Mood can be dictated by the simplest things. Wake up to majestic weather and often there’s an extra spring in your step, a greater alertness of mind, and a wider smile on your face. The 5.5 million people that live in Queensland are blessed in this respect – it’s Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’, luxuriating in warm summers, mild winters, and an average daily (maximum) of roughly 30 degrees °C. While this weather – the sumptuous, subtropical climate —helps to characterise the region and is a totemic selling point, you don’t have to dig much deeper to uncover an enviable lifestyle to match. Queensland has a rich and diverse history, shaped by its Indigenous cultures and European settlement, and has developed into a vibrant, modern state with sophisticated urban centres, cosy coastal towns, and epic rural landscapes.
Amid Queensland’s natural beauty – stunning beaches, lush rainforests, jaw-dropping ‘outback’ hinterlands – there is a genuinely appealing quality of life, with a solid infrastructure that ensures good access to first-class facilities: healthcare, education, airports, shopping, dining, transport and recreation. With durable economic foundations – mining, agriculture, and tourism are key industries – and the culture and comfort quota undeniably high, living in Queensland is deeply desirable. Here is our pick of the best areas to put down roots.
Mooloolaba
In a prime position, perched on the Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba is all about blissed-out relaxation. Life here is laid-back and focused around the pristine beaches – especially for those who live in its luxury waterfront homes. This is an in-demand suburb, just 90 minutes drive north of Brisbane, and offers an impressive array of community amenities: lots of playgrounds for children, a diverse range of cafes, restaurants, and pubs, and beaches that are well-maintained and patrolled by lifeguards every day of the week. It’s safe here, and while it’s a popular tourist hotspot, locals make it their own – especially with events like the Mooloolaba Triathlon, along with various food and cultural festivals throughout the year. Mooloolaba’s picturesque promenade is a real hotspot – lined with popular bijou eateries, boutique shops, and buzzing art galleries – perfect for exploration at any time of the day. Average house prices reflect the area’s desirability: nearly a million (US) dollars for a home.
Holland Park, Brisbane
State capital Brisbane has so much to offer. The past decade or so has seen it develop into a city worthy of comparison with Sydney and Melbourne, with an enviable level of urban sophistication, a vibrant economy, and a thrilling array of cultural and retail offerings. Despite this dynamism and confidence on the national (and even international) stage, Brisbane hasn’t lost touch with its roots – there is still a discernibly relaxed sub-tropical ambience around the city, especially in its suburbs. Holland Park, in particular, is a prime choice: well known for its safe, leafy streets; relaxing, tranquil parks; proactively family-friendly environment; and excellent public transport links into the city centre. As with much of Queensland, given the climate, outdoor living is to the fore – Glindemann Park and Seville Road Park are ideal for jogging, or ad hoc picnics, while the Holland Park Sports and Community Club is a busy hub for local sports and social activities. There is even a picturesque spot for hiking and exploring – Mount Gravatt Lookout has stunning views of Brisbane. As for property, there is a great selection of ‘character homes’ – lots of classic post-war houses with spacious yards and gardens – along with more modern developments, especially contemporary builds or renovated houses made to 21st-century requirements. Local cafes, restaurants, and boutiques are plentiful: Logan Road Precinct is the place to go.
Mermaid Beach
South of Brisbane, on the Gold Coast, you’ll find some of the most prestigious and exclusive real estate in all of Australia – in Mermaid Beach. Beachfront mansions and ultra-luxurious apartments are artfully strewn along Hedges Avenue (also known as “Millionaire’s Row”), and it’s no surprise that stylish restaurants, trendy cafes, and high-end fine dining are all available on the doorstep. Nightlife is quieter here than in nearby Surfers Paradise, but that makes sense: residents tend to be high-earning professionals who are more likely to enjoy peaceful coastal walks and swims, for example: an upscale, laid-back lifestyle is what you get. Surfing, paddleboarding, and beach yoga are popular activities, and while there are an impressive number of gyms and wellness studios – this is a real hotspot for wellbeing. There is also a weekend market, for shopping and socialising, while school options are excellent.
Noosa Heads
Remote working has unlocked living opportunities that some could only previously dream of. Noosa Heads is one of those magical, enticing places. People are drawn here by the laid-back, nature-abundant lifestyle – gracefully adorned with a healthy range of modern amenities and a vibrant community atmosphere. Its natural surroundings are gorgeous: where possible, locals make sure that Noosa Main Beach, Noosa National Park, and Noosa River are part of their daily life. Work-life balance is cherished here, and residents love to indulge in myriad opportunities for outdoor activities: swimming, hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding, among others. Noosa Heads is known for its high-end properties. Waterfront mansions and modern apartments with ocean views are the prime real estate options. Noosa Heads is also something of a foodie paradise – lots of fresh seafood and farm-to-table dining, while Eumundi Markets are excellent for unique artisan goods and fresh produce.
Culture is high on the menu too, with various thriving local galleries and creative hubs.
Burleigh Heads
Another Gold Coast gem, Burleigh Heads is a classy, bustling coastal suburb with stunning beaches and a beautiful national park right on its doorstep. For families and professionals, there are friendly, leafy neighborhoods with excellent schools and healthcare amenities. Burleigh Heads is a potent mix: the arts, food, and music scene is thriving, with James Street the epicentre: cosy cafes, fine dining, arty boutiques, and buzzing performance spaces. It is a haven, too, for those who want sea, sand, and a stroll: surfers and hikers abound. Burleigh Heads is seen as something of an investment hotspot – the value of its properties, especially those with classic suburban charm, are on the rise. Location is desirable too: Surfers Paradise is 15 minutes by car; Gold Coast Airport 20 minutes; Brisbane is easily accessible.
With its stunning climate, and a daily lifestyle inextricably linked to the joys of sand and sea, Queensland is deeply desirable. Getting your location right is important – but there are so many options, it is hard to go wrong. The common ground? Charming, happy communities; seductive natural beauty; and the welcome presence of that pulsing yellow orb up in the sky.
