Surfers Paradise Investor Snapshot (November 2025)

Suburb Spotlights
Written By Jo Denvir

At a Glance

Metric

Surfers Paradise 4217

Median house price ~$3.8 million

Median apartment price ~$780,000

Rental yield houses ~2.9% gross

Rental yield apartments ~4.5-5.0% gross

Owner occupiers ~45% of dwellings

Detached homes ~25% of stock

Apartments ~70% of stock

Average days on market ~40-45 days on average

Vacancy rate ~1.8%, tight

Walk Score 78, very walkable

Data Sources: REA Group, Your Investment Property, Realestateinvestar, ABS 2021 Census and Walk Score.

Why investors love Surfers Paradise

  • Global lifestyle brand with deep tourism demand supporting both long term and short stay rentals

  • High concentration of apartments gives a wide spread of entry price points, from older walk ups to blue chip new towers

  • Strong liquidity with steady turnover of resales, which makes it easier to exit when you need to

  • Walkable access to beach, light rail, dining, retail and entertainment with no need for a car for many tenants

  • Ongoing public and private investment around the foreshore and tourism precinct ahead of the 2032 Games

Development Snapshot

  • Continuous pipeline of apartment projects along The Esplanade, Ferny Avenue and riverfront blocks

  • Many older walk-ups moving toward refurbishment or redevelopment, creating a mix of classic and new stock

  • Planning controls around overshadowing preserve key beachfront view lines, which underpins long-term value for existing buildings

Investor Insight

Surfers Paradise is the most liquid, high-density market on the Gold Coast. For investors, the key is building selection. Older, well-managed blocks can offer stronger yields and lower body corporate fees, whereas premium new stock tends to trade more on lifestyle and long-term capital growth. It is important to look carefully at building reports, sinking funds, and flood exposure along the Nerang River, as well as short-stay management arrangements, which can affect finance and resale appeal.

Top Performing Pockets

  • Absolute beachfront Esplanade apartments with protected ocean views

  • River and skyline view units in quieter pockets near Budds Beach and Macintosh Island

  • Buildings within an easy, flat walk to the light rail and beach, but set back from the late-night noise around Cavill

Looking to buy in Surfers Paradise

As an independent Gold Coast buyers agent, I help investors sort the genuine value from the marketing gloss in Surfers Paradise, from older walk-ups through to premium towers. If you are considering an investment here, we can map out which buildings match your budget, risk appetite, and strategy, then secure the right property on the right terms.

Jo Denvir
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Broadbeach Investor Snapshot (Nov 2025)