The Ultimate Renters Guide
Live like a local in five of Australia’s hottest holiday home destinations. Lisa McCormack shows you where
There’s just no place like home, right?
So when it comes to splashing your hard-earned cash on a holiday, you want to feel at home – free to come and go as you please, eat when it suits you and not have to worry about housekeeping dropping in unexpectedly. Which is why renting a holiday home has become an increasingly popular option for Aussies and overseas visitors.
It has also never been easier to organise, with dedicated holiday rental websites acting as one-stop shops, allowing you to search for your preferred destination and view the homes inside and out before you book.
Some websites act as a go-between, allowing you to examine a range of properties before being directed to the local realtor or owner-operator to make the booking (like realholidays.com.au),
while others allow you to complete the whole process with them (check out www.rent-a-home.com.au).
In many regions, the local visitor information centre or tourism association acts as a booking agent as well. A Google search of the region you wish to visit will usually lead you to these.
Finding a Holiday Home
You will encounter two main types of holiday home rentals in your search: self-contained homes and cottages which are accredited tourism operations (the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and Hobart in Tasmania in particular); and owners who let their homes but are managed by local real estate agents. This style of accommodation does not have the same strict regulations of tourist operations, but there are still checks and balances.
Rent-A-Home managing director Justin Butterworth says his company screens properties listed on the website to ensure they live up to what is promised. Once you find your dream holiday home, the process is the same for Australians and overseas visitors.
It is very important to ask about the terms and conditions of each property – some agents will charge a fee if you cancel after booking. Once you agree to the arrangement, you’ll need to supply payment (either a deposit of 10-50% or the full amount upfront), and hold onto the receipt.
Butterworth’s advice to anyone booking a holiday home online is easy: print out a copy of the booking confirmation and the property’s webpage, and take it with you when you go. For added security, get travel insurance.
The hardest part of renting a holiday home in Australia is deciding where to go, with endless options at, or within driving distance, of Tiger Airways airports. We did all the hard work for you and came up with five of the best spots:
1 Hunter Valley Wine Country, New South Wales
45-minute drive from Newcastle airport
The Lowdown
The main attraction in Hunter Valley is the grapes, with 120 wineries and cellar doors, ranging from household names like Wyndham Estate and Tyrrells, to family-run boutique operations.
Holiday homes include historic country homesteads, cosy cottages and beautiful log cabins. The township of Pokolbin is the hub of wine country and only a 10- to 15-minute drive away from hidden treasures like Lovedale, Broke, Mount View and Wollombi.
Why Rent Here
Holidaying in the Hunter Valley is all about relaxation and indulgence. You can wine and dine at award-winning restaurants or pick up a basket of gourmet goodies from farmers’ markets and cellar doors in the vicinity.
Take in the spectacular scenery during a sunrise hot air balloon ride or wander through the Hunter Valley Gardens. The breathtaking themed gardens have become one of the top tourist attractions in the region.
Best Time to Come
For couples who are seeking a romantic getaway, the 17-20 degree days and cool nights of winter are perfect for snuggling up in front of a fire with a glass of local red.
Or plan your stay around one of the major wine or music events that have put this area on the map – Hunter Semillon and Seafood (18-20 April, www.huntersemillonandseafood.com.au); Lovedale Long Lunch (17-18 May, www.lovedalelonglunch. com.au); and Jazz in the Vines (October 25, www.jazzinthevines.com.au).
Heads Up
Hunter Valley Wine Country doesn’t have a peak season like coastal areas, but because of its central location, weekends get seriously busy. Short-term holiday-makers can avoid the madding crowd by opting for a mid-week stay (Sunday to Thursday night) with the bonus of cheaper accommodation rates.
Price Range
Hunter Valley rentals are based on a per couple per night basis, with most homes able to accommodate three couples.
For a mid-week stay, rates range from AUD100-300 (SGD128-386) per couple per night. Weekend rates range from AUD300-600 (SGD386-771) per couple per night.
Book through the property directly or on the Hunter Valley Tourism website.
2 Yeppoon, Central Queensland
40-minute drive from Rockhampton
The Lowdown
Yeppoon is a popular holiday spot for southerners chasing the sun during Victoria’s winter months, and budget-conscious families. The summers are hot and the winters are mild, allowing water sports-lovers to indulge year-round.
There is a surf beach as well as a patrolled family-friendly beach, and unlike Far North Queensland, marine stingers are not prolific. You won’t have to search for long to find a secluded beach you can enjoy all on your own.
There is a wide variety of privately-owned holiday homes, but for the most part, the emphasis is on five-star location (think beachfront) rather than flashy swanky mansions.
Why Rent Here
The town has a village-feel, but boasts enough restaurants and pubs keep you entertained. Yeppoon is within access to Great Keppel Island and there are fantastic four-wheel-driving tracks.
Investors with some spare change would also do well to holiday here – the seaside town is currently riding the mining boom, with more than 18 apartment complex developments underway.
Best Time to Come
Holiday homes are at a premium at Christmas, so book early. You may want to also consider visiting during the cooler months; from May onwards, Central Queensland’s weather is mild and warm.
For family fun, time your visit to coincide with the Yeppoon Lions Tropical Pinefest (29 September to 1 October) or the Village Arts Festival (15-17 August).
Heads Up
You’re guaranteed to get a great latte in Yeppoon, but the Gold Coast it is not. If you can’t live without designer shops or wireless internet access, think twice.
Sally Major from Melbourne loves heading to Yeppoon to truly unwind. “I’m a workaholic so heading to north means I will really turn off for a bit!”
Price Range
Rentals are charged weekly on a peak/off-peak basis. Peak times are Christmas, Easter and school holidays. Prices range from AUD650-1,200 (SGD836-1,543) per week, while off-peak prices range from AUD350-800 (SGD450-1,029).
3 Sorrento, Victoria
An hour-and-a-half drive from Melbourne
The Lowdown
Aussie songstress Tina Arena wrote a song about the “Sorrento Moon” and A-list celebs from Australia and overseas sing its praises – just don’t ask who they are because local realtors aren’t telling!
Situated on a thin strip of the Mornington Peninsula, this trendy holiday hotspot faces Port Phillip Bay in the north and Bass Strait to the south. That means great surfing on one side of town and a tranquil bay for swimming on the other.
Why Rent Here
Glen Begley, owner of Beach House Rentals, says the standard of holiday homes in Sorrento is extremely high – you won’t get stuck with a shabby shack if booking over the phone or internet. Visitors can opt to park the car for a week or two and walk to centrally-located shops and restaurants, or venture a little further to experience nature’s beauty in Mornington Peninsular National Park.
Highlights include sampling the finest local produce (think melt-in-your-mouth cheese and succulent olives), visiting wineries, swimming with dolphins and seals, and admiring the historic limestone buildings.
Best Time to Come
Like many coastal areas, Sorrento buzzes during the summer with Aussie families getting away and international visitors eager to experience the surf! Celeb-spotting is easy during the warmer months.
Heads Up
Late January and February in Sorrento are near impossible – Christmas week is usually booked out by April, so plan early. The shops are full and parking can be a problem.
Price Range
Prices vary greatly depending on location, but hunt around and you can find a bargain. Peak rates (summer) range from AUD750-4,000 (SGD964-5,144) per week, while off-peak rates range from AUD375-2,000 (SGD482-2,572) per week. Some homes only charge peak rate, while others are available for weekend rentals.
4 Busselton, Western Australia
Three-hour drive from Perth
The Lowdown
Busselton is Western Australia’s hot spot for a relaxed family holiday. Located south of Perth in an area known as Geographe Bay, it makes a great base to explore the Margaret River Wine Region.
Why Rent Here
With its iconic two-kilometre long jetty and calm turquoise bays, Busselton is a water-lovers’ paradise. A 30km stretch of immaculate beaches beckon, where you can try fishing, water-skiing, snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing or sailing.
But you don’t have to get wet to go wild here – an Underwater Observatory at the jetty’s end will allow you to explore one of the country’s best artificial reefs in dry comfort.
Richard and Jeannette Hylard from Rockhampton choose to leave the “Sunshine State” and head to Busselton for holidays, where they can take a break from their routine.
“The water is so blue and the breaking waves are so white,” says Richard. “And they have the greatest pie shops!”
Best Time to Come
Western Australia is famous for its wildflowers, so holiday from September to November to see it at its best. If you love grapes, come in November for the Margaret River Wine Region Festival.
Heads Up
Book six months in advance if you want to ring in the New Year in Busselton. The crowds will be buzzing in the first week of January when the Southbound Festival draws about 20,000 music lovers to the region.
Price Range
During peak period (summer), it costs from AUD300 (SGD386) per night (minimum night stays apply). Off-peak and winter rates start from AUD200 (SGD257) per night.
5 Hobart, Tasmania
Australia’s second oldest city
The Lowdown
It’s hard to find anyone with a bad word to say about Hobart as a holiday destination. Tasmania’s capital, and Australia’s second oldest city, impresses every time: ancient heritage buildings, world-famous attractions, and fresh produce and wine at your doorstep.
Accommodation choices are varied, but for something truly unique and very local, check out historic cottages either in the city or a short drive away. For an impressive selection, look around the Battery Point, Rose Bay and Richmond areas – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Why Rent Here
The Salamanca Markets in Sullivans Cove are reason enough to travel to Hobart. Held every Saturday, you can buy anything from handmade toys and treasures to homegrown fruit and vegetables and get to chat with the friendly folk who handcrafted your purchase. For something a little more active, climb nearby Mount Wellington, visit the Wrest Point area or take a boat trip to the Cadbury factory at Claremont where it is easy to spend the whole afternoon!
Best Time to Come
December is a great time to be in Hobart when all eyes are on welcoming in the Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race contenders – just make sure you book well in advance. Peak holiday season extends from December right through to Easter, when most of the holiday crowd returns home.
Graham and Irene Crick from Brisbane head south for the summer. “We like the way of life in Hobart – the food, wine and above all the people,” says Graham. “One of the best times to travel is around the Christmas holiday period. The festival and party atmosphere is just great, with the ‘Tastes of Tasmania’ happening in the dock area.”
The festival showcases the best seafood (with particular emphasis on the world-famous Tasmanian salmon, crayfish and scallops), and of course, wine, cheese and the best raspberries and cream you’ll ever taste!
Heads Up
Once upon a time, you’d think twice before heading south for the winter, but visitor numbers to Hobart are on the up, with good reason: the clear, crisp days are ideal for nature walks and cosy nights cuddling by a log fire. But with temperatures ranging from 3 to 11 degrees Celsius, you would be wise to pack warm clothes and a rain jacket, even in the summertime.
Price Range
Self-contained cottages listed on the Bed and Breakfast and Boutique Accommodation of Tasmania’s website range from AUD120-250 (SGD150-314) per couple per night.
Find it Hunter Valley Busselton Yeppoon Sorrento Hobart |
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