The regional property market is moving again, and moving fast. After a quiet few years, regional values just recorded their strongest growth since interest rates first started rising.

Regional Markets Are Back

Across Australia’s regional areas, property values jumped 2.4% over the last three months — the best growth in more than three years.

Capital cities still grew slightly faster (2.9%), but the key story is this: Regional areas are officially in an upswing.

Why? Because families and investors are hunting for value, and they’re being priced out of the big cities. Low stock, strong demand and better borrowing capacity after rate cuts are pushing prices up.

Where the Growth Is Happening

Western Australia is dominating the leaderboard:

  • Kalgoorlie–Boulder: +8.1% in 3 months
  • Geraldton: +7.4% in 3 months
  • Albany: +6.2% in 3 months
  • Albany also grew 23.3% over the year — massive.

These markets have one thing in common: they’re affordable, and buyers get more bang for their buck.

In fact, 19 of the top 20 regional growth markets have a median price under $1M.

Why Regional Markets Are Rising

Three big reasons:

1. Improved borrowing power

Rate cuts = bigger borrowing capacity.

2. Low stock

Not enough properties on the market means buyers compete harder.

3. People are chasing affordability

When Sydney and Melbourne feel impossible, families look elsewhere — and the money follows.

Where It’s Weak

Not every regional area is booming.

NSW’s Bowral–Mittagong is struggling:

  • Only region with falling values (-1.2% for the year)
  • Longest selling time (77 days)
  • Highest vendor discounting

Why? Prices got too high, too fast. Affordability matters.

Rents Are Rising Too

Regional rents jumped 1.2% this quarter and 6.1% over the year, driven by:

  • Vacancy rates tightening from 1.8% → 1.5%
  • 11 markets now below 1% vacancy
    (Port Macquarie is just 0.4% — basically no rentals available)

This is great news for investors:

👉 Tight supply + rising rents = strong cash flow.

TMAP Takeaway

Regional Australia is becoming the new affordability frontier.

We’re seeing:

  • Rising values
  • Faster selling times
  • Strong rental demand
  • Investors flooding back
  • First-home buyers chasing cheaper entry points

If you’re looking for:

  • Lower purchase prices
  • Higher rental yields
  • Strong capital growth potential

…the regions deserve your attention.

And in 2026, the best opportunities will be in affordable, high-demand regional hubs with tight stock and strong local economies.

At TMAP, we translate the data into clear locations, clear strategies, and clear next steps.

If it’s time for you to stop guessing and start moving…

Let’s keep talking: