It’s Christmas in July as auctions heat up around the capitals
Cashed up buyers will have more property options to choose from this weekend
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Winter is the new spring in Australian property circles, with scheduled auctions once again increasing this weekend, CoreLogic data shows.
Auctions across combined capital cities are up 16.7 percent week on week at a time of year when the market traditionally slows down.
Sydney leads the numbers race, with 736 properties to be put to market this weekend, representing an impressive 21.5 percent increase. The figures also represent a 9.2 percent increase on the number of homes sent to market this time last year.
Brisbane has contributed significantly to the winter listing trend, with 172 homes ready for market this weekend, a 67 percent increase on the previous week. CoreLogic data notes that this has been heavily influenced by 29 properties set to be auctioned at an in-room event on Saturday. Adelaide buyers will also have more to choose from, with 115 properties listed for this weekend, a 12.7 percent rise on the previous week’s numbers.
It’s a less dramatic upswing in Melbourne, with 689 properties set to be auctioned, up 6 percent from the previous week when 650 homes were listed. However, Melbourne recorded the highest clearance rate of all the capitals last weekend at 68.8 percent. Adelaide was not far behind at 68.6 percent, followed by Sydney on 67.5 percent. Perth had the lowest clearance rate at 40 percent.
The increasing number of properties entering the market come on the back of concerns about rising levels of mortgage stress among borrowers. However, data indicates that levels of mortgage arrears are still relatively low buoyed by historically high levels of employment.
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Mount French Lodge offers a rare mix of privacy, scale and hospitality potential as demand grows for prestige estates beyond beachside hotspots.
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Mount French Lodge, one of the most remarkable private estates in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, has been brought to market, offering a glimpse into the growing appetite for high-end lifestyle properties beyond the state’s traditional beachside enclaves.
Located in the tiny locality of Charlwood, around 100km inland from Brisbane and home to just 146 residents at the 2021 Census, the estate stands in stark contrast to its quiet surroundings. Set across nearly 100 acres and positioned some 600 feet above sea level, the property occupies a commanding vantage point beneath the escarpments of Mount French.
It’s this combination of elevation, scale and seclusion that defines the estate, not just as a private residence, but as an experience-led destination. Mount French Lodge has been recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 Best of Queensland Experiences, reflecting a broader shift towards luxury rural retreats that blur the line between home, hospitality and investment.
Last sold for $3.65 million in 2021 to Brisbane-based entrepreneur Tim Woodhouse, the estate has since evolved into a multifaceted holding. At its core is a central lodge, complemented by guest accommodation, entertaining spaces and resort-style amenities spread across two distinct plateaus.
In total, the property comprises 12 bedrooms configured across eight self-contained apartments within multiple lodges. At its heart is the Great Room, a central gathering space anchored by a large living area and fireplace. Nearby, a fully equipped outdoor pavilion with barbecue facilities sits alongside the estate’s swimming pool.
The property is being marketed as a private compound, ranch, corporate retreat and a wedding venue, highlighting its potential as a lifestyle asset with income-generating capability. This kind of flexibility is increasingly resonating with buyers, particularly as demand grows for properties that can serve as multigenerational homes, wellness retreats or boutique accommodation offerings.
Despite its sense of isolation, Mount French Lodge remains within relatively easy reach of Brisbane, around an hour by road or just minutes by helicopter. That balance of accessibility and privacy underscores the broader appeal of the Scenic Rim, which continues to emerge as a quiet achiever in Queensland’s prestige property market.
The listing is being handled by Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty agents Sandy Davies and Nicholas Miranda, and is expected to attract interest from both domestic and international buyers.
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