SEQ land prices hit a record $549,000 as Gold Coast lots lead the quarter

What's happening

Residential land in South East Queensland has set another price record, with fresh Oliver Hume sales data showing the regional median lot price climbed to $549,000 in the September quarter of 2026. The result, reported by The Urban Developer on 30 October, marks a 1.7% lift on the previous quarter and a 13.2% gain over the past year, a rise of about $64,100 in 12 months.

The Gold Coast stood out. Its median lot price rose 11.4%, or $93,000, to $910,000 over the quarter, the largest increase of any corridor, taking annual growth to 25.6%. The figures show that a structural shortage of ready-to-build land is still supporting values across the region, even as four rate hikes this year have cooled buyer activity and trimmed the number of lots changing hands.

The key details

Oliver Hume's numbers point to a market where prices are holding up on limited supply while demand softens. Its chief economist, Matt Bell, said the "underlying shortage of available land continues to support prices", while also noting a clear drop in inquiries as higher rates bite.

• SEQ median lot price: a record $549,000, up 1.7% over the quarter and 13.2% over the year.
• Gold Coast: up 11.4% over the quarter to $910,000, and 25.6% higher year-on-year.
• Sales volumes: down 5.6% over the quarter to 1,055 transactions, nearly 25% below average 2024 and 2025 levels.
• Lot sizes: the regional median lot size grew from 399 sq m to 416 sq m, and the price per square metre eased 2.5%.
• Logan: transaction volumes jumped 33% over the quarter, with the median up 3.1% to $497,000, regaining its place as SEQ's top-selling market.
• Ipswich: median up 23.5% year-on-year to $542,000. Moreton Bay: up 2.8% over the quarter to $555,000.
• Pullbacks: Brisbane's quarterly median fell 21.1% and Redlands eased 4.3% to $719,000, though both remain well above year-ago levels.

Timeline and next steps

The data covers land sales in the three months to the end of September 2026. Oliver Hume's Queensland general manager, Dan Ross, said: "We expect price growth to moderate" as the full impact of higher interest rates flows through. The Reserve Bank's next decision on 3 November, and the December quarter land sales figures due in the new year, will show whether the gap between softer demand and firm prices continues to widen or begins to close.

What it means for Gold Coast property owners and developers

For owners of developable land on the Gold Coast, the figures suggest scarce, well-located lots are still commanding strong prices, with the city now carrying a median well above the SEQ average. For developers and builders, the lower transaction count and larger average lot size are worth watching, as fewer sales and slower inquiry can lengthen selling periods even while headline prices rise.

Buyers weighing house-and-land options may find more choice and room to negotiate in higher-volume corridors such as Logan and Moreton Bay. This is general information only and not financial advice; anyone buying or selling land should seek independent advice on their own circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What was the median land price in South East Queensland in the September quarter 2026?

According to Oliver Hume sales data, the SEQ median lot price was a record $549,000, up 1.7% on the June quarter and 13.2% over the year.

How did the Gold Coast land market perform?

The Gold Coast recorded the largest quarterly rise of any corridor, with its median lot price up 11.4% ($93,000) to $910,000, and 25.6% higher than a year earlier.

Are land sales volumes rising or falling?

Volumes are lower. SEQ land sales fell 5.6% over the quarter to 1,055 transactions, nearly 25% below the average levels seen across 2024 and 2025, although Logan bucked the trend with a 33% jump in sales.

Source: The Urban Developer, published 30 October 2026. This article is an independent summary and commentary by GC Prestige based on the original report — read the source for full details.