Stunning Three Bedroom Ocean Front Apartment Private room · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.43 - Revenue
- A$86,722
- Occupancy
- 47.8%
- Daily rate
- A$595
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to October 2026
The average Airbnb in Nelly Bay brought in A$24,559 over the 12 months through October 2026, about 53% less than the Queensland average of A$51,864.
The short answer
Rates and bookings both trail the Queensland average. Listings averaged A$306 a night and were booked on 27% of available nights, against A$405 and 46% for the Queensland average.
Timing matters: in July, the best month, the average listing earned about 3.9 times as much as in February, the slowest.
With 65 active listings, Nelly Bay is the 53rd-largest of 145 Queensland markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Nelly Bay Airbnb market See Every Nelly Bay ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Nelly Bay listing averaged A$24,559 over the 12 months to October 2026 (Queensland average: A$51,864), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
The average Nelly Bay listing brought in A$7,110 in July, its best month, and A$1,840 in February, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 42% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 3.5 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
July earned about 3.9 times what February did
Average revenue per active listing, by month, October 2025 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, A$3,320.
Latest 12 months in the October 2026 data. October's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to September.
July 2026 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in September 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | A$2,987 | 24.0% | A$297 | A$96 | 34 days | 2.4 nights |
| Nov 2025 | A$2,951 | 20.0% | A$291 | A$98 | 48 days | 1.8 nights |
| Dec 2025 | A$3,268 | 34.1% | A$294 | A$105 | 13 days | 3 nights |
| Jan 2026 | A$2,397 | 25.4% | A$277 | A$77 | 27 days | 2.7 nights |
| Feb 2026 | A$1,843 | 22.7% | A$261 | A$66 | 37 days | 2.5 nights |
| Mar 2026 | A$2,088 | 24.8% | A$269 | A$67 | 49 days | 3.9 nights |
| Apr 2026 | A$2,594 | 24.7% | A$336 | A$86 | 71 days | 2.7 nights |
| May 2026 | A$2,486 | 24.7% | A$332 | A$80 | 72 days | 2.9 nights |
| Jun 2026 | A$2,471 | 19.5% | A$323 | A$82 | 53 days | 3.5 nights |
| Jul 2026 | A$7,111 | 52.5% | A$332 | A$229 | 73 days | 4 nights |
| Aug 2026 | A$4,309 | 38.3% | A$330 | A$139 | 93 days | 3.5 nights |
| Sep 2026 | A$5,369 | 41.6% | A$349 | A$179 | 76 days | 2.6 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
The typical Nelly Bay listing earns about A$2,340 a month, but one property can land well above or below that. The Airbnb income calculator gives a range for a specific address, built from the comparable listings around it.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Nelly Bay Airbnb took in A$24,559 in the 12 months to October 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about A$1,400 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about A$2,610 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the A$1,090 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about A$1,490 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about A$1,210 a month.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | A$23,469 | A$43,170 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay4% of Nelly Bay bookings | A$1,090 | A$2,010 |
| Gross bookings | A$24,559 | A$45,180 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 16%: 15.5% for the 100% of Nelly Bay listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −A$3,810 | −A$7,000 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; A$0 if you clean yourself | −A$1,090 | −A$2,010 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −A$1,230 | −A$2,260 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −A$490 | −A$900 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −A$740 | −A$1,360 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −A$250 | −A$250 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −A$120 | −A$120 |
| ManagementA$0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | A$0 | A$0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | A$0 | A$0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | A$0 | A$0 |
| Total running costsAbout 27% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −A$7,730 | −A$13,900 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | A$16,829about A$1,400 a month | A$31,280about A$2,610 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Nelly Bay's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Nelly Bay home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about A$3,770 a month, against A$2,050 for the average one.
Occupancy
Nelly Bay listings were booked on 27% of the nights they were open over the past year, 19 percentage points below the Queensland average (46%) and 16 points below the Australia average (43%). Occupancy swings from 19% in June to 52% in July.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 3.8 times as often as the bottom quarter.
July was the busiest month in Nelly Bay, June the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, October 2025 to September 2026
The 12-month rate of 27% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Nelly Bay, known as ADR (average daily rate), was A$306 over the past year, about 24% below the Queensland and Australia averages (both about A$405). Rates peak in September at about A$350 and bottom out in February at about A$260.
The top 10% charge about 2.5 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
September rates ran 34% above February's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, October 2025 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, A$308.
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Nelly Bay it averaged A$91 over the past year, from about A$66 in February to about A$229 in July.
A small group of listings earns several times more per open night than the rest.
July RevPAR was about 3.5 times February's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, October 2025 to September 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, A$109. The 12-month RevPAR of A$91 averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Seasonality
Nelly Bay has one high season, July through September, which makes it a highly seasonal market. Business is slowest from January to June and slows again in October and November.
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonJuly–September | A$5,600 | 44% | A$337 |
| Shoulder seasonDecember | A$3,270 | 34% | A$294 |
| Low seasonJanuary–June, October–November | A$2,480 | 23% | A$298 |
Guests book Nelly Bay stays 57 days ahead on average (about eight weeks). August stays are booked furthest out, about 93 days ahead, and December stays closest to arrival, about 13 days. A typical August booking is made in mid-May.
August stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, October 2025 to September 2026
The 12-month figure of 57 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 65 active listings in Nelly Bay display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Nelly Bay.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks eight Nelly Bay neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Nelly Bay Beach, Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal and Arcadia. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Nelly Bay Beach | Nelly Bay Beach is a beautiful and tranquil spot known for its stunning views and relaxing atmosphere. Ideal for families and couples seeking a peaceful seaside escape with activities like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. | Nelly Bay Beach, Magnetic Island National Park, Hawkings Point Lookout, local cafes and restaurants, kayaking and snorkeling tours |
| Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal | The ferry terminal is a gateway to Magnetic Island and attracts tourists arriving from Townsville. It's a busy area with foot traffic, making it a prime spot for Airbnb rentals. | Ferry rides to and from Townsville, Tourist information centre, Cafes and shops nearby, Outdoor activity rentals |
| Arcadia | A charming area with beach access and close proximity to local amenities. It’s perfect for tourists looking for a cozy escape while being near natural attractions. | Arthur Bay, Nudey Beach, local art galleries, walking trails, restaurants and beach bars |
| Gorge Walk | A scenic walking path that connects various attractions on the island, making it popular among hikers and nature lovers. Offers stunning views and access to wildlife. | Gorge Walk, wildlife spotting, great for photography, proximity to beach areas |
| Picnic Bay | Known for its picturesque bay and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for families and travelers seeking a laid-back beach experience. Close to local dining and leisure activities. | Picnic Bay Beach, Picnic Bay Jetty, casual dining options, snorkeling spots, sunset views |
| Horseshoe Bay | A favorite for water sports and beach activities, this vibrant area attracts adventure seekers and families alike, offering a lively beach scene. | Horseshoe Bay Beach, water sports rentals, local markets, family-friendly parks, café and dining options |
| Nelly Bay CBD | The central business district of Nelly Bay with shops, restaurants, and services, making it a convenient location for tourists looking to stay near local conveniences. | supermarkets, restaurants, gift shops, public transport access, close to ferry terminal |
| Sandy Bay | A quieter, more secluded beach area that offers a peaceful retreat and caters to guests looking for a serene escape with beautiful views. | Sandy Bay Beach, nature trails, swimming spots, picnic areas, birdwatching opportunities |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 68% of listings in Nelly Bay, but private rooms are a real segment: about one listing in three (32%) rents out a single room. Apartments and condos account for 92% of the stock; houses come next at 8%.
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Nelly Bay Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 67.7% | 44 |
| Private room | 32.3% | 21 |
Apartments dominate the property mix
Nelly Bay Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment/Condo | 92.3% | 60 |
| House | 7.7% | 5 |
Nelly Bay's homes run small: studios and one-bedrooms make up 82% of entire homes, and only 11% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Shares are of the 44 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Nelly Bay entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 61.4% | 27 |
| 1 bedroom | 20.5% | 9 |
| 2 bedrooms | 6.8% | 3 |
| 3 bedrooms | 6.8% | 3 |
| 4 bedrooms | 2.3% | 1 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 2.3% | 1 |
Most Nelly Bay listings are sized for couples and small families: 67% sleep four guests or fewer, and just 4% take eight or more. Shares are of the 54 listings with a guest capacity on file (83% of the market).
Nelly Bay listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | 38.9% | 21 |
| 3 guests | 24.1% | 13 |
| 4 guests | 3.7% | 2 |
| 5 guests | 16.7% | 9 |
| 6 guests | 7.4% | 4 |
| 7 guests | 5.6% | 3 |
| 8+ guests | 3.7% | 2 |
Nelly Bay hosts set up an average of 2.2 beds per listing. Only 8% of listings show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Pools are close to standard in Nelly Bay: 86% of listings have one, and 91% have a washer.
Share of Nelly Bay listings with each common amenity
Guests
Most Nelly Bay guests are domestic, but a sizeable minority come from abroad: 30% of those who left reviews live outside Australia, led by visitors from France and the Netherlands. Guests speak a mix of languages: English leads at 53%, followed by French and Spanish.
70% of Nelly Bay guests are domestic
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Nelly Bay guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Townsville City | 5.6% |
| Townsville | 4.2% |
| Brisbane | 4.2% |
| Melbourne | 3.5% |
Where Nelly Bay guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Australia | 70.1% |
| France | 4.9% |
| Netherlands | 4.9% |
| Germany | 4.9% |
| United States | 3.5% |
Languages spoken by Nelly Bay guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 52.9% |
| French | 14.3% |
| Spanish | 11.4% |
| German | 5.7% |
| Italian | 4.3% |
Nelly Bay Airbnbs average 4.63 stars, and 3% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. Guests are toughest on cleanliness: it scores 4.57, against 4.80 for location. Review histories are short, about 9 per listing, so a few stays can move a listing's score.
Location scores highest in Nelly Bay; cleanliness is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.63 |
| Cleanliness | 4.57 |
| Communication | 4.73 |
| Location | 4.80 |
| Check-in | 4.78 |
| Value | 4.58 |
Booking patterns
Nearly all Nelly Bay listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 2% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 31 to 90 days a year, covering 63% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Nelly Bay listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 73.8% | 48 |
| 181-270 days | 24.6% | 16 |
| 91-180 days | 1.5% | 1 |
Days a year Nelly Bay listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 1.5% | 1 |
| 91-180 days | 27.7% | 18 |
| 31-90 days | 63.1% | 41 |
| 1-30 days | 7.7% | 5 |
The average Nelly Bay booking lasts 3.2 nights, longest in July and shortest in November. Listings took about 18 bookings each over the year, some 1,160 in all. More than eight in ten listings that give a check-in time set it at 2 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Nelly Bay
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
More than eight in ten listings in Nelly Bay accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Nelly Bay listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Flexible is the most common cancellation policy in Nelly Bay, used by 80% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: 85% of listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 14% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Nelly Bay listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
About four in ten Nelly Bay listings charge a cleaning fee. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 4% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Nelly Bay, a private room, took in A$86,700 over the past year, about 3.5 times the city's average of A$24,600.
Stunning Three Bedroom Ocean Front Apartment Private room · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.43
Casa del Sol Entire home · 5 bedrooms
Double Absolute Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.89
Cooinda Nelly Bay Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.79
Magnetic Island The Reel Island Retreat Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.95
Stunning Three Bedroom Ocean View Apartment Private room Rated 5.00 Only 5% of Nelly Bay listings are classed as professionally managed. Only 6% of listings are run by Superhosts. Six in ten listings accept Instant Book, so most stays are confirmed without the host's approval.
Nearby markets
Of the two nearby markets in the table, all within 12 km, North Ward (11 km away, 55 listings) earned the most per listing, about 65% more than Nelly Bay.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Ward 11 km | 55 | A$40,535 | A$329 | 50% |
| Townsville 12 km | 351 | A$34,839 | A$306 | 44% |
See all 145 Queensland Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in Australia with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Nelly Bay:
FAQ
An active Nelly Bay Airbnb grossed A$24,559 on average in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 65 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in A$4,310 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Nelly Bay listings earn between A$1,200 and A$4,310 in a typical month, and the top tenth A$7,590 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Nelly Bay were booked on 27% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 46% for the Queensland average. July was the busiest month.
The average booked night in Nelly Bay cost A$306 before fees. Half of listings charge between A$200 and A$390, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Nelly Bay listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Nelly Bay Airbnb grossed A$24,559 in the 12 months to October 2026, 53% below the Queensland average of A$51,864. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, A$16,829 a year (about A$1,400 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about A$2,610 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
July paid best over the past year, at A$7,110 per active listing, and February paid least. The month-by-month table above shows how rates and bookings each move.
Each night a Nelly Bay listing was open to book earned A$91 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made A$196 or more.
Nelly Bay stays were booked 57 days (about eight weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Nelly Bay Airbnb stay lasted 3.2 nights over the past year. A listing took 18 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Nelly Bay Airbnbs 4.63 out of 5 on average. Guests score location highest and cleanliness lowest.
Nelly Bay Beach, Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal and Arcadia draw the most short-term rental interest in Nelly Bay. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 65 active Airbnb listings in Nelly Bay as of October 2026. The closest tracked market is North Ward, 11 km away.
In Nelly Bay, about four in ten listings add a cleaning fee, but the amounts on file are too irregular to quote a typical fee. Check the fee on the specific listings you compare against.
All of Australia had 7.6 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, Tourism Research Australia reports. AirROI estimates 1,162 Airbnb stays in Nelly Bay, QLD in the 12 months to October 2026, which counts bookings and not tourists. See Queensland tourism statistics.
Method
Figures on this page cover 65 active Airbnb listings in Nelly Bay from November 2025 to October 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. AirROI measures bookings in US dollars; this page shows them in Australian dollars at A$1.44 per US$, the typical rate from November 2025 to October 2026. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.