By Jessica Micallef
Sunbury has been listed as one of the top places in the world for an Airbnb stay.
According to Airbnb, the suburb recorded a 356 per cent year-on-year booking increase between 2018 and 2019. Sunbury ranked fourth internationally, beating the likes of Romania, Vanuatu, Tokyo and Cape Canaveral in Florida. Milwaukee in Wisconsin took out the top spot.
Sunbury resident Helen Cannon has been advertising her home on Airbnb for a year.
“I’m booked out most nights of the month,” she said.
“Some months are completely booked out. It’s been fairly constant. Winter is a little bit quieter but spring and autumn are particularly busy.
“We have a room that has independent access. It has French doors that open to a pergola. People have undercover parking.
“People can come and go … whenever they please.”
Ms Cannon said people stay at her Airbnb property for many different occasions.
“I have people come for work, for training, dog shows, motorbike rallies [and] I have people come from overseas,” she said.
“I have honeymoon couples. I have people stay because they want to go to the airport.
“It’s [Sunbury] close to the airport and close to the city.
“I get a lot of people who come for weddings and engagement parties as well. Sunbury is a gateway to the Macedon Ranges. It’s close to Macedon and Gisborne, Woodend and Hanging Rock.”
Ms Cannon said she was shocked Sunbury made the global rankings.
“I think it’s because we don’t have a lot of motels and Airbnbs are an affordable alternative to that,” she said.
“I was very surprised, although seeing how busy I am I can understand.”
