Thanks to a variety of factors, from its laid back lifestyles and abundant natural beauty, to a booming local population and increased employment options across a range of sectors, the Sunshine Coast has quickly become one of Australia’s hottest property markets. According to data from the Regional Australia Institute, the Sunshine Coast is now Australia’s most popular destination for internal migration for six quarters in a row.¹
With interest in the region piqued across all homebuyer types, from young professionals and families to those seeking a sea or tree change in their later years, there are many reasons why homebuyers consider the Sunshine Coast as the perfect place to build a home. As we head into 2025, whether you’re looking to build or buy a home, thinking of investing or just considering your home-buying options in the new year, it’s crucial to understand the factors that influence the trends we’ve seen across the Sunshine Coast housing market.
As a diverse area with coastal, hinterland and suburban areas, the suburbs that make up the Sunshine Coast each have their own unique appeal. Along with coastal suburbs like Caloundra, Coolum, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, the most in-demand suburbs on the Sunshine Coast include Banya, Nirimba, Baringa and Galgalba in Aura, Caloundra West, Bells Creek, Palmview, Beerwah, Nambour, Woombye and Yandina.
These range from the new suburbs at Aura located just a short distance from Caloundra, to the hinterland suburbs, to the larger town of Nambour with its excellent public transport infrastructure. Homebuyers have a wealth of options regarding the Sunshine Coast property market and you can get more across the most popular areas to build and live on the Sunshine Coast in our article, ‘The Best Suburbs to Build a Home on the Sunshine Coast’.
The national cost of living crisis has contributed to wider economic pressures that have resulted in some regions across Australia growing much faster than others – a trend felt strongly in Southeast Queensland. According to PropTrack director of economic research Cameron Kusher, “More people moving to the region, more people investing in the area and limited stock for sale has driven prices higher,”² and most real estate experts agree that a combination of the factors below – along with the inherent appeal of living on the Sunshine Coast – have contributed to the strong property prices seen along the coast and hinterland.
Since the pandemic, northward migration has been a trend impacting property prices, with many people moving from Melbourne and Sydney to coastal, country and city regions with comparatively more affordable property markets. In addition to interstate migration, many international migrants have increasingly set their sights on areas outside of Australia’s two largest metropolises, further contributing to housing demand in other parts of the country. This trend has been seen across much of Southeast Queensland, with Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast experiencing higher migration levels over the last few years.¹
The Sunshine Coast economy continues to get stronger which is fuelled by a combination of factors, including migration patterns and trends. The Sunshine Coast Council’s Gross Regional Product is currently estimated at $23.73 billion, which represents 5.1% of Queensland’s GSP (Gross State Product).³ In terms of future employment, significant growth is expected across a variety of sectors, most notably, health, construction, education, retail and professional and technical services.⁴
As there are more buyers on the market than there are homes available, a supply shortage has ensued which places upward pressure on property values. This trend has been felt most strongly across coastal suburbs like Noosa and Maroochydore, but there’s strong demand for properties across all Sunshine Coast suburbs, including the new suburbs in Aura and hinterland suburbs like Woombye and Palmwoods. This, however, doesn’t mean that those yearning to move to the coast should set their sights elsewhere – the median house price on the Sunshine Coast is more affordable than many parts of the country.
What’s more, while Sunshine Coast property values have accelerated and the market has experienced faster growth than most regions across Australia, it’s expected that the housing price growth trajectory will slow due to interest rates, current prices and other economic and demographic factors.² This is great news for anyone looking to build or buy on the coast, especially those looking to gain a foothold in the local property market.
With Sunshine Coast property prices experiencing high rates of growth over the past few years that have presented attractive opportunities for homeowners and investors in the market, it makes housing affordability and market entry challenges for many homebuyers. This isn’t a situation unique to the Sunshine Coast, as it’s a trend experienced in most parts of Australia, especially in the capital cities. However, that doesn’t mean anyone looking to build or buy on the Sunshine Coast has to look elsewhere – there are currently around 20 suburbs with a lower median house price than the Southeast Queensland average.⁵
These suburbs include Nambour, Nirimba, Baringa, Caloundra West, Beerwah, Palmview and Yandina, just to name a few.⁵ What’s more, not only are these very popular Sunshine Coast suburbs to call home due to factors including location, amenities, infrastructure and community, but these are all suburbs in which Hallmark Homes builds new homes. This means there are still opportunities to call a desirable part of the Sunshine Coast home and enjoy the many lifestyle benefits the region offers and capitalise on its strong property market by getting a foothold in the market sooner rather than later, not to mention the opportunity to work with a respected home builder to build your new Sunshine Coast home.
As a trusted local home builder with over 40 years of experience, Hallmark Homes builds new homes for all kinds of homebuyers, from first-home buyers to downsizers and property investors. When you build with Hallmark Homes, you’re building with home builders who love what we do and are proud of our work, so you can be confident that when you build with us, we’re doing it for the right reasons. Take the time to explore our Luma, Nest and Eden home design ranges and when you’re ready to get a feel for the build quality of a Hallmark Home, visit one of our display homes, like Aura Sunshine Coast at Bells Creek.
*The information on this website is for general information purposes only. It is not financial advice. Consult with qualified financial advisors for personalised guidance.
¹ Metro millennials are fleeing Aussie cities in colossal numbers
² How region’s median property price doubled faster than most places in Australia
³ Sunshine Coast Council economic profile
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