Country appeal remains 'incredibly strong'
RAI chief Liz Ritchie said 2026's high June quarter numbers were particularly noteworthy as internal migration typically slowed during this period, with fewer Australians tending to move during the cooler months.
"This tells us the appeal of country living remains incredibly strong all year round, even outside the traditional peak moving periods," she said.
"Australians are increasingly considering a broader range of regional communities when deciding where to live, with the benefits of regional living extending beyond popular coastal towns and inland communities." ¹
Dubbo has emerged as the top location for overall property sales across New South Wales, overtaking Port Macquarie to claim the number one position in the second quarter of 2026.
Data released by PropTech firm InfoTrack shows Dubbo recorded a 24.2 per cent increase in overall property purchases over the quarter, driving its rise to the top of the sales rankings. ² ³ ⁴
Vacancy sits near 0.5%, rents rose 12.2% over the past year and rental yields hold at a healthy 4.9%. ⁵
