The dream of owning a quarter-acre block near Brisbane’s central business district remains alive, though increasingly rare and costly. Analysis of data from PropTrack highlights that larger land parcels within 15 kilometers of Brisbane’s CBD are becoming scarce, with prices reflecting this growing demand.
Among the suburbs, Fig Tree Pocket boasts the largest average block sizes at approximately 952 sqm, though the median house price has soared to $1.8 million. A notable property for sale at 290 Jesmond Road offers a substantial land area of 3,136 sqm, situated just 11 km from the city center, and is being marketed by Alex Jordan of McGrath Estate Agents.
Just 7 km from the CBD, buyers can find a 735 sqm block in Chapel Hill listed for $1.5 million. Nearby Carindale offers a 700 sqm property priced at $1.6 million. The ongoing housing crisis in Queensland is driving up the demand for these larger lots, especially as the potential for subdivision and development increases their appeal.
Over the past five years, house prices in suburbs known for larger blocks—such as Fig Tree Pocket, Chapel Hill, and The Gap—have surged by more than 80 percent. For instance, there is a six-bedroom property for sale on 312A Kirkdale Road in Chapel Hill, set on 1,916 sqm, and a five-bedroom house on 11 Ironbark Street in Carindale, which is currently up for auction.
According to Angus Moore, a senior economist at PropTrack, the combination of high property prices and the dwindling availability of large blocks means that many prospective buyers are forced to consider options further away from the city. He noted that many suburbs with sizeable average block sizes are well-established and feature few new developments.
Moore stated, “Fig Tree Pocket isn’t building new homes. It’s a well-established suburb, reflecting older subdivisions and older approaches.” The following table outlines the suburbs with the largest average block sizes near Brisbane’s CBD:
Suburbs with Large Average Block Sizes
| Rank | Suburb | Distance to CBD (km) | Median Land Area (sqm) | Median Sale Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fig Tree Pocket | 13 | 952 | $1,821,000 |
| 2 | Chapel Hill | 9.7 | 735 | $1,558,000 |
| 3 | Carindale | 14 | 700 | $1,685,000 |
| 4 | The Gap | 11 | 654 | $1,371,000 |
| 5 | Kenmore | 11 | 652 | $1,350,000 |
| 6 | Chermside | 13 | 647 | $1,118,000 |
| 7 | Indooroopilly | 7 | 645 | $1,710,000 |
| 8 | Carina Heights | 10 | 642 | $1,352,000 |
| 9 | McDowall | 13 | 631 | $1,200,000 |
| 10 | Seven Hills | 7 | 627 | $1,255,000 |
Source: PropTrack
As these suburbs face increasing demand, Moore anticipates that some areas may see changes, with potential subdivisions becoming viable. Nevertheless, he emphasized that not every location permits such developments, which helps maintain higher property values.
Recent data from Place Advisory indicates that the median value for residential land in Brisbane has now reached $702,000, surpassing Melbourne as the second most expensive capital city for land in Australia. A vacant lot at 8 Wilden Street in Paddington recently set a suburb record by selling for $2.35 million, equating to an astonishing $580,200 per sqm.
The competitive landscape for land is further illustrated by other recent sales, including a 599 sqm block in Camp Hill that sold for $2.4 million and a 929 sqm parcel in Hawthorne that fetched $3.65 million. Roxanne Alterio, an agent with Place Woolloongabba, remarked that blocks with development approval are particularly sought after due to their ability to expedite the building process.
“Blocks that are ready to build on, especially with DA approval, are like gold right now,” she stated, noting the influx of buyers from interstate and overseas seeking high-quality land.
The trend towards larger homes escalated during the pandemic and continues to influence market dynamics, according to Moore. Despite this, he highlighted that average block sizes for new homes are decreasing as land becomes increasingly scarce.
“Land is fundamentally hard to supply, particularly in inner city areas,” he explained. He advocated for enhanced transport infrastructure and strategic zoning changes to unlock land availability in desirable locations.
In summary, while the suburban dream of securing a quarter-acre block near Brisbane’s CBD remains a possibility, it demands significant financial investment amid a competitive real estate landscape.
