Australia’s top 10 most expensive Airbnbs: Inside properties owned by Richard Branson, Finder founder and property moguls

Amazing Australian properties owned by the likes of Richard Branson, tech billionaires and property moguls are among the most expensive short-stay homes in the country.

The nation’s priciest Airbnb houses have been revealed in a new report by SMoney, showing cashed-up jetsetters are willing to spend nearly $25,000 per night for luxury.

As Australia is in a midst of a housing crisis and rental affordability woes, the top end of the market appears to be thriving.

Australia’s domestic tourism sector has bounced back strongly post-Covid, with an increase in spend across all states and territories. Holiday spend increased by 57 per cent (or $5.9 billion) over the September 2022 quarter compared to the September quarter 2019, according to realestate.com.au.

Of the top 10 most expensive properties, four are located in NSW, three in Victoria, and three in Queensland.

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This South Coogee property is Australia’s most expensive Airbnb home right now. Picture: Supplied/Airbnb/SMoney

The jaw-dropping ‘Crypto Castle’ in South Coogee tops the list, which was purchased by co-founder and CEO of the comparison website, Finder Fred Schebesta for $16.85m.

The 39-year-old, who went from working in a Pizza Hut call centre as a university student to running a business employing 450 staff in 80 countries, now has a net worth of $214m.

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The house has knockout views. Picture: John Appleyard

Located right on the cliff next to the beach, the castle has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, incredible views, an infinity pool, sandstone battlements, a gym, rooftop terrace, a wine cellar., and a chef-grade’s kitchen with Gaggenau appliances.

For those with a desire to go all out and book an entire body of land, and island in Noosa made number two on the nation’s list, with a minimum three-night stay that will set visitors back a whopping $75,000 minimum.

Makepeace Island in Noosa was developed as a private retreat for family and friends of the owners, Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Australia co-founder Brett Godfrey.

The sustainable property features some baller inclusions — like meals prepped by a multi-award-winning chef, access to the 500,000L pool, a 15-person spa, a tennis court, a gym, walking trails, and paddle boards and kayaks.

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Inside the luxury private retreat in Noosa.

Founder of luxury rental listing business Luxico Alex Ormond said there are plenty of these high-end and high-priced homes available for those with very deep pockets.

“In addition to the listed homes, we have a number of properties that are not advertised but that are made available to celebrity and VIP guests from time to time,” Ms Ormond told realestate.com.au.

“The highest nightly rate paid by one of our guests is $30,000 per night.”

Victoria’s highest-placed property on the list is a villa located in St Kilda West, that was recently sold by real estate guru Anthony Catalano.

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Victoria’s most expensive Airbnb was recently sold by Anthony Catalano.

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The pool and back yard of the St Kilda West home.

The former Domain boss is believed to have tripled his money on the St Kilda West mansion, after purchasing it for $4.6m in 2011.

Kay & Burton executive director Scott Patterson told the Herald Sun that the St Kilda West house was “one of the best homes in the area”.

“With a rooftop terrace that looks over the beach and the Catani Gardens, it’s in a pretty spectacular position,” Mr Patterson said.

“And the house itself was faultless.”

Behind a vine-covered facade, the ritzy eight-bedroom pad features a number of luxury fittings, including a gym, lift and seven bathrooms.

Hayley Lewis, the millionaire daughter of Computershare founder Chris Morris, is believed to be the buyer, who has wasted little time listing the home on Airbnb – which will set visitors back just over $11,800 per night.

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Most expensive AirBnB’s in Australia revealed. Picture: Supplied/Airbnb/SMoney

Article source: Queensland Property Investor