A small gold mining town is seeing a surge in property prices as Australians look for cheaper housing options outside capital cities.
Mount Morgan, 30 minutes from Rockhampton in Queensland, is easy to miss on a map but is fast becoming a shopper’s paradise.
The city is best known for its rich history dating back to 1882 and is fondly described by many as being “perfectly frozen in time.”
Today, the picturesque town attracts investors and buyers seeking a relaxed lifestyle, picturesque scenery and a lively community.
Property prices have risen 13.9 percent over the past 12 months to a median price of $225,000. A year ago, the median price was $197,500.
In 2019, the average price of a home was just $95,000, a figure almost unheard of in the country’s capitals.
According to Proptrack, Mount Morgan is the 13th most affordable suburb in Queensland.
Local resident John Steinberger said rising property prices have had a hugely positive impact on the town.
The Queensland mining town of Mount Morgan is easy to overlook on the map or on road trips, but it’s increasingly becoming a shopper’s paradise.
The town is known for its rich history dating back to 1882 and makes you feel like you are stepping back in time. Today, the quaint town attracts buyers looking for a quiet and relaxed lifestyle in a picturesque landscape.
It is located 30 minutes from Rockhampton in Queensland.
“The impact is that (people) spend more and are happier, and that will be seen everywhere in the city,” he said. ALPHABET.
‘Prices are certainly cheaper than in Rockhampton, they always have been, but we are now in a recovery phase.
“We have always said that 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 No. 7 (also known as the Big Dam) and the Mafeking Bell, made from copper pennies, which was under siege 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 a leisurely breakfast.
The city offers a quiet suburban lifestyle compared to Australia’s busier cities.
The city was founded in 1882.
Property prices are “incredibly cheap” compared to Sydney and Melbourne, with some on the market for as little as $199,000.
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom property spanning 1,330 square meters is currently selling for $340,000.
But there is one key similarity among the cheaper homes: most are in need of complete renovation and are set on large plots of land that require regular maintenance.
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom property spanning 1,330 square feet is currently on the market for $340,000.
This four-bedroom property is listed 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 property prices show Australians are taking the plunge and making a permanent move to this little-known hub.
This dreamy hideaway is located 15 minutes drive from Bundaberg and 280km north of the Sunshine Coast, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
Australians are embracing the laid-back lifestyle that Bargara offers, with its idyllic beaches and slow pace.
Stunning beaches with deep blue waters, rocky shores and palm trees line the eastern end of the town. The other end offers all sorts of quirky accommodation, such as the Absolute Ocean Front Tourist Park, which features cute kaleidoscopic beach huts.
Home prices have soared 19.2 percent in the past year, but are still well below $1 million.