Where buyers are heading: Suburbs and towns set to shine in 2026

Growth corridors in major cities, coastal hubs and well-connected regional centres are expected to see plenty of property market activity in early 2026.

That’s the prediction from property software experts InfoTrack in their latest Property Market Update.

The report’s findings are based on transactions in the last three months of 2025 on the company’s SecureXchange conveyancing platform.

InfoTrack says buyer activity in the three most populous states in the final quarter of 2025 reveals clear patterns that are likely to continue this year.

It says this includes “renewed demand for houses in growth corridors”, to growing interest in regional and coastal centres, especially for ‘downsizers’ and those chasing affordability.

The company says the data provides a practical guide for real estate agents in the way they position listings, target the right buyers and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

While squarely aimed at property market professionals, InfoTrack’s analysis offers savvy investors plenty of strategic insights into areas where strong demand for homes is emerging.

New South Wales

In New South Wales, InfoTrack says the last three months of 2025 was marked by a preference for houses, as regional markets gained momentum.

Houses accounted for 64.5% of sales tracked on SecureXchange in Q4 2025, a considerable lift from 54.3% in the previous quarter.

At the same time, purchases of strata title properties (apartments and townhouses) declined sharply to 24.5% (down from 37.7% in Q3), while sales of vacant land increased to 11%, a gradual increase from 8% at the beginning of 2025.

InfoTrack says this shift highlights “a growing preference for space, land, and long-term lifestyle value.”

It says buyer activity was concentrated in Sydney’s south-west and north-west growth corridors.

Mar4-NSW

Austral in Sydney’s south-west was the top suburb in New South Wales for property sales on SecureXchange in the last three months of 2025, with strong demand in Box Hill, Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Leppington.

InfoTrack says these western Sydney suburbs “continue to attract experienced and first-home buyers due to ongoing development, transport improvements and relative affordability.”

Regional centres are also gaining momentum.

The Central-West town of Dubbo’s sudden elevation to second place in terms of absolute property sales, followed closely by coastal Port Macquarie, reflects what InfoTrack says is “a broader shift towards established regional hubs offering strong community infrastructure, employment access, and lifestyle appeal.”

“These centres increasingly attract buyers seeking long-term liveability without sacrificing connectivity,” InfoTrack’s Property Market Update says.

In terms of first-home buyers, InfoTrack says north-west and south-west Sydney suburbs “remain key entry points”.

While Dubbo saw the most first-home buyers in absolute terms, the list of top ten suburbs was dominated by localities in Sydney’s west: Liverpool (2), Schofields (3), Blacktown (4), Westmead (5), Penrith (6), Rouse Hill (7) and Wentworthville (9).

InfoTrack says the fact Dubbo (1), Port Macquarie (8) and Gosford (10) made the top ten list highlights “how first-home buyers are prepared to expand their search beyond metropolitan Sydney in pursuit of opportunity and lifestyle balance.”

Queensland

In Queensland, InfoTrack says house sales remained the most dominant property transaction in the last quarter of 2025 at 59.8%.

Vacant land recorded the strongest growth, rising to 15.1% (up from 13.7%), while strata title purchases increased slightly to 25% from 24.50%.

InfoTrack says this “reflects continued demand for detached housing alongside growing interest in development-ready land and urban apartments.”

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The Gold Coast continues to dominate Queensland’s unit market, with Surfers Paradise retaining the top position in the Top 10 Suburbs for Unit Sales, following a 6.1% increase in the last three months of 2025.

The Gold Coast suburbs of Broadbeach, Southport, Mermaid Beach and Hope Island also placed in the top ten locations for residential unit sales.

The central Brisbane suburbs of West End (2) and Toowong (5) also made the top ten list, reflecting strong demand for inner-city living in the Queensland capital.

In terms of houses, regional and outer-suburban markets remained standout performers.

Caboolture (1) and Morayfield (2), located between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Springfield Lakes (3) and Redbank Plains (4) in Brisbane’s outer southern suburbs and Buderim (5) in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, led house sales.

The fact the regional centre of Maryborough and the Townsville suburb of Kirwan made the top ten list demonstrates strong interest outside the state’s populous south-east.

Victoria

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The outer-western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit maintained its position as Victoria’s top-performing suburb by sales, recording more than 1.5 times the number of transactions in Melbourne’s CBD.

InfoTrack says this performance reflects Tarneit’s “strong value proposition, infrastructure investment and family appeal.”

Other high-performing suburbs include Melbourne CBD (2), Sunbury (3), Clyde North (4), Pakenham (5), Wollert (6), Mickleham (7), Truganina (8), Werribee (9) and Southbank (10).

Looking ahead, InfoTrack says Victoria’s property market continues to be driven by demand for affordable, well-connected communities.

“Melbourne’s outer-west and north-west growth corridors remain popular with families, while inner-city areas such as Melbourne CBD and Southbank appeal to lifestyle-focused buyers and investors,” InfoTrack’s Property Market Update declares.

The take-out

The key takeaways from InfoTrack’s latest research is that people want to live in high-activity suburbs, with urban growth corridors, coastal areas and regional hubs the strongest sources of buyer demand.

First-home buyers, investors and downsizers all have distinct preferences for houses, strata title properties or vacant land, with space, connected communities and access to transport and infrastructure continuing to influence purchasing decisions.

While affordable city suburbs will remain popular, InfoTrack also says places such as Dubbo and Port Macquarie in New South Wales and Maryborough in Queensland “offer compelling lifestyle and growth narratives for buyers.”