Living well in Melbourne increasingly means having everything you need within minutes — but finding prestige living, complete convenience and a strong sense of place in one address is rare.

R.Evolution changes that. It is the only South Melbourne development offering more than 45 lifestyle amenities — a scale more often seen in luxury hotels than residential buildings.

Designed for a lifestyle that feels effortless

Direct lift access to Coles Local and Liquorland means your pantry and cellar are always stocked without the hassle of traffic or queues. 

The landscaped podium garden with fire pits offers a serene retreat for morning coffee or evening conversations under the stars. Designed by Paul Bangay OAM – one of the country’s most awarded landscape designers – his touch brings a sense of calm and greenery to the heart of the precinct. 

Electric vehicle charging stations keep you future-ready, while the dog spa ensures even four-legged family members are pampered. 

For wellness, the experience is holistic, as you start your day with a heated rooftop pool swim overlooking the city. After that, recharge in the magnesium spa and infrared therapy rooms designed to soothe muscles and restore balance. 

The Pilates studio, commercial gym and infinity running track make fitness a pleasure, not a chore. 

When it comes to work, the Horizon Lounge on level 30 offers panoramic views that you can enjoy while getting the job done. 

Entertainment flows seamlessly. Perfect your swing in the golf simulator, enjoy a friendly challenge on the putting green, or host friends in the club lounge and private wine-tasting room. 

“It’s very, very easy to live here — nothing really compares as a lifestyle precinct,” says David, a resident at R.Iconic. 

“You’ve got light rail at the back for the footy, and a bus to the city at the front door.” 

At the heart of South Melbourne’s next chapter

R.Evolution sits within a rapidly evolving lifestyle precinct, moments from Albert Park, Middle Park, the CBD, bayside beaches and the iconic South Melbourne Market — offering residents an unusually complete lifestyle. 

The development from R.Corporation follows the award-winning success of R.Iconic, which has received multiple nods for architecture, liveability and community design — recognition that underlines R.Corporation’s proven design pedigree and precinct-scale lifestyle thinking. 

In this latest project, walking and cycling tracks take residents to nearby parkland that connects the community to the shoreline. 

“There’s a park that goes all the way to the beach — I walk it most days,” says David. 

“It still feels like an emerging community, and there’s so much coming.”

Built as a precinct, not just a building

R.Evolution anchors the rejuvenation of Normanby Road and the Montague Precinct, set to deliver: 

• Five new retail spaces including a restaurant, day spa, florist, café and salon 

• Fully landscaped, pedestrian-friendly Normanby Road 

• Dedicated cycling lanes and ground-level lifestyle services 

Apartments range from 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms and garden podium apartments to sub-penthouses and townhouses, creating a predominantly owner-occupied community with pride and care in shared spaces — supported by 24/7 security and concierge. 

The post Inside the only South Melbourne project with 45+ lifestyle amenities appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Making the most of views and being inspired by nature are key features of coastal design – and these elements are far easier to bring to life when you choose the right location.

On the NSW South Coast, pristine waterfront communities such as Shell Cove are catching buyers’ attention.

In October alone, almost 2000 buyers searched for Shell Cove property on realestate.com.au, while the median house price rose 7.9% compared to the previous year.

Interior designer Darren Palmer says one location that stands out for its design potential is The Waterfront at Shell Cove.

“Along this coastline, opportunities like this don’t come along often – in fact they almost never do – absolute waterfront land, nestled between the white sandy shores of Shellharbour South beach and the glorious new  Shellharbour Marina, ready for you to create your dream home in one of the most breathtaking pockets of NSW,” he says.

A rare coastal opportunity

Shell Cove sits just 90km from southern Sydney and 22km from Wollongong, and has been thoughtfully masterplanned by Shellharbour City Council in partnership with Frasers Property Australia.

In the Shell Cove Peninsula Precinct, buyers can secure registered, ready-to-build waterfront land – a prospect that combines natural beauty with a vibrant marina lifestyle.

“What drew me here was the potential – the opportunity to design something truly personal, framed by nature and a community feel you won’t find anywhere else,” Palmer says.

Home designer Nadine Ryan of NadineK Design, who has worked with multiple clients in Shell Cove and also chose to build there herself, says the area’s wide blocks and flexible building-height allowances open up a world of possibilities.

“There are no floorspace-ratio requirements, so even if you have a 450-square-metre block, you could create up to 750 square metres of living space,” she says.

Buyers range from families and downsizers to Sydney-based holidaymakers who arrive by boat and berth in the marina for weekend getaways.

Darren Palmer’s tips for designing your coastal dream

1. Make it personal

Palmer believes a dream coastal home doesn’t need to be “grand” – but it does need to be “yours”.

Your vision is what matters most, whether that’s an intimate retreat or a lively hub for family and friends.

“It could be a backyard that opens to the coast, rooms filled with light, a home that shifts with the seasons and connects you to the outdoors,” he says.

Think about how you want to feel in your home, and let that guide your design decisions.

2. Draw inspiration from nature

The coastal environment provides a ready-made mood board for colours, textures and finishes.

“It could be inspired by the sand, coral or seafoam – or you could look to the bush and use eucalyptus-greens, soft greys and earthy browns,” Palmer says.

Materials like timber, stone and linen not only reflect the surroundings but can also help your home age gracefully and feel in sync with its setting.

3. Tailor the layout to your lifestyle

Ryan says the home’s design should reflect who will be living there and how they plan to enjoy the space every day.

“Do you want upside-down living with kitchen and dining upstairs to take in the views? Or an attic space with a kitchenette and guest bed? Think about whether you’d like a pool, a garden, or even a lift for future accessibility,” she says.

Consider guests, family changes over time, and how you’ll entertain — all will influence how your layout works now and in the future.

4. Create spaces that delight

Memorable homes often have a feature that sparks joy each time you use it.

“You might want an inner sanctuary – such as an atrium courtyard visible from the shower, with a beautiful olive tree. The sky’s the limit,” says Ryan.

These personal touches can transform a house from a simple structure into a treasured haven that reflects your personality.

Living the marina lifestyle

Residents at The Waterfront, Shell Cove are just steps from the new Shellharbour Marina – a 270-berth hub surrounded by retail shops, harbourside restaurants, cafés, parks andgreen open spaces.

“What’s here now is the result of vision, planning and landmark buildings that have raised the standard of real estate in the region,” Palmer says.

Nearby, residents can enjoy recreation at the Links Golf Course, Killalea Regional Park, kids’ beach, playgrounds, walking trails and cycleways – all within easy reach.

The Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina hotel is also set to open in early 2026, meaning The Waterfront, Shell Cove residents will have access to even more world-class dining options, as well as convenient accommodation nearby for visiting friends and family.

For Ryan, Shell Cove’s appeal is so strong that she bought her own block and is building her Aqua design home there.

“You can go to the marina for fish and chips, still be fishing at 9pm in summer and feel safe, with the tavern music in the background. You really get into the lifestyle,” she says.

The post Darren Palmer’s top tips for creating your dream coastal home in Shell Cove appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Southeast Queensland (SEQ) has undergone one of the most profound demographic pivots in the country since 2019, shaping housing demand across the region.

Population flows have influenced who lives where, the types of homes we need, and the pace of price and rental growth across each local market.

Across the six years from 2018–19 to 2023–24, the 12 local government areas (LGAs) in the SEQ region grew by almost 400,000 people, adding an average of 1200 residents per week, and nearly 2000 per week in 2023-24 alone.

The mix of domestic and overseas migration has differed sharply across the region, creating two different housing market dynamics.

Looking at the data across the 12 LGA of the SEQ region — Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Logan, Ipswich, Redland, Noosa, Toowoomba, Somerset, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley — one insight stands out clearly.

Areas that attracted more domestic movers recorded stronger house price growth, while the regions that drew more overseas migrants experienced the biggest increases in median advertised rents, particularly for units.

These population flows and migratory patterns — net interstate migration (NIM) heavy versus net overseas migration (NOM) heavy — have become the defining feature of the SEQ housing landscape since 2019.

A region transformed by migration

While population growth has eased modestly from its 2022–23 peak, SEQ’s expansion remains well above pre-pandemic levels.

But the composition of that growth — who is moving — matters even more.

Domestic migration (NIM) surged in SEQ’s value corridors Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast – areas offering relative affordability, space, and lifestyle.

Source: PropTrack, ABS

Meanwhile net overseas migration (NOM) has been concentrated overwhelmingly in Brisbane and the Gold Coast LGAs, with students, skilled arrivals and young professionals settling in these global cities.

This divergence has shaped housing demand across the SEQ region.

Source: PropTrack, ABS

Domestic magnets see strong home price growth

We compared house price growth (2019–2025) with domestic migration intensity (where intensity is migrants per 1000 residents since 2018 using 2018 ERP as the base).

A modest positive correlation reveals local and interstate movers have driven the strongest detached house price growth across SEQ.

Source: PropTrack, ABS

LGAs with the strongest cumulative domestic inflows since 2018 — Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast — have also recorded some of the largest increases in median house prices.

This is because domestic migration is dominated by families and upgraders. Sydney and Melbourne have dominated interstate migration into Queensland since 2019, followed by regional NSW and regional VIC.

These domestic movers are more likely to buy than rent, seeking relative value, and many are looking for more space, larger blocks and detached homes.

Ipswich, Logan, Sunshine Coast, and Moreton Bay represent lifestyle and affordability corridors where buyers have been seeking value and larger homes. This sustained buyer demand has pushed house prices markedly higher since 2019.

Overseas arrivals fuel unit pressure

We also examined the relationship between overseas migration intensity (NOM per 1,000) and rent growth.

While domestic movers have reshaped some SEQ regions, overseas migration has reshaped others.

Areas that attracted more overseas migrants have experienced faster increases in unit rents.

Source: PropTrack, ABS

Brisbane and the Gold Coast are now SEQs NOM-dominant markets. These LGAs have seen rapid increases in unit rents.

Overseas arrivals disproportionately rent when they first settle, and tend to cluster near universities, hospitals, transit and CBD employment. In Brisbane and the Gold Coast, NOM flows surged to record levels in 2023–24 aligning with rental markets tightening to historic lows.

By contrast, NOM has almost no correlation with house rent growth, and a negative correlation with unit price growth highlighting that NOM primarily works to shape rental demand.

A two-pronged SEQ market

It’s clear different migration drivers create different housing pressures. Domestic movers have driven the surge in detached house prices, while overseas arrivals have driven the sharp rise in rents, particularly for units.

This is not just a COVID phenomenon, it’s a shift shaping SEQ’s housing needs.

Looking ahead

As SEQ prepares for just under a decade of growth ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, understanding these forces will be critical for planning housing supply, infrastructure, and the future shape of the region’s neighbourhoods.

SEQ is evolving into a multi-centred region with diverse demand drivers. Global city dynamics in Brisbane and the Gold Coast precipitate high net overseas migration, tight rental markets, strong unit demand.

Regions with a larger domestic base will continue to need family-suitable homes, townhouses and new land supply. While NOM-heavy regions require more rental supply, build to rent, student housing, higher density approvals, and housing around education and health precincts.

Understanding these migration channels is critical, as these forces shape not just who buyers and renters are, but what types of homes they want.

The post How the changing face of Southeast Queensland influences home prices and rents appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Home auction weekends are still seeing strong turnout from buyers and sellers in the first week of December, with dozens crowding some of Queensland’s hottest properties before the end of 2025.

10 registered bidders showed up at the auction for 10 Burn St, Camp Hill, which was in such demand that six remained active through the furious bidding war.

Investors, developers and owner-occupiers each made about a third of the demographics seeking the home: a post-war residence on 500 sqm of land.

The rental property was valued as a ready-made house in a popular suburb, a source of passive income and a chance for new home potential on the existing land.

Place Camp Hill agent Shane Hicks the bidding was “very aggressive”, from a starting bid of $1.1 million and quickly going up by several hundred thousand dollars.

“It’s in an area of the suburb where there is a lot of redevelopment going on,” he said. “It’s a combination of post-war homes like this … and a lot of areas where these homes are being knocked down to make a five-bedroom home with a pool.”

The house sold at $1.49m to a young investor considering future redevelopment, after seeing the property’s value had spiked during the last owners’ tenure.

Camp Hill was an active suburb over the weekend, with the home at 13 Brisbane Ave seeing active bidding from four out of the five registered.

“Four of those bidders had seen it at the very first open home three weeks earlier,” Mr Hicks said, “but the actual fifth bidder, who was the eventual buyer, had never seen it before.”

An opening bid from the fifth bidder started the auction at $2 million, with the home’s price shooting up to $2.4 million within minutes.

After negotiation, the home sold to a professional couple for $2.5 million.

“They live in an inner-city apartment, and they have a dog,” Mr Hicks said. “The dog was one of the reasons for their moving … they wanted space for their pet.”

Mr Hicks added he felt he was still seeing a very active rental market across the city, despite many people taking their Christmas breaks.

“To me a lot of people say real estate’s over for the year, and it’s not,” he said. “There’s still a lot of very active buyers out there.”

Queensland’s most-viewed property online that went to auction over the weekend was 1 Timbertop Street, Buderim, with a crowd of more than 70 people to watch the six registered bidders fight for the Sunshine Coast home.

A bid of $1.1m started the quick auction between three active bidders, moving so fast that the whole thing was over before ten minutes had passed.

Ray White Buderim agent Brodie Rodgers said the home belonged to a downsizing couple who had owned it for 22 years, and the three-week campaign saw more than 100 people at inspections.

“It just had the ingredients for everyone,” he said, pointing to the property’s 1,051 sqm of land. “All the buyers fighting out for it had a lot of vehicles.”

After bidding commenced, the home was quickly called on the market at $1.4 million. Before anyone knew it, the house had sold for $1.527m.

It went to a local blended family, who Mr Rodgers said were “just wanting to buy something on a big block with a shared space.”

“They sellers are extremely happy now,” he added. “They’ve got enough to retire … travel around Australia in their van.”

The post Homebuyers still keeping up tight auction competition ahead of Christmas appeared first on realestate.com.au.