2026
Prestige Residential
The Waterfront Advantage: Australia’s ultimate luxury of living by the water.
3. The Big Picture
4. Australian East Coast Waterfront Sales Activity
5. Anchoring the Ultimate Boating Lifestyle
6. Australian East Coast Waterfront Premium
7. Beyond the Water View
Sustained appetite in recent years for super-prestige homes on the waterfront
Waterfront properties have consistently proven to hold strong value, driven by limited coastline and prime frontage, making them resilient during economic downturns by having a timeless appeal through their idyllic locations, panoramic views, and exclusive maritime facilities
These factors make waterfront homes not only desirable lifestyle assets but also enduring legacy investments which combine prestige with long-term financial security
Buoyant outlook for waterfront homes in 2026
With limited availability of established waterfront homes, demand is expected to remain strong well into the future
Australians have shifted their priorities in recent years, placing greater emphasis on health, wellness, and the quality of time spent at home
In uncertain economic climates, premium waterfront properties stand out as a reliable investment, given their strong marketability and ease of repositioning within a portfolio.
Super-prestige annual sales on the absolute waterfront in Q3/25 experienced a 6% uptick, whilst Queensland held the majority share of waterfront sales along the East Coast
Waterfront homes across Australia are worth an average 86% more than their inland equivalent in Q3/25, with Sydney continuing to hold the strongest premium value of 122%
Australian waterfront homes with private beach access have seen their value uplift rise from 44% in Q3/17, to 71% in Q3/25, when compared to non-waterfront inland homes.
Two-thirds of East Coast absolute waterfront homes sold across the super-prestige market had exclusive access to at least one maritime facility in the year ending Q3/25
When considering maritime facilities, 67% of registered boats in Australia are under six metres long, although those 6-8 metres saw the highest growth in registrations
Change in the Number of Waterfront Home Sales, by Position East Coast Australia, super-prestige sales, year ending Q3/25
Top 5 Locations Waterfront Sales East Coast Australia, super-prestige, five years ending Q3/25
City Houses
Mosman, NSW (38)
Vaucluse, NSW (24)
Hunters Hill, NSW (24)
Palm Beach, NSW (21)
Point Piper, NSW (16)
City Apartments
Barangaroo, NSW (73)
New Farm, Qld (14)
Sydney, NSW (10)
Manly, NSW (9)
Darling Point, NSW (8)
Kirribilli, NSW (8)
Regional Houses
Broadbeach Waters, Qld (52)
Surfers Paradise, Qld (51)
Noosaville, Qld (49)
Hope Island, Qld (39)
Noosa Heads, Qld (37)
Regional Apartments
Noosa Heads, Qld (14)
Main Beach, Qld (11)
Palm Beach, Qld (8)
Surfers Paradise, Qld (5)
Mermaid Beach, Qld (5)
The volume of super-prestige sales changing hands reaches new height in 2025
Almost 30% of the 932 super-prestige residential sales in the year ending Q3 2025 were found to be located on the waterfront across the East Coast of Australia This was a slightly higher share than two years ago when at 28%
Looking back, it was clearly evident the pandemic had a positive impact on waterfront sales given people were spending more time, and prioritising wellness, at home The volume jumped from 68 sales in the year ending Q3 2019, to 241 sales in Q3 2021
This was at a time when NSW held the most number and majority share of waterfront sales (59%), followed by Queensland (34%) then Victoria (7%)
Two years later, this switched to Queensland holding the greatest share of sales (52%) in the year ending Q3 2023, followed by NSW with 40% Once again in Q3 2025, Queensland led (with 58%) then NSW next at 38%
Victoria has remained relatively consistent, averaging a 9% share across the East Coast since 2017, with Tasmania contributing close to 1%.
How a super-prestige property is situated in relation to the water can make a significant difference Over the year ending Q3 2025, the wider prestige market has seen only modest performance in sales and price growth.
However, the super-prestige sales volume on the absolute waterfront experienced a 6% uptick, whilst waterfront reserve homes and those opposite the water recorded sales falling by 30% and 34%, respectively.
The city suburb of Barangaroo came out on top for the highest number (73) of super-prestige apartments sold on the waterfront over the past five years outpacing Mosman, which held the top number of houses sold (38).
During this time, regional sales saw Broadbeach Waters rank highest for houses (52) and Noosa Heads for apartments (14).
Total Number of Waterfront Home Sales East Coast Australia, super-prestige, year ending Q3
Direct water access and exclusive maritime amenities amplify prestige waterfront living
Australians’ love of spending time on the water
One in ten Australians now hold a powerboat licence and this doesn’t include those on non-motorised craft which don’t require a licence or registration
According to the Boating Industry Association (BIA), there were more than 900,000 registered boat vessels across Australia in 2025, where 83% are accommodated on the East Coast There were a minimum of 275,000 registered boats in Queensland, 240,000 boats in NSW, 200,000 boats in Victoria and 32,000 in Tasmania
In August 2025, 67% of registered boats are under six metres long The number of boats 4-6 metres rose 12% in the past five years to August 2025, whilst those boats less than four metres fell by 6% Boats 6-8 metres long saw the greatest growth in boating vessels registrations, up 19%, with those more than 8 metres being 14% higher Personal watercraft were the fastest-growing overall with 30% more registrations in the past five years and made up 10% of all Australian registered vessels
Minimum Number of Registered Boats East Coast Australia, 08/25
Change in Length of Boating Vessels Australia, registered over past five years, 08/25
Seeking direct water access for exclusive maritime facilities
Two-thirds of East Coast absolute waterfront homes sold across the super-prestige market had exclusive access to at least one maritime facility in the year ending Q3/25 A further analysis of these home sales found 28% had access to a pontoon and 26% came with a jetty, while 5% had a slipway and 4% with a mooring
Exclusive Maritime Facilities Available in Waterfront Home Sales East Coast Australia, super-prestige absolute waterfront sales, year ending Q3/25
Tracking the value impact of prestige homes located by the water
Shifting focus from shoreline living to holding solid value
Waterfront homes across Australia are worth an average 86% more than their inland equivalent in 2025, trending upwards from a 81% uplift two years ago. All four major cities along the East Coast saw an uptick in their waterfront premiums during this time.
Sydney, the iconic harbour city, continues to hold the strongest premium value uplift of 122% in 2025, up from 118% in 2023 and significantly higher than 86% recorded in 2017
On the Yarra River and around the bay, Melbourne saw the greatest change in the premium paid for waterfront homes with an uplift of 43% in 2025, compared to 38% two years ago.
This demonstrates the resilience waterfront properties can hold whilst the underperformance of its wider prestige market
Brisbane has seen the number of super-prestige homes located along the Brisbane Riverfront rise in recent years. A waterfront premium can be achieved of 59% in 2025, higher than 55% two years ago and 42% back in 2017
The Gold Coast provides multiple water frontage options, but this hasn’t impacted yet the uplift value an absolute waterfront property can achieve in 2025, being at 82%. This premium was 62% in 2017 - which was the least change in uplift performance across the four major cities - as its underlying prestige market tandemly strengthens.
Premium Value Uplift for Waterfront Homes, by City Absolute waterfront homes compared to non-waterfront, Q3/25
The financial power of the water frontage can vary considerably for a home when benchmarked against inland, non-waterfront homes within the cities, and across the regional areas.
Overall, the scarcity of harbour frontage in Australia commands the highest premium of 125% for homes in Q3 2025, up from 116% two years ago This uplift is hugely dominated by homes on Sydney Harbour, which stands out globally for being naturally striking with deep sheltered waters, iconic landmarks along the vibrant urban backdrop within the accessible and active harbour
A home on the coast, or on the river, saw a greater change in uplift over the same time A coastal frontage rose to 93% from 88%; which includes homes fronting the beach or a bay, while a riverfront home rose to 74% from 69%.
Homes fronting a canal remained mostly steady with an average 41% uplift recorded since Q3 2023 This has reflected the strength of non-waterfront home prices on the Gold Coast matching the performance along the canals
Premium Value Uplift for Waterfront Homes, by Water Frontage Australia, absolute waterfront homes compared to non-waterfront, Q3/25
Premium Value Uplift for Waterfront Homes with Private Beach Access Australia, absolute waterfront homes compared to non-waterfront
A private path to the sea
Scarcity of coastal land continues to push up prices for waterfront homes with private beach access, cementing their status as symbols of intergenerational wealth and ultimate luxury living
These properties remain tightly held and rarely come to market The pandemic further intensified demand, as buyers sought open spaces combined with greater privacy and enhanced security in lifestyle homes
Australian waterfront properties with private beach access have experienced significant value uplift rising from 44% in Q3 2017 to 71% in Q3 2025 when compared to non-waterfront inland homes
Prestige Property
The most desirable and most expensive property in a given location, generally defined as the top 5% of each market, by value.
Super-Prestige Sales
Super-prestige sale transactions hold a threshold of A$10 million in NSW and A$5 million in all other states and territories
Absolute Waterfront
Directly on the water with no road or public land between the property and the shoreline. Often includes private access to the water and the possibility of maritime facilities
Waterfront Reserve
Adjacent to public land, such as a park or reserve, that borders the water No private ownership of the shoreline, but uninterrupted views and access.
Opposite Waterfront
Located opposite the water but separated by a road, although still offers prime water views
Michelle Ciesielski
Head of Research, McGrath Research michelleciesielski@mcgrath com au +61 414 694 220
www mcgrath com au/research
Waterfront Premium Value
The waterfront premium measures the potential value uplift for prestige homes on the water’s edge or absolute waterfront, compared with similar properties located further inland without access to, or a view of water
Maritime Facilities
Built environments located on or near waterways that enable the docking, servicing, storage, and movement of vessels. They can be in the form of a jetty, pontoon, mooring or slipway
Boating Industry Association (BIA)
Represents businesses involved in the boating and marine industry The BIA boating data is powered by DECKEE