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NSW Investors Score Big in Queensland Property Market
18 June 2025
In the lead up to the Men’s State of Origin Game 2, it’s not just the Blues moving in on Queensland – New South Wales investors are already ahead on the scoreboard when it comes to property in the Sunshine State.
New lending data from Westpac reveals that nearly a quarter of investment properties in Queensland are being purchased by residents of NSW.
“While the Maroons and Blues battle it out on the field, NSW investors are making their move on the Queensland property market,” said James Hutton, Managing Director Mortgages at Westpac.
“It’s a strategic move for savvy New South Wales investors. Queensland offers strong rental yields and relative affordability — fuelling a consistent flow of New South Wales residents purchasing investment properties in the state over the past two years,” he said.
With infrastructure projects booming and population growth on the rise, Queensland is proving to be more than just a holiday destination — it’s a serious investment hot spot. NSW investors are also showing a strong preference for regional Queensland, with Mackay and Gladstone leading the charge, followed closely by Ipswich, west of Brisbane.
“The popularity of regional centres like Mackay and Gladstone reflects their affordability and strong rental yields — averaging 5.6 per cent for houses and 6.9 per cent for apartments across both cities[1],” Hutton said.
But the rivalry isn’t mutual. Just one per cent of NSW investment properties are being bought by Queenslanders, with nearly 20 per cent of that concentrated in the beachside suburb of Bondi. Despite the influx, Queenslanders still account for 65 per cent of local investment property purchases.
“NSW buyers are playing both sides of the field – investing in Queensland while holding firm at home,” Hutton added. “Our home lending team is ready to help people get match fit for building their investment property portfolio.”
“Nationally, investors accounted for more than a third of new loans during the past year, compared to about a quarter during COVID,” said Westpac Senior Economist Matt Hassan. “Many are moving ahead on plans previously on hold due to cost of living constraints, with lower interest rates and the prospect of more rate cuts an added drawcard.”
“Investor interest in Queensland is shifting. While the Gold and Sunshine Coasts remain popular, Mackay, Gladstone, Toowoomba and Townsville have all seen a surge in interest, and some of the strongest price growth nationally over the past year. Low vacancies and solid rental yields are clearly part of the appeal of these regional hubs,” Mr. Hassan added.
The top QLD investment hot spots for NSW residents
Rank |
LGA |
Suburb |
1 |
Mackay |
Alexandra |
2 |
Gladstone |
Boyne Valley |
3 |
Ipswich |
Amberley |
4 |
Gold Coast |
Coomera |
5 |
Logan |
Bahrs Scrub |
6 |
Toowoomba |
Athol |
7 |
Charters Towers |
Hervey Range |
8 |
Townsville |
Beach Holm |
9 |
Ipswich |
Basin Pocket |
10 |
Moreton Bay |
Moorina |
|
Top considerations for aspiring interstate investors from the Westpac Investing in Property Hub:
- What type of property?: Unit, townhouse, house & land package? Work out what makes most sense for your investment portfolio, based on where and when you want to buy. Don’t assume what works in Sydney will work in Brisbane or Adelaide.
- Build a (local) support team: Build your network of professionals to access a tailored rate, tax advice, knowledge, property research, off-market viewings and more.
- Understand ownership structures: Seek professional advice from your tax adviser and legal agent, including on any state-based stamp duty, land tax thresholds, tenancy laws, and building codes.
- Choose the right investment loan: Westpac offers a choice of fixed and variable rate loans, with different payment options, to help you start or grow your property investment portfolio.
- A Westpac Rocket Loan, for example, offers up to 10 offset accounts which could be used to manage the cash flow of your property investment and reduce interest costs.
- In addition, Westpac’s award winning Banking App provides digital tools to monitor your investment property’s income and expenses, including a Property Dashboard, where you can view your property portfolio (attached to Westpac home loan) all in one place, including estimated values, a loan snapshot and invaluable portfolio insights.
[1] Property Market, House Prices, Investment Data & Suburb Profiles - realestate.com.au
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