With under one year to go, Beef Australia and Airbnb have joined forces and are calling on Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast locals to host on Airbnb ahead of the May 2027 event, to help the region handle the increased demand for accommodation.
Australia’s award‑winning beef industry event will return to Rockhampton from 2 – 8 May 2027, for a weeklong exhibition and celebration of all facets of the beef industry and wider regional community.
Beef 2024, saw a record-breaking number of attendees, with over 125,000 visitors to Rockhampton, generating $102 million in economic activity for the region. In 2027, visitor numbers and accommodation demand are expected to surge, with information on accommodation being requested daily.
Airbnb connects guests with a diverse range of unique stays, experiences, and services making it possible to connect with communities in a more authentic way and live like a local. For hosts, it’s an opportunity to open up their homes and showcase the best of their region while also helping offset the rising cost of living.
Beef Australia CEO Simon Irwin said available accommodation in the region has always been a challenge for Beef Australia but a vital part of the success of the event’s growth.
“Naturally, hosting an international event in regional Australia comes with challenges, but having sufficient accommodation to accommodate the influx of visitors remains one of the biggest,” he said.“To help us host the expected increase in visitation, we are working with Airbnb to help locals list a room or a whole home to provide more accommodation options for visitors and also take advantage of the economic opportunity this international event presents for Central Queenslanders.
“Our aim is to have an adequate supply of accommodation available for when our tickets go on sale later this year. This is why we are calling on locals between Mount Morgan and the Capricorn Coast to begin their hosting journey with Airbnb.”
As part of the partnership, Airbnb and Beef Australia are hosting free information sessions for locals interested in becoming hosts. The sessions will be held on Wednesday 3 June 2026:
- Rockhampton: Rockhampton Leagues Club at 6pm
- Yeppoon: Keppel Bay Sailing Club at 12.15pm
The sessions will include practical guidance on how to list a property on Airbnb, tips for welcoming event visitors, and information about the income-earning potential during Beef Week 2027.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia said: “We are proud to partner with Beef Australia on this iconic event. It’s the perfect opportunity for locals to become hosts and open their homes to visitors to showcase the best Queensland has to offer.
“We’re holding free information sessions to give locals practical tips to start hosting through Airbnb to help boost much-needed accommodation for the week-long exhibition.
“When a major event comes to town, Airbnb helps communities scale up their accommodation so the economic benefits flow directly to locals who host as well as pubs, shops and businesses across the region.
“We can’t wait to welcome more Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast hosts to the Airbnb community ahead of 2027.”
To give hosts peace of mind Airbnb has protections in place such as AirCover for Hosts. This top-to-bottom protection and is always included on bookings on Airbnb at no extra cost. It provides up to USD $3M protection in the rare event of property damage to a home or belongings during a stay.
From the Olympic Games hosted in locations around the world, to the Ashes series and the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Airbnb has helped regions to scale up their accommodation during key events, so that benefits are shared directly with local communities.
