Superhosts Down Under – Episode 48 with Sarah Barton

This week on Superhosts Down Under, Ray and Silvia sit down with filmmaker and disability advocate Sarah Barton, the host behind two thoughtful and beautifully considered short-term rentals in Melbourne and Wye River.

Sarah has worked for decades at the intersection of film and disability rights. Long before becoming a parent to a daughter with a disability, she was already creating documentaries about access, inclusion, and the lived experiences of disabled Australians. That commitment to representation now extends into the way she designs her guest spaces — from step-free entryways to subtle accessibility features that look and feel like part of the architecture, not clinical add-ons.

Ray, Silvia, and Sarah explore the realities of hosting two very different homes: an inner-city garden flat just steps from Chapel Street, and a peaceful coastal retreat surrounded by forest along the Great Ocean Road. Their conversation covers everything from linen management systems to the mental load of running multiple bed configurations, from dealing with tank water and septic systems to ensuring guests understand safety risks like bushfire season.

They also unpack the nuance of accessibility, why “wheelchair friendly” cannot mean the same thing for every guest, and how honest communication helps set expectations long before check-in.

If you’re a host, a creative, or someone balancing meaningful personal work with the practical challenges of property management, this episode offers grounded insights, real stories, and plenty of relatable moments.

In this episode, Sarah shares:

• Combining filmmaking with disability advocacy
• How her daughter’s disability deepened her understanding of inclusive design
• Creating a step-free, wheelchair-friendly coastal home without compromising aesthetics
• Why accessibility is not universal — different guests need different things
• Managing multiple linen sets, bed sizes, stains, storage, and timing
• Why she no longer accepts single-night Saturday bookings off Chapel Street
• How pricing has softened and shifted as local travel patterns change
• What hosting on tank water and septic systems requires from guests
• The importance of a reliable regional support team
• Why honest photos set better expectations than over-styled listings
• How she learned not to take mess or minor damage personally
• Moving off booking.com after a difficult experience
• Why responsiveness and clarity build trust with guests

Where to stay at Sarah’s properties

OffChapel Retreat — Melbourne (Windsor)
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/52710362?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

Wye Beach Retreat / Wye Forest Retreat — Wye River
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/961291955783555513?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76