Our pick of the ideal Australian destinations for buying a holiday home

It’s only a few weeks until the school holidays start. So if you haven’t already booked a house, you might struggle to find anywhere decent. Wouldn’t it be great to know you’ve got your very own guaranteed spot to retreat to all year round? And even better if it happens to be a good investment opportunity.

So where should you buy? If it’s for weekend escapes, somewhere within easy driving distance will help you make the most of your home away from home. If you’re looking at buying interstate, it could be worth joining forces with another family to share costs and access, or listing on airBnB to make some income throughout the year. We take a look at 5 top places to buy holiday property in Australia right now – from the beach to the mountains and a few places in-between.

1. Bright, VIC

Best for – outdoor fun all year round

Nestled in the Alpine region of Victoria, Bright is a delightful little hub for cyclists, coffee lovers and anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures and stunning mountain views. Close enough to the slopes to give you access to a whole range of winter sports, the local water park on the Ovens River offers sweet relief from the summer heat too. Patrolled by lifeguards in the summer months, you can let the kids enjoy hours of fun in the water while you relax with a picnic and a coffee from Sixpence Coffee Roasters.

The region around Bright has enjoyed a decent rise in median house values recently, with a 27.7% increase in the 5 years to June 2016.

2. Hobart, TAS

Best for – a city escape packed with culture

Tasmania is flourishing as one of Australia’s most successful tourism destinations. Visitors to the Apple Isle spent $2.05 billion dollars there in the year to June 2016 and that’s a 9% increase on the previous year. So what are they all heading there for? According to Lonely Planet, who placed Tassie at number four in their 2015 top ten regional destinations, it’s the rugged mountains and shimmering water. But Hobart definitely holds it own as a cultural city destination with renowned attractions like MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) and Salamanca Markets.

And with median unit prices showing an 8.30% increase in the year to October 31 2016, Hobart is almost keeping pace with mighty Sydney, which has seen a 9.12% rise. So if you’re looking for a good investment option, with the added benefit of having your very own holiday escape in a city on the rise, Hobart is well worth a look.

3. Byron Hinterland, NSW

Best for – rural relaxation

Famous for it’s relaxed surf culture, vast beaches and iconic lighthouse, the popularity of Byron as a travel destination has been growing for years. And now the surrounding area is following suit, in the towns of Bangalow, Mullumbimby and everywhere in between. Beautiful rainforest and orchards are a feature of the rolling countryside so it’s not hard to find a property with a stunning rural outlook. And with the success of the local coffee growing industry in recent years, you won’t find it hard to find a top quality caffeine hit in one of the many local cafes and delis like the Harvest Café in Newrybar.

In recent months, values for properties in this region have performed well, with an 8.4% increase over the year to June 2016, for houses and units too. And interest in the region is at a 5 year high, with sales activity growing 2.5% on the previous year.

4. Gold Coast, Qld

Best for – a captive market

Outside of Darwin, the Gold Coast is currently the number one spot in Australia for property investment activity. 32.8% of Gold Coast dwellings are owned by investors and they’re currently enjoying strong returns, with a 7.4% lift in median values for houses in the year to June 2016, and 5% for units. As home to one of the few regional hubs in Australia for international flights, the Gold Coast is a popular spot for tourists, so there are plenty of opportunities to rent short-term to visitors or longer term to tenants working in local tourism.

If you think it’s all about high rise apartments and you’re after more of a lifestyle property and location, check out the quaint beachside suburb of Kirra, just a stone’s throw from Coolangatta Beach.

5. Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

Best for – up and coming

South Australia is one of Australia’s rising stars for food, wine and wildlife destinations. The state has just been ranked at number 5 in Lonely Planet’s top regions to visit in 2017 so their thriving tourist industry can look forward to even more visits in the coming year.

With recent upgrades improving road access from nearby Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula is likely to experience a big surge in local residents, visitor numbers and local development. As well as being the jumping off point for the very popular Kangaroo Island, the Fleurieu region has plenty of beaches and lakes, sports and recreation and food and wine to offer, making it a destination in its own right.

And taking a look at recent figures, the Fleurieu Peninsula councils of Alexandrina (1) and Victor Harbor (4) occupy two of the top five spots for regional sales volume in SA in the 12 months to June 2016.

Speaking to an Aussie Broker can help you determine your budget for a holiday home before you start shopping.

Where’s your dream holiday home destination? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

November 25, 2016 Melanie TesorieroLeave a Comment