How we view holidays, renting and working from home has changed dramatically. More of us are opting to reimagine travelling and working in tandem by finding short term rentals for an extended stay, a "workation", or even a suburb switch.
But what exactly makes an Airbnb suitable for your short term stay or extended getaway in Sydney? Ideal location, comfortable space, all the homely comforts of your apartment or house—and some legit discounts if you rent for more than a month.
We’ve rounded up some of the best short term rentals in Sydney, giving you prime access to some of our city’s best suburbs and helping you create a home for a few weeks or as long as needed. We’ll also mention a few around NSW if you’re doing the reverse and looking to get out of town.
Know what you want? Skip to
- The Best Short Term Rentals In Sydney
- The Best Short Term Rentals With Pools In Sydney
- The Best Family-Friendly Short Term Rentals In Sydney
- The Best Short Term Stays In The Sydney CBD
- The Best Short Term Rentals In NSW
The Best Short Term Rentals In Sydney
The Blue House
Surry Hills
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Welcome to your very own designer townhouse on the edge of Sydney’s CBD. You’re just footsteps from world-class restaurants, cafes and public transport here, and yet once you step foot inside your two-bedroom Surry Hills retreat, the city will feel a world away. Cosy up on the luxe leather lounge and chill with Netflix on the 65-inch Samsung Frame smart TV, or pour yourself a G&T and head out to your own private courtyard. There’s a four-seater dining table for cosy celebrations and an internal laundry space with washing machine and dryer so you can leave the laundromat well alone.
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The Barn
Paddington
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Trundle on up a charming historic laneway in Paddington and you’ll find this architecturally-designed one-bedroom home. You’re minutes from Five Ways here, with William and Oxford Streets on your doorstep, so there’s heaps of CBD activities to explore.
The Barn is located at the rear of the owner’s property, but it’s super private with its own entry, plus on-street parking is readily available and hassle free. Wake up in Egyptian cotton sheets in your queen size bed, before refreshing in your bespoke ensuite. From there, it’s a trip down the beautiful spiral staircase to your open-plan living space. Throw open the doors and let the light in—a coffee in your private courtyard is calling.
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Sandstone Oasis
Darlinghurst
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Tucked away among Victorian terraces, this renovated home blends character-filled sandstone walls with a refreshing modern design. Grab the suitcase and step through the ivy-lined stairwell to find your very own open-plan living space with charming barn door accents and exposed stone features. Your city pad has a spa-like copper rain shower so you can soak away the stresses of the day, plus a gorgeous leafy courtyard with a table big enough for outdoor entertaining come cocktail time.
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Urban Chic Terrace House
Paddington
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There may not be more enviably quiet streets so close to the Sydney CBD than those in Paddington. This is exactly what makes this charming Paddo terrace house, surrounded by restaurants, bars and shopping galore, so desirable for an extended stay. That, along with its chic and quirky interior stylings and an entirely stocked kitchen ideal for those at-home feels. A recent guest review described a “cornucopia of breakfast offerings”, which says it all.
Bondi Beach Oasis
Bondi
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Just steps from Sydney's most famous beach, this garden apartment in the lemonade-yellow-coloured "Sunnyhurst" building is the perfect spot to settle in and soak up the Bondi lifestyle. Breezy and comfy with ample space for two, the apartment features a full kitchen and a spacious outdoor deck area that looks over the block's communal garden. After a swim at the beach or dinner at one of Bondi's best restaurants, this is the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
New York-Style Suite
Surry Hills
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Dreaming of that some NYC vibes? This stylish and luxe Surry Hills apartment, located inside Zara Tower, places you right in the centre of Sydney’s inner-city with a king-sized bed and every needed amenity. This is the perfect spot to work and play. And don’t worry if your short term stay involves plenty of eating out and drinking because your accommodation includes a fully equipped gym that’ll help you keep that usual fitness routine. While this accommodation is definitely in boujee price tag territory, the monthly discount offered is a whopping 40 per cent off.
Luxury One-Bedroom Apartment
Darlinghurst
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Nothing says luxe inner-city living in Sydney like a cute apartment in the heart of Darlinghurst—walking distance to the CBD, amongst some of the city’s best hospo joints and an easy bus to the east and its beaches. This renovated apartment offers a bright space, plenty of light and all the comforts of home, including a 55-inch smart TV for those nights in with a bottle of wine and some local takeout.
Large Private Studio
Chippendale
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This cosy Chippendale studio is a favourite of the short term stay roamers. This is the ideal location if you’re looking to do plenty on your Sydney stay, placing you in the perfect traveller’s spot near Broadway. You’re a short walk from suburbs like Glebe, Newtown, Surry Hills, and a short walk to Central Station, which provides access to every other corner of Sydney.
Modern Bondi Apartment
Bondi
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Why not bring a few mates along for your Sydney short term stay? It won’t take much convincing once you tell them you found this ultra-sleek, bright three-bedroom apartment a stone’s throw from Bondi Beach. When you’re not swimming along the world-famous 1km stretch of sand down the road or spending your mornings out for brunch thanks to the area’s excellent cafe scene—make the most of the giant retractable floor to ceiling doors opening up the living space and outdoor balcony.
Amari Five Zero Four
Bondi
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If you’re looking to stay in Bondi, you might want somewhere with some ocean views, right? This modern Bondi stay offers real deal vibes of a home apartment, filled with boutique furnishings and neutral tones, along with a corner balcony that sees the great big blue. You should have no problem staying a month or two here, amongst one of Sydney’s most famous and highly sought-after suburbs.
Manly Beach House
Manly
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If we’re rattling off amazing beachside locations in Sydney for an extended stay, Manly is somewhere near the very top of that list. You’re either a 30-minute ferry ride to the CBD or in the middle of the Northern Beaches bubble with no reason to leave. There’s a good reason this beach house has made it to our best-of list: check out the views across the harbour to Balmoral, the city skyline and Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. Enjoy a drink on one of two balconies or the back terrace, before heading down to Manly Beach for a refreshing dip.
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Art Deco Apartment
Manly
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Fans of 1920s-style Art Deco features will love this tranquil two-bedroom pad in Manly. As well as its perfectly maintained stained-glass windows, the apartment is kitted out with all the mod-cons you need for a peaceful stay. Like, unlimited WiFi data, a coffee machine, organic towels, and snorkelling gear for trips down to nearby Manly and Shelley Beaches.
Modern City Pad
Darlinghurst
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If you’re looking for a place that says refresh, offers plenty of white tones and light, sandwiched between the CBD and inner-city suburb life–this Darlinghurst pad is for you. This architecturally-designed studio offers all the necessary comforts, an outdoor balcony and access to restaurants, pubs, bars, museums, sights and more. Plus, the proximity to Gelato Messina can't be beaten.
The Best Short Term Rentals With Pools In Sydney
Character-Filled Pad
Elizabeth Bay
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Occupying a vibrant spot on the border of Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point, this renovated Art Deco pad offers the perfect place to put down some roots for a while. It’s beautifully furnished, with timber floors and a new kitchen and bathroom, plus you’ve even got a designated workspace so there’s no dramas about working from home. Crank up the indoor fireplace if the weather gets cool or, if the sun’s out, grab your bathers and head down to the shared pool. Come sunset, you can take a stroll to the Opera House and do some people watching, drink in hand.
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OMG Sub-penthouse
Darling Point
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Splash the cash and live like a millionaire in this seriously luxe city centre stay. This sub-penthouse in Darling Point is the stuff dreams are made of, boasting uninterrupted views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and its own entertaining terrace with a heated infinity pool. Being a three-bedder, you can bring the whole crew to indulge in this epic stay, which provides easy access to trains and buses heading to the CBD or Sydney's famous beaches. There’ll be no squabbling come shower time here, as there’s three bathrooms to choose from, as well as a stunning gourmet kitchen (with a wine fridge for the champers of course).
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Luxury Seidler Apartment
Potts Point
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In all seriousness, some of these places sell themselves. Firstly, imagine calling the charming and restaurant-filled suburb of Potts Point your home for a month, close to the city and anything you might need. Now, imagine if the cute pad you’re staying in happens to be in a building with a rooftop pool that is smack bang above the harbour and some of the best city views in Australia. If you needed reminding, Sydney’s weather pairs pretty well with rooftop pools.
Harbourfront Apartment
Mosman
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It’s quite possible you’ll never want to leave this little slice of paradise once you turn the key and venture inside. Situated right on the waters edge at Mosman, this bright and sunny abode has everything you need for an epic long term stay. There’s a whole lot of convenient features—including a separate home office, onsite parking, and a serviced lift so you don’t need to lug those bags upstairs. But it’s outside that this place really comes alive. You’ve got a large alfresco balcony that’s just calling for a cocktail night, plus access to two barbecue dining areas set in lush gardens overlooking the private harbourside pool.
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The Best Family-Friendly Short Term Rentals In Sydney
Light Filled House
Enmore
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This two-bedroom Victorian home, located on a quiet street and yet close to the multitude of bars and restaurants on Sydney’s Enmore Road, is a perfect spot in which to lay down some roots for a while. Families will love the light-filled open plan living space with its fully equipped kitchen and Nespresso machine with pods.
You’ve got your very own paved outdoor courtyard here, and an alfresco dining area that’s covered so you can eat outside even if it’s wet—the Heston Blumenthal charcoal barbecue is there ready and waiting to be put to the test. Throw in free street parking on one side of the road and you’re set.
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Artsy Terrace
Darlinghurst
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The whole family will love this quirky terraced home in Sydney’s vibrant Darlinghurst neighbourhood, not least because it boasts three bedrooms and three bathrooms, meaning no more arguments come shower time. There’s so much creativity in this place, with pops of colour and statement spaces everywhere, and it’s fully-equipped for long-term stays with a full kitchen, washing machine and free parking on site. You’re close to restaurants, cafes and bars and walking distance to the city at this short term rental, but once you’ve stepped inside this unique pad we reckon you’ll find it hard to leave.
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Stylish Apartment
Coogee
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Fancy a long-term stay in a light-filled space just minutes from the shimmering beach of Sydney’s Coogee? This modern spot, just five minutes’ from town, is big enough for five and has a garage as well as a workspace in case that laptop calls. Your home away from home is on a quiet street, and features high ceilings, plantation shutters and an open plan living space that flows out to a sunny undercover balcony. The peeps that own this place provide beach and bath towels for your stay, as well as a high chair and play pen for the littlies. After a day at the beach, unwind with a glass of wine and fire up the barbecue on the balcony for dinner outdoors.
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The Best Short Term Stays In The Sydney CBD
Re-Imagined Historic Home
Pyrmont
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Historic home in the CBD with access to five star resort facilities? Yes please! This one bedroom unit in Pyrmont is right next door to the ICC Sydney and four minutes’ stroll to Darling Harbour. Inside, you’ll find soaring ceilings and vintage appeal, but it’s the added extras that make this short term rental extra special. After a long day in the city you can pop your bathers in a bag and head to the on site pool, spa and sauna for some rest and relaxation. If you’re feeling energetic there’s also a fully equipped gym included in the price of your stay.
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Victorian Rocks Terrace Retreat
Dawes Point
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Explore the historic district of The Rocks from this Victorian terrace right in the heart of the action in Sydney’s CBD. You are in the oldest part of Sydney here, and just a few minutes walk to Barangaroo, the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and more. Your home has a heap of olden days charm, with wooden floors, feature fireplaces and two super cute patios so you can take your morning cuppa outside. Your little upstairs bathroom has also been renovated with fresh new tiles and a walk-in shower.
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Cockatoo Apartment
Millers Point
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How about a glimpse of the harbour in the heart of the city? This ground floor apartment on the High Street at Millers Point offers just that, with water views from Barangaroo to Darling Harbour. One of just four apartments in the block, this refurbished space has two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms and a heap of space for four people. Inside, you’ll find aged floorboards and a long hallway that leads to the homely living space. Come clocking off time, you’ll want to head to the outdoor patio, where you can take a seat and enjoy a glass of the cold stuff.
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The Best Short Term Rentals In NSW
Airline-Themed Tiny House
Knights Hill
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If you think tiny houses only exist for weekend stays—think again, my friend. As this Knights Hill tiny house on the outskirts of the picturesque and tranquil Southern Highlands can attest. Filled with airline memorabilia, this off-grid, eco-friendly, and modern tiny home sits on a secluded farm surrounded by bush and native wildlife. Explore nearby rainforest hikes and waterfalls or stay by the outdoor fire–you can’t go wrong here.
Jetty Beach House
Coffs Harbour
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Again, the NSW north coast and beach-rich regions like Coffs Harbour sell themselves when looking for short term stays. We couldn’t think of a better place to spend a few weeks than this 1920s beach house, just a short walk to beaches, wine bars, cafes and restaurants. This spacious two-storey, two-bedroom bungalow offers a proper home experience to settle into, with a luscious backyard, back patio, water views and even a charger if you’re bringing the electric car.
Nulla Nulla Blacksmith’s Cabin
Bellbrook
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Bellbrook is about a five-hour drive north of Sydney, inland from Nambucca Heads. And hidden within its forest is the Nulla Nulla Blacksmith’s Cabin, an ideal home for those looking for quiet serenity and nature. This off-the-grid farm retreat nestled by a creek is as cosy and comfortable as it gets, giving you the much sought-after opportunity to unwind completely in a natural setting. End your day with a swim, a hike, dinner under the stars, or curling up in front of the fireplace.
Visiting Sydney? Check out our guides to create your perfect stay:
Contributors: Katherine Davison
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