The Sunshine Coast has long been the top destination for regional migration but a new report shows the tide is shifting.
The rapidly-growing beachside area was No.1 for nine consecutive quarters but has been overtaken by Geelong as the top location for capital city escapees, according to the latest Regional Movers Index.
But the Sunshine Coast remains a popular sea-change hotspot, as it is still firmly in the top three.
Lake Macquarie in NSW, Moorabool in Victoria and Maitland in NSW are among other popular places.
The Regional Movers Index, a quarterly report compiled by the Regional Australia Institute using Commonwealth Bank data, also shows that most tree-changers were coming from Sydney and Melbourne.
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The rate of people moving to Australia’s regions increased by more than 10 per cent in the March quarter, according to the index.
The shift to country life, which accelerated during COVID-19 lockdowns, would only persist as the regions attracted more attention and potential investment, Commonwealth Bank executive Josh Foster said.
“They’re idyllic locations to move, whether people want the tree change or the sea change,” he said.
“I certainly don’t see it going back.”
Greater Geelong is Australia’s largest regional council area, home to more than 282,000 people.
While the region has a bright future, it is experiencing significant growing pains.
Most regional areas, including the Sunshine Coast and Geelong, are confronting a housing shortage, ageing infrastructure and congestion as it expands.
The Sunshine Coast has plans to expand its city centre and its transport network and attempts are being made to bolster housing.
Maitland, in the NSW Hunter Valley, is also experiencing rapid growth, attracting new residents from both the capitals and other regions.
It was the most popular new home for people moving from other regional areas in the year to March, followed by Geelong, the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and the Fraser Coast.
Maitland, which had a population of 78,000 in 2016, is on track to exceed 100,000 people by the end of 2026, with six new residents arriving every day, according to a council report.
The nation’s regional population sat at 9.91 million and was set to increase, institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said.
“There are big economic gains to be made by supporting, facilitating and nurturing growth across the regions,” Ms Ritchie said.
“Those benefits can only be achieved … by ensuring communities have the infrastructure, facilities, funding and support they need to continue to welcome all those who are actively choosing a regional life.”
