7 Best places to retire in Australia

Living in a location that enables you to lead your best life is one of the keys to a great retirement. To achieve this, you might downsize your home to free up your finances, or even make a sea change.

If you’re planning on a sea change, we’ve pinpointed some of the best places to retire in Australia – thanks to the latest Canstar Rising Stars Report – that might interest you. We’ve taken into consideration: the value of property in the area, affordability, future potential of the locations, demographics (particularly people of a similar age and lifestyle), transportation links, proximity to amenities such as medical services, and the availability of events and activities.

The top picks, in no particular order, are:

• Milton, Queensland
• Greenwith, South Australia
• Casula, New South Wales
• Wellard, Western Australia
• Golden Beach, Queensland
• Oakleigh, Victoria
• Withers, Western Australia

Milton, Queensland

For retirees wanting to remain close to the Brisbane CBD, then the suburb of Milton offers ready access to many local amenities. Only a seven minute drive away from the CBD, it boasts frequent public transport, The Brisbane River, the cultural facilities of South Bank and Suncorp Stadium (home to many major sporting events and concerts).

Milton also boasts a vibrant local food scene, from cafes and bakeries to fine dining restaurants. Popular spots include Park Road and the Milton Markets, where you can enjoy fresh produce and street food. It offers a range of healthcare services, including the Wesley and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals. Milton is also home to Frew Park, which offers playgrounds, sports facilities and picnic areas, and Gregory Park, with its lush greenery and walking paths. Both parks host various community events and activities.

Units dominate the market in this area. The median unit price is $445,000, and houses are $1,537,500. Brisbane recorded the nation’s second-highest growth in median prices for both houses and units, so it’s suggested that suburbs like Milton will continue to see growth. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Brisbane, then our 10 best suburbs in Brisbane article might give you further insight.

Greenwith, South Australia

Nestled in the popular Tea Tree Gully Local Government Area (LGA), Greenwith provides retirees with major green spaces like Cobbler Creek Recreation Park and the surrounding bushland, which are ideal for hiking and bird-watching.

Located 35 minutes north of Adelaide’s CBD, it has a variety of dining and shopping options and plenty of healthcare facilities and hospitals. Nearby Golden Grove is also home to a Lions Club, for those looking to volunteer during their retirement.

Greenwith is home to many mature residents, with people over 50 making up 35% of its total populace according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The median house price is $655,000, which has grown 7.4% since last year. With Adelaide consistently performing well across our Rising Star Report metrics, Greenwith remains a suburb to watch. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Adelaide, then our 10 best suburbs in Adelaide article might give you further insight.

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Casula, New South Wales

The well-situated suburb of Casula is located in the City of Liverpool, and boasts train links to Sydney, the M5/M7 intersection and proximity to local amenities. Casula also has a diverse foodie scene, with numerous dining options. Close by, in the City of Liverpool, are Liverpool Hospital, pharmacies and general and allied health services.

Casula is also home to the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre; a heritage-listed building that hosts art exhibitions, performances and community events. Casula’s local volunteer groups, such as the Liverpool Lions Club, support community welfare and environmental conservation. Casula features several beautiful parks and green spaces, including the popular Casula Parklands with its walking tracks, picnic areas and playgrounds, whereas Leacock Regional Park provides expansive spaces and scenic views.

Casula has a median age of 36, with over 50s making up 32% of residents according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The median house price is $995,000, with units being $690,000. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Sydney, then our 10 best suburbs in Sydney article might give you further insight.

Wellard, Western Australia

Wellard is 30 minutes south of Perth and located in the Kwinana LGA. It’s been a favourite for many buyers due to its affordability and good basic amenities. With rail links and the Kwinana freeway, it’s still relatively simple to get to and from Perth’s CBD.

It also boasts a range of dining options that cater to diverse tastes, and the nearby hospitals of Rockingham General and Fiona Stanley provide comprehensive care and emergency services. Volunteer organisations near Wellard included the Kwinana and Rockingham Lions Clubs, as well as various community centres, which provide opportunities for retirees and residents to get involved. For those looking for a natural retreat, the Leda Nature Reserve provides lush greenery and diverse wildlife. For beach lovers, Wellard is only a short drive from the Rockingham and Kwinana beaches.

Wellard’s median house price is $490,000, which is quite competitive compared to other similar Perth suburbs. Perth was the national leader in price growth last year, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if suburbs like Wellard continued to grow in the long term. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Perth, then our 10 best suburbs in Perth article might give you further insight.

Golden Beach, Queensland

Golden Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, has benefited from a recent $20 billion infrastructure investment into the region. There’s growing demand in the suburb, as it offers a similar lifestyle and retirement options to Noosa in the north of the Sunshine Coast, but with more affordable prices.

The Golden Beach Esplanade remains a favourite spot for scenic walking paths, picnic areas and stunning views of the water; with numerous beaches to choose from. For those looking for more traditional green spaces, the nearby Keith Hill Park and Bell’s Creek Conservation Park offer spaces for activities such as hiking, bird-watching and fishing. Golden beach also offers a variety of dining options – from cosy cafes to waterfront restaurants – medical amenities like general practitioners and the nearby Sunshine Coast University Hospital, as well as several volunteer organisations such as the Caloundra West Lions Clubs and other local environmental groups.

A popular retirement destination, Golden Beach has a median age of 55, with those over 50 making up 58% of the population according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The median house price is $985,000 and for units it’s $750,000. This high median price is to be expected in a tourist and retirement hotspot. This is one of the reasons why Regional Queensland continues to grow and is often ranked number one out of all other regional state and territory markets. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Regional Queensland, then our 10 best suburbs in Regional Queensland article might give you further insight.

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Oakleigh, Victoria

Oakleigh, in the City of Monash, is one of its most sought-after residential suburbs. A 34 minute drive south east of the Melbourne CBD, Oakleigh is still easily connected to the city via major road and rail links.

Renowned for its Greek cuisine, it boasts an array of Greek restaurants, cafes and bakeries. Oakleigh is also home to multiple golf courses, Warrawee Park and the well-maintained sports fields of Jack Edwards Reserve. It’s also in close proximity to the picturesque Scotchmans Creek Trail, which offers beautiful walking and cycling paths. Oakleigh is also home to a Rotary Club, as well as other organisations that support local schools, organise community events and help those in need. Oakleigh’s medical amenities are also quite numerous, with several medical hubs, like the nearby Monash Medical Centre and the Victorian Heart Hospital.

Over 50s makeup 34% of the population according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the median house price is $1,350,000, whilst units are $545,000. Oakleigh’s median prices are indicative of the demand for houses close to Melbourne. Although Melbourne’s growth has slowed over the last few years, it still ranks only marginally behind some of the other state capitals. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Melbourne, then our 10 best suburbs in Melbourne article might give you further insight.

Withers, Western Australia

Withers represents the more affordable end of the busy Bunbury market. Two hours south of Perth, Withers has amenities like the nearby Bunbury Hospital and Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre. It’s also under an hour and a half drive away from Western Australia’s iconic Margaret River.

Withers boasts several parks and green spaces, as well as its proximity to a beautiful coastline. The Withers Reserve and nearby Maidens Reserve both offer green spaces perfect for trail walking, picnics and other family outings. Bunbury’s own Back Beach is also a favourite spot for locals who enjoy swimming, surfing and other water activities. The Withers Progress Association and other charity organisations provide residents with opportunities to engage in community service.

The over 50s makeup 37% of the population in Withers, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The median house price is $330,000, much lower than $640,000 in nearby Bunbury. Regional Western Australia continues to grow, as it ranked second overall amongst other regional state and territory markets. However with Perth continuing to grow rapidly, suburbs like Withers could see long term price growth. If you’re interested in other rising suburbs in Regional Western Australia, then our 5 best suburbs in Regional Western Australia article might give you further insight.

In this article we explored some of the best places to retire in Australia. Data has been sourced from the 2024 Canstar’s Rising Stars: Australian Property Market Report, Core Logic data, realestate.com.au, and wider industry sources. Retirement living housing might be much cheaper across all of these locations, depending on your age and personal requirements. If you’re considering purchasing in any of the above regions, it’s often a good idea to do your own research; including current prices, and consider speaking with a local property expert or financial adviser.

Cover image source: Martin Valigursky/Shutterstock.com