A recent study of AirBnb in Tasmania found that Derby had the fourth-largest number of active listings in the North, after Launceston, St Helens and Swansea.

However, the latest round of visitor accommodation is actually centred on Bridport. 

And other AirBnB data shows that Bridport may soon be a bigger jewel in Dorset crown. There was an 173 per cent increase in bookings in the town this year – the seventh highest increase in all of Australia, and the highest increase in Tasmania (followed by Strahan). 

A Charles Street, Bridport, home, that was sold as a residential property in 2017, has had its use changed to visitor accommodation. 

 A Henry Street, Bridport, building has also been given the tick to change to visitor accommodation.  

An Elvie Court, Bridport, home has had a plan to build two units for visitor accommodation approved.  

Owner Kim Richardson said she had moved to Bridport about September, and that it was clear the region’s potential was “growing.” 

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“There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be, I’d always said I’d retire in Bridport,” she said. 

“We’re hoping that we’ll rent out ours for three or four months a year, and we can go travelling the rest of the year.

“If you’re getting into tourist accommodation you have to be realistic that it’s a summer thing, it’s not going to be rented out for 12 months of the year.”

A George Street, Scottsdale, home has also had a change of use to visitor accommodation application approved.

Waiting to be assessed are two visitor accommodation units in Allan Street, Derby. 

There are about 30 options available in Bridport on short-stay accommodation website AirBnb, in a town with a population of about 1,568.

Meanwhile, a development application for a new health studio is also waiting to be assessed, proposed for Therese Street, Bridport. 

The plans show the one-storey building would primarily be taken up by a Pilates studio, with a preparation suite, waiting area, reception, foyer, kitchen, toilets, garden courtyard, verandah, and car park.

The building was designed by Scottsdale architects, Building Design Services. 

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