Sunshine Coast quarterly growth slows to single digits as market cools from last year's peak

The Sunshine Coast property market has lost momentum, with quarterly price growth dropping to just 2.3 per cent compared to 5.7 per cent recorded in the same quarter last year, according to latest data tracking median dwelling values across the region.

The slowdown marks a significant departure from the frenzied conditions that characterised the market throughout 2025, when remote worker demand and lifestyle migration pushed prices upward across established suburbs and emerging precincts alike. Cooling conditions have now rippled through neighbourhoods from Caloundra to Coolum, though the impact varies considerably depending on location and property type.

Prestige suburbs continue to outperform the broader market. Noosa Heads remains anchored above the $2 million mark, though quarterly growth there has moderated to 3.1 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, established beach communities like Sunshine Beach and Peregian Springs—traditionally strong performers—have seen transaction volumes plateau as buyers digest recent interest rate movements and tax policy changes that have squeezed investor returns.

The emerging Maroochydore CBD precinct tells a different story. Despite ongoing construction activity, apartment values in the developing central business district have appreciated 4.8 per cent over the quarter, buoyed by completion of early-stage towers and renewed end-user interest. However, this growth remains significantly below the double-digit appreciation seen in the same period last year.

Hinterland pockets including Montville and Maleny—once the region's strongest performers—have experienced the sharpest slowdown, with quarterly growth falling to 1.4 per cent from 6.2 per cent annually. Real estate agents attribute the decline partly to buyer fatigue and the normalisation of remote work arrangements that drove initial migration to lifestyle properties.

Mid-range suburbs such as Mooloolaba and Buderim present a more balanced picture. Quarterly growth of 2.7 per cent suggests steady rather than exuberant demand, reflecting continued appeal to families and downsizers despite the moderated growth trajectory.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland data indicates days on market have stretched to an average of 28 days across the region, compared to 19 days in the corresponding quarter of 2025. Vendor expectations have begun recalibrating, with price reductions becoming more common among listings lingering beyond the six-week mark.

Analysts note that while the quarterly slowdown reflects cooling conditions, median values remain substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the region continues to attract interest from interstate buyers seeking alternatives to southern capital cities. The question now centres on whether growth will stabilise around current levels or accelerate downward if broader economic conditions weaken further.

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