Top 7 places to retire in Australia

Even if it’s still years away, most of us at one time or another, indulge in a little daydreaming about where we’d like to retire. When we finally come to retirement age, we want to relocate to a magical location that combines perfect weather, good living and happy days. 

Research group RiskWise Property has come up with a list of towns they have assessed to be the best places to retire. They’ve made the judgement  based on lifestyle, affordability and capital gain potential.

Have a look at the top places on the list:

1. Sunshine Coast, QLD

The Sunshine Coast offers so many options. With a variety of housing styles and price ranging from multimillion-dollar mansions to two-bedroom cottages, there’s something here for every budget.

2. Gold Coast, QLD

Miami on the Gold Coast has a median price of $722,570 which makes it relatively affordable for those migrating from higher priced areas such as Sydney or Melbourne. Australia’s sixth largest city is appealing to active mature-aged people, who can enjoy walking on the beach or in the bush, fishing, boating and cultural pursuits with an appealing climate year-round. 

3. Central Coast, NSW

North Avoca, Terrigal and Wamberal on the Central Coast all offer superb lifestyle properties. And this area is significantly more affordable than the beachside suburbs of Sydney, while still offering reasonable access to NSW’s capital. 

4. Mornington Peninsula, VIC

It’s a popular tourist and retiree destination thanks to its numerous attractions which include beaches, wineries, national parks, heritage sites and a plethora of golf courses. 

5. Byron Bay, NSW

This part of the northern region of NSW is often referred to as ‘the Grey Coast’. Of all the places on this list, Byron Bay received the highest capital gains over the past five years of 83.1 per cent. While its median house price was also the highest at $1.5 million, compared to Sydney and Melbourne prices, this is relatively affordable for those moving from these capital cities.  

6. Hobart, TAS

Thanks to its greater affordability when compared to Melbourne, Hobart has increasingly become a popular destination for retirees despite its colder climate. The city is known for its arts and culture. It also offers majestic scenery such as Mt Wellington, picturesque waterways including the Derwent River and a rich café and restaurant scene. 

7. Hunter Valley, NSW

The Hunter Valley is about 120km north of Sydney. The region is one of Australia’s major wine growing areas and is an attractive destination for retirees who enjoy its relative proximity to NSW’s capital city.