Interstate buyers are heading in droves to the Gold Coast, enticed by the beach lifestyle as Sydney and Melbourne beachfront properties become increasingly unaffordable for many after tripling in value over the past decade.

Interstate buyers accounted for one in four Gold Coast auction sales managed by Ray White last year. This was much higher than the national average of 6.4 per cent. By comparison, only 2 per cent of Sydney and 3 per cent of Melbourne auctions were won by interstate buyers.