How to Have a Safer Aussie Holiday – According to Experts

Australia’s leading safety organisations have partnered with Airbnb to launch a new Safety Hub – bringing together practical expert advice to help  travellers enjoy all Australia has to offer safely whether you are hitting the road for a beach escape, lazing by the pool or tackling a bushwalk in the great outdoors.

The guide has been developed in collaboration with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), the NSW Rural Fire Service, Country Fire Authority Victoria, and KidSafe Australia. It provides clear, easy‑to‑follow guidance on common risks from staying safe at beaches and around pools, to understanding fire dangers in regional areas and keeping children safe while on holiday.

The Safety Hub includes:

• Beach and water safety tips, developed with Surf Life Saving Australia
• New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) Bushfire awareness and preparedness advice for travellers staying in regional and rural areas
• Pool safety guidance for children, created with KidSafe Australia
• Practical checklists and reminders for both guests and hosts

Tips for safe travels according to the experts

• Swim between the flags and always follow the advice of surf lifesavers when visiting Australian beaches
• Supervise children at all times around pools, balconies and open water 
• Stay hydrated and sun safe, particularly during heatwaves
• Check local fire conditions and have an emergency plan when staying in regional or bushfire-prone areas
• Familiarise yourself with your surroundings, including emergency exits and local safety information
• Follow local advice and warnings, especially during extreme and catastrophic weather days
• If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you should always call triple 000 for the police, the fire department or an ambulance.

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia said, “Safety is fundamental to everything we do at Airbnb. Aussies love to spend time with family and friends in the great outdoors, but that can pose its own risks as people visit unfamiliar locations which is why we partnered with organisations across Australia to develop the Safety Hub. 

“The Safety Hub provides holidaymakers with practical, expert safety advice that is easy to access from organisations Australians know and trust, helping equip them with information to enjoy a safer stay no matter where their holiday takes them.”

“Australians love to travel domestically, and our beaches are often a highlight of that experience”, said Surf Life Saving Australia’s Coastal Safety Manager Michael Bonnici. “More than 600 million coastal visits were made last year, yet only a minority of adults feel confident identifying a rip or swimming 50 metres in open water. We hope these tips in Airbnb’s Safety Hub will increase awareness of local conditions, supervision and guidance – because they can make all the difference in keeping families and travellers safe at the beach.”

“Although the official danger period comes to a close each year in March, bushfire risks can occur throughout the year,” said Inspector Ben Shepherd from RFS. “That is where partnerships, like the one we have with Airbnb, play an important role. They help to raise the need for bushfire safety preparations across the year, and connect with when tourists and visitors are planning and considering travel, not when it is too late.”

“More and more Australians are choosing to explore regional and rural parts of the country, and understanding the local fire risk, particularly in Victoria, one of the most fire prone areas in the world, is critical,” said CFA Acting Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic. 

“Visitors are often unfamiliar with fire risk in the area they are travelling in. Preparation before you arrive could save your life if conditions change quickly. Partnerships such as the one with Airbnb help ensure official advice reaches people before they reach their destination, not after they are already on the road. All residents and travellers to Victoria should download the VicEmergency App to stay up to date with the latest information surrounding fires and emergencies, and to be notified of any warnings in place.”

“For families travelling within Australia, safety doesn’t stop when you arrive at your accommodation. Many childhood injuries can be prevented each year through simple, evidence-based safety measures in homes, accommodation and play spaces. We’re committed to helping parents and carers access practical safety guidance, including pool safety, so children can enjoy holidays while staying protected and collaborating with organisations such as Airbnb allows us to share this guidance more broadly,” said Sarah Sexton, Kidsafe Australia.

Why holiday safety matters

• Domestic travel forms a big part of how Australians travel – in 2024, 84% of Airbnb guests in Australia were domestic travellers, so safety tips tailored to Australian travellers are more important than ever
  • Research reveals a clear holiday “sweet spot” for Aussies, with three in five (60%) Aussies saying up to 3 hours of travel is all it takes for them to slip into holiday mode on a short getaway. This includes one in seven (14%) who only need up to an hour of travel and one in two (47%) who say 2-3 hours of travel is all they need¹, often travelling to the coast or escaping metro areas for nature/bushland
• In 2025, Airbnb saw a 28% increase in interest for properties with pools, alongside a 23% rise in bookings for beachside listings, and 21% for stays near a national park², from Australian guests.

Supporting safety on Airbnb

In addition to expert guidance, Airbnb provides built-in safety support for its community, such as an  in-app Local Emergency Services feature that connects users directly to emergency services in more than 70 countries and regions including Australia, and a 24/7 Safety Hotline that links guests to Airbnb’s Safety team for urgent assistance. Airbnb also has an in-app water safety feature offering guests expert tips and example questions to ask their host about a listing’s water safety protections and considerations for guests traveling to listings with pools or near water. These features work alongside education initiatives like the Safety Hub to help guests and hosts feel supported throughout their stay.