Queensland has 76 suburbs with a median house price above $1.5m, and now property experts have shared where they would splash a champagne budget across the state.
From mega mansions on the Gold Coast to beach houses on the Sunshine Coast and resort-style residences perched high up in rainforests in the tropics, there is no shortage of luxe real estate in the Sunshine State.
A $1.5 million budget could get you a home in sought-after suburbs such Toowong, Norman Park and Currumbin at the end of December, according to the latest REA Market Trends report.
Meanwhile, you will need a cool $3.15 million – at least – to buy into Queensland’s most expensive suburb, Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast.
But there is no shortage of real estate that is listed for well above their suburb medians, and plenty of others that have sold in recent times and eclipsed the average house price in their locale.
Queensland’s property titans have revealed their top suburb picks for the well-heeled in 2023, with plenty of options for those with $1.5m-plus in the bank.
Here, Ray White Qld CEO Jason Andrew (JA), Belle Property Qld boss Jon Iceton (JI), LJ Hooker Qld general manager Stephen Mutton (SM), Place Estate Agents managing director Sarah Hackett (SH), Explore Property Network CEO Andrew Acton (AA), McGrath’s National Manager (sales) Troy Malcolm (TM), Harcourts CEO Mitch Peereboom (PB) and Hotspotting’s Terry Ryder (TR), plus a range of local agents, share their prestige suburb picks for the coming year.
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BRISBANE NORTH
Hamilton. Home to some of the city’s best blue chip real estate. Pitched between the city and the airport, it’s popular with executives. The potential redevelopment of the river space and the addition of the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge makes it an appealing place to call home. (SM)
Samford Valley. Just outside the Brisbane city but still ranked one of the most idyllic semirural locations. Offering a modern country community feel with luxury acreage properties, scattered throughout this green tree-lined valley. (JI)
New Farm. New Farm is known for its beautiful, large homes and its tree lined streets. Great community, very stunning area. There are also a lot of parks/recreational places you can go with the family. Houses are long held but very sought after in New Farm. (JA)
Ascot. Home to some of Queensland’s best schools, it’s hard to compete with a suburb like Ascot. It has some of Brisbane’s most stunning estates and properties on the fringe of the Brisbane River. Streets lined with jacarandas, large open, cafes, restaurants, and bars – all at your fingertips in this gorgeous tightly held pocket. (SH)
Wilston. Wilston is a prestige suburb with an attractive mix of architecture, excellent city views and the popular Wilston Village. (TM)
Ascot. When you think of Brisbane prestige real estate, you think of Ascot. If you could secure one of the most tightly held residences and had no budget – you would buy it. (MP)
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BRISBANE SOUTH
Bulimba. Oxford Street on a Saturday and Sunday is teeming with locals who can make the leisurely walk into the precinct from home. Some cutting-edge architecture in the riverside hamlet which has one of the most popular ferry terminals in the city. (SM)
Graceville. Southwest of Brisbane, its wide streets with river views, ancient fig trees and classic Queenslanders make Graceville one of the highest searched suburbs in Brisbane. It’s a relaxing yet changing demographic towards younger families, it has wonderful cafes and eateries are at your disposal and only 7.8 km from the CBD, rail, buses and main access roads north or south, it’s hard to go past. (JI)
Bulimba. Living in Bulimba means having the Brisbane River right at your doorstep. The suburb has a strong village atmosphere with all the trees, the river and the quiet vibe. On the right side of the river is the lively city of Brisbane just 20 minutes away from Bulimba. You can also take the CityCat to get to the city. (JA)
Norman Park. Just 4km to the CBD, Norman Park offers the best of the Brisbane River lifestyle. The suburb is a short walk, ferry ride, or drive to everything Brisbane has an offer. The suburb has beautiful tree-lined street and some grand beautiful new homes, older homes, and incredible renovations. (SH)
Coorparoo. Coorparoo includes luxury pockets with beautiful homes on big blocks, city views, local shops, parks and walkways, and is still relatively affordable. A great choice. (TM)
Eight Mile Plains. Positioned in the centre of Brisbane’s hottest suburbs there are many reasons to buy a prestige property in Eight Mile Plains. (MP)
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BRISBANE EAST
Raby Bay. Premium waterfront living with superior access to Moreton Bay. Four bedroom homes with moorings can be found for around the same price as a median home in Sydney. (SM)
Raby Bay. This bayside suburb is infamous for its larger canal frontage residences, some with private access to the foreshore. Within easy reach of the Cleveland shopping district and the direct gateway to Morton Bay, a very popular suburb for those looking to escape the inner city and enjoy the open waters. (JI)
Gumdale. Gumdale is roughly 17 km to the Brisbane CBD. The average property size in Gumdale is approximately between 5,000 to 10,000sqm making Gumdale consist mostly of acreages. Gumdale has several new development sites but it’s mostly acreages. It is Brisbane’s nearest acreage suburb to the CBD. (JA)
Hawthorne. One of Brisbane’s most aesthetic suburbs, Hawthorne has something for everyone. Suitable for younger families and retirees, the suburb has a humble community feel, while also a trendy and exciting atmosphere. A highly desirable location, the properties along the riverfront are some of the city’s most exquisite. (SH)
Manly. Manly offers a dynamic lifestyle with access to Morton Bay and the marina while only 30 minutes from the city. Lots of new homes and renovations are underway. (TM)
Gumdale. The Bayside acreage hidden gem that is home to some of Brisbane’s best properties. This will always be sought after real estate. (MP)
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BRISBANE WEST
Pullenvale. Premium rural lifestyle opportunities. Residents can still commute into the city from their estates – something that you couldn’t do in Sydney or Melbourne for similar sized properties. (SM)
Brookfield/Pullenvale. With the post-Covid demand for more land space and lifestyle, the 2- 5-acre residences giving a semirural lifestyle close to the city has again put these two suburbs on the map. Great local shopping only minutes away in Kenmore and an easy commute to CBD. These rolling hill suburbs with grand size homes will not disappoint. (JI)
St Lucia. Located on a bend of Brisbane River, St Lucia is one of Brisbane’s oldest and most established suburbs. Within its picturesque setting you’ll find extensive parklands, sporting fields and clubs, including the generous St Lucia Golf Links and the University of Queensland. (JA)
Chelmer. People describe Chelmer as “the Australian dream’ with its large, beautiful, estate-like blocks, offering an idyllic family lifestyle along the Brisbane River. With its own train station, Chelmer is well connected. Driving the streets, you’ll see gorgeous old Queenslanders mixed with new renovations – all embracing river breezes – Chelmer is perfect for professional families. (SH)
Chelmer. Chelmer continues to attract interstate buyers and expats who compete with local families keen on a slice of this prestigious, leafy riverfront suburb. (TM)
Chelmer. There are serious homes in Chelmer and the exclusivity of some of Brisbane’s best streets should give you confidence when buying a trophy home. (MP)
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GOLD COAST
Currumbin. A beach lifestyle with a village atmosphere. Heading up the hill offers an amazing outlook of the Gold Coast. Proximity to the Airport has made it a popular option for professionals escaping Sydney and Melbourne. (SM)
Sovereign Island. Located towards the northern end of the Gold Coast and connected to Paradise Point by bridge, the residences here are some of the most expensive properties in the country with some exceeding $20,000,000 and not many under the $3 million mark. Ideal for the boating enthusiast with luxury homes with deep water moorings and direct access to the ocean. (JI)
Burleigh Heads. Burleigh is no longer just a sleepy surfing locale. Locals and visitors alike flock there for world-class point break, unbeatable beaches, lively cafe and dining scene, nature walks and the sunny vibes. The pine trees and pandanus palms are awesome. You’ll find some of the Gold Coast’s best restaurants in Burleigh too. (JA)
Mermaid Waters. Mermaid Waters is great value compared to neighbouring Broadbeach Waters. It’s minutes from the surf, has Pacific Fair, clubs and great parks. (TM)
Burleigh Heads. On the Gold Coast, it’s hard to surpass Burleigh Heads when it comes to diversity and stunning new builds. The suburb offers some of the best beaches, restaurants, and cafes, all the while a tight-knit community vibe. Some of the luxury apartments embrace the most amazing beach views that stretch all the way from Surfers to Coolangatta. (SH)
Mermaid Beach. The Mermaid Beach beachfront property market attracts the most exclusive and discerning clientele. 2023 will be no exception. (MP)
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SUNSHINE COAST
Sunshine Beach. Spectacular homes overlooking the sweeping coastline with a surf lifesaving club and restaurant strip which is a hive of activity on the weekends. (SM)
Sunshine Beach. A relaxing prestige beachside location, with pristine beaches and national parks for the semi-retired and for those wanting larger land. There is a renewed focus on prestige new builds and renovations and with the sea and tree change still on this suburb is hard to beat. (JI)
Noosa. We are so lucky to have so many desirable places to live. Noosa draws tourists in on a consistent basis due to its famously beautiful beaches. But overall it’s an awesome place to live a healthy outdoors lifestyle. There are many cafes and restaurants that cater to a healthy eating lifestyle and the beaches and other natural surroundings are first class. (JA)
Buddina. Buddina has a private peninsula position but is also central to shops, the hospital precinct and airport. Its beautiful surf beach and river access are big drawcards. (TM)
Sunshine Beach. With the beach and national park at your doorstep, it’s hard to surpass the lifestyle on offer at Sunshine Beach. The beachfront homes are magnificent and modern, with large glass windows encompassing enviable ocean views. Nearby, you have the famous Hastings Street, and a short drive is Noosa Junction. While many are holiday homes, some are lucky enough to live in the prestigious strip permanently. (SH)
CAIRNS
Port Douglas. Addresses on Flagstaff Hill including Murphy Street offer some of the best coastal views in Australia while the buzz of Macrossan Street is a short walk away. (SM)
Palm Cove. Still can’t go past this luxury beach side suburb for value plus luxury. If you don’t already know about it then its probably not for you, after all ‘its Palm Cove’! (JI)
Palm Cove. It is surrounded by prestige properties and custom built homes located on the Northern Beaches as one of Cairns’ most popular beach suburb mostly purchased by southern buyers relocating for a change in lifestyle. (AA)
Palm Cove. It is a hotspot particularly for Melbourne buyers in terms of its proximity to beaches and the lot sizes on offer. And there are some spectacular homes there. (Ray White Cairns Beaches principal, Joseph Indorato)
Palm Cove/Cairns CBD. Palm Cove for luxe homes and the CBD for penthouses. Or even the top of Brinsmead called The Peak, which has very luxurious multimillion-dollar homes. (RE/MAX Cairns principal Ray Murphy)
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TOWNSVILLE
Rowes Bay. One of Townsville’s aspirational addresses. 880sqm blocks of land sell for $900,000, such is the demand of the tightly-held community. (SM)
Castle Hill. The view of Castle Hill properties is world class. When you combine stunning views, breezes and inner-city location, Castle Hill will always be the premiere Townsville suburb forever. Whatever happens to the market Castle Hill will always be the one that rises to the top. (AA)
Castle Hill. Castle Hill attracts buyers at the top end of the market willing to pay for views to Magnetic Island. It’s tightly held with only 450 houses. (TM)
North Ward/Castle Hill. Both have had substantial growth but pockets of both suburbs offer substantial homes on prestige streets. Both are vibrant areas. (Keyes & Co principal Damien Keyes)
Castle Hill. For a prestige suburb, Castle Hill is still very affordable. It offers stunning views, proximity to the Strand and CBD, good schools and entertainment precincts. But you can still get good deals here. (Ray White’s Julie Mahoney)
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MACKAY/WHITSUNDAYS
Airlie Beach. For those buyers looking for the ultimate Whitsunday residence, we have the last elevated land release ever to be developed in Airlie Beach, with arguable some of the best sea view sites the region has ever seen, these flat sites 120m above sea level have been achieving prices from $900,000 – $1.1m with 8 of the available 14 lots already sold or on hold (AA)
Richmond and Erakala. Both suburbs hold recent high end sales above $1,500,000 and offer half acre block sizes with incredible homes and amazing pools and sheds. Space and size is important and these suburbs offer the ability to be away from it all, but still close to everything. (AA)
Airlie Beach. There is only a small amount properties and not much for sale. Everyone wants those water views and an easy walk to the restaurants. (Ray White Whitsunday principal Mark Beale)
Dolphin Heads. They are big homes overlooking the ocean. Most are on clifftops. It has always been a bit of an exclusive area. (Professionals Mackay principal Gary Tweddle)
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TOOWOOMBA
East Toowoomba. Sprawling blocks housing 20th century homes that have been wonderfully restored or given architecturally brilliant contemporary additions. (SM)
East Toowoomba. An inner city suburb surrounded by tree lined avenues and very large blocks of land. Character homes are just a short distance to the local parks and gardens Toowoomba is famous for. (RE/MAX Success GM Daniel Burrett)
Toowoomba. Regional Queensland still has the eyes of the world on it because of its affordability. Keep your eye on Toowoomba and any of its surroundings – it has its own airport and it’s only a one and a half-hour scenic drive to Brisbane – with affordability as a key driver. (JA)
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WIDE BAY BURNETT
Hervey Bay. The Esplanade and Christensen Street offer outstanding lifestyles that are attracting Melbourne and Gold Coast buyers firstly, followed by Sydney and Brisbane. For what you get in this enclave, you would pay three times the price for similar amenities in a city market. (SM)
Point Vernon. There are some great homes in the $1.5m range with great views over the water. We’ve had lots of people coming from interstate, Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coast. They are cashing out and buying similar home but have cash leftover in the bank. (Ray White Hervey Bay principal Glenn Fallon)
Article source: Queensland Property Investor