Hospitality business ideas with your own premises in Australia

100 ideas

These 100 hospitality ideas all centre on a venue or property you lease or own, so guests come to you. They suit people who enjoy hosting, can handle long or irregular hours and are comfortable committing to a fixed site.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and about
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
Bright furnished flat living room with sofa, table and kitchen corner.

Serviced apartment in a leased unit

Lease a furnished flat or house with the owner's written consent and rent it to business travellers and visitors.

  • A$5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
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
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
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.

Farm or paddock motorhome stopover

Turn spare land into a simple overnight stop for motorhomes, with a few basic sites and a friendly welcome.

  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises

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
A cosy guest bedroom with a breakfast tray in a small country B&B.

Full-time B&B on a small property

Run a multi-room B&B from a character house or rural property, with breakfast as your signature touch.

  • A$60k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
Bunk beds with colourful bedding fill a clean hostel dormitory room.

Small independent hostel

Lease or manage a small building and sell dorm beds and private rooms to backpackers and budget travellers.

  • A$30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

About these ideas

Options range from a neighbourhood tapas bar or neighbourhood wine bar to a small powered-site motorhome park or an owner-run guest house with several rooms. Before you fall for an idea, think about the location, the lease or purchase terms and the licences the venue may need. Council zoning, liquor licensing, food safety and accommodation rules can all affect what you are allowed to run. Work out your fit-out costs and how many quiet weeks you could carry before you sign anything.

More ideas

Questions

What should I check before leasing a venue for a hospitality business?

Check that the zoning and existing council approvals allow your intended use, how long the lease runs, whether there are renewal options, and what fit-out you must fund. A solicitor and your local council can confirm what applies to the specific premises.

Do I need a licence to run a bar or serve alcohol in Australia?

Usually you will need a liquor licence or permit, and the type and requirements vary by state or territory. Check with your state liquor regulator early, as approval can take time and may involve local community consultation or conditions on trading hours.

Is buying property better than leasing for a guest house or retreat?

It depends on your finances and goals. Buying gives control but ties up capital and brings ongoing costs, while leasing lowers upfront outlay but limits changes. Check financing options, zoning for short-stay accommodation and insurance with an accountant and your council before deciding.