Northern Beaches Property Market Update 1st Half of 2026
Northern Beaches offers stunning coastal views, a relaxed lifestyle, and easy access to pristine beaches, making it ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors. With a strong sense of community and excellent local amenities, it continues to be a highly desirable location to call home.
Property Trends
In Q1 2026, Northern Beaches recorded a median house price of $715,000 and a median unit price of $355,000. This reflects annual growth (Q1 2025 – Q1 2026) of 13.5% for houses, while units experienced a slight decline of -3.4%.
House sales fell by -26.1% year-on-year, with 190 properties sold in Q1 2026, indicating a tightening supply in the housing market. Looking ahead, Mackay’s population is forecast to grow by 31,000 residents by 2046, driving demand for 357–539 new detached houses annually.
However, there are currently no new detached housing projects planned for 2026, and building approvals remain low at just 126 in Q1 2026. This ongoing supply constraint is expected to sustain upward pressure on house prices.
Property Development
The Mackay Regional Council has approximately $1.0 billion in new developments expected to commence construction in 2026. While there are several projects in the pipeline, these are primarily focused on units, townhouses, and residential land subdivisions, with no detached housing developments currently planned.
This limited supply mix is unlikely to meet existing demand, particularly considering the 1,025 house sales recorded in 2025. Additionally, vacant land takes time to develop into completed dwellings, and with only 126 building approvals in Q1 2026, the supply gap is expected to persist, further contributing to price growth.
Rental Market & Growth
As of March 2026, Northern Beaches recorded a house rental yield of 5.0%, outperforming the Brisbane Metro average of 4.5%.
The rental market has shown strong growth, with:
- A 5.3% increase in median house prices over the past 12 months to Q1 2026
- Weekly rents reaching a peak of $695
- A 15.9% increase in rental activity, with 453 houses rented in Q1 2026
These figures highlight strong tenant demand and reinforce Northern Beaches as an attractive option for investors, particularly those seeking more affordable opportunities compared to Brisbane Metro.
Vacancy Rates & Property Investment
Northern Beaches recorded a vacancy rate of 1.2% in March 2026, slightly higher than Brisbane Metro (0.8%), but below the Queensland Northern Coast average of 1.4%.
Vacancy rates have remained relatively stable over the past 12 months and are well below the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s healthy benchmark of 3.0%, indicating strong rental demand and quicker leasing times.
Despite rising house prices increasing the entry point for investors, the combination of low vacancy rates and strong rental yields continues to position Northern Beaches as a favourable investment market.
