Worldwide report pinpoints Brisbane as a growth centre
Queensland's capital and the Gold Coast see prices of luxury residences climb above global averages.
BRISBANE is experiencing rapid growth propelled by the 2032 Olympic Games and significant government infrastructure investment, according to a new global report.
Knight Frank released the 20th edition of The Wealth Report, a global look at trends across property and investment.
The report showed that a favourable planning environment has allowed developers to fast-track luxury projects, pushing top-end apartment prices from a historical ceiling of around $8.4 million to over $14 million in just 12 months.
Super prime product in Brisbane is now exceeding $45,000 per sq m, reflecting intense demand for high-quality, turnkey stock.
There was a 2.1 per cent average rise in Brisbane’s luxury residential property prices over 2025, while the Gold Coast saw a 2.8 per cent rise, the report showed.
In 2027, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Perth are expected to be the strongest performing luxury markets in Australia, with a two per cent forecast growth in residential prices
In Brisbane, $1.5 million now buys five per cent less than it did five years ago. The Gold Coast has seen the biggest reduction in buying power at 14 per cent but still offers the greatest value for money.
The report also recognises Geelong as rapidly becoming a destination of choice.
The Geelong waterfront’s unique combination of coastal amenity, proximity to Melbourne and strong infrastructure investment is positioning it as one of Australia’s standout regional markets, attracting increasing interest from domestic and international purchasers.
Melbourne bucks the global trend on buying power for luxury property, with US$1m now buying 4% more in the city than 5 years ago.
Around $1.5 million will buy more will buy four per cent more luxury residential real estate in Melbourne than five years ago, while in Sydney buyers will get per cent less. But both cities remain significantly more affordable than other major hubs around the globe.
Global luxury property prices saw a 3.2 per cent average rise in 2025, with this market outperforming mainstream housing markets for the second consecutive year.
In Australia, Perth (4.1 per cent) recorded growth in luxury residential prices above the global average in 2025, while the Gold Coast (2.8 per cent) and Brisbane (2.1 per cent) saw more modest rises. Sydney (-0.4 per cent) and Melbourne (-1.3 per cent) saw slight falls.
Geelong’s waterfront was named as a neighbourhood set to outperform alongside other markets around the globe including Dalefield in New Zealand’s Queenstown, St-Martin-de-Belleville in the French Alps, Lake Como in Italy and the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles.
