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Remember Covid times? In addition to surviving lockdowns, testing positive and homeschooling, Australians also got a chance to reimagine what home could look like. Many made 'tree changes' to leafy regional towns or 'sea changes' to coastal communities. Now, in a post-Covid world, those lifestyle-led decisions aren’t slowing down – they’re becoming more intentional and more common.
According to an analysis done by Muval, Aussies across our country are looking beyond capital city postcodes in search of affordability and a stronger sense of community. But where are they heading? The removal experts analysed data from more than 200,000 national relocation enquiries between January 2023 and early 2026 to reveal Australia's hottest suburbs over the past three years.
From coastal New South Wales to regional Victoria, the suburbs topping the list share common threads: attainable property prices, growing infrastructure and communities where neighbours still know each other’s names.
Leading the charge is Port Macquarie West, a coastal city located four hours north of Sydney, which recorded a 0.055 per cent increase in relocations. It might sound like a tiny percentage, but let's be real – people don't actually pack up and move that often. Next up is Hobart, which saw 0.046 per cent growth, followed by Bendigo at 0.043 per cent. Families, professionals and retirees alike are moving to these towns for factors such as lifestyle, a vibrant arts scene, strong employment prospects and significantly lower housing costs.
James Morrell, co-founder and CEO at Muval, said, "We’re seeing a clear trend of people moving for lifestyle, affordability and work-life balance. Many families are relocating to Port Macquarie West for its coastal lifestyle and community amenities, while Hobart attracts buyers looking for a slower pace but strong cultural and employment opportunities. Bendigo continues to grow as a regional hub with affordable housing and solid infrastructure."
In addition to this, fast-growing outer suburbs such as Mickleham-Yuroke in Melbourne's north, Newcastle-Cooks Hill on NSW's coast, and Greenbank-North Maclean in rural Queensland are seeing strong momentum as buyers chase brand new homes, larger blocks and family-friendly areas, often at a fraction of big city prices.
The growth clusters seen in suburbs surrounding areas like Port Macquarie and Melbourne’s outer north-west suggest something bigger is happening: the rise of new lifestyle hubs. These are communities where schools, healthcare, retail and transport are expanding in line with population growth – all the more reason for Aussies to move in.
The top 10 up-and-coming suburbs in Australia:
- Port Macquarie West, NSW
- Hobart, TAS
- Bendigo, VIC
- Mickleham–Yuroke, VIC
- Newcastle–Cooks Hill, NSW
- Greenbank–North Maclean, QLD
- Whittlesea, VIC
- Wallan, VIC
- Rockbank–Mount Cottrell, VIC
- Sunbury South, VIC
In 2026, Australians are moving toward affordability and belonging – and they’re finding it in suburbs that offer more than just a postcode.
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