Small fishing lodge with cabins

Couples, friend groups and families on fishing trips, plus small clubs and corporate groups.

A nightly rate per cabin or room, with extras such as meals, boat or kayak hire, bait and tackle, and multi-night packages.

• Hospitality and guest service
• Local knowledge of fishing spots and seasons
• Managing bookings, cleaning and maintenance

• Planning and building approval for tourist accommodation, plus fire safety and accessibility requirements, which differ by state and council
• Public liability and property insurance, and workers compensation once you hire staff
• Food registration with your local council if you serve meals, and a liquor licence if you sell alcohol
• Fishing rules, including fishing licences for guests and any limits on commercial use of public waters, so check with your state fisheries agency
• Seasonal and weather-dependent demand, with floods, fire and drought affecting bookings
• Larger upfront costs, so test the market before you commit to building

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your site, the number of cabins and the standard of fit-out. Costs are large, so test the market before you commit to building.

Monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many cabins you run, your location and the season. Demand depends on the weather, and floods, fire and drought can affect bookings.

Check planning and building approval for tourist accommodation, plus fire safety and accessibility rules. Also check insurance, council food registration if you serve meals, a liquor licence if you sell alcohol, and state fisheries rules on licences and use of public waters.