Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Wānaka, Otago, New Zealand
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Wānaka? 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 Wānaka:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Wānaka?
The short-term rental market in Wānaka 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 $2,908 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,029 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $7,927+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,610
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Wānaka
The market in Wānaka 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 46% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 71% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 85%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 22%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Wānaka
Daily rates in Wānaka 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 $230 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $341 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $517+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $141
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Wānaka
Peak Season (August, March, February)
- Revenue peaks at $4910.13 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 57.18%
- Daily rates average $297.11
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3893.39 per month
- Occupancy maintains 46.86%
- Daily rates hold at $282.17
Low Season (November, May, October)
- Revenue drops to $2841.71 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 30.82%
- Daily rates adjust to $266.69
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Wānaka in 2025?
Yes! Wānaka demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 47% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3893 and As a mature market with 977 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 (spring breakers, nature enthusiasts, conference attendees, couples)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Wānaka
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Wānaka | A stunning glacial lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for outdoor activities and scenic views. It's a favorite spot for tourists seeking adventure and relaxation. | Lake Wānaka, Wānaka Tree, Mount Iron, Rippon Vineyard, Puzzling World, Warbirds & Wheels |
| Cardrona Valley | Known for its ski resort and breathtaking landscapes, this area attracts winter sports enthusiasts and hikers in summer. It's a great spot for year-round tourism. | Cardrona Alpine Resort, Cardrona Valley Road, Cardrona Hotel, Bicycle trails, Hiking tracks |
| Wānaka Town Center | The heart of Wānaka with restaurants, shops, and services. It's ideal for visitors who want local amenities and easy access to attractions. | Wānaka Farmers Market, Cinema Paradiso, Wānaka Golf Club, Wānaka Lavender Farm, Shopping precinct |
| Mount Aspiring National Park | A UNESCO World Heritage area offering stunning natural beauty and outdoor exploration. It attracts nature lovers and adventure seekers from around the world. | Mount Aspiring, Glacier Hiking, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Camping |
| Roys Peak | A popular hiking destination that offers breathtaking panoramic views of Wānaka and the surrounding region. It's a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. | Roys Peak Track, Scenic views, Photography hotspots |
| Glendhu Bay | A tranquil area with beautiful lakefront access, known for water sports and relaxing atmosphere. It attracts families and those looking to unwind. | Glendhu Bay Recreation Reserve, Water sports, Camping sites, Beach |
| Hawea | A less crowded alternative to Wānaka that offers lake access and stunning scenery. It's perfect for those who want to escape the tourist hustle. | Lake Hawea, Mountain biking, Walking tracks, Scenic views |
| Albert Town | A quaint outskirt of Wānaka, featuring a close-knit community vibe with easy access to both Wānaka and Hawea. Great for those seeking a quieter stay. | Albert Town River Track, Local cafes, Scenic beauty |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Wānaka?
We recommend checking directly with Wānaka'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 Wānaka
Lake Hawea View
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
HOT TUB 5 bedroom 3 bath house and studio
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Lookout Lodge, Ski and Rural Farm Experience
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Mountain view modern - large home w/ bar & hot tub
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
HOT TUB 4 bdr lake/town 5 min drive
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Spinnaker Marina Apartment 5
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Wānaka
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanaka Holiday Homes | 57 | $2,779,119 | 1700 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Wanaka Selection | 46 | $1,605,154 | 477 | 3.85/5.0 |
| Bcr Property | 31 | $1,340,230 | 314 | 4.14/5.0 |
| Kim | 29 | $1,297,095 | 484 | 4.21/5.0 |
| Justine | 8 | $950,615 | 1061 | 4.18/5.0 |
| Sally | 8 | $765,328 | 367 | 4.34/5.0 |
| Release | 17 | $549,178 | 61 | 2.62/5.0 |
| HomeBase | 8 | $533,193 | 150 | 4.28/5.0 |
| Bachcare | 41 | $502,077 | 230 | 3.57/5.0 |
| Adrien | 12 | $491,287 | 806 | 4.85/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Wānaka
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 (92%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 81.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile segments (0.9% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 977 properties in Wānaka shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 26.4% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 49.4% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (26.4%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.9%)
- Market concentration: 49.4% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 977 properties in Wānaka reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 27.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.1 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 48.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (27.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (2.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 48.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 977 properties in Wānaka, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (35.1% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (31.6% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (35.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (31.6%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 66.2%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 34.9%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
170 listings
19.1% of total
2 Nights
272 listings
30.6% of total
3 Nights
155 listings
17.4% of total
4-6 Nights
142 listings
16% of total
7-29 Nights
14 listings
1.6% of total
30+ Nights
137 listings
15.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 49.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 16% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (15.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 67.1% 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 60 Days
9 listings
1.1% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
70 listings
8.3% of total
Flexible
61 listings
7.2% of total
Moderate
207 listings
24.4% of total
Firm
311 listings
36.7% of total
Strict
190 listings
22.4% of total
Key Insights
- Firm is the preferred policy at 36.7% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (31.6%) and strict (59.1%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Firm policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 1.1% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Firm policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Dec, Mar, Jan, averaging 97 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Jun, May, averaging 64 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 90 days, while Fall has the shortest at 71 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 90 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-May when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Wānaka
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Wānaka:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 27.1% of total guests, indicating a moderate local market presence.
- Primary international markets: Australia (32%) and United States (19.2%)
- English is the top language at 69.4%, followed by Chinese (15%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.3%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Auckland and Christchurch markets
- Develop localized content for Australia and United States
- Prioritize English and Chinese 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 Wānaka. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queenstown | 1,994 | $5,078 | $348.05 | 56% |
| Ben Ohau | 11 | $4,889 | $201.63 | 72% |
| Speargrass Flat | 10 | $4,727 | $517.34 | 52% |
| Lake Tekapo | 359 | $4,553 | $254.33 | 61% |
| Dalefield | 11 | $4,377 | $416.74 | 47% |
| Queenstown | 17 | $4,198 | $395.37 | 46% |
| Lake Ōhau | 10 | $3,738 | $233.16 | 52% |
| Franz Josef Glacier | 25 | $3,542 | $178.86 | 66% |
| Arrow Junction | 17 | $3,299 | $389.14 | 52% |
| Kawarau Falls | 20 | $3,135 | $403.68 | 45% |
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