9 Beautiful Airbnbs in Perth, Western Australia’s Underrated Capital

It’s hard to believe now, but Perth was dubbed ‘Dullsville’ back in 2000. The city has spent the last two decades flipping the script.

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Melbourne is a vibrant and diverse city with a rich culture, delicious food, exciting sporting events, stunning natural scenery, and friendly people. Whether you’re interested in art, music, theater, sports, food, or the outdoors, you’re sure to find something to love here. These Melbourne Airbnbs put you in the heart of Australia’s most vibrant city.

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic tourist routes, stretching along the south-eastern coast of Victoria from Torquay to Allansford. Stretching for 151 miles, it offers spectacular ocean views and some breathtaking scenery. Along the way, visitors can explore a range of attractions including beaches, surfing spots, wildlife viewing areas, and stunning rainforest walks. There are also numerous great restaurants and cafes, galleries and museums to discover in the small towns along the route.

Australia enacted some of the most strict lockdown restrictions in 2020, which kept any and all tourists out. Then, in February, the country once again opened back up to Americans — just in time for the more comfortable Australian winter temperatures.

Located on the banks of the Swan River, Perth is the capital city of what is, geographically, Australia’s largest state: Western Australia. With a population of about two million, Perth enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, wet winters. It’s culturally diverse any time of year, with a mix of both modern and indigenous art alongside galleries and museums to rival Sydney and Melbourne, and its west coast remoteness means the city is far less touristy than the cities on Australia’s eastern seaboard. Perth saw 5.7 million arrivals between July 2018 and June 2019 compared to the 16.1 million visits to Sydney in the same period. If you do make the trip here, these are the cultural attractions to see.

It’s impossible not to fall victim to the charms of Sydney, Australia’s largest city. Days are spent roaming historic neighborhoods – flat white in hand – or chasing waves at the local surf beaches. At night, picture yourself diving into ocean-fresh rock oysters by the quayside or clambering up Harbour Bridge to see Sydney illuminated. Known as much for its livability rating as its landmarks, the accommodation scene gives you a peek into the life of a Sydneysider. Taste the Harbour City lifestyle at one of these beautiful Sydney Airbnb rentals close to beaches, the Rocks, and laid-back suburbs.

Compared to Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is just a blip on the tourist circuit. It’s a shame that Queensland’s capital tends to get overlooked, but that’s also what makes it so great for travelers who know better than to skip the city located 500-plus miles north of Sydney between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. Proximity to famous beaches is one reason to visit Brisbane, but there’s plenty to love within city limits, from Brisbane River cruises to museums and street art tours, park outings, and a thriving food and bar scene. The Brisbane Airbnb scene has grown, too, and these seven Brisbane Airbnbs are at the center of the action.

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, a vast area of over 976,000 square miles facing the Indian Ocean to the west and north and the Southern Ocean along its southern border. The state’s population is about 2.6 million, with 92 percent living in the southwestern corner where the capital of Perth sits. North of Perth, the state is sparsely populated, isolated, and perfect for those with an adventurous spirit who are looking for an epic road trip. Here, you can swim with whale sharks and visit Australia’s Coral Coast. Here’s how to make it happen, beginning in Perth.