As Byron Bay's property market reaches saturation, buyers are looking beyond its borders to nearby towns and lifestyle-rich regions.
The Northern Rivers and Gold Coast are emerging as prime destinations for those seeking space, value and a lifestyle reset.
According to Nick Goldsbrough-Reardon, Director and Buyers Advocate at Compass, most recent buyers are families and professionals aged between 30 and 65.
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"They're typically coming from Sydney or Melbourne, looking for a fresh start," he said.
"We're also seeing a strong mix of creatives, business owners and semi-retirees, all drawn to nature, space and a calmer pace of life."
Internal migration is one of the primary forces behind this regional rise. While the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 446,000 net overseas migrants in the 2023-24 financial year, Cotality analysis shows that internal migration, from capital cities to regions, is the real engine of housing demand outside metro areas.
Many of these buyers are relocating from the Northern Beaches, Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, along with key parts of Melbourne and Brisbane.
Compass is also working with a growing number of international expats returning from major global cities such as London, Singapore, the UAE and the US.
New figures from Cotality reveal ongoing strength in regional property markets across Australia.
In the June quarter, regional dwelling values rose 0.5 per cent monthonmonth and 1.6 per cent for the quarter, outperforming combined capital cities, which rose 0.6 per cent monthly and 1.4 per cent quarterly.
This quarterly lift follows a 1.4 per cent rise nationally in the same three-month period, marking a continued rebound since the slight dip in late 2024.
Most notably, 75 per cent of regional markets recorded growth, reinforcing the strong appeal of lifestyle migration.
Goldsbrough-Reardon agrees that while affordability plays a key role, lifestyle is the real driver.
"People are looking for more than a home, they want access to clean air, the beach, local food, and a sense of connection with others. Wellness culture and sustainability aren't niche anymore, they're fundamental."
The shift to remote and hybrid work has also reshaped the property wishlist.
"Homes now need to function as workspaces," Goldsbrough-Reardon said.
"People expect separate studios, dedicated offices, fast internet, and the peace and privacy to actually work from home. Outdoor space and a strong sense of privacy are just as important as being close to town."
While lifestyle is the key motivation, many buyers are still thinking ahead. "There's definitely a strategic layer to it," he said.
"We work with clients who want homes that they can live in now, lease out later or even subdivide down the line. Dual-income potential and long-term capital growth are always part of the discussion."
Goldsbrough-Reardon believes the trend is sustainable because it's grounded in evolving work habits and long-term lifestyle priorities. "This isn't a passing trend. The pandemic might have kicked it off, but now it's embedded," he said.
Compass identifies up-and-coming suburbs before they hit the mainstream by maintaining close contact with local agents, councils and developers.
"We track things like new school developments, retail openings, population shifts, and development approvals," said Goldsbrough-Reardon.
"That's how we help our clients buy into areas 12 to 24 months before they're on everyone else's radar."
For buyers priced out of Byron Bay or simply in search of a more flexible, lifestyle-focused property, the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast are proving to be ideal options.
As Goldsbrough-Reardon puts it, "People want homes that reflect the way they want to live. And increasingly, that means stepping out of the city and into a place that offers both value and vision."
What began as a short-term migration trend is now shaping up to be a long-term shift, one that's redefining what home means for a growing number of Australians.
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