[dodger]

Better financially but it doesn't meet the emotional need some have to own somewhere.  AirBnB is a substitute for a hotel, but not for an investment property.

True, if you lived and worked in London you could use it on weekends but not from Australia, it would be empty 9 months of the year.

Plenty of people in Melbourne have a place by the beach, it's only a couple of hours drive so perfect for weekends.

I prefer to have the flexibility of time share or hotels so you are free to visit new places without feeling the need to use your holiday house. They have been a great investment over the years though.