Short-term rentals, long-term anguish for Australian towns struggling to find homes for locals

Natalie Harker sits outside the Kangaroo Valley post office: ‘Some owners in town are beginning to understand the issue, and see that offering full-time rental helps the village and the community.’ Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Tourism is the lifeblood of Kangaroo Valley. Travellers flock to the lush greenery of the New South Wales town for the trails, rivers and wineries. It also hosts folk and arts festivals, is a popular wedding spot, and is a short drive from south coast beaches.

But Kangaroo Valley finds itself in a bind brought on by its own popularity – it’s almost impossible to find somewhere to live there.