property
Where Downsizers Are Moving on the Gold Coast and Why
Established pockets near the beach continue to draw retirees seeking walkable access to shops and medical services rather than new estates further inland.
How we reported this
More than 1200 properties changed hands in Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads during the first half of 2026, with over half bought by owners aged 60 and above, according to Gold Coast City Council transaction records.
The shift comes as the Queensland median house price sits near $850000 and interest rates remain above 4 percent. Retirees who sold larger family homes in Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast are locking in lower-maintenance units while they can still access the federal downsizer contribution scheme before its scheduled review in late 2027.
Walkable streets drawing the largest share
Buyers are concentrating on streets within 800 metres of the Broadbeach South light-rail stop and the Burleigh Heads shopping strip along Goodwin Terrace. These locations place residents within a short stroll of the Gold Coast Private Hospital clinic network and the weekly markets at Cascade Gardens. Council data shows average days on market for two-bedroom units in these pockets fell to 18 in June, compared with 32 for similar stock in Pimpama and Coomera.
Local real-estate offices report that tourism recovery has lifted café and retail rents along the beachfront, which in turn supports the services downsizers want without needing a car. The same recovery has kept short-term rental yields above 6 percent for investors who buy and then lease to holiday makers when the owner is travelling.
Prices and next steps for buyers
Median unit prices in Broadbeach reached $785000 in the June quarter, up 4.8 percent from the same period in 2025. In Burleigh Heads the figure sits at $812000. Both remain below the $920000 median recorded for new apartments at the Gold Coast’s northern growth corridor. Prospective downsizers are advised to check body-corporate records for buildings completed before 2015, when higher fire-safety and insurance levies began to appear on strata schemes.
Those planning a move this spring should inspect at least three comparable sales within the same block and confirm current body-corporate sinking-fund balances before signing contracts.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.