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Whether it’s a farmhouse, yurt or tiny home, new research from Airbnb shows guests are craving unique getaways like never before, with unique home searches nearly doubling (up 94 percent*) since the start of the pandemic.One third of Australia’s 100 most wishlisted listings on Airbnb are unique stays (including a tram and a treehouse), with Australian Hosts of unique homes earning AUD $12.5 million since March, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Globally, Hosts of unique stays have earned AUD $395 million in that time period.

Internal Airbnb data shows demand for unique and quirky listings is only gathering pace. In the first three months of 2021, searches by Aussies for yurts increased by 80 percent (compared to the last three months of 2020). Demand for tiny homes increased by 76 percent, while interest in farm stays is also booming with searches up by 66 percent**.

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said with so much enthusiasm for unique and quirky homes, there’s never been a better time to host on Airbnb.

“More than ever, Aussies are looking at their accommodation itself as the destination – and that means homes that are a fun, quirky adventure in their own right. The sky’s really the limit when it comes to the types of spaces people can list on Airbnb. Whether it’s an earthouse, treehouse or teepee, guests are craving unique experiences that take them away from the everyday and put nature on their doorstep.

“It’s easy to become a Host on Airbnb – in fact, we recently announced a new, simplified process for becoming a Host in just 10 easy steps. You’re in full control of your availability, prices, house rules, and how you interact with guests and each and every reservation is covered for free by our Million Dollar Host Guarantee and our Host Protection Insurance.”

Tasmanian travel writer and unique stay Host Alice Hansen, says listing her tiny cabin ‘The Pod’ in Lewisham, Tasmania, allows her to share the pristine patch she calls home with others.

“Hosting on Airbnb has been a beautiful balance. By opening up my home to guests I’m able to have the freedom to do more travel writing, but then when I want to return home I simply block out the calendar.

“The feedback I receive from guests is overwhelmingly positive. They particularly love bathing under the stars in the Huon pine bath, the one-off fireplace and floor to ceiling views that let Tasmania do the talking. Hosting also allows me to really showcase the best of the local community – I have an honesty shelf with locally sourced products, so if guests fall in love with something they can take it home. Plus all the key features such as the handmade basin and
bespoke Hydrowood timber couch are the work of local craftspeople, so I like to think of my home as a love letter to this part of Tassie”

*Figure based on Airbnb data from March, 2020 to April 30, 2021

**Figures based on Airbnb search data of Australian guests searching Australian listings, comparing searches for three months between Oct – Dec 2020 to Jan- March 2021

Most Wishlisted Unique Airbnb listings in Australia:
1. The Pod, Lewisham, TAS
2. Alkira Eco-Glamping Hut, Emerald, VIC
3. Apple Orchard Farm Stay, Blackheath, NSW
4. Little Red Barn, Doonan, QLD
5. Ryan’s Rest Tiny House, Pemberton, WA
6. The Cube, Murray River, SA
7. Bruny Island Hideaway, Bruny Island, TAS
8. Retro Tram and Cottage, Lauriston, VIC
9. Treehouse, Blue Mountains, NSW
10. Clouds Safari, Beechmont, QLD