Hospitality business ideas with a startup cost over $20,000

108 ideas

This page collects 108 hospitality ideas that typically need more than $20,000 to get going. That extra capital usually goes on a fit-out, equipment, a lease deposit or a vehicle.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Neat hotel bedroom with a made bed and soft window light.

Holiday rental house or unit

Run a whole house or unit as a furnished holiday let for guests staying a few nights.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises

Small bed and breakfast

Welcome guests to a few rooms in your house or property with a cooked breakfast included.

  • A$5k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
A band performing under stage lights to an enthusiastic concert crowd.

Small live music bar

Run a small bar with a stage, hosting local bands most nights and earning from door entry and drinks.

  • A$80k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Weekend gig room in a leased hall or shed

Turn a hired hall or warehouse into a gig space for Friday and Saturday shows, keeping your costs lower.

  • A$8k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
Customers enjoying craft beer and food at a brewpub with brewing equipment visible.

Neighbourhood brewpub with a kitchen

Brew your own beer in a compact system and serve it with a simple food menu in a local pub-style venue.

  • A$250k-1000k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Taproom brewpub in an industrial unit

Brew and pour in a leased industrial unit, with a small food menu or a regular food partner to keep costs down.

  • A$150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Wooden cabins beside a lake at a fishing camp with anglers casting.

Bush camping site with fishing access

Offer simple powered or unpowered campsites and day passes on land with river, creek or dam fishing.

  • A$6k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises

Small fishing lodge with cabins

Run a few cabins or rooms beside good water, with fishing access and hosting included in the stay.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Rows of tables and chairs set up in an event hall for a function.

Catering equipment hire depot with delivery

Run a unit stocked with ovens, urns, marquee furniture and glassware for caterers and event hosts.

  • A$80k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Tidy furnished apartment bedroom ready for holidaymakers arriving for a short stay.

Leased holiday apartment in a visitor area

Lease one or two apartments with the owner's written consent, furnish them and rent them to holidaymakers.

  • A$8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Small boat tour operator

Run your own scenic, fishing or snorkelling trips for tourists and groups from a local harbour or marina.

  • A$40k-200k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Barista pulling an espresso shot at a busy counter in a small cafe.

Espresso bar in a small shopfront

Serve quality coffee and simple snacks from a compact shop to commuters and locals on the move.

  • A$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Mobile espresso cart or van

Take your coffee setup to markets, events and busy worksites instead of paying for a shopfront.

  • A$15k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
Bright self-catering holiday cottage living room with a no-smoking sign.

Non-smoking holiday home rental

Run a whole house or apartment as a smoke-free self-catering holiday stay in a visitor area.

  • A$8k-40k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Visitors riding horses across open pasture at a rural guest ranch.

Farm stay with horse riding

Host a few guests at a cottage on rural land you already have, with guided rides and farm activities.

  • A$15k-60k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises

Guest ranch with cabins and trail rides

Run a full-time ranch stay with several cabins, daily trail rides, meals and farm activities for guests.

  • A$400k-1800k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
A bartender pouring and garnishing a cocktail at a busy bar counter.

Small neighbourhood cocktail bar

Open a compact bar serving made-to-order cocktails to locals, after-work crowds and weekend groups.

  • A$80k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Pop-up cocktail bar for events and markets

Run a portable cocktail bar at markets, weddings and festivals without paying for a permanent venue.

  • A$8k-35k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
Private holiday villa with swimming pool and terrace overlooking the countryside.

Self-managed holiday house

Furnish a house you own or control and rent it to holidaymakers by the night or week, managing bookings yourself.

  • A$5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises

Leased holiday house, run full-time

Lease a suitable house with the owner's written consent and run it as a polished short-stay holiday home.

  • A$10k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
Crowd dancing under coloured lights in a busy nightclub.

Small LGBTQ+ bar and dance venue

Open a welcoming late-night venue with music, dancing and drinks for the LGBTQ+ community and friends.

  • A$150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Motorhomes parked on a campsite with electric hook-up posts.

Small powered-site motorhome park

Run a compact park with powered sites, water and amenities for motorhome travellers on a lease or purchased block.

  • A$400k-2000k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Crowd watching a rock band perform live on stage in a dimly lit club.

Small live rock venue and bar

Run your own small room with a stage and bar, hosting live rock gigs most nights of the week.

  • A$150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Hot air balloon rising over countryside at sunrise with passengers in basket.

Hot-air balloon flight operator

Run sunrise balloon flights for tourists and celebrations with a small crew and one balloon.

  • A$120k-400k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about

About these ideas

The ideas suit people who have savings or finance lined up and want a venue or service with real earning potential, such as a local fish and chip shop, a small neighbourhood piano bar or a mobile bar for events. Before you compare ideas, think about location, lease terms and how much working capital you will need to cover quiet weeks. Check which licences, food safety registrations and council approvals apply to your plan, since alcohol and food businesses are regulated. Try to spend a few shifts in a similar business first, so you know what the daily work involves.

More ideas

Questions

How much should I keep aside beyond the startup cost?

It is worth keeping a cash buffer for the first few months of rent, wages, stock and slow trading. Ask your accountant how much is sensible for your idea, because venues with a lease usually need a bigger cushion than mobile setups.

Do I need a licence to run a bar or food business in Australia?

Often yes, but requirements vary by state, territory and council. Check liquor licensing rules, food business registration, planning or zoning permissions and any trading hour limits with the relevant authorities before signing a lease or buying equipment.

Should I buy an existing venue or start from scratch?

Taking over an existing venue can give you equipment, a licence history and customers, but you also inherit its reputation and lease. Starting fresh gives control but costs more time. Check the lease, financials and licence transfer conditions with an adviser.