Regions Still All the Rage

Regional Australia is still all the rage for those looking to live in a more affordable lifestyle location.

The latest Regional Movers Index shows that capital residents moving to the regions still outnumber regional residents moving to capital cities by 31%.

Those who live in Sydney are keenest for a change, accounting for 54% of net capital outflows, while Melbourne residents make up 38% of movers.

While the Sunshine Coast still remains the favourite location for Australians who are keen to leave capital cities behind, the latest data shows buyers are now also looking further afield.

Movements to both the Sunshine Coast and second-place Geelong are at reduced volumes compared to this time last year. 

The Fraser Coast in Queensland came in third, Lake Macquarie in NSW is fourth and Moorabool in Victoria is fifth.

Regional Australia Institute CEO Liz Ritchie says that data shows that regional movers are now looking further afield, leading to greater diversity in the top destinations for movers. 

“We are seeing a trend of capital-city dwellers still choosing popular locations, but regional-to-regional movers looking elsewhere,” she says.

“Queensland remains popular, but regional movers are going further out  from the Sunshine Coast in search of affordability.”

Despite December traditionally being a softer period for relocations, the report shows the seasonal drop was smaller in December 2025 than in previous years.

Ritchie says this underscores the continued momentum toward regional living.