Regional Australia’s Property Boom in 2025: Where Smart Investors Should Be Looking

5 May, 2025

Australia’s property game is changing fast, folks—and the big cities are no longer calling all the shots. In 2025, it’s all about regional living. Aussies are ditching city life in droves, chasing affordable homes, better lifestyles, and less stress. So, if you’re serious about investing, now’s the time to tune into this shift. Let’s unpack what’s driving this regional renaissance and how you can cash in.

What's Behind the Regional Rush?

Look, remote work isn’t just a pandemic fad—it’s become our new normal. Data from the Regional Movers Index shows regional migration is still running hot, nearly 36% higher than the reverse move back to the city. Hotspots like the Sunshine Coast, Geelong, and Perth’s satellite towns are booming, with professionals chasing that dream lifestyle without the city price tag.

Let’s face it, city property prices are sky-high. The median house price in Sydney and Melbourne is now well over $1.2 million. Meanwhile, regions like Ballarat offer homes for around $550,000—a massive 41% cheaper than Melbourne. Even places like Townsville are seeing impressive growth (26.9% in 2024) but still remain budget-friendly.

Governments are throwing serious cash into regional infrastructure. From Geelong’s $500 million waterfront facelift to Mackay’s renewable energy boom, these projects are magnets for skilled workers and investors alike. Better transport and reliable internet mean regional towns aren’t isolated anymore—they’re thriving economic hubs.

Where to Invest in Regional Victoria

Victoria’s regions are stabilising nicely after some post-pandemic bumps. We’re talking steady growth around 5–7% in 2025, especially in towns with solid job markets and infrastructure.

Geelong: Just an hour from Melbourne, and poised as an ideal location for startups. Units here yield an attractive 4.8%.
Mornington Peninsula: Coastal lifestyle seekers are pushing median prices up by around 9% per year.
Ballarat: A hotspot for first-home buyers, with median prices 40% cheaper than Melbourne and plenty of stamp duty breaks.
Tip: Watch out for interest rate movements and areas with too much new housing supply. Aim for diverse economies like Bendigo, known for healthcare and education.

Queensland's Coastal Hotspots and Hidden Gems

Queensland’s regions, especially the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, are leading the charge in regional migration.

Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast: Huge lifestyle appeal, backed by major road upgrades like Bruce Highway and the M1 Motorway.
Northern Queensland (Mackay, Bundaberg): Mackay’s house prices jumped nearly 27% in 2024 thanks to booming mining and limited housing supply. Fraser Coast is another sleeper with land releases and hospital expansions drawing families.

INVESTOR ALERT:

Perth and WA's Quiet Property Explosion

Perth is red-hot, folks. House prices jumped 24.2% in 2024, with more growth (5–10%) forecast for 2025. Units are surging too, becoming the go-to for affordability.

Investor Playbook:
How to Win in the Regions

Follow the Infrastructure Money:
Invest near confirmed transport, energy, and health projects.

Spread Your Bets:
Diversify across different states to lower risk from local market shifts.

Leverage Tech Tools:
Use online resources backed by data to focus on high-growth locations and thorough due-diligence.

Stay Alert to Policy Shifts:
especially Victoria’s evolving land tax reforms, which may impact holding costs. While these changes are prompting some investors to reassess, opportunities still remain for those with a long-term view.

Final Thoughts: Get Ahead of the Regional Game

Regional Australia is no longer just the quiet achiever—it’s where the smart money is heading. This isn’t a passing trend; it’s a structural shift driven by lifestyle, affordability, and huge infrastructure investments. If you act wisely, you’re not just investing—you’re shaping your financial future.

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