The new urban oasis: 7 Sydney apartment pools creating a sanctuary in the city

Swimming pools are an increasingly popular addition to Sydney apartment buildings as buyers seek resort-style living in the inner city.

Whether it’s a sparkling sky-high pool boasting iconic harbour views or an infinity pool where the water’s edge merges into the city skyline, luxury swimming pools being constructed in new apartment buildings across Sydney are making a splash.

While a swim provides cool relief on a hot day, these pools are also set to be architectural masterpieces in their own right, complemented by further wellness offerings. With bold and sleek designs, they promise residents a quiet retreat amid the din of the city.

At The Walden in North Sydney is set to offer stunning views over the harbour. Image: realestate.com.au

The Walden, North Sydney

Imagine lazing in an infinity pool enjoying front row views of some of Australia’s most iconic buildings.

Developers of The Walden apartment tower dreamed that very concept and are bringing it to reality, with completion slated for 2028. The resort-style pool in the luxury North Sydney complex will be a jaw-dropper with its spectacular uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Pacific Ocean.

The sleek urban pool is set to be located inside a three-level private retreat also including a wellness studio, gym with an ice bath, sauna, wine cellar, lounge and work-from-home spaces.

Developed by ALAND, The Walden is taking resort living to new heights and reshaping the Sydney skyline.

Chatswood Grand Residences New Apartments

The sleek, rectangular blue tiled pool at Chatswood Grand Residences will offer the perfect vantage point to linger and watch the sunset or just laze by the pool on one of the sheltered sunbeds. The pool is slated to be state-of-the-art and spacious, but also the kind of place to be seen.

An onsen spa will complement the spacious sheltered pool being constructed at Chatswood Grand Residences. Image: realestate.com.au

Other highlights of the luxury apartment and penthouse complex will include an onsen spa, wellness retreat, yoga deck and outside gym. Surrounded by towering palms and lush greenery, the stylish modern pool is planned to be a calm oasis just steps away from the pumping heart of the North Shore retail hub. 

Perle, East Side Quarter, Penrith

It’s hard not to be wowed by the shimmering infinity pool at Western Sydney’s Perle East Side Quarter, set for completion in 2027. Designed in a mix of blue-green tiles that reflect the light, the glistening pool will enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding verdant hills and parkland.

Views over the mountains will bring a retreat like quality to Penrith’s Perle complex. Image: realestate.com.au

Located on the building’s sixth level, the contemporary pool and sun deck aim to take luxury living to new levels. The pool zone will be defined by clean lines and a smattering of palms and greenery. Timber decking and sophisticated sunbeds and deck chairs add to the urban charm.

Hyde Metropolitan, CBD

The long rectangular pool planned for Hyde Metropolitan will feature sleek contemporary lines alongside candle-style lights that add a warm ambience to the new building, set to be completed in 2028.

The development sits on the south edge of Hyde Park, and developer Deicorp has designed a quiet sanctuary with a smattering of palms decorating the spacious paved pool area.

Serenity is a strong theme of Hyde Metropolitan. Image: realestate.com.au

Here, you’ll be able wade your worries away. It’s the kind of setting that invokes feelings of calm, despite being so near to Sydney’s hustle and bustle. 

Signature, Bondi Junction 

Soaring above street level, the sparkling oblong pool planned for Signature, Bondi Junction, now in its first stage of selling, will allow you to take in views of the breathtaking cityscape while also taking a swim. The pool is designed in pretty pale blue shades that match mirror the colour of the sky, further emphasising the feeling that swimmers and loungers are on top of the world.

With sweeping city views and a Bondi address, Signature might just be the best of both worlds. Image: realestate.com.au

Besides the top class panoramic city views, the private rooftop pool area will includes extensive space to entertain, with a barbecue retreat. Set high above the city, this space promises the perfect escape without even having to leave your home.

81 Yarranabbe, Darling Point

There’s nothing that screams exclusivity more than taking a dip in your own pool, enjoying elite views of Sydney Harbour. The modern 25-metre lap pool at 81 Yarranabbe, set for completion in 2028, will offer an uninterrupted sweeping vista of the harbour, right at the edge of the waterfront.

Residents of 81 Yaranabbe can take a dip feeling like they’re floating with the boats on the harbour. Image: realestate.com.au

The pool will be set amid beautifully manicured private gardens and swaying palms and the Darling Point waterfront estate is even constructing a private jetty.

The Rushcutters, Rushcutters Bay

Splashing about the beautifully tiled pool at forthcoming boutique Sydney enclave The Rushcutters, it’d be hard not to feel like you’re on top of the world.

It doesn’t get more exclusive than your own pool with a view. Image: realestate.com.au

The private rooftop pool will part of the penthouse, one of 13 residences in the Rushcutters Bay development, wedged between Rushcutters Bay and Potts Point and just minutes from the CBD. As well as panoramic views, the serene sky-high retreat promises alfresco dining, barbecues and pristine gardens.

Are you interested in Sydney’s new apartments? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.

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SA towns under $200k revealed as Adelaide prices soar

Adelaide property prices may be close to reaching a staggering milestone but there are still bargains to be found across the state – prospective buyers just need to know where to look.

There are just four towns in South Australia with a median house or unit price below $200,000, according to latest PropTrack data, and two of those are under $100,000.

The cheapest is Andamooka with a median house price of $65,000, followed by Coober Pedy, which has a median house price of $80,000.

Meanwhile, Whyalla units have a $178,500 median and Peterborough houses have a $180,000 median.

Coober Pedy is one of the cheapest towns in SA. Picture: SA Tourism Escape

They are a far cry from Adelaide’s median dwelling price, which PropTrack’s latest Home Price Index reveals has reached an all-time high of $898,000.

It looks set to eclipse $900,000 within just weeks as prices are expected to continue rising over Christmas and into the new year.

Across regional SA, the median dwelling price is $484,000.

Andrews Property director Warren Andrews said Coober Pedy was attractive to many prospective buyers not just because it had cheap properties but high rental yields.

“Coober Pedy still seems to be a little bit of a shining light,” he said.

“We’ve been seeing a lot of interest coming from the eastern seaboard.”

Mr Andrews said many of the buyers were young, in their 20s and 30s, and they were purchasing multiple cheap properties in regional areas to renovate then rent out.

The Coober Pedy property at Lot 1313 Post Office Hill Rd sold for $85,000 in October.

The rental yield in Coober Pedy is 17.6 per cent, according to PropTrack data – well above greater Adelaide’s 3.67 per cent for houses and 4.51 per cent for units.

Mr Andrews said the new owners the Coober Pedy property at Lot 1313 Post Office Rd, which sold in October for $85,000, planned to fix it up and lease it.

As soon as prospective tenants saw tidy homes in good condition, he said they were leased quickly.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said homes in Andamooka were particularly appealing to prospective buyers who wanted to leverage off its proximity to Roxby Downs, either to live in or lease to people who worked at Olympic Dam mine.

“Some people just don’t want that mining town environment,” he said.

The Andamooka property at 142 Brooks Court is under contract after being listed for sale with a $50,000 price guide.

Mr Andrews said there were plenty of country towns across SA that offered cheap yet lucrative investment opportunities, including the former coal-mining hub of Leigh Creek.

REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh said earlier this week that staggering price rises across both Adelaide and regional SA were largely because of low stock, particularly the constrained rollout of new housing, and they were likely to keep climbing.

“Broadly, it looks like further price gains into summer, although the extended pause on interest rates and APRA’s cap on high debt to income lending is probably going to temper momentum into the first half of 2026 so we could see the pace of growth easing off slightly,” she said.

– with Tom Bowden

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Buying boom: 60 suburbs where property sales have surged

Rising property markets have triggered a selling spree in some unexpected suburbs, with buyers snapping up homes as homeowners take advantage of increasing prices.

New PropTrack data shows that in some suburbs, up to three times as many properties were sold in the past year compared to the prior 12 month period.

The biggest increases in property sales were recorded in property markets staging a major turnaround, especially Darwin.

The Northern Territory capital has experienced an influx of investor interest this year as buyers search for the next market to boom.

Investor lending in the NT surged to a record high this year, driven by a wave of interstate buyers seeking high-yielding properties in areas where price growth is likely to outperform.

That interest has triggered a rapid rise in property prices, with Darwin’s median home price up by about 14% in the past year – a rate of growth that’s now on par with Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, Australia’s top-performing capitals in the past few years.

REA Group executive manager of economics Angus Moore said Darwin’s property market has been strong in 2025, with a very high level of investor activity.

“The share of new loans going to investors is at a record high in the NT, and the number of new investor loans is twice its previous peak,” he said.

Top 30 suburbs where the number of house sales has increased the most

Suburb State Region (SA4) No. of transactions 12-month change in transactions
1 Moulden NT Darwin 135 193%
2 Driver NT Darwin 107 189%
3 Gray NT Darwin 97 162%
4 Johnston NT Darwin 76 153%
5 Rosebery NT Darwin 169 141%
6 Norlane VIC Geelong 302 131%
7 Woodroffe NT Darwin 120 126%
8 Karama NT Darwin 99 125%
9 Durack NT Darwin 191 125%
10 Bellamack NT Darwin 105 123%
11 Loch Sport VIC Latrobe – Gippsland 91 117%
12 Fulham Gardens SA Adelaide – West 118 111%
13 Bonshaw VIC Ballarat 74 106%
14 Prospect SA Adelaide – Central and Hills 255 102%
15 Muirhead NT Darwin 111 102%
16 Wulagi NT Darwin 85 98%
17 East Bendigo VIC Bendigo 67 97%
18 Tranmere SA Adelaide – Central and Hills 97 94%
19 Middleton SA SA – South East 79 93%
20 Plympton SA Adelaide – West 100 92%
21 Malak NT Darwin 61 91%
22 Lochinvar NSW Hunter Valley exc Newcastle 110 90%
23 Hindmarsh Island SA SA – South East 140 87%
24 Campbellfield VIC Melbourne – North West 57 84%
25 Cobram VIC Shepparton 132 83%
26 Bakewell NT Darwin 73 83%
27 West Lakes SA Adelaide – West 151 82%
28 Craigburn Farm SA Adelaide – South 67 81%
29 Gilston QLD Gold Coast 54 80%
30 Berrimah NT Darwin 86 79%
Source: PropTrack. Suburbs ranked by % change in the number of property transactions. Excludes suburbs with fewer than 30 sales in the 12 months to October 2025.

In suburbs such as Moulden, Driver and Gray, almost three times as many houses were sold in the past year compared to the previous 12 months.

Real estate agent and Monsoon Real Estate principal Joshua Pucci said the number of homes selling in these suburbs had surged as a result of strong investor interest and resulting price growth.

“Those three suburbs were the cheapest Darwin suburbs to invest in,” he said. “They spent the past 15 years not moving much at all.”

“There were a lot of people that bought their first home there but haven’t been able to sell them for a long time because the growth has been pretty stagnant.”

Darwin house surrounded by greenery
Almost three times as many houses sold in Moulden in the past year as the prior 12 months amid a surge in investor activity in Darwin. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

However, the explosion in investor demand changed everything, resulting in annual price growth of between 16% and 19% amid a flurry of sales as homeowners took advantage of the rising market.

“There was an influx of people wanting to exit those markets and upsize,” Mr Pucci said.

Several Adelaide suburbs also recorded a surge in sales, including Fulham Gardens (up 111%), Prospect (up 102%), Plympton (up 92%) and West Lakes (up 81%).

Despite much higher numbers of properties selling than a year ago, price growth in these suburbs remains on par with Adelaide overall.

There were also big increases in sales in pockets of regional Victoria, including Loch Sport in the Gippsland region (up 117%) and East Bendigo (up 97%).

Norlane in Geelong had 302 house sales in the past year, compared with just 131 the year prior, which real estate agent and Barry Plant South Barwon managing director Chari Emirzade said was a result of more buyers being drawn to the suburb’s affordability.

Many affordable suburbs such as Norlane in Geelong have experienced a boom in property sales. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

“The area has been really popular in the past year with investors from Sydney and Brisbane,” he said.

“In addition to that, a lot of first-home buyers from Melbourne and Geelong have started to buy in Norlane.”

In Melbourne, Campbellfield had the largest jump in sales (up 84%), with transactions also increasing significantly in Oakleigh East, Olinda and Heidelberg.

There were between 45% and 50% more houses sold in more-affordable suburbs in Sydney’s west such as Hebersham, Dean Park and Acacia Gardens.

Top 30 suburbs where the number of unit sales has increased the most

Suburb State Region (SA4) No. of transactions 12-month change in transactions
1 Darwin City NT Darwin 141 200%
2 Rosebery NT Darwin 93 166%
3 Rapid Creek NT Darwin 94 129%
4 Nightcliff NT Darwin 136 127%
5 Shepparton VIC Shepparton 126 117%
6 Johnston NT Darwin 93 116%
7 Belconnen ACT Australian Capital Territory 216 116%
8 Campbell ACT Australian Capital Territory 79 114%
9 Wright ACT Australian Capital Territory 72 106%
10 Bakewell NT Darwin 83 102%
11 Coconut Grove NT Darwin 88 100%
12 Denman Prospect ACT Australian Capital Territory 104 100%
13 Coombs ACT Australian Capital Territory 89 98%
14 Kingston ACT Australian Capital Territory 258 93%
15 Greenway ACT Australian Capital Territory 109 91%
16 Kellyville Ridge NSW Sydney – Blacktown 56 87%
17 City ACT Australian Capital Territory 135 82%
18 Phillip ACT Australian Capital Territory 142 82%
19 Buddina QLD Sunshine Coast 60 82%
20 Ocean Shores NSW Richmond – Tweed 54 74%
21 Parap NT Darwin 104 73%
22 Moranbah QLD Mackay – Isaac – Whitsunday 67 72%
23 Stuart Park NT Darwin 174 71%
24 Watson ACT Australian Capital Territory 87 71%
25 Taylor ACT Australian Capital Territory 56 70%
26 Dickson ACT Australian Capital Territory 111 68%
27 Barton ACT Australian Capital Territory 50 67%
28 Woolooware NSW Sydney – Sutherland 143 66%
29 Bronte NSW Sydney – Eastern Suburbs 73 66%
30 Lilydale VIC Melbourne – Outer East 124 65%
Source: PropTrack. Suburbs ranked by % change in the number of property transactions. Excludes suburbs with fewer than 30 sales in the 12 months to October 2025.

In the unit market, Northern Territory suburbs such as Darwin City, Rosebery and Rapid Creek had far more properties selling in the past year compared to previous 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Canberra suburbs of Belconnen, Campbell and Wright recorded more than twice as many units sales in the past year as the year prior.

These suburbs have had high levels of apartment development in recent years, with recently built units accounting for many of the sales in the past year.

Real estate agent Alex Wang of Archer Canberra said Belconnen’s affordability appealed to first-home buyers and investors, as well as downsizers drawn to larger two and three-bedroom units.

“Last year was a totally different market,” he said. “This year interest rates went down so we can see more investors and more buyers coming into the market because of that.”

Canberra unit block in recently developed suburb
More than twice as many Belconnen units changed hands in the past year compared to the previous 12 months. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

Mr Moore said activity was beginning to pick up in Australia’s biggest property markets amid rising prices following interest rate cuts.

“We’ve been seeing very busy activity in property markets in Sydney and Melbourne this year, supported by fairly solid conditions in housing markets and consistent steady growth in home prices,” he said.

“Home prices in Melbourne have been quite soft in recent years and 2025 is really the first time we’ve seen consistent growth since the RBA started raising rates in early 2022.”

The latest REA Group Listings Report shows that while the number of new listings jumped in October in Sydney and Melbourne, new listings declined in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Mr Moore said this lack of new supply coming to market was one of the factors supporting price growth in those cities.

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Diane Keaton’s famous ‘Pinterest’ home returns to market after death

One of the last homes that Hollywood legend Diane Keaton renovated before her death has been put back on the market for $US26.9 million ($A41 million).

The listing comes less than two months after the Annie Hall star passed away at the age of 79.

The Sullivan Canyon property — which was the subject of Keaton’s acclaimed book, The House That Pinterest Built — was initially put on the market in March 2025 with a much higher asking price of $US29 million ($A44.2 million), Realtor reports.

However, it was quietly delisted just two weeks before the actress died of primary bacterial pneumonia.

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One of the last homes that Hollywood legend Diane Keaton renovated before her death has been put back on the market. Picture: Rachel Luna/Getty Images

The home was originally listed for the much higher price of $US28.9 million, months before Keaton’s death. Picture: Realtor

Now, the “rare architectural masterpiece,” which the Oscar-winner spent eight years renovating, has been listed once again, with the description hailing the work that the “Hollywood icon” did to transform the once run-down abode into “something truly special”.

“Nestled in the heart of prestigious Sullivan Canyon, one of LA’s most revered equestrian enclaves, the residence is not only grand but extremely private and eclectic,” the listing notes.

While the listing does not mention Keaton by name, it praises the meticulous way in which she overhauled the property, using materials of the highest quality to create a truly artistic sanctuary.

“Featured in the acclaimed Rizzoli book, The House That Pinterest Built, the estate has been celebrated in numerous design publications and appreciated by those who recognise its artistry,” it goes on.

“This residence is more than its architecture and craftsmanship. It is a reflection of care, creativity, and a life lived with intention.”

The home was quietly delisted just two weeks before the actress died of pneumonia. Picture: Realtor

The Sullivan Canyon property was the subject of Keaton’s acclaimed book, The House That Pinterest Built. Picture: Realtor

The latest listing also offers a much more intimate look inside the property courtesy of the new images that have been added, which perfectly capture Keaton’s incredibly unique design style.

While the exterior features a very traditional red brick facade, the interior follows a much funkier black-and-white theme that carries throughout the majority of the main living spaces.

“The estate is adorned with thousands of hand-selected vintage Chicago bricks and a mix of reclaimed materials that define its unmistakeable character,” the listing description notes. “Cascading beams frame the kitchen and living spaces, setting the tone for a home that feels both distinctive and intimate.”

In the main living space, enormous built-in shelves have been accessorised with all manner of collectable items and books, while the living room has a distinctive white brick wall that frames an enormous wood-burning fireplace.

The kitchen is lit with huge skylights that accentuate the natural wood beams and bring a beautiful bright feeling into the space.

Diane Keaton spent eight years renovating the home. Picture: Realtor

An office room has been turned into what looks like a living Pinterest board. Picture: Realtor

One of the more unique areas in the home is a circular space in which the walls have been covered with the words from author Gerald Stern’s poem, Lucky Life, following the curve of the room as it sweeps around.

Another quote can be found at the top of the stairs, where the walls have been covered with the words: “Look, we don’t have that much time.”

An office room has been turned into what looks like a living Pinterest board, with an entire wall covered in magazine clippings, pieces of art, framed photographs, and an enormous black poster with “1948” written on it in huge white lettering.

Throughout her career, Keaton — who had two adopted children, daughter Dexter, 29, and son Duke, 25 — moved multiple times, developing a love of purchasing older homes, renovating them, and then selling them.

One of the more unique areas in the home is a circular space in which the walls have been covered with the words from author Gerald Stern’s poem, Lucky Life. Picture: Realtor

However, when she found her five-bedroom, seven-bathroom 1920s-era Sullivan Canyon abode, she explained that it was the first time she had considered actually settling down for more than a few years.

Keaton spent a staggering eight years on a gut renovation of the home, which effectively saw her rebuilding it from the ground up, a process that she documented in her 2017 book.

The book focused on Keaton’s new-found love of the photo-sharing site and how it helped to inspire her creativity when it came to the design of the dwelling’s interior. The renovation also ended up becoming even more poignant for Keaton as time went on.

While discussing the release of the book, Keaton spoke about how much she had grown to love the home, conceding in one interview that she had struggled to ever find a property that truly felt like a place she could live forever — that is until she came across the Sullivan Canyon abode.

She explained to Wine Spectator that she has always had “an interest in homes and the concept of home,” but noted that she had always struggled to “land and stay” because she always found something wrong with the property.

Another quote can be found at the top of the stairs, where the walls have been covered with the words: “Look, we don’t have that much time.” Picture: Realtor

The estate is adorned with thousands of hand-selected vintage Chicago bricks and a mix of reclaimed materials. Picture: Realtor

In the case of her Sullivan Canyon house, however, something was different.

“Something’s right, because I love it,” the actress said, calling the property her “dream home”.

The Annie Hall star revealed that her purchase of the property was inspired by her love of The Three Little Pigs, which her mother read to her when she was a child — and which cemented her dream of living in a brick home when she grew up.

Although the home is located in Los Angeles, Keaton explained that much of the design was inspired by her former New York City apartment, a historical space located in a 1930s beaux arts building, which she moved into in the 1970s.

Keaton spent a staggering eight years on a gut renovation of the home. Picture: Realtor

The actress prioritised quality, using the finest of materials throughout the property. Picture: Realtor

“It was one of those remarkable apartments,” she said.

“There was a window on every side. Everything was wide open. That was the beginning of my true interest in architecture.”

When Keaton finished the home renovation, having been first introduced to Pinterest by her longtime collaborator, director Nancy Meyers, she moved in with her children and the family’s golden retriever, Emma.

Both of her children have largely stayed out of the spotlight, with Keaton explaining to People magazine in 2007: “They have no interest in what I do, which I think is very healthy. We live a relatively normal — well, sort of normal — life.”

Keaton adopted both of her kids after moving back to Los Angeles from New York in the 1980s, having admitted that she didn’t initially think motherhood was something she would ever be ready for.

“Cascading beams frame the kitchen and living spaces, setting the tone for a home that feels both distinctive and intimate,” the listing notes. Picture: Realtor

Outside, the home has a traditional red brick facade. Picture: Realtor

“I didn’t think that I was ever going to be prepared to be a mother,” she told Ladies’ Home Journal in 2008.

“Motherhood was not an urge I couldn’t resist, it was more like a thought I’d been thinking for a very long time. So I plunged in.”

But far from creating a more traditional family home for her children, Keaton built multiple, buying up a number of homes — including several mid-century modern treasures that were designed by architect Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The first home she snapped up after she returned to the West Coast in the late 1980s was the Samuel-Novarro house, a property designed by Wright in 1928.

She overhauled the home, taking steps to carefully restore much of the original work, before selling it just five years later.

In 2007, she purchased another of Wright’s homes in the Pacific Palisades, carrying out an incredible restoration of the abode to restore its original glory.

Records indicate that she sold the dwelling in 2010. However, the property was most recently listed in February of this year, before being taken off the market a few months later.

Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and was republished with permission.

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The new growth corridor: Where smart buyers are finding value in 2025

With pricing in Sydney’s more established suburbs out of reach for many, buyers are thinking outside the box to get the home of their dreams.

First home buyers and young families in particular are turning their attention to the growth corridor of South West Sydney, where infrastructure, transport, employment hubs, and new neighbourhoods are evolving rapidly.

“South West Sydney is experiencing incredible momentum, with new infrastructure and investment driving strong growth across the region,” says Thomas Miles, Head of Sales at Castle Group.

“It’s fast becoming one of Sydney’s most connected and desirable areas for new homeowners.

A vast mix of projects, including the Western Sydney International Airport, the M12 Motorway, and the South West Rail Link Extension are in various stages of progress.

This boom is attracting many young buyers to the area, with 2025 KPMG Enterprising Cities report finding that almost 20,000 people in their 20s moved to Western Sydney in 2024.

Meeting this demand are some brand-new Castle Group neighbourhoods for residents – notably in Austral and Leppington.

“The infrastructure changes how people live and move every day, and it shifts Austral and Leppington from ‘fringe’ to a genuine growth hub with jobs, transport and services close by,” Mr Miles says.

Aerial view of Leppington, captured in September 2025.

Five new neighbourhoods to choose from

In Austral and Leppington, Castle Group is bringing to life five new neighbourhoods to give buyers a great variety of choice.

These are Bloomfield, Central Grove, Ed.Ave and Kemps Estate in Austral, and Valley Rise in Leppington.

“Leppington and Austral give first home buyers and families a chance to live in a new part of Sydney that’s being planned around lifestyle, where green open spaces, everyday convenience, and neighbourhood connection come together in a vibrant, family-friendly setting,” Mr Miles says.

Buyers can choose the perfect size of land for their needs, ranging from around 250sqm to over 450sqm, with land ready to build in some neighbourhoods.

Prices range from $659,000 to $935,000* and house and land packages start from $1.22m.*

“For young families and first home buyers, the ability to own a freestanding home with room to grow, not just an apartment, is a major drawcard,” he says.

Artist’s impression, indicative only. Home design by G.J. Gardner Homes.  

Everyday lifestyle benefits

The South West corridor is not just enabling people to buy land and build their dream home, but also to access the range of amenities that they need every day.

“All of our neighbourhoods are positioned for everyday convenience, with proximity to schools, shops, parks and transport,” Mr Miles says.

New retail hubs, parks, playing fields, childcare centres are in the works.

Meanwhile, Austral and Leppington are also close to the Liverpool CBD, and the new Bradford City Centre.

“So, buyers see it not only as an affordable way to get into Sydney’s market today, but also as a strategic place to live or invest, where jobs and amenity are rapidly emerging,” he says.

With easy access to parks, schools, shopping and more, Castle Group’s South West Corridor neighbourhoods offer the lifestyle that buyers are looking for.

An economic hub of the future 

Buyers interested in Austral and Leppington have a chance to get into the area before some major infrastructure is completed and demand grows.

The M12 Motorway will improve east–west connections, while the Western Sydney International Airport Metro line, and proposed South West Rail Link extension, will strengthen public transport.

“Locally, the $1 billion FAST Corridor along Fifteenth Avenue will connect Liverpool to the new airport right near where many of our neighbourhoods are located,” he says.

With new employment hubs such as the Airport, and the proposed Aerotropolis and Mamre Road Industrial Precinct on the cards, the KPMG Enterprising Cities report finds that 173,000 new jobs will be created in Western Sydney over the next five years.

“That’s what underpins the long-term amenity and growth story for Austral and Leppington,” says Miles.

Artist’s impression of the Fifteenth Avenue Smart Transit © Liverpool Council (2020).

Expert support for first home buyers

The five new Castle Group neighbourhoods in Austral and Leppington present opportunities for people at all stages of life, and in particular first-home buyers, to find their perfect home.

“Across our South West neighbourhoods, we offer genuine choice from registered, ready-to-build lots through to future registrations that allow purchasers to stage their finances,” Mr Miles says.

“We work with trusted local builders to provide house and land packages, which is particularly attractive for first-home buyers seeking a streamlined, low-stress path to ownership.”

Land lots in Castle Group’s South West neighbourhoods start from $659,500*, while turnkey house and land packages start from $1.22m.*

Buyers can visit and see what’s on offer at the Castle Group onsite sales office, 25 Boyd Street, Austral or simply fill out the form below and the friendly sales team will be in touch to help find the right home or arrange a private onsite tour.

Disclaimer:
*Price is correct as at 2 December 2025, and subject to change and availability without notice.

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Malvern East estate sells for $12m ahead of auction

The Simonds family estate has set a new Malvern East record with a $12m pre-auction sale

A Malvern East home built for Simonds Group executive chairman Rhett Simonds and his wife, Samantha, has smashed the suburb record after selling for about $12m before auction.

The single level estate at 43 Grant St was due to go to a private auction on December 3 but sold four days early after a high-net-worth buyer made a knockout offer.

The deal came in $700,000 above Malvern East’s previous $11.3m benchmark, set at 17 Manning Rd in October 2025 according to RP Data.

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The 1,944sq m property was designed by FGR Architects and completed about a year ago after the Simonds family purchased the block for $6.4m in 2022.

The rebuild delivered a full resort layout with a pool, tennis court, basketball court, landscaped grounds and multiple indoor-outdoor living zones.

Whitefox Northside director Dylan Francis said the home drew strong competition from several buyers before the pre-auction offer was accepted.

“We’re very excited with the result” Mr Francis said.

The Grant St rebuild delivered a rare single-level estate on a 1,944sq m block

Full-height glazing opens the main living zone to the pool and landscaped rear yard

“We had a buyers’ advocate representing a high-net-worth client who stepped above everyone else.

“It was a younger couple looking to start a family in the area and the single level layout was a major appeal.”

Mr Francis said the buyers were particularly drawn to the scale of the backyard.

“They loved the pool, the tennis court and they’re big basketball people, so the court was a huge tick,” he said.

Circular skylights run through the centre of the home, bringing natural light into every zone

A skylit hallway leads to the bedroom wing and connects the home’s main living areas

“The north-facing rear brings in incredible morning light and it was a home that ticked every box for them.

“That’s what led to the tremendous pre-auction offer.”

The Whitefox Northside director said the negotiations centred on giving the leading buyer one clear message.

“When you’re talking about a move-in ready home of this calibre and several parties are registered for the auction, the guide becomes irrelevant,” Mr Francis said.

The laundry includes extensive storage and family-focused functionality with direct outdoor access

The kitchen features premium integrated appliances, stone finishes and a seamless link to the alfresco area

“If someone wants to buy before auction, the offer has to be a knockout.

“The dialogue was simple, put forward the number that truly secures it.”

The sale is expected to sit among the biggest residential results in Stonnington this year.

Whitefox founder and Block judge Marty Fox said the result had “unbelievable momentum” and highlighted rising demand for high-end, move-in ready homes across Melbourne.

“This was about understanding how to speak to buyers at different price brackets,” Mr Fox said.

“He is tuned into that frequency right now and it shows.”

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Lady Gaga sparks short-stay rental frenzy across Aus capitals

LADY GAGA JAZZ & PIANO Park MGM in Las Vegas

Lady Gaga is returning to Australia for the first time in over a decade. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Park MGM Las Vegas.

Lady Gaga’s return to Australia has sent short-term rental demand into overdrive, with bookings soaring in major capitals ahead of her first concerts in over a decade here.

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand boss Susan Wheeldon confirmed bookings have more than doubled ahead of the music icon’s Mayhem Ball, which kicks off Friday, December 5 – right at the start of Australia’s peak travel period.

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Lady Gaga The Chromatica Ball Tour - Stockholm

Lady Gaga’s return to Australia has been long-awaited by fans, some of whom are coming from as far away as the United Kingdom. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation.

There has been a major surge in local demand for short-term rentals during the concert dates, with the tour opening at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on December 5, before heading to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 9 and Sydney’s Accor Stadium on December 12.

Airbnb searches for Sydney during the concert dates are up a shock 178 per cent compared to last year.

“Airbnb searches for Brisbane during Lady Gaga’s concert dates are up 98 per cent compared to the same period of time last year. That’s nearly double the interest – proof that Aussies go gaga for Gaga,” Ms Wheeldon said.

Fans from as far away as the United Kingdom are among those making the pilgrimage to Australian state capitals for the highly anticipated concerts, Airbnb found.

“Domestic fans are travelling to Brissy from places as far as Melbourne, Adelaide and even Perth while road-trippers are coming in from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rocky and Toowoomba and international fans are flying in from New Zealand, the UK and the US.”

Adding to the mix is the second Ashes test, which kicks off Friday in Brisbane at the Gabba.

“Searches have spiked for Woolloongabba, home of course to the Gabba cricket ground,” Ms Wheeldon said.

“Tour tourism is also driving demand over summer. The Spilt Milk music festival has also seen surges in Airbnb searches for Claremont in Perth, Carrara on the Gold Coast, Ballarat in Victoria and Canberra.”

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This short-stay rental is available in Melbourne’s Southbank for just over $960 a night. Source: Airbnb

Fans heading to Melbourne for the Mayhem Ball still have around 300 homes showing up as available within the Marvel Stadium map search on the night of the concert, with hosts charging anywhere from just over $110 for a one-bed unit in Thornbury to more than $960 for a three-bedroom Southbank apartment.

In Brisbane there are over 300 properties available in suburbs near Suncorp Stadium, priced from $84 for a bedroom in Newmarket to more than $370 for a one-bedroom apartment at the Star Casino at Queens Wharf in the CBD.

Sydney properties range from $59 for a private room in Canley Heights to $415 for an entire one-bedroom unit in Burwood, with more than 300 properties showing as available in the map zone.

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This one bedroom unit in Burwood in Sydney is $415 a night now. Picture: Airbnb.

Ms Wheeldon said December and January were Australia’s peak domestic travel months.

“We’re seeing Aussies travel to Sydney and Melbourne to visit friends and family over Christmas but also to catch some sporting action at the cricket and tennis.”

That demand has pushed short-stay bookings higher across the capitals.

“With the summer holidays just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to become an Airbnb host. It’s a great time of year to make some extra money – especially if your home is sitting empty while you’re away on summer holidays.”

She said the firm had made it “easier than ever to become a host” with Airbnb co-hosting creating “a side hustle without the hassle”.

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Realtor.com predicts gradual housing market recovery in 2026

Realtor.com released its 2026 Housing Forecast, projecting a cautious stabilization in the housing market after several years of affordability challenges, limited supply and tepid activity.

Buyer conditions are expected to improve gradually as mortgage rates ease, incomes rise and more homes come onto the market.

Still, the recovery is expected to remain slow, with existing-home sales staying well below normal levels and broader political and economic uncertainty keeping the outlook fragile.

Realtor.com forecasts the average 30-year mortgage rate will hover near 6.3% in 2026 — slightly below the 2025 average of 6.6%.

Chief Economist Danielle Hale told HousingWire that inflation and tariff-related cost pressures play a key role in keeping rates from dropping further.

“One of the reasons we expect mortgage rates to kind of hover in the 6.3% range and not move lower is because we do think inflation is going to tick up a little bit as tariff prices pass through to the overall price level,” she said. “So we think that’s going to keep mortgage rates from falling too much in 2026. If that pass-through were even greater than we expected, we could potentially see mortgage rates rise even higher.”

She added that while higher-than-expected inflation or faster economic growth could push rates up, weaker growth could pull them down.

“If the economy were to slow more than we’re expecting, which is possible, then we could see mortgage rates and other interest rates that are lower than what we’re currently projecting,” Hale said. “I would say our expectation is that we’re going to see modest growth, slowing growth, but growth nonetheless. So, there are scenarios where mortgage rates could end up lower than forecast.”

Home prices

Paired with steady income growth, expected rate relief could bring the typical mortgage payment share of income down to 29.3% — falling below the 30% affordability threshold for the first time since 2022.

Home prices are projected to rise 2.2% in 2026, following a 2.0% increase in 2025. But those nominal gains are not expected to keep pace with inflation, meaning real home prices will fall for the second year in a row.

“The reason we’re seeing real home prices decline is that home price growth is slightly below what I would consider a normal range, and inflation is higher than typical,” Hale said. “We’re expecting growth of just over 2% for next year, and inflation above 3%, which is higher than where the Fed would like it to be. So higher inflation and somewhat lower-than-typical home price growth means real home prices decline, but it is a more gradual adjustment that gives everyone time to adapt.”

Inventory and affordability

Active listings are expected to grow 8.9% in 2026, the third consecutive year of expansion.

Though the pace is slowing as the market approaches more typical levels, supply is still expected to finish the year about 12% below pre-2020 norms.

Hale emphasized that boosting supply remains a structural and policy challenge.

“A lot of the work to improve homebuilding has to be done at a local level because the local regulations that make it more challenging or costly to build really add up,” she said. “But there are things the federal government can do, such as using grants or review processes to encourage best practices. Recalibrating tariffs matters too — because tariffs on building materials raise construction costs and can cause builders to pull back.”

With supply growing faster than sales, the market is expected to maintain a balanced 4.6 months of inventory — slowly inching toward the six-month level traditionally associated with a buyer’s market.

Moderating rates, slower price growth and rising incomes are expected to deliver the most meaningful affordability improvement since 2022.

The typical monthly payment for a median-priced home is projected to fall 1.3% year-over-year.

Rents are expected to continue declining modestly, ending 2026 down 1%.

Lock-in effect persists

Existing-home sales are forecast to rise 1.7% in 2026 to 4.13 million — still among the slowest levels in decades.

Four in five mortgage-holding homeowners have a rate below 6%, leaving many reluctant to move unless prompted by major life events.

Hale explained why this lock-in effect will continue shaping the market — and why ultra-low pandemic rates are unlikely to return.

“Those rates we saw in the COVID pandemic were historically abnormal, so we’re not likely to see them again without some sort of catastrophic event,” she said. “The lock-in effect is something we’re still going to be talking about for years, because resetting a low-rate mortgage can be very expensive.

“But every bit lower that mortgage rates move improves the calculation for someone, and over time equity gains give people more options, so the market will gradually recover.”

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Rate cut dreams shattered as Black Friday’s biggest spenders revealed

Australians spent big over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, putting significant pressure on inflation with the hope of a rate cut getting further away.

Australians’ shopping habits are directly impacting their ability to pay off their mortgage and even preventing those hoping to get their foot into the property market.

With the cash rate still sitting high at 3.6 per cent, the RBA is looking closely at the inflation figure to make a decision on whether they will cut interest rates in their upcoming meetings.

Inflation came in at 3.8 per cent in November, well above the target range of 2-3 per cent, which experts say has ruled out the chance of a rate cut.

Bronte auction

Lower interest rates are in jeopardy after the Black Friday sales. Picture: Jeremy Piper

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Now with the addition of huge spending across the cyber sale weekend, Australia’s shopping habits are likely to push this figure up even further, making the dream of lower interest rates become closer to fantasy.

Afterpay and Square’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday data tracked some of the biggest spending regions across Australia – showing who is directly affecting Australia’s inflation rates.

Many suburbs and cities had a huge increase from previous years as well – a worrying statistic for inflation.

Australians made more than 14 million transactions from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, up 13 per cent year on year, according to Afterpay and Square.

Are Queenslanders to blame for inflation?

Brisbanites were the biggest spenders over the period, outpacing Sydney and Melbourne, according to Afterpay and Square data, spending a massive $45 million.

This was a 29.9 per cent increase in in-store sales, and a 21 per cent growth in online sales compared to the year before.

Brisbane’s trendy riverside suburb New Farm, known for its boutique shopping and weekend markets, amassed almost $4m in sales.

The Gold Coast locals spent $27.5m and had the biggest spend per transaction of $61.

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Black Friday

Black Friday drew in more online and in-store shoppers this year. Picture: Richard Walker

Victorians and South Australians close behind

Melbourne’s CBD emerged as the primary shopping hotspot.

On a suburb level, Melbourne’s CBD shoppers were putting huge pressure on inflation by spending a total weekend volume of $9m over the cyber sales weekend – the largest spend for one shopping hub.

Locals in the CBD, Parkville, East Melbourne, Carlton, St Kilda Rd and South Yarra were among the biggest spend suburbs in Melbourne.

In South Australia, Inner City Adelaide residents were the biggest spenders per transaction, spending $88.5 on average per transaction.

SHOPPING

Crowds flocked to retail stores during the Black Friday sales. Picture: NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

How does Australia’s biggest city stack up?

Sydney, where property prices are the highest across the country, also contributed greatly to the spend, with a huge $40m in total weekend volume.

The CBD was a particularly popular spot for shopping, with inner west suburbs among the biggest culprits including Tempe, Erskineville, Broadway, Annandale, Chippendale, Newtown and Enmore ranked as the top spending suburbs.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SYDNEY

Sydney shoppers spent a total of $40m across Afterpay and Square transactions. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The ones keeping it at bay

Perth’s spend totalled $2.6m, while about $1.8m of that was in the trendy entertainment suburb of Northbridge.

Colin Birney, head of business development at Square in Australia, said the cyber weekend was “expanding beyond retail and becoming a broader economic driver”.

“Hospo in particular is feeling the benefits, with cafes, restaurants and bars seeing strong trade as shoppers make a day of it,” Mr Birney said.

“It’s turning into a weekend that supports the whole local economy, not just retail.”

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Real CEO talks growth in hard times — and how everyone loses in real estate ‘wars’

In his last Inman Interview for 2025, Real CEO Tamir Poleg shares his thoughts on artificial intelligence, sustainable growth and why Zillow and Compass should end their feud “sooner than later.”

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