2SER Breakfast

Just recently the Spanish court officially backed Barcelona’s plan to ban short term holiday apartment rentals by November 2028. This will impact tourists using platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com and Stayz.com to find apartment rentals when travelling in Spain.

This is Barcelona’s way of combatting the housing crisis in the city which has seen residents and workers prices out of the market in buying a home. It seems in Barcelona it’s mi casa es mi casa now, but they are not the only big city thinking this way.

Since Sepetmber 2023, in New York it’s illegal to rent out an apartment as a short-term rental, unless you’re registered within the city and you are present in the apartment when someone in staying. In 2014, Berlin banned Airbnbs and short-term rentals, then they brought them back in 2018 under tight restrictions.

Before Airbnb started it’s operation in 2007, hotels use to dominate the market and controlled the travel accommodation market. Since then short-term rentals became a cheaper alternative for tourists and Airbnb dominated that market with more than 50% of all online bookings made there.

Thinking about how this can change how we travel in Australia, let’s remove Airbnb is out of the picture and go through other types of interesting accommodation options if you’re travelling around the country:

Eco-resorts

For your next trip, think of going green. Why not think of putting your money into a business that supports sustainable travel. Sustainable, nature-based tourism and ecotourism are growing in demand with a few websites that give you a range of options, try the one below from Greengetaways.com.au.

Ikara Safari Camp, South Australia – Wilpena Pound Glamping

In the iconic Flinders Ranges, the Ikara Safari Camp is the perfect base to explore the area. You’ll be staying in a landscape 800 million years old, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be living like a dinosaur.

15 safari tents are equip with a king size bed, modern ensuite bathroom, luxury amenities, reverse cycle air-con, power and private deck and fire pit. All have amazing sunset views over Wilpena Pound and access to the Wilpena Pound Resort facilities – restaurants, bar, pool and general store.

There’s an onsite Visitors Information Centre offering guided walks, 4WD tours, bike hire and scenic flights over Wilpena Pound.

What makes Ikara environmental? All water in the resort is sourced for a local spring and treated onsite, making it a wholly self-sufficient system. To save water, only 3 minutes showers are encouraged. The resort is also powered by the largest off-grid solar electricity system in Australia.  

Lighthouse-living 

Lighting the way to obscure accommodations, lighthouses will give you the best ocean and night-sky views on the planet.

There are no lighthouses in Australia where you can stay in the lighthouse tower itself, but you can stay in the keepers’ cottage or buildings surrounding the tower.

 Lighthouses.org.au allows you can find all the lighthouse accommodation options in Australia, per state. This website isn’t a platform to book your accommodation, it’s more a database to find lighthouse accommodations and book via their individual websites.

Since the de-manning of Australian lighthouses in the 1990s, the control of lighthouse properties transferred to the state-based National Park, conservation agencies or private tourism companies. Many of them accessible to the public as a BnB or self-contained accommodation.

Norah Head Lighthouse, Central Coast

Head Lighthouse Keeper & Assistant Lighthouse Keeper cottages

The people at Reflections Holidays have taken over to provide either the Head Lighthouse Keeper’s and Assistant Lighthouse Keepers cottages to up to 9 guests.

Image from: Parkes Victoria

Wilsons Prom Lighthouse, VIC

If you’re looking to go on a trip that’s remote, then this is as remote as it gets. The Wilsons Prom Lighthouse stands at the most southern point of mainland Australia. It overlooks Bass Strait with Tasmania far, far away in the distance.

It’s only accessible on foot which should take you about half a days’ walk from the carpark. Accommodation is run by Parkes Victoria with 3 cottages available for individual and group bookings for 2-nights max.

Because it’s so remote the cottage has everything you need for self sustainable living, you just need to bring your food to cook. 

Train Carriages, Newcastle

Located in the Hunter Valley, Polkolbin, you can stay at The Station.

Involuntarily sleeping on a moving train may not be the most comfortable, however when a stationary historic 1890s train has been converted into modern luxe living, you’ll be travelling to Luxe Town, population? 2-10 people per accommodation.

The owners of The Station’s goal was a Bed & Breakfast, but instead they found this abandon train on a property and purchased it.

They have 4 rooms available, with more on the way. The Station has it’s own bar and area for events. They are looking to expand the accommodation to add a pool and more, so watch this space.