Australia bushfires: The holiday rental hosts auctioning off homestays for bushfire relief

Homestay hosts are rallying together and auctioning stays at their holiday rental properties from Hobart to the Sunshine Coast, in exchange for a direct donation to various bushfire appeals.

While celebrities and major businesses are making large donations to bushfire relief initiatives, everyday Australians are also looking for ways to chip in and help.

With the recent catastrophic bushfires spreading throughout much of the country, more than 1800 homes have already been destroyed.

In NSW, there’s Tara Larnach who runs Simpson Cottage — a lovingly restored three-bedroom cottage in Bundeena on Sydney’s southern outskirts.

Permanently based in Bondi, she says, “I’m feeling helpless from the safety of my Bondi bubble, so if I can encourage people to buy a weekend escape and raise funds for the cause, then I’m more than happy to provide this tiny contribution.”

Larnach is offering a three-night stay, and within 24 hours of posting her auction via Instagram, she has so far raised $2200. Once the auction has finished, the highest bid will then be distributed between the Red Cross, The Salvation Army and WIRES.

“The underbidders have also agreed to donate their bid,” she adds.

Another NSW-based host who is offering a similar auction is Tracey Bray who runs Hayes House, a tastefully renovated three-bedroom Victorian residence, located in Cooks Hill, Newcastle.

“I think that everyone sees the devastation that these fires have brought and are keen to help however they can,” Bray says. “It’s becoming more apparent that at the present time, financial assistance is the most effective way to assist those in need, so hopefully the money raised by those in the homestay community can help.”

Bray is offering a two-night stay at Hayes House via her auction on Instagram, with the highest bid set to be divided between the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, WIRES and the NSW Rural Fire Service. The highest bid is currently at $550, and counting.

Over in Queensland, Hannah Williams, who runs Vacay Co, is also following suit.

Consisting of two boutique accommodations, The Palm House and The Pool House are typically available together or individually, and Williams is offering a two-night stay at both, sleeping up to eight people in total.

“Geographically, we are quite removed from the fires so it was difficult to know how to help,” she says. “It has been so incredible to see how the homestay community has banded together to make a difference in any way they can.”

Vacay Co’s auction on Instagram hit $1600 within the first 24 hours, explaining that “the highest bidder can then decide between five charities that support fire services or wildlife rehabilitation.” It has now closed with a winning bid of $1850.

Way down south on the Apple Isle, there are a number of other homestays jumping on board.

There’s Kylie Breaker who runs Captains Cottage — a quaint cottage originally built around the 1800s, which has become a much beloved homestay situated in the heart of Hobart.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken by the devastation of the bushfires, and I saw a couple of other Tassie hosts auctioning off stays, so I thought the idea was perfect,” Breaker says. “We are currently sitting at $2000, and I feel overwhelmed by the movement, and so grateful to be able to help in any small way.”

Breaker’s auction via Instagram has offered a three-night stay for two people, with proceeds going to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, WIRES and the NSW Rural Fire Service.

“Our koalas are in serious decline, and even more so now after the devastation and loss caused by the bushfire crisis — we have the power to take action, because if we don’t, the koala will become extinct.”

And then there’s Sophie Weeding, who has auctioned off two homestays for a two-night stay each, both also in Tasmania. First is Raffah House, a beautifully transformed sandstone cottage located in Oatlands, and the second is Bruny Boathouse, a scenic shack nestled by the waters of Bruny Island.

“It’s a very personal and financial decision to make for a number of these homestays, as most of these properties are a small business, so it’s been incredible to see the trigger effect take off,” Weeding says. “For us, it was a total no-brainer, especially given that we are a young country family, who I suppose considered, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would we require?”

With both auctions on Instagram now finished, collectively across Raffah House and Bruny Boathouse, the Weeding family raised a total of $2600 for the Red Cross.

“It was the perfect opportunity for us to make the tiniest amount of difference for our beautiful country.”

If you’re a Domain customer affected by the recent bushfire crisis, find out how we can help support you here.