Suburbs rebound from weak growth to record standout decade-long gains

Four Sunshine Coast suburbs have been listed among the top five regional Queensland suburbs for units experiencing the biggest price turnaround.

New realestate.com.au data shows the suburbs that recorded the lowest 10-year price growth ending May 2016, many of which have since delivered some of the strongest growth across regional Queensland over the following decade.

Of the top five regional Queensland suburbs for units, four had previously recorded price declines over the 10 years to May 2016, including Nelly Bay (-18 per cent), Noosa Heads (-1 per cent), Coolum Beach (-13 per cent) and Peregian Beach (-5 per cent), before rebounding strongly over the decade to May 2026.

Over the 10 years to May 2026, Sunshine Coast suburbs delivered standout gains, with each of the four locations recording triple-digit growth and reshaping the region’s unit market.

Noosa Heads led the charge, with values surging 239 per cent to a median of $2,150,000.

Coolum Beach followed, up 213 per cent to $1,095,000, while Peregian Beach climbed 205 per cent to $1,220,000.

Moffat Beach also posted strong growth, rising 184 per cent to a median of $1,293,000.

Statewide, the strongest housing turnaround was recorded in Tallebudgera Valley, where house prices rose 271 per cent over the decade to May 2026.

For units, Nelly Bay topped the national list with a 260 per cent increase, marking the strongest growth across apartment markets over the same period.

REA Group senior economic analyst Megan Lieu said median home prices continued to evolve and past performance did not always reflect short-term opportunity.

‘The best buy suburbs a decade ago, were not delivering high returns at the time,” Ms Lieu said.

“Where buyer demand shifts is impacted by a number of factors, making it difficult to predict. However, history shows that new pockets can emerge over time with the potential to deliver strong, long-term price growth.”