A recent industry survey from Finder revealed that most economists (87%) expect Australia’s borders to remain closed for 2020, a situation that is set to fuel demand for local short-term rental accommodation. 

“Short-term holiday rental markets have been impacted right around Australia by business closures and social distancing restrictions that have thankfully worked,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne. 

“While our short-term holiday businesses on the Gold Coast in Queensland, the Far North Coast, Central Coast and South Coasts in NSW have been affected by restrictions since Easter, many are already seeing enquiries for the September school holidays beginning to ramp up.”

Gold Coast’s pleasant environment set to lure visitors back for school holiday breaks

On the Gold Coast, Clark Brackenridge, Principal of Raine & Horne Surfers Paradise, says holiday booking restrictions end on 12 June 2020. “We expect that our holiday market will bounce back after that date, but it will take time,” Mr Brackenridge said.

“There is a possibility those travellers forced to postpone overseas trips in the July school holidays and are able to travel to Surfers Paradise restrictions permitting could create some letting activity.”

Mr Brackenridge added, “We always attract plenty of New Zealander holidaymakers in winter so any opening of the Trans-Tasman border in July would help our holiday bookings too.

“With plenty of sunny days, water temperatures above 21.7°C, combined with tariffs reflecting the changing environment, the Gold Coast is a worthy winter escape, although we expect more activity for the spring break starting in late September.” 

Further south, Denise Quick, Principal of Raine & Horne Yamba said the Easter market was non-existent in the picturesque. northern NSW holiday hamlet of Yamba.

“We have given holiday makers credits for those times and most have indicated they are determined to take a vacation here as soon as they can, and perhaps even as soon as winter,” Ms Quick said.

“With international borders closed for the foreseeable future, it’s fait to expect holidaymakers who might usually prefer an overseas to escape our colder months will visit Yamba once restrictions lift.”

Best coastal town in Australia set to bounce back

Further south, Denise Quick, Principal of Raine & Horne Yamba said the Easter holiday market was non-existent in the picturesque. northern NSW holiday hamlet of Yamba.

“We have given holiday makers credits for those times and most have indicated they are determined to take a vacation here as soon as they can, and perhaps even as soon as winter,” Ms Quick said.

“With international borders closed for the foreseeable future, it’s fair to expect holidaymakers who might usually prefer an overseas to escape our colder months will visit Yamba once restrictions lift.”

One of Australia’s favourite holiday escapes, Yamba has been declared by CSIRO and Stanford University as having the best climate in the world[i]. Also, Australian Traveller has rated Yamba as Australia’s number one town[ii]. “That’s quite a resume for a town with a population of less than 7,000 people,” said Ms Quick.

If restrictions lift by the September school holidays, a minimum one week stay in a two-three bedroom apartment in Yamba with ocean views will cost $1,050, according to Ms Quick.

“I’m positive that our holiday market will bounce back and we’re using this period to update our marketing inventory for all our holiday rentals including making new promotional videos.”

Central Coast could enjoy double summer holiday demand

Deputy President of Real Estate Institute of NSW Vice Brett Hunter, and Principal of Raine & Horne Terrigal said traditional Aussie holiday destinations will benefit from some industry predictions that international travel won’t return to normal until 2023[iii].

“By the September school holidays there will be plenty of pent up demand for people to take a break, and with international travel off the menu,  Aussie holiday hotspots such as Terrigal and Avoca Beach will enjoy plenty of bookings,” said Mr Hunter.

“Around 30% of our landlords have put their holiday homes into the longer-term rental market but only for six months to see our regular holiday stock ready to go for late September.

“We expect that the pent-up vacation demand could even result in Terrigal, Avoca and McMasters Beach enjoying two summer holiday seasons this year, which will ease some of the financial challenges since Easter for our owners as well as local restaurants, cafes and bars.”

Bushfires and other restrictions won’t stop South Coast holidaymakers

On the NSW South Coast, Tony Hopper, Co-Principal of Raine & Horne Mollymook/Milton says holiday markets in his region have been dealt the double whammy by the summer bushfires followed by COVID-19 in the autumn that impacted the Christmas and Easter holidays.

“Some of our owners shifted their properties to the permanent rental market after the bushfires, which has reduced the stock of holiday rentals,” said Mr Hopper.

“When the interstate and intrastate travel restrictions are lifted, we will potentially see a surge in demand for holiday rentals in Mollymook, Milton, Ulladulla and Conjola and I wouldn’t be surprised if we are booked solid for September, which would be better than normal.

“If restrictions lift faster, we might even see some activity for the July school holidays, especially if the ski fields are restricted.”

[i] https://yambansw.com.au/about-yamba/yamba-facts/

[ii] https://www.australiantraveller.com/100-best-towns-in-australia/#module-1

[iii] https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/coronavirus-australia-live-updates/live-coverage/09f8ee7d306d3800c277bb0c8aa858db