Regional home buyers may be paying over $1 million in Australia’s most desirable country and coastal towns, but they’re still getting more space, lifestyle, and value than city buyers.
According to PropTrack data, the median house price in regional Australia is just under $700,000, compared to $1 million in capital cities – a $300,000 gap. But in high-demand regional pockets, buyers regularly pay well above $1 million.
There are 43 towns and suburbs outside capital cities and major regional centres with median house prices above $1 million. Most are in New South Wales, with some in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia.
In these areas, million-dollar homes often come with ocean views or sprawling acreages – luxuries out of reach in major cities.
“For some of these areas, relative proximity to Sydney – itself a very expensive market – is probably part of the story,” said Angus Moore (pictured), REA Group executive manager of economics.
“For others, particularly those on the north coast, it's perhaps just down to these being very attractive areas.”
To see the list of towns and suburbs with million-dollar median house prices, head to realestate.com.au.
Burradoo, in the NSW Southern Highlands, now holds the title of Australia’s most expensive regional town, with a median house price of $2.55 million, narrowly overtaking Byron Bay’s $2.535 million.
The lush suburb, known for acre-sized blocks and prestige homes, is currently more accessible than in years past, according to Sarah Wotton of Di Jones Southern Highlands.
“There is very good buying in Burradoo compared to a couple of years ago,” Wotton told realestate.com.au. “We have a surplus of housing and it's still very much a buyer’s market.”
While Burradoo attracts luxury buyers, Wotton said the Southern Highlands offers homes across a range of price points.
“You get much more bang for your buck in the Highlands across the board than you do in parts of Sydney,” she said.
“There is choice across all the villages. You can move to the Southern Highlands and find a house for under $1 million that you'd be happy to bring your family up in.”
Nearby towns with seven-figure median prices include Bowral ($1.58m), Robertson ($1.225m), Bundanoon ($1.09m), and Mittagong ($1.05m).
Byron Bay, once the crown jewel of coastal real estate, has seen its median house price drop 9.5% over the past year. But neighbouring towns have surged into the $2 million club.
These include:
Kingscliff in particular is gaining attention, said Tweed Coast agent Tate Brownlee, partly thanks to the new hospital and airport access.
“You’ve got the beautiful sleepy coastal lifestyle as well as incredible restaurants and cafes,” Brownlee said. “And our beaches shred on Byron.”
On the NSW south coast, Gerringong and Kiama both recorded median prices of $1.5 million, while Berry came in at $1.61 million.
In Victoria, most million-dollar towns are coastal, such as:
Western Australia’s Dunsborough leads the west with a median of $1.2 million, followed by Cowaramup at just over $1.05 million.
In Queensland, the only towns outside major cities with seven-figure medians are Dundowran in the Wide Bay region and Palm Cove near Cairns.
Many $1 million-plus towns recorded price increases over the past year. Topping the list:
Terranora’s popularity surged due to increased demand and planned school expansions.
“It’s an incredibly unique pocket,” Brownlee said. “It has a country lifestyle that’s 10 to 15 minutes from some of the top-rated beaches in the nation.”
Not every region saw growth. The biggest annual price declines were recorded in:
