown involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Cooktown typically peaks in November and dips lowest during March. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $417+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $298 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $119 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $91 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Cooktown
Get Live Cooktown Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Cooktown (2025)
Peak Season (June, May, July)
- Revenue averages $3,212 per month
- Occupancy rates average 53.0%
- Daily rates average $206
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2,135 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 46.0%
- Daily rates hold near $206
Low Season (January, February, March)
- Revenue drops to average $1,022 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 25.0%
- Daily rates adjust to average $195
Seasonality Insights for Cooktown
- The Airbnb seasonality in Cooktown shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Cooktown's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $4,136, occupancy reaching a high of 57.2%, and ADRs peaking at $217.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $796, occupancy could drop to 19.6%, and ADRs may adjust down to $190.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Cooktown.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Cooktown seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Cooktown (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Cooktown? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Cooktown Waterfront | A stunning location offering beautiful views of the river and the Coral Sea. It's a favorite spot for tourists seeking relaxation and water activities, making it prime for Airbnb hosting. | Grassy Hill Lookout, Cooktown Botanic Gardens, The James Cook Museum, Endeavour River National Park, Sandy Cape Lighthouse |
| Endeavour River | Known for its breathtaking natural surroundings and rich historical significance. This area attracts visitors interested in both nature and the history of James Cook's voyages. | Cooktown History Centre, Endeavour River National Park, Fishing and boating activities |
| Nature’s Powerhouse | An eco-friendly area that offers various amenities, workshops, and a café focused on local produce. Great for eco-tourism and hosting guests who appreciate nature. | Nature's Powerhouse Café, local markets, cultural events, guided tours of the region |
| Kowinka Beach | A secluded beach area perfect for sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts. Its tranquility makes it attractive for short-term vacationers. | Kowinka Beach activities, water sports, relaxation spots |
| Cooktown CBD | The central business district is lively and close to shops, restaurants, and community events. Ideal for visitors who want to immerse themselves in local life. | local shops, restaurants, markets, community events |
| Historical Cooktown | Offers a glimpse of Cooktown’s rich history and quaint heritage buildings, attracting visitors interested in culture and history. | The Lure of the Sea, Historic buildings, Guided history tours |
| Riverview | A picturesque area along the river with walking trails and scenic views, popular among nature lovers and families. | Riverside parks, walking trails, picnic areas |
| South Cooktown | Known for its scenic views and close proximity to natural attractions. This area is popular with nature explorers and families. | Rainforest walks, natural reserves, wildlife |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Cooktown (2025)
While Cooktown, Queensland, Australia currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Cooktown to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Cooktown (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Cooktownbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
The Sovereign Villa
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Cooktown Central Villa
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Four Winds Holiday Units - Unit 4
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
CJ's Place Cooktown
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Grassy Hill Bed and Breakfast
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
Queenslander charm
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Cooktown (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Cooktown based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa | 3 | $58,064 | 730 | 4.97/5.0 |
| David | 1 | $55,340 | 38 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Karen | 2 | $53,003 | 13 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Ariah | 4 | $42,116 | 4 | 1.25/5.0 |
| Pranom | 2 | $32,115 | 9 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Craig | 1 | $21,790 | 30 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Janne | 1 | $21,437 | 87 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Lynda | 1 | $21,329 | 57 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Host #2993747 | 1 | $18,254 | 1 | 0.00/5.0 |
| Host #105739147 | 1 | $14,939 | 0 | 0.00/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Cooktown.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Cooktown STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Cooktown. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsCooktown Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Cooktown
- The Cooktown Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 94.7% of the 19 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Cooktown, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (36.8%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 36.8% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
Cooktown Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Cooktown
- The dominant room capacity in Cooktown is 1 bedroom listings, making up 52.6% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 73.7% of the active Airbnb listings in Cooktown, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- With over half the market (52.6%) consisting of studios or 1-bedroom units, Cooktown is particularly well-suited for individuals or couples.
- A significant 21.1% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Cooktown.
Cooktown Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Cooktown
- The most common guest capacity trend in Cooktown vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (36.8%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
- Properties designed for 2 guests and 6 guests dominate the Cooktown STR market, accounting for 52.6% of listings.
- 31.6% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Cooktown.
- On average, properties in Cooktown are equipped to host 4.0 guests.
Cooktown Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Cooktown
- The most common availability pattern in Cooktown falls within the 181-270 days range, representing 42.1% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 78.9% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 91-180 days range is most frequent in Cooktown (36.8%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 26.3% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Cooktown Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
5 listings
26.3% of total
2 Nights
9 listings
47.4% of total
3 Nights
4 listings
21.1% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
5.3% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Cooktown is 2 Nights, adopted by 47.4% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (73.7%) of the Cooktown Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 2 Nights minimum stay, as 47.4% of Cooktown hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 26.3% currently do.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Cooktown.
Cooktown Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
9 listings
64.3% of total
Moderate
2 listings
14.3% of total
Firm
1 listings
7.1% of total
Strict
2 listings
14.3% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Cooktown
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Cooktown is Flexible, used by 64.3% of listings.
- The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 78.6% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Cooktown may expect booking flexibility.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 64.3% market standard in Cooktown.
- Given the high prevalence of Flexible policies (64.3%), offering this can enhance booking appeal, especially during shoulder seasons.
- Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 14.3% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Cooktown.
Cooktown STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Cooktown
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Cooktown is 28 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during June (average 110 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in January (average 9 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (92 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (18 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (28 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Cooktown.
- For June stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 110 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- During January, focus on last-minute booking availability and promotions, as guests book with very short notice (9 days avg.).
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 92 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Cooktown averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Cooktown (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Cooktown
- Essential amenities in Cooktown that guests expect include: Kitchen, Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, TV. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Hot water, Free parking on premises, Essentials are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
- Warning: Wifi is not universally provided but is considered essential globally. Ensure reliable Wifi is offered.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Cooktown: Kitchen, Air conditioning, Smoke alarm, TV.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Hot water or Free parking on premises to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Cooktown to stay competitive.
Cooktown Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Cooktown
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Cooktown consists of primarily domestic travelers (89%), often arriving from nearby Queensland, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or German.
- Domestic travelers account for 88.5% of guests.
- Key international markets include Australia (88.5%) and New Zealand (4.3%).
- Top languages spoken are English (75%) followed by German (6.3%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Queensland and Cairns.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Cooktown Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns Regional | 798 | $3,196 | $270.26 | 47% |
| Port Douglas | 628 | $3,131 | $326.85 | 42% |
| Douglas Shire | 156 | $2,839 | $285.24 | 43% |
| Cairns | 929 | $2,484 | $164.58 | 57% |
| Mareeba Shire | 40 | $1,949 | $160.23 | 42% |
| Wonga Beach | 17 | $1,703 | $184.82 | 36% |
| Cape Tribulation | 10 | $1,678 | $425.90 | 30% |
| Kuranda | 20 | $1,314 | $112.81 | 45% |