Sunshine Coast overtaken by Geelong as top migrant destination

A popular Queensland town has been dethroned by a booming Geelong as the most popular destination for Australians relocating for the first time.

Mooloolaba Beach on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast has been dethroned by Geelong who is now the country’s most popular destination among Australians relocating for the first time.

The latest Regional Movers Index report shows in the 12 months to March, the Greater Geelong local government area attracted regional Australia’s biggest share of net internal migration with a 9.3 per cent share.

That is compared with the 8.9 per cent share to the Sunshine Coast — a location that had previously held the top spot for two years and is the only Queensland region in the top five, rounded out by Lake Macquarie (5.3), Moorabool (3.7) and Maitland (3.5).

The march south comes amid a surge of people ditching metropolitan areas, with capital city to regional relocations increasing by almost 11 per cent on last quarter to sit 20.5 per cent above the pre-Covid average.

The RMI, a partnership between the Regional Australia Institute and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, also found Queensland was home to the top two LGAs where the net inflow increased most significantly on the previous 12 months.

Townsville – which typically attracts other regional residents – recorded the most significant growth in people moving from capital cities (857.1 per cent), while Gladstone re-emerged in the top five after some years, recording the second strongest growth (430.8 per cent).

Victoria’s Latrobe and Greater Bendigo areas, and Denmark in Western Australia were third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

CBA acting executive general manager (regional and agribusiness banking) Josh Foster said

Geelong’s significant urbanisation, infrastructure pipeline, and industry expansion in sectors such as manufacturing, professional services, health, hospitality, tourism, and accommodation was driving its popularity, along with its proximity to the Great Ocean Rd tourism region.

Geelong has taken the crown

“In a first for the RMI, Greater Geelong has become the star performer due to its idyllic location, established services and range of employment opportunities,” he said.

“This is underpinned by significant government and corporate investment in the region, including the Geelong Convention Centre which is due to be completed in 2026, and the Barwon’s Women and Children’s Hospital renovation and expansion expected to be completed in 2026-27.”

While the Sunshine Coast and regional Queensland’s share of movers dropped this quarter, the state remains popular with those relocating regionally with destinations such as the Gold Coast, Townsville, Gladstone, Gympie and Fraser Coast all making various hot spot lists.

“Queensland’s warmer climate and generally more affordable housing in regional locations ensures that it remains a magnet for movers from Sydney and Melbourne,” Mr Foster said.

“The growth in migration to the state is also due to significant investments in large industrial infrastructure projects related to resources and renewables like the CopperString 2032 project set for completion in 2029.

“Gladstone’s attractiveness appears to be driven by a high FIFO population and a significant number of renters.”

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the data showed the nation’s love affair with regional life was showing no signs of abating.

“The regions’ enviable lifestyle offerings, buoyant jobs market, position as an economic leader and variety in communities are proving to be an ongoing lure, particularly for those in metropolitan areas,” she said.

“Contemporary regional Australia has what people are looking for and it’s clear clichéd images and misconceptions about regional living are well and truly a thing of the past.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast overtaken by Geelong as top migrant destination