$57/sqm: Where you can buy land for the price of a decent meal
An average patch of dirt in Brisbane now costs more than $1600/sqm, but we’ve found the state’s cheapest blocks of land.
An average patch of dirt in Brisbane now costs more than $1600 a square metre, with derelict homes selling for ridiculous prices based on soaring land values.
Queensland’s cheapest and most expensive regions to buy a block of land have been revealed, with the Gold Coast setting buyers back $1885 a square metre for a median 713 sqm lot — and that’s before they even start building the house.
The average cost of building a house is about $1600 to $1900 a square metre, according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA).
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At the other end of the scale, Queensland is also home to one of the cheapest square metre land rates in the country at just $57 — the price of a meal out.
The figures, collated by CoreLogic for the HIA’s 2025 Residential Land Report covered every council area with at least 10 empty blocks sold in the three months to September last year.
It found the great Australian dream of a quarter acre block (1000 sqm) now sets you back at least $1m — just for the land — in most parts of southeast Queensland.
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On the Gold Coast, a 617 sqm block of land on the water at 4 Poinsettia Ave in Runaway Bay is for sale for $5m, while in Brisbane, a 589 sqm block of land at 27 Andrew Ave, Tarragindi, is on the market for $1.175m.
In Moreton Bay, buyers are now paying more than $1000/sqm for a typical 410 sqm block, while it’s only slightly cheaper in Ipswich at $902/sqm.
On the Sunshine Coast, the square metre rate is more affordable at $795/sqm and the average lot size is bigger at 700 sqm.
The Central Highlands, which includes the towns of Emerald and Blackwater, offers the best value for a patch of dirt.
At just $57 a square metre, the region is the best positioned for those wanting to live large, with the average block size 700 sqm. Right now, a 720 sqm block of land at 7 Flemington Rd in Emerald is up for grabs for just $100,000.
The Redlands region is also good value for money when it comes to land, with the data showing an average 550 sqm lot costs about $135/sqm.
Mareeba and Hinchinbrook in the state’s north are not far behind at $138/sqm and $155/sqm, respectively.
Oliver Hume chief economist Matt Bell said he expected increased sales volumes and rising prices across all Queensland land markets in 2025, particularly in the second half as rate cuts worked their way through household finances and balance sheets.
Mr Bell said the median lot price in South East Queensland pushed to a new high in the December quarter, with growth in line with that of established homes — even as sales volumes fell due to a lack of supply.
“Annual price growth in median price terms was 13 per cent in 2024, right in line with the annual change in established homes in Greater Brisbane of 12 per cent,” Mr Bell said.
“The price in dollar per square metre terms has grown in line with median price rises as lot sizes sold across South East Queensland has remained relatively constant at 420 sqm since 2018.”
Data from Oliver Hume shows the Gold Coast is experiencing an ongoing shortage of affordable residential land, with just 65 vacant lots available at a median price of $995,000.
More than 50 per cent of available land on the Gold Coast is comprised of premium homesites at Sanctuary Cove.
Oliver Hume Queensland general manager Dan Ross said vacant land was becoming one of the Gold Coast’s most valuable commodities as the supply of new projects remained at historic lows.
“The Gold Coast population continues to grow much faster than the rest of the country, and land supply is not keeping up with that growth,” Mr Ross said.
“The shortage of land on the Gold Coast is not unique, with many other regions around Australia also experiencing shortfalls, but the situation on the Gold Coast is particularly acute.”
Mr Ross said the shortage of land on the Gold Coast would remain for the foreseeable future and was contributing to continued price growth.
“The average price for a square metre of land on the coast is now more than $1500 and has grown steadily over the last 12 months,” he said.
Orchard Property Group CEO Ted Cronin said he had been forced to look further afield for land development sites given the limited supply.
“Buyers seem to have ‘FOMO’ once again and are eager to secure their lot early in the process,” Mr Cronin said.
“Initially, they appear less sensitive to pricing, with their main focus being on securing a lot. “Many are now open to entering into unconditional contracts that aren’t subject to finance, taking the risk of securing finance later in the process.”
Originally published as $57/sqm: Where you can buy land for the price of a decent meal