Staycation surge: Why the classic Aussie road trip is making a comeback

Will and Jess Turnbull of Bribie Island, at the swim-up bar at Big4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort. Picture: Liam Kidston

The classic Aussie summer road trip is making a comeback, with rising living costs driving budget-conscious families to choose Queensland staycations as their holiday of choice.

Trending Queensland destinations such as Sandstone Point, Broadbeach, and Alexandra Headland gave families a chance to explore the Sunshine State without breaking the bank, according to latest data by Airbnb.

Bookings on the global short-term accommodation platform revealed a surge in demand for beloved destinations like the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, where affordable stays and self-catering options helped families save money.

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A popular Burleigh Heads holiday apartment on the Gold Coast

The two Queensland tourism hotspots were among the nation’s top five locations with the biggest increase in popularity in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Melbourne, Sydney and Perth also made the cut.

Airbnb Country Manager Susan Wheeldon said the cost-of-living crunch had prompted many families to rethink their holiday plans, swapping costly overseas trips for local adventures.

Aussies were embracing a return to simpler, more affordable holiday traditions rather than forgoing time away together, with Queensland regions topping this year’s bucket list.

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Tracey and Adrian from the Private Lakeside Studio Airbnb on the Sunshine Coast.

“We know affordability is top of mind due to the rising cost of living,” Ms Wheeldon said.

“Destinations such as Queensland’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are proving popular because they offer plenty of opportunities to explore with pristine beaches, national parks, and golf courses nearby.”

Meanwhile, the top five booked categories this summer by Australian guests were Golfing, Beach, Amazing pools, National parks and Top cities.

Ms Wheeldon said properties which allowed guests to save on dining out and extra costs during their stay were also highly sought after.

Top-searched amenities included pools, airconditioning, free parking, Wi-Fi, and kitchens.

Aaron and Sarah Waters, pictured with children Brax, Frankie and Chilli at their Bilinga holiday rental property. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Gold Coast couple Sarah and Aaron Waters converted a 1960s building into two spacious self-contained holiday apartments known as The Villas by Bilinga Beach Abodes.

With total capacity to sleep 12, the property is ideal for families and larger groups looking to split costs, while the Villas’ retro-inspired design with pops of pastel colour created, “the perfect holiday destination”, Ms Waters said.

“We had a few quieter months through July to September, but it has picked up leading into summer.

“There are definitely more last-minute bookings and shorter stays compared to last year.”

She said two or three-night stays had become more common, compared to periods of up to two or three weeks in 2023.

The villas have a plunge pool. Picture: Glenn Campbell

While the cafe next door was popular with guests, Ms Waters said each villa had a fully equipped kitchen, ideal for families on a budget.

“It means that you don’t have to go out to dinner every night, and all the fun colours we’ve used make it a unique and different dining experience than you’d have at home.

The Villas rented for $700 a night, with some vacancy still available in January.

Sandstone Point Holiday Resort general manager Julie Daniel said Queensland travellers accounted for 66 per cent of guests to the trending Moreton Bay destination, though the addition of unique overwater villas at the property had attracted more interstate and overseas visitors.

Sandstone Point’s overwater villas have attracted more interstate visitors

“Despite broader cost-of-living challenges, our number of guests is at an all-time high,” Ms Daniel said.

“We’ve noticed a trend toward shared stays, with larger groups occupying single sites or villas, and guests bringing friends of extended family to share accommodation costs.”

While repeat visitors make up a large portion of bookings, the holiday park has noticed an uptick in new guests, with families often holding out for deals to book their getaway.

For those planning last-minute getaways, Ms Wheeldon advised broadening their search beyond major tourist hubs to uncover hidden gems nearby.

Families are waiting for deals to book their holidays. Pictured at Sandstone Point Holiday Resort: Zahli, Sarah, Jett, Matt and Harper Perry

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“While it’s always best to book early to avoid disappointment around Christmas and the summer school holidays, if you haven’t found time to book yet there is still value to be found,” she said.

“If you’re booking at the last minute, widen your Airbnb search to include regions or areas rather than specific locations.

“The clickable map can help you find suburbs a short drive away from popular areas you may have never heard of before.”