The Australian suburbs where no one wants to sell up
Research reveals the suburbs people never want to leave
2 min
New data has uncovered the most tightly held suburbs across Australia, where happy homeowners very rarely sell up.
According to research firm PropTrack, the average time Aussies own their home has jumped by a quarter over the past decade to a whopping 11 years.
“The most tightly held suburbs tend to be those that appeal to a wide range of different people, from young families to retirees, and are often located in the middle and outer suburban rings,” PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty said.
These hot areas usually have sought-after amenities like good schools and shopping options, as well as appealing lifestyle characteristics such as parks or proximity to the water, Ms Flaherty added.
Clarinda in Melbourne’s southeast is the most tightly held suburb in the country, where houses are owned for an average of 24 years.
The top suburb for units is popular Cremorne Point on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, where apartment owners don’t budge for an average of 17 years.
Arncliffe in the city’s south is the tightest held for houses nationally at 21 years.
That suburb has seen soaring demand in recent times, particularly among young families and first-home buyers, with the median house price jumping from $1 million at the end of 2019 to $1.54 million currently.
Reflecting the strength of property markets in Australia’s two largest capital cities in the past decade, no Queensland suburbs made the top 10 list for houses.
However, Rochedale South in Brisbane’s south appeared in the units list with an average hold time of 15 years.
Two other areas outside of Sydney and Melbourne also appeared. Perth pockets Shelley and Kalamuna each have average hold times of 15 years.
Ms Flaherty said tightly held suburbs tend to have a high proportion of owner-occupiers and a higher median resident age.
The dominant dwelling type is also usually a detached house and areas are well-connected to CBDs via quality transport infrastructure, she added.
On the flipside of things, PropTrack also crunched the numbers on the suburbs with the shortest hold times, with semi-rural Pimpama on the northern fringe of the Gold Coast ranking first at four years.
When it comes to units, Hope Island, also on the Gold Coast, has the quickest tenure with four-and-a-half years.
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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.
2 min
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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