An Airbnb listing for a backyard camping experience in Australia has ignited a debate about the cost and value of such accommodations. (AirBnB)
When you think about booking a camping trip on Airbnb, you might picture yourself glamping under the stars in a luxurious bell tent. Maybe there's even a rustic hot tub waiting for you to take a dip, before you cozy up by a crackling fire, marshmallow stick in hand. But then, as you scroll through the listings, eager to make this dream a reality, you stumble upon an Airbnb offering that brings you crashing back down to earth.
Titled "Large Tent Near The Beach," this listing promises an experience far removed from your luxurious glamping fantasies. Here, you're invited to pitch an old tent in someone's backyard, surrounded by half-dead grass and a rusty Hills Hoist. In the way of bedding, you'll be sleeping on a single mattress on the floor and in terms of al fresco dining, there's a six-seater dining table situated next to a portable clothesline.
Yes, you read that right.
Your holiday abode under the stars is, in fact, a DIY situation in someone's garden, with the beach as its only redeeming feature – that is, if you squint hard enough through the fence. The internet was left scratching their heads when someone shared this listing, located in Seaton, South Australia, on Reddit.
"Surely this can't be legal?" someone asked. Another eloquently remarked, "They're taking the p*ss." The poster also shared how much it would cost to book the tent, with prices starting from $295 AUD (about $193 USD) for a one-week stay in February. "It's gross how expensive that is," one user wrote, while someone else stated, "$295 for a tent?!" "That is so expensive for what it is for," another agreed. "Honestly, we have a massive housing crisis and don't even get me started on the cost of living. This is disgusting."
But on the other hand, others argued that the price was justified. "Okay but that's for a week not a night..." someone pointed out. "That's on par with a caravan park minus having to set up a tent yourself." And someone else emphasized, "Yeah, it is cheaper than a camping ground." "I wouldn't personally stay there but what's the difference between this and actually camping? Some people would like this," another asked.
But someone replied, "Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that this is in some random backyard and not out in the forest by a lake or in the bush with a lookout and hiking trails, which is the whole point of camping."
"For that price, you may as well rent a unit," another mentioned. The Airbnb host, William, described himself as a "businessman" and "entrepreneur" who has "been in business his whole life" and "aims for perfection." The listing has since been removed but it's uncertain whether this was done by William or Airbnb. Camping is one of Airbnb's 50 categories, so it seems like the listing is technically permitted. According to the website, the camping category could help you find "a lotus tent in the south of France to a yurt on the northern California coast." It adds: "Browse a variety of holiday camping rentals and select your spot under the stars."
