Real Estate
16 July, 2025
Southern buyers head north
AS the seasons ebb and flow, so too does the movement of property buyers from the southern states.
Each year, as the cooler weather rolls into New South Wales and Victoria, cashed-up buyers migrate north to Cairns, seeking out sunshine and lifestyle opportunities that our region offers in abundance.
It’s no secret that Cairns has long been a winter playground for southerners, with many choosing to escape the chill of Sydney and Melbourne for our tropical climate.
But what’s particularly noticeable this year is the influx of serious buyers holidaying with one eye on the beach and the other on the local property market.
This surge of southern interest is being further fuelled by the recent interest rate reductions, giving confidence to purchasers and adding momentum to an already active market. Many buyers are also factoring in the future affordability of further rate cuts while negotiating deals today, knowing that borrowing conditions could continue to ease in the months ahead.
With strong enquiry levels, competitive conditions and southern capital still moving north, Cairns is shaping up for another strong season in property sales.
If history is any guide, this pattern is set to continue as the southern chill lingers and buyers look to secure their piece of tropical Queensland.
Ray Murphy is a director of Ray White Cairns.
