It’s the question every Gold Coast property owner eventually asks.

Short-stay or long-term rental — which makes more?

The honest answer depends on your property, your suburb, and how well it’s managed.

The Numbers

A well-managed two-bedroom apartment in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach can generate $65,000 to $90,000 gross per year on the short-stay market.

The same property on a long-term lease typically returns $28,000 to $40,000 per year.

That’s a significant gap — but gross revenue isn’t the full picture.

What Short-Stay Costs You

Short-stay involves higher operating costs:

•management fees

•cleaning between every booking

•consumables and linen

•maintenance and presentation upkeep

•platform fees

After costs, net short-stay returns typically still outperform long-term rental by 30 to 50 percent in high-demand Gold Coast suburbs.

What Long-Term Rental Gives You

Predictability.

Fixed monthly income, lower management involvement, and fewer operational variables.

For owners who want simplicity over maximising returns, long-term has merit.

The Deciding Factors

•suburb demand — high tourism areas favour short-stay

•property presentation — short-stay rewards quality fit-outs

•owner involvement preference — short-stay requires professional management

•body corporate rules — always check before deciding

In most Gold Coast holiday suburbs, a professionally managed short-stay property outperforms long-term rental.

The key word is professionally managed.

Want to Know What Your Property Could Earn?

0413 522 111

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