Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Cairns Regional, Queensland, Australia
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Cairns Regional? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Cairns Regional:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Cairns Regional?
The short-term rental market in Cairns Regional shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $3,041 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,455 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $8,573+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,571
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Cairns Regional
The market in Cairns Regional shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 45% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 67% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 84%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 24%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Cairns Regional
Daily rates in Cairns Regional vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $221 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $323 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $445+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $143
Daily Rate Variations by Month
Get Live Cairns Regional Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Seasonality patterns in Cairns Regional
Peak Season (July, August, September)
- Revenue peaks at $6094.18 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 69.74%
- Daily rates average $302.51
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4184.55 per month
- Occupancy maintains 46.30%
- Daily rates hold at $258.44
Low Season (November, March, February)
- Revenue drops to $2947.69 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 33.88%
- Daily rates adjust to $232.56
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Cairns Regional in 2025?
Yes! Cairns Regional demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 46% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4185 and As a mature market with 829 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Cairns Regional
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Cove | A beautiful beach destination known for its stunning palm-fringed beaches and luxury resorts. Popular with families and couples seeking a relaxing getaway by the ocean. | Palm Cove Beach, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns Tropical Zoo, Spa Retreat, Rainforest Walks |
| Port Douglas | A coastal town that serves as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. It's favored by tourists looking for adventure and natural beauty. | Four Mile Beach, Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef Cruises, Port Douglas Markets, Mossman Gorge |
| Cairns CBD | The central business district that offers a vibrant atmosphere with lots of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Ideal for urban travelers who enjoy the hustle and bustle. | Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Night Markets, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Cairns Aquarium, Lagoon Pool |
| Kuranda | A picturesque village located in the rainforest, known for its markets and wildlife parks. Attracts eco-tourists and those seeking a unique experience away from the city. | Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda Markets, Rainforestation Nature Park, Birdworld Kuranda |
| Trinity Beach | A quiet beach suburb known for its beautiful stretch of sand and relaxed vibe. Perfect for families and holidaymakers wanting a peaceful escape. | Trinity Beach, Cairns Skydiving, Cairns Beaches, Captain Cook Highway, Nearby hiking trails |
| Ellis Beach | A stunning beachside area known for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. It's a hidden gem for visitors looking to unwind. | Ellis Beach, Palm Cove nearby, Great Barrier Reef access, Dining at beachfront restaurants, Stargazing at night |
| Yorkeys Knob | A laid-back beach community with a relaxed vibe, known for its marina and water activities. Great for those who want a quieter beach experience with convenience to Cairns. | Yorkeys Knob Beach, Marina attractions, Golf courses, Watersports, Cairns Cycling Tracks |
| Babinda | A charming historical town located at the foot of the mountains, known for its natural swimming holes and proximity to national parks. Attractive to nature lovers. | Babinda Boulders, Wooroonooran National Park, Local markets, Heritage buildings, Picnic spots |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Cairns Regional?
We recommend checking directly with Cairns Regional's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Cairns Regional
Belle Escapes - Figtree Villas Palm Cove
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Belle Escapes Villa by the C
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
BIG Beach House Tranquility - beachfront renovated
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Belle Escapes - Under the Mango Trees Holiday Home
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Belle Escapes - SeaChange @ Clifton Beach
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Belle Escapes Suite 48 Oceanview and Private Pool
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Cairns Regional
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antje | 71 | $6,004,131 | 1876 | 4.62/5.0 |
| Cairns Coast | 134 | $4,726,699 | 1651 | 3.77/5.0 |
| The Boutique Collection | 74 | $3,247,511 | 1315 | 3.82/5.0 |
| Thomas | 40 | $2,547,489 | 863 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Shane | 13 | $639,156 | 1382 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Char | 11 | $454,769 | 470 | 4.74/5.0 |
| John | 3 | $401,406 | 122 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Northern Exposure Realty Palm | 17 | $390,476 | 263 | 3.25/5.0 |
| Fab Properties | 11 | $357,524 | 430 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Alison | 7 | $348,337 | 263 | 4.82/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Cairns Regional
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (93.6%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 92.9% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, unique stays, outdoor & mobile segments (7.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 829 properties in Cairns Regional shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 35.2% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 61.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (35.2%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.5%)
- Market concentration: 61.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 829 properties in Cairns Regional reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 29.3% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 52.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (29.3% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 52.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 829 properties in Cairns Regional, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (38% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (30.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (38%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (30.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 67.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 34.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
88 listings
11.9% of total
2 Nights
112 listings
15.1% of total
3 Nights
342 listings
46.2% of total
4-6 Nights
134 listings
18.1% of total
7-29 Nights
6 listings
0.8% of total
30+ Nights
58 listings
7.8% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 27.0%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 18.1% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (7.8%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 73.2% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
22 listings
3.1% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
2 listings
0.3% of total
Flexible
61 listings
8.6% of total
Moderate
159 listings
22.4% of total
Firm
311 listings
43.9% of total
Strict
154 listings
21.7% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 43.9% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 65.6% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.3% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 65.6% using Firm or Strict terms
- Strong market preference for Firm policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jul, Jun, Aug, averaging 110 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Jan, Feb, averaging 63 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 110 days, while Winter has the shortest at 65 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 110 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Cairns Regional
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Cairns Regional:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 73.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (8.2%) and United Kingdom (5.4%)
- English is the top language at 78.3%, followed by German (7.4%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Melbourne and Sydney markets
- Develop localized content for United States and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and German language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Cairns Regional. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Douglas | 639 | $2,989 | $330.62 | 41% |
| Douglas Shire | 160 | $2,738 | $285.58 | 43% |
| Tablelands Regional | 52 | $2,671 | $221.45 | 46% |
| Mission Beach | 59 | $2,628 | $256.45 | 40% |
| Cairns | 928 | $2,532 | $163.65 | 58% |
| Yungaburra | 53 | $2,219 | $178.56 | 44% |
| Mareeba Shire | 41 | $1,896 | $152.31 | 44% |
| South Mission Beach | 37 | $1,866 | $230.80 | 32% |
| Cooktown | 18 | $1,683 | $188.68 | 44% |
| Wonga Beach | 18 | $1,657 | $185.57 | 36% |
How is your STR performing?
Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Enjoy the best-in-class AI-powered analytics for free!
Discover Insights