As we enjoy the break between Christmas and New Year, and the January school holidays ahead, we take a look at favourite holiday places around Australia and compare the cost of renting for a week or what it takes to be a landlady earning money from renting out your holiday home at peak periods. We start with Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia. Later in the week, we'll continue with NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
Binalong Bay
White beaches, lichen red rocks and pristine aqua ocean, Binalong Bay forms the southern end of the beautiful Bay of Fires in north eastern Tasmania. The nearest big town is St Helens (population 2000) about 10 kilometres inland on Georges River with basic amenities such as two supermarkets, a smattering of coffee shops, some restaurants and great fresh seafood if you want to cook for yourself. Binalong Bay is really for those wanting a home-away-from-home and is the type of beach life holiday that is part of the 'Australian story'. It's a place to go to relax, kayak, swim and walk along the beach. A 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom double storey home with water views is for sale for $625,000. A house across the road rents all year round for $265 per night for a couple up to $445 per night for 6 people.
Coolum Beach
Part of the long stretch of the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane, Coolum Beach is quieter than Caloundra and Mooloolaba as well as quieter and far less expensive than Noosa which is just 20 minutes drive north. Home to spectacular golf courses - including the venue for the 2011 Australian PGA - and wide, sandy beaches, Coolum Beach has so far retained the ambience of a friendly, relaxed village lifestyle while offering a variety of accommodation options. A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in a resort style managed complex across the road from the patrolled Coolum Beach is a relative bargain to purchase at $465,000 or you can stay in a similar apartment in the same complex for $450 per night for five nights or more.
Maslin Beach
Can't make up your mind whether you'd prefer to holiday amongst the vineyards or on the beach? Then Maslin Beach (and surrounding beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide) could be the answer. Maslin Beach is a short drive to the delights of McLaren Vale and its many wineries as well as the foodie town of Willunga and is one of a stretch of long, white beaches. A 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa with beach views and an outdoor shower - to rinse off the sand - costs $1,900 per week during the Christmas/January high season, while a nearby 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home is for sale at a cool $925,000.
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