A Decade of Auctions in South East Queensland
Insights from Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast (2016–2026)
Over the past ten years, South East Queensland’s property markets have transformed in ways few would have predicted back in 2016. Between population growth, lifestyle migration, the COVID-19 era’s dramatic impact, and shifting interest rate cycles, buyers and sellers across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast have navigated remarkably distinct, yet interconnected, market phases.
At Holmes & Co Auctioneers, we’ve watched these trends play out in real time. Below is our decade-in-review, combining auction outcomes, price movements and what it’s meant for agents, vendors and bidders.
📈 Brisbane: The Metropolis with “Measured Momentum”
Brisbane’s auction outcomes over the last decade reflect the broader narrative of South East Queensland:
Early in the 2010s, Brisbane’s auction clearance rates and volumes were modest compared to Sydney and Melbourne, often reflecting a more hybrid market where private treaty was commonly chosen over auction.
Post-COVID, lower interest rates and confidence driven by events like the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games announcement helped stimulate stronger demand and heightened auction engagement.
Recent years (2022–2025) saw both pricing discipline return and median house values cross the $1 million mark - many of which achieved through the auction process, marking a milestone that speaks to sustained growth through tight supply and strong population inflows.
Brisbane takeaway: Auction campaigns that were well-executed and tailored to buyer sentiment achieved standout results, especially during windows of heightened confidence, demonstrating the auction process further boosts already active markets.
🌴 Sunshine Coast: Regional Momentum & Rising Values
The Sunshine Coast has been one of Queensland’s standout regional markets over the past decade and its auction performance reflects both strength and selectivity:
🧭 Value Growth Trends
Over the last decade, Sunshine Coast property values have grown strongly, with reports suggesting upward trends far above long-term averages.
Median values in some parts of the region reached over $1.14 million by late 2025, continuing upward momentum from previous years.
Long-term house price increases on the Coast often exceed national regional averages, driven by lifestyle demand and population growth factors.
📊 Auctions & Market Dynamics
Auction clearance rates vary across the Sunshine Coast, with some suburbs and hinterland areas historically reporting very high clearance figures, even 100% in select pockets, reflecting strong local demand can be translated to premium prices with the right strategy.
The coastal lifestyle, rising infrastructure investment, and proximity to Brisbane have all supported a broadening buyer pool, keeping competition healthy for well-presented auction properties.
Sunshine Coast takeaway: Auction success here comes from understanding the unique coastal buyer mindset, with lifestyle, quality and location often outweighing purely price-driven decisions, but to achieve maximum price - competitive bidding is key.
🌊 Gold Coast: Growth Meets Coastal Lifestyle Demand
If the Gold Coast has become anything over the past decade, it’s a market that defies the notion that only big cities matter:
🔥 Price Movement & Buyer Interest
The Gold Coast market has shown resilience and strong value growth, with median house prices climbing significantly in recent years and outperforming other major metros in year-on-year growth at times.
Infrastructure, lifestyle appeal and ongoing interstate and overseas buyer interest have shaped a market where buyer competition remains high even amid broader macroeconomic headwinds.
📌 Auction Market Signals
Auction clearance rates on the Gold Coast have trended steadily, with figures in the mid-50s to high-50s percent range during periods of active market conditions, a solid outcome given the coastal market’s mix of homes and units.
Gold Coast takeaway: Strong lifestyle desirability, low vacancy rates and a reputation as a destination market continue to support auction engagement, with quality stock attracting multiple bidders, competition and ultimately premium prices.
🧠 What This Decade Teaches Us
From Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast, several threads tie the SEQ auction story together:
🔹 Supply & Demand
Across all three regions, supply constraints have amplified competition, whether through limited new listings, lifestyle migration, or constrained land availability. When demand is low, auction becomes a strategic move that pays dividends.
🔹 Buyer Confidence
Periods of strong confidence, whether driven by low rates, event announcements like the 2032 Olympics, or local lifestyle appeal, have correlated with stronger auction participation, higher clearance rates and record breaking prices.
🔹 Strategy Matters
In tighter or higher-rate environments, pricing precision, compelling marketing, and auction day control have never been more important. Markets where vendors adapt to conditions and follow the auction strategy with purpose and vision, generate the best sales results.
📌 Final Reflection
The last decade has shown that SEQ’s property markets are not monolithic: Brisbane’s measured expansion, the Sunshine Coast’s regional rise, and the Gold Coast’s blend of lifestyle and investment appeal each offer distinct narratives. Yet one thing holds true across all three, well-executed auction campaigns deliver clarity, competition and outcomes that most reflect real market value.