realestate.com.au (The Courier Mail) | Aussies Now Travelling Up to 50km From Their Capital Cities to Buy Affordable Land

How Far Are Buyers Travelling to Find Affordable Land?

Reporter Nicholas Finch covered the findings for The Courier-Mail, drawing on Oliver Hume Property Group's new Radius Report. The research found that across Victoria, South-East Queensland and South Australia, buyers are typically travelling between 20km and 50km from their capital city CBDs to secure affordable new land, with land growing more available and affordable the further out they travel.

Capital City Land Supply and Affordability

Victoria recorded the strongest land sales activity of the three states in the March quarter, with 3,000 new purchases across 78 suburbs near Melbourne. Most opportunities sat between 20km and 50km from the CBD, with packages in Mambourin, 38km out, priced as low as $732,000, compared to $1.03 million packages in Sunshine at just 11.6km away. South-East Queensland told a different story, with fewer than 900 land packages sold across 33 suburbs; nearly half of all land available within 20km of Brisbane was priced above $1.6 million, and the closest suburb with land available, Keperra, came in above $2 million. South Australia stood apart as the only capital measured with land available within 10km of the CBD, with 370 sales recorded across 12 suburbs and packages in Oakden and Morphetville, just 9km from Adelaide, priced around $681,000.

What the Radius Report Means for Buyers

Oliver Hume chief economist Matt Bell said the report highlighted the reality facing today's buyers, with opportunities closer to the CBD limited and often priced at a premium. He said understanding which areas remain affordable, and where new infrastructure will be needed, is central to the report's ongoing value for buyers and property professionals as it continues to be updated over time.

Mr Bell noted that Victoria's growth areas remain a key engine room for new housing delivery, giving buyers a broad range of options across Melbourne's west, north and south-east despite affordability pressures. He said South-East Queensland's premium pricing closer to Brisbane reflects continued strong population growth and housing demand, while Adelaide presents a different picture again, with buyers still able to find new housing opportunities relatively close to the CBD.

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