You can still buy a dream home in this small Aussie town for less than $250,000 – but you better be quick: ‘This is the place to live’
A small gold mining town is seeing house prices rise as Australians look for cheaper homes outside capital cities.
Mount Morgan, 30 minutes from Rockhampton in Queensland, may not be a common sight on the map, but it is fast emerging as a buyer’s paradise.
The city is best known for its rich history dating back to 1882. Many affectionately describe the city as ‘perfectly frozen in time’.
Today, the picturesque town appeals to investors and buyers seeking a relaxed lifestyle, scenic countryside and a vibrant community.
Over the past 12 months, home prices have risen 13.9 percent to a median price of $225,000, up from $197,500 a year ago.
In 2019, the average home price was just $95,000, an amount virtually unheard of in the nation’s capital cities.
According to Proptrack, Mount Morgan is the 13th most affordable suburb in Queensland.
According to John Steinberger, a resident of the city, rising house prices have had a hugely positive effect on the city.
The Queensland mining town of Mount Morgan is easily overlooked on the map or skipped on road trips, but is increasingly becoming a haven for buyers
The city is best known for its rich history dating back to 1882 and feels like stepping back in time. Today, the quaint city appeals to buyers seeking a calming, relaxing lifestyle amidst picturesque scenery.
It is located 30 minutes from Rockhampton in Queensland
The impact is [people] “When you spend more, people are happier, and you see that all over the city,” he said. ABC.
‘Certainly, prices are cheaper than Rockhampton, always have been. But it’s catching up now.
‘We’ve always said this is a place to live, here in the hills, with a quiet lifestyle and a relaxed, rural environment.’
Locals often visit the railway museum which opened in 1898, Dam Number 7 (also known as the Big Dam) and the Mafeking Bell, made of copper pennies, which was besieged for months during the Boer War.
Mount Morgan Bread Shop and Wattle Bee Next Mount Morgan are also popular spots for a morning coffee or lazy breakfast.
The city offers a quiet, suburban lifestyle compared to busier cities across Australia
The city was founded in 1882
House prices are “insanely low” compared to Sydney and Melbourne, with some homes listed for as much as $199,000.
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom home measuring 1,330 sq ft is currently selling for $340,000.
But there is one important similarity between the cheaper homes: most are in need of a complete renovation and are located on large plots of land that require regular maintenance.
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom property, which spans 1,330 sq ft, is currently listed for $340,000
This four-bedroom property is for sale for $320,000
Another affordable town is located three hours southeast of Mount Morgan.
Bargara has long been a stopover for those exploring Queensland’s south coast, but rising house prices prove that Australians are taking the plunge and heading to this little-known hub for good.
This dream spot is located a 15-minute drive from Bundaberg and 280km north of the Sunshine Coast, on the southern side of the Great Barrier Reef.
Australians are increasingly attracted to the relaxed lifestyle that Bargara has to offer, with its idyllic beaches and laid-back pace.
Beautiful beaches with crystal blue water, rocky ledges and palm trees line the eastern edge of the city. The other offers a range of quirky accommodation options, such as the Absolute Ocean Front Tourist Park with its cute kaleidoscopic beach huts.
Home prices have risen 19.2 percent over the past year, but are still well below the $1 million mark.