Easter long weekends are often the last gasp of swimming weather in NSW, ideal for getaways spent outdoors. Combine that with school holidays kicking off the next day, and the race to secure a family-sized sanctuary (if you’re not keen on camping, that is) is officially on.
If you’re ready to chase the last of the summer sun up in Byron, keen for crisper air in Mudgee or craving a coastal stay in Terrigal, you’ll need to move fast. The state’s best Airbnbs are disappearing by the hour. To help you in your search, we’ve narrowed down some of the most stunning stays that prove “family-friendly” can still be incredibly stylish.
The best family-friendly Airbnbs in NSW for an Easter getaway
When it comes to accommodation, we all have our non-negotiables. For some, it’s a pool, for others, scenic views, and for a few of us, it’s simply being able to bring your furry friends along for the fun. Discover our picks of the best Airbnbs in NSW for every kind of traveller:
BHG‘s top picks for NSW Airbnbs in 2026
- Best NSW Airbnb with a pool: Hilltop Elegance Oceanview Home
- Best family-friendly NSW Airbnb: Chapel Home At The Woods Pokolbin
- Best NSW farm stay Airbnb: Mountain Top Lodge Nimbin
- Best NSW pet-friendly Airbnb: Vista 180 Pambula Beach
- Best Airbnb in Byron: Byron Bay Family Sanctuary
- Best Airbnb in Sydney CBD: Luxury CBD Skyline Suite
- Most unique Airbnb in NSW: Cosy Treehouse Vibes
Best NSW Airbnb with a pool
Photo: Airbnb
Hilltop Elegance Oceanview Home
Sleeps: 8
With four bedrooms, this stay on the Central Coast’s Terrigal is a great choice for a big family. Cook meals together in the kitchen while admiring crashing waves from the window — the sea’s visible from nearly every room. While the kids splash in the private solar-heated pool, parents can unwind on the wood deck with a glass of bubbles or fire up the BBQ for an al fresco feast.
Location: Terrigal, NSW
Best family-friendly NSW Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Chapel Home At The Woods Pokolbin
Sleeps: 8
The beautiful old home — one of three on The Woods estate in Pokolbin — has four bedrooms, a full kitchen and an outdoor dining area with a BBQ. If you’re planning a trip with a group of friends or want to invite the extended family, you might consider booking the other two properties and having the whole place to yourself — it sleeps up to 18. Take advantage of The Woods’ pool, and the area’s many nearby wineries.
Location: Pokolbin, NSW
Best NSW farm stay Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Mountain Top Lodge Nimbin
Sleeps: 9
This Guest Favourite Airbnb is tucked into the hinterland of northern NSW, a short drive from Nimbin, and surrounded by mango and avocado trees. Cook family dinners on a gas BBQ or if you’re feeling a little adventurous, fire up the traditional Argentinian coal-fired BBQ. While you’re cooking, send the kids out to the herb garden to grab some for garnishes. The home has four bedrooms and 2.5 baths, so even big families won’t feel cramped.
Location: Nimbin, NSW
Best NSW pet-friendly Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Vista 180 Pambula Beach
Sleeps: 10
This pet-friendly home in Pambula Beach, south of Merimbula, faces north, which means it’s bathed in natural light throughout the day. The kids, and potentially your pet, will love the 13m outdoor pool that’s heated to comfy 28 degrees and great for a dip after an ocean swim. The kitchen features top-of-the-line European appliances and views stretching up the coastline to Merimbula Wharf. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a breaching whale.
Location: Pambula Beach, NSW
Best Airbnb in Byron
Photo: Airbnb
Byron Bay Family Sanctuary
Sleeps: 9
This Airbnb home is in Byron suburb Suffolk Park, just 500m to shops, restaurants and a pub and 250m to the beach. It’s equipped with two bedrooms, while a third has bunk beds. Kids will also get a kick out of the property’s cubby house and trampoline. You can easily unload your suitcases with free on-site parking, and ensure you have fresh clothes throughout your stay, with a washing machine in the home.
Location: Suffolk Park, NSW
Best Airbnb in Sydney CBD
Photo: Airbnb
Luxury CBD Skyline Suite
Sleeps: 6
If you’d like the kids to get a feel for city living, book into this luxury apartment on the corner of York Street and George Street in Sydney’s CBD. It’s two-bed, two-bath with views of the city skyline from floor-to-ceiling windows. Start your mornings in the building’s heated lap pool before heading back upstairs to plan your day. The Sydney Opera House is a 20-minute walk away.
Location: Sydney CBD, NSW
Most unique Airbnb in NSW
Photo: Airbnb
Cosy Treehouse Vibes
Sleeps: 6
This three-bed, three-bath home will have you feeling like you’re staying in a treehouse, with its wood accents and forest surroundings. It’s a Guest Favourite, which means it’s one of the most loved homes on Airbnb, according to guests, with one writing in the reviews that the host had excellent taste and that the interior styling was very refined. “From the kitchenware to the toilet paper and bedding, every detail shows the host’s exceptional care and thoughtfulness,” they added.
Location: Merimbula, NSW
When booking a family-friendly Airbnb, prioritise listings with a fully equipped kitchen, including high chairs and child-safe dinnerware, and “sleep-security” amenities like blackout curtains and travel cribs.
Ensure child safety by looking for gated stairs and fenced play areas, while seeking out “entertainment anchors” ilke game rooms or fire pits to keep kids engaged. To minimise travel stress, choose rentals with self-check-in located near local parks and grocery stores — details you can easily find by scanning recent guest reviews.
In NSW, the 180-day rule limits “non-hosted” short-term rentals (where the owner isn’t on-site) to 180 nights per year in Greater Sydney and select regional hubs, while “hosted” stays and many other regional areas remain unlimited.
Notable exceptions include bookings of 21+ consecutive days, which don’t count toward the cap, and the Byron Shire, which enforces a stricter 60-day limit for most non-hosted properties. To stay compliant in 2026, all hosts must register their property on the NSW Planning Portal, pay an annual fee, and adhere to mandatory fire safety standards and the state-wide Code of Conduct.
In 2026, NSW hotels are often cheaper for solo travellers in Sydney CBD due to Airbnb’s 15.5% host fees and cleaning costs. Though Airbnbs are a better value for families and groups because they offer multiple bedrooms and full kitchens that cut down on dining expenses.
In regional areas like the NSW South Coast or Southern Highlands, Airbnbs are usually more affordable than high-end hotels and offer unique amenities, like fire pits and outdoor baths. Bottom line: while hotels offer transparent pricing for short stays, Airbnbs are the more economical choice for longer regional escapes where shared space is a priority.
Yes there is! Hipcamp is the main “Airbnb for camping,” letting private landowners in regions like Mudgee or the South Coast list secluded sites on farms, vineyards and bushland. While Airbnb’s “Camping” category focuses on curated glamping and tiny houses, Hipcamp specialises in “land sharing” for those bringing their own gear to off-grid locations. For broader searches, including caravan parks and free public sites, apps like WikiCamps remain the essential directory for verified regional stays across NSW.
If you’re looking on Airbnb, you’re likely paying for a “ready-made” experience. Almost everything you find in the “Camping” or “Tents” categories is pre-set. You are paying for the convenience of arriving at a site with a camping tent or vintage caravan already set up — usually complete with a real mattress, linens and even outdoor baths. You’ll also often get portable power stations and sometimes even portable fridges. If you’re on Hipcamp or WikiCamps, you should double-check the listing, as most hosts are just providing land, not the camping gear.
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