The top 10 growth suburbs defying the downturn
Learn more about our editorial guidelines.
It's easy to fall into the trap of fearing that the media headlines mean just about every property in every suburb across Australia is dropping in value.
As the data shows, that's far from the case. There are always markets within markets, and in the case of several hundred suburbs around the country, prices have shot up over the past six months.
Every state has a healthy number of locations where growth is well into the double digits in 2022. So where exactly are they?
Sydney and New South Wales
It's been widely reported that Sydney has been hit hardest by interest rate hikes, and the city as a whole has seen property prices dip since February.
Take a closer look, though, and you'll find dozens of Sydney suburbs where home values are still surging ahead.
Top 10 Sydney growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Gworth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Austral | House | $690,000 | $1,030,000 | 49.3% |
| NSW | Eastwood | Unit | $720,000 | $940,000 | 30.6% |
| NSW | Sans Souci | Unit | $831,444 | $1,007,500 | 21.2% |
| NSW | Guildford | Unit | $465,000 | $560,000 | 20.4% |
| NSW | Melonba | House | $900,500 | $1,080,000 | 19.9% |
| NSW | Sydney | Unit | $1,064,000 | $1,275,000 | 19.8% |
| NSW | Breakfast Point | Unit | $1,232,250 | $1,475,000 | 19.7% |
| NSW | Lindfield | Unit | $1,090,000 | $1,285,000 | 17.9% |
| NSW | Chatswood | Unit | $1,092,000 | $1,280,000 | 17.2% |
| NSW | Granville | Unit | $486,000 | $565,000 | 16.3% |
Over the past six months, houses in Austral in the city's west have exploded in price, smashing through the $1 million mark.
Units have also proved to be hot property in the Harbour City. Attached housing all the way from Eastwood in the north to Guildford in the west and Sans Souci down south have experienced growth of over +20 per cent during the broader downturn.
Regional NSW markets have also returned plenty of dip-defying results.
Top 10 regional NSW growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Muswellbrook | Unit | $269,000 | $377,500 | 40.3% |
| NSW | Armidale | Unit | $297,500 | $379,500 | 27.6% |
| NSW | Hunterview | House | $550,000 | $700,000 | 27.3% |
| NSW | Narrandera | House | $225,000 | $280,000 | 24.4% |
| NSW | Tolland | House | $347,000 | $431,000 | 24.2% |
| NSW | Mittagong | House | $1,100,000 | $1,345,000 | 22.3% |
| NSW | Forster | Unit | $540,000 | $660,000 | 22.2% |
| NSW | Calala | House | $470,000 | $573,750 | 22.1% |
| NSW | Mount Austin | House | $342,000 | $415,000 | 21.4% |
| NSW | Blayney | House | $450,000 | $545,000 | 21.1% |
Hunter Valley suburbs Muswellbrook and Hunterview both feature around the top of the list, while Mittagong houses in the Southern Highlands saw a staggering $235,000 increase in median price over the six-month period.
Note: the above is taken from CoreLogic data, comparing median prices from September 2021 - February 2022 to March 2022 - August 2022.
Melbourne and Victoria
Like Sydney, there's been plenty of talk about the Melbourne market's adverse reactions to this year's rate hikes.
But, even while Greater Melbourne has been on the decline over the past six months, there are a host of suburbs that have boasted double-digit growth.
Top 10 Melbourne growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb '22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIC | Elwood | House | $2,125,000 | $2,530,000 | 19.1% |
| VIC | South Morang | Unit | $490,000 | $575,000 | 17.4% |
| VIC | Rockbank | House | $535,000 | $625,000 | 16.8% |
| VIC | Donnybrook | House | $535,000 | $619,000 | 15.7% |
| VIC | Williamstown | Unit | $744,500 | $860,000 | 15.5% |
| VIC | Pascoe Vale | House | $982,000 | $1,130,000 | 15.1% |
| VIC | Rowville | Unit | $635,000 | $729,000 | 14.8% |
| VIC | Lyndhurst | House | $871,500 | $1,000,000 | 14.7% |
| VIC | Eltham | Unit | $730,000 | $835,000 | 14.4% |
| VIC | Glen Huntly | Unit | $601,000 | $685,000 | 14.0% |
Leading the pack is the waterfront suburb of Elwood, which has seen house prices soar by nearly +20 per cent since March.
Towards the north, units in South Morang and houses in Rockbank and Donnybrook have all shot up more than +15 per cent, while Pascoe Vale has seen house prices burst through the $1 million median mark.
There's also been strong growth in more than two dozen regional locations around Victoria.
Top 10 regional VIC growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIC | Shepparton | Unit | $297,500 | $381,750 | 28.3% |
| VIC | Leongatha | House | $515,000 | $625,000 | 21.4% |
| VIC | Lucas | House | $582,500 | $697,500 | 19.7% |
| VIC | Numurkah | House | $315,000 | $372,500 | 18.3% |
| VIC | Swan Hill | House | $350,000 | $405,000 | 15.7% |
| VIC | Ararat | House | $350,000 | $405,000 | 15.7% |
| VIC | Redan | House | $455,000 | $525,000 | 15.4% |
| VIC | Kyabram | House | $367,000 | $420,000 | 14.4% |
| VIC | Yarrawonga | House | $590,500 | $675,000 | 14.3% |
| VIC | Portland | House | $405,500 | $460,000 | 13.4% |
Perhaps surprisingly, the biggest mover was units in Shepparton, which surged nearly +30 per cent over the six-month period.
Elsewhere, houses in Gippsland's Leongatha, Lucas in Ballarat and Numurkah in the state's north all hovered around the +20 per cent growth level.
Note: the above is taken from CoreLogic data, comparing median prices from September 2021 - February 2022 to March 2022 - August 2022.
Brisbane and Queensland
The Brisbane market has been one of the most resilient in the country this year, but even the Sunshine State's seemingly endless boom looks to have finally halted.
If you zoom in, though, there are still plenty of locations where growth is charging ahead.
Top 10 Brisbane growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QLD | Stones Corner | Unit | $440,000 | $575,000 | 30.7% |
| QLD | Greenbank | House | $700,000 | $900,000 | 28.6% |
| QLD | Beenleigh | Unit | $240,000 | $300,000 | 25.0% |
| QLD | Eight Mile Plains | House | $1,040,000 | $1,283,000 | 23.4% |
| QLD | Cleveland | Unit | $500,000 | $610,000 | 22.0% |
| QLD | Bulimba | House | $1,650,000 | $2,000,000 | 21.2% |
| QLD | Holmview | House | $480,275 | $580,000 | 20.8% |
| QLD | Marsden | Unit | $295,000 | $355,000 | 20.3% |
| QLD | Logan Reserve | House | $502,000 | $602,500 | 20.0% |
| QLD | Macleay Island | House | $325,000 | $390,000 | 20.0% |
Aside from suburbs like Stones Corner and Eight Mile Plains, where prices have soared, many of the biggest movers in Greater Brisbane can be found in Logan and Redlands City.
In Logan alone, houses in Greenbank and Holmview as well as units in Beenleigh and Marsden have had a boost of more than +20 per cent over the last six months.
Then, looking to regional Queensland, there's plenty more boom-like growth to be found.
Top 10 regional QLD growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QLD | Upper Caboolture | House | $560,000 | $825,000 | 47.3% |
| QLD | Port Douglas | House | $723,000 | $1,032,500 | 42.8% |
| QLD | Worongary | House | $887,500 | $1,257,500 | 41.7% |
| QLD | Ashmore | Unit | $365,000 | $502,500 | 37.7% |
| QLD | Gleneagle | House | $453,450 | $597,500 | 31.8% |
| QLD | Main Beach | Unit | $925,000 | $1,200,000 | 29.7% |
| QLD | Karalee | House | $750,000 | $945,000 | 26.0% |
| QLD | Norville | House | $290,000 | $364,000 | 25.5% |
| QLD | Clifton Beach | Unit | $270,000 | $338,500 | 25.4% |
| QLD | Toogoom | House | $495,000 | $620,000 | 25.3% |
Houses in Redcliffe's Upper Caboolture exploded nearly +50 per cent and Port Douglas comfortably shot through the $1 million median mark.
Gold Coast locations Worongary, Ashmore and Main Beach also delivered huge gains, as did spots around Ipswich and Bundaberg.
Note: the above is taken from CoreLogic data, comparing median prices from September 2021 - February 2022 to March 2022 - August 2022.
Adelaide and South Australia
Similarly to Queensland, South Australia has been pressing ahead with incredible growth as other states have started to correct.
Despite the pullback over the past two months, plenty of suburbs have still recorded staggering gains over the past six months.
Top 10 Adelaide growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | Salisbury | Unit | $220,000 | $315,000 | 43.2% |
| SA | Munno Para | House | $275,000 | $370,500 | 34.7% |
| SA | Davoren Park | House | $232,000 | $307,000 | 32.3% |
| SA | Salisbury | House | $370,000 | $477,500 | 29.1% |
| SA | Plympton | House | $645,000 | $820,000 | 27.1% |
| SA | Somerton Park | House | $1,025,000 | $1,285,000 | 25.4% |
| SA | Elizabeth North | House | $230,000 | $285,000 | 23.9% |
| SA | Elizabeth Grove | House | $277,500 | $342,500 | 23.4% |
| SA | Modbury | House | $489,000 | $600,000 | 22.7% |
| SA | Pooraka | House | $474,000 | $580,530 | 22.5% |
Adelaide's north and north-eastern areas dominated the period. Units in Salisbury blew up more than +43 per cent, and houses in Munno Para and Davoren Park grew beyond +30 per cent.
Looking to Adelaide's west, Plympton and Somerton Park both delivered outstanding results around the +25 per cent range.
The growth hasn't been exclusive to the city either, with a number of locations around the state posting very strong increases in the six-month period.
Top 10 regional SA growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug '22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA | Mannum | House | $285,000 | $377,500 | 32.5% |
| SA | Goolwa Beach | House | $447,500 | $562,500 | 25.7% |
| SA | Normanville | House | $484,750 | $609,000 | 25.6% |
| SA | Port Lincoln | Unit | $243,500 | $305,000 | 25.3% |
| SA | Kadina | House | $254,500 | $315,000 | 23.8% |
| SA | Loxton | House | $267,500 | $330,000 | 23.4% |
| SA | Hindmarsh Island | House | $539,000 | $655,000 | 21.5% |
| SA | Hayborough | House | $457,500 | $553,000 | 20.9% |
| SA | Wallaroo | House | $290,050 | $350,000 | 20.7% |
| SA | Kapunda | House | $310,000 | $373,500 | 20.5% |
Houses in Mannum on the Murray River topped the list with growth of +32.5 per cent, followed by Goolwa Beach and Normanville in the Fleurieu Peninsula both breaching +25 per cent gained.
In fact, every one of the ten biggest movers grew by more than +20 per cent in only six months, exemplifying the incredible strength of the South Australian market.
Note: the above is taken from CoreLogic data, comparing median prices from September 2021 - February 2022 to March 2022 - August 2022.
Perth and Western Australia
While the eastern states have been somewhat in sync this year, the Western Australian market has been marching to the beat of its own drum.
Perth has turned in some very strong results in a bunch of areas across the city over the past six months.
Top 10 Perth growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA | South Guildford | House | $495,000 | $675,000 | 36.4% |
| WA | Mount Pleasant | Unit | $615,000 | $822,500 | 33.7% |
| WA | Perth | House | $630,000 | $828,000 | 31.4% |
| WA | Hilbert | House | $325,000 | $420,000 | 29.2% |
| WA | Hammond Park | House | $420,000 | $535,000 | 27.4% |
| WA | Claremont | House | $1,517,500 | $1,860,000 | 22.6% |
| WA | Wembley | Unit | $247,000 | $299,000 | 21.1% |
| WA | Caversham | House | $445,000 | $538,500 | 21.0% |
| WA | Coogee | House | $776,000 | $934,000 | 20.4% |
| WA | East Fremantle | House | $1,305,000 | $1,565,000 | 19.9% |
Topping the list in Perth is the eastern suburb of South Guilford, which has seen house prices jump up by more than +36 per cent, or close to $200,000.
Units in Mount Pleasant also delivered major returns to the tune of over +33 per cent, and houses in central Perth, Hilbert and Hammond Park brought sellers good fortune with extremely strong growth as well.
Looking regionally, plenty of Western Australian suburbs saw gains in the double digits over the six month period.
Top 10 regional WA growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Jurien Bay | House | $442,500 | $530,000 | 19.8% |
| WA | Eglinton | House | $370,000 | $440,000 | 18.9% |
| WA | West Busselton | House | $530,000 | $627,500 | 18.4% |
| WA | York | House | $305,000 | $360,000 | 18.0% |
| WA | South Bunbury | Unit | $307,000 | $360,000 | 17.3% |
| WA | Port Hedland | House | $649,386 | $760,000 | 17.0% |
| WA | Balcatta | Unit | $414,500 | $485,000 | 17.0% |
| WA | Tuart Hill | Unit | $377,500 | $435,000 | 15.2% |
| WA | Madora Bay | House | $435,000 | $500,000 | 14.9% |
| WA | Dawesville | House | $442,500 | $505,000 | 14.1% |
Jurien Bay and Eglinton in the state's north came close to achieving +20 per cent growth.
Other heavy hitters were scattered across Western Australia, with West Busselton, York and South Bunbury amongst the top performers in 2022.
Note: the above is taken from CoreLogic data, comparing median prices from September 2021 - February 2022 to March 2022 - August 2022.
Tasmania and the ACT
Tasmania was one the leading states in the 2021 housing boom. While things have broadly started to slip in the island state, the top 10 growth suburbs for the six-month period all saw increases in the double digits.
Top 10 Tasmania growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAS | Penguin | House | $489,000 | $690,000 | 41.1% |
| TAS | Trevallyn | House | $635,000 | $739,000 | 16.4% |
| TAS | Newstead | House | $635,000 | $725,000 | 14.2% |
| TAS | Norwood | House | $577,000 | $650,000 | 12.7% |
| TAS | George Town | House | $340,000 | $382,500 | 12.5% |
| TAS | Risdon Vale | House | $452,500 | $508,000 | 12.3% |
| TAS | Legana | House | $671,000 | $750,000 | 11.8% |
| TAS | Bridgewater | House | $450,000 | $499,000 | 10.9% |
| TAS | East Devonport | House | $390,500 | $432,500 | 10.8% |
| TAS | Wynyard | House | $408,500 | $450,000 | 10.2% |
By far the strongest performer was Penguin on the north-west coast, with houses bringing in gains of over +40 per cent.
The wider Launceston area also brought positive results, particularly in Trevallyn, Newstead and Norwood, while Hobart's standout suburb was Risdon Vale, getting a healthy +12.3 per cent bump.
The ACT has also had a very strong run, and that's reflected in the results for the six months to August.
Top 10 ACT growth suburbs - 6 months to August 2022
| State | Suburb | Property type | Median price (Sep ‘21 - Feb ’22) | Median price (Mar ‘22 - Aug ’22) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | Taylor | House | $468,000 | $650,000 | 38.9% |
| ACT | Campbell | Unit | $609,000 | $812,500 | 33.4% |
| ACT | Coombs | Unit | $600,000 | $731,111 | 21.9% |
| ACT | Franklin | Unit | $456,500 | $530,000 | 16.1% |
| ACT | Watson | House | $1,021,000 | $1,185,000 | 16.1% |
| ACT | Watson | Unit | $470,000 | $545,000 | 16.0% |
| ACT | Florey | House | $941,500 | $1,070,000 | 13.7% |
| ACT | Macquarie | Unit | $503,500 | $570,100 | 13.2% |
| ACT | Bonner | House | $862,500 | $972,000 | 12.7% |
| ACT | Barton | Unit | $549,500 | $614,030 | 11.7% |
Houses in Taylor and units in Campbell both shot up well over +30 per cent. Coombs in Woden Valley, Franklin in Gungahlin and Watson in Canberra's Inner North were also among the strongest locations.
Note: the above is taken from CoreLogic data, comparing median prices from September 2021 - February 2022 to March 2022 - August 2022.
