The Right Art Makes Guests Feel the Location Before They Even Step Outside
I've had quite a few holiday rental owners reach out to me over the past couple of years, and the conversation usually starts the same way. They've got a place on the Surf Coast or the Bellarine, they want it to feel like it belongs to the area, and they're tired of generic prints that could hang in any apartment in any city in Australia. That's exactly the gap I set out to fill with Local Breaks.
If you're fitting out a coastal Airbnb and wondering what art to put on the walls, this guide is for you. I'll walk through the locations I shoot and what tends to work best for each one, from a quick weekend rental to a full holiday house fitout.
Why Location-Specific Art Works So Well in a Coastal Airbnb
Guests notice when art actually matches where they are. A photo of Bells Beach hanging in a Bells Beach rental feels completely different to a generic wave print that came from a homewares chain. It creates an instant connection to the place. Guests feel like they chose the right spot, and that feeling carries through the whole stay.
One of my customers, Terry, bought prints for his Point Lonsdale holiday house and said it best: he wanted something local, something guests would actually recognise. That's the whole point. When your guests post a photo of the living room on Instagram, they're not going to tag a stock ocean image. But a print of the Point Lonsdale lighthouse? That's a different story.
For more on how to approach this room by room, check out my guide on how to choose wall art for a holiday rental by location.
Surf Coast Properties: Torquay to Apollo Bay
If your Airbnb is anywhere along the Surf Coast, you've got a lot to work with. Torquay, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Lorne, Wye River, Apollo Bay. Each one has its own personality and guests who visit are usually deeply attached to that specific stretch of coast.
For a Torquay rental, Torquay Art Print I is a strong starting point. It captures the town's beachy energy in a way that feels genuine, not posed. For something a bit more dramatic, Bells Beach Art Print I is consistently one of my best sellers and works especially well as a statement piece in a living room or entry.
Anglesea rentals do really well with the Point Roadknight prints. Point Roadknight Art Print II is one of my top sellers across the whole range, and it has that artistic quality that makes it feel more like a painting than a photograph. Guests love it.
Down toward Wye River and Lorne, Wye River Art Print I gives you that dramatic coastal ridgeline view that anyone who's driven the Great Ocean Road will immediately recognise.
Bellarine Peninsula Properties: Point Lonsdale, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove
The Bellarine is a different kind of coastal. It's calmer, more family-oriented, and guests tend to be regulars who come back year after year. Art that reflects that familiarity lands really well here.
Point Lonsdale Art Print IV is one of my most popular Bellarine prints and works beautifully as a focal point in a lounge or bedroom. For Barwon Heads rentals, Barwon Heads Art Print I is a natural fit, especially if you're fitting out a property close to the river mouth.
If you're buying art for a full property fitout, it's worth thinking about a few pieces rather than just one. A mix of sizes, say an L (59.4x84.1cm) in the main living area and a couple of M prints (42x59.4cm) in the bedrooms, gives each room its own moment without the place feeling cluttered.
Queensland Properties: Gold Coast and Port Douglas
Coastal Airbnb decor in Queensland needs to match the energy of the place. Bright skies, clear water, that unmistakable Queensland light. I shoot the Gold Coast around Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Currumbin, and I've also got a solid range from Port Douglas.
Rainbow Bay Art Print I is one of my strongest Queensland sellers. Shot from above, it shows the curve of the bay and the lineup in a way you just don't get from the beach. For Port Douglas rentals, the Port Douglas Art Print I range has multiple options that capture the tropical feel of the far north without leaning on clichés.
All prints ship free anywhere in Australia, printed and shipped from Victoria. No hidden delivery costs, which matters when you're ordering multiple pieces for a whole property.
Which Frame Works Best for a Rental Property?
For holiday rentals, I'd generally point people toward the floating frame canvas or the classic framed print. The floating frame canvas uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemühle Daguerre canvas with no glass, which means zero reflections in rooms with big windows or ocean views. It's also more robust in a rental context. The solid plantation timber frame comes in black, white or oak and carries a 10-year warranty.
If you want something a step up, the shadow box frame gives the print a floating, gallery-like effect with the glass sitting 20mm off the print. It looks genuinely impressive and guests always comment on it.
For more detail on which format suits which situation, my post on framed vs canvas for coastal wall art breaks it all down.
Take the Coast Home (Or Put It on Your Rental Walls)
Every print I sell starts from $89 and ships free across Australia. They're printed to order, framed in FSC certified timber, and made to last. If you're fitting out a Surf Coast, Bellarine or Queensland property and want art that actually belongs there, browse the full range and find the prints that match your location.
Not sure where to start? The product guide covers all your options, and the size guide helps you figure out what works for each wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wall art works best for a coastal Airbnb in Australia?
Location-specific photography works best for coastal Airbnb properties. Art that shows the actual beach, headland or surf break near your rental creates a genuine connection for guests and makes the space feel considered rather than generic. Prints starting from $89 with free shipping across Australia make it easy to fit out a full property without gallery prices.
What size wall art should I buy for a holiday rental living room?
For a living room or main lounge in a holiday rental, an L size (59.4x84.1cm) or XL (84.1x118.9cm) print works well as a centrepiece. Bedrooms typically suit an M (42x59.4cm) or S (29.7x42cm). Check the size guide for a
