Port Stephens to Mid North Coast sees sustained migration as regional living remains in demand

A NEW wave of internal migration is reshaping regional Australia, with coastal communities from Port Stephens through to the Mid North Coast continuing to attract strong interest from city dwellers.

While Queensland’s Sunshine Coast remains the top destination nationally, the NSW corridor spanning Port Stephens, the MidCoast, Port Macquarie, Nambucca and Coffs Harbour is maintaining a steady migration trend.

The latest Regional Movers Index, delivered by the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), shows people are still leaving capital cities in significant numbers, even as volumes ease slightly compared to last year.

The Sunshine Coast and Greater Geelong led net internal migration, followed by the Fraser Coast, Lake Macquarie and Moorabool.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the pattern of movement is evolving, with more people exploring new regional locations.

“We are seeing a trend of capital-city dwellers still choosing popular locations, but regional-to-regional movers looking elsewhere,” she said.

“What hasn’t declined is interest in a regional move.
“Capital-to-region migration remains robust, recording the second highest migration figures since the end of the pandemic.”

The Mid North Coast has become a standout region, with Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour consistently ranking among the most popular destinations for internal movers.

These areas offer a combination of coastal lifestyle, relative housing affordability and access to essential services, making them attractive to families, retirees and increasingly, remote workers.

Port Stephens and the MidCoast local government area are also seeing sustained migration gains, driven by proximity to larger centres like Newcastle while still offering a slower pace of life.

The Nambucca Valley is also benefiting from a spillover effect as buyers and renters look beyond more competitive markets.

The report highlights that internal migration is no longer just a pandemic-driven trend, but part of a longer-term structural shift in how and where Australians choose to live.

Capital-to-regional migration accounted for 11.6 per cent of all relocations between local government areas and continues to outpace movement in the opposite direction.

Sydney and Melbourne remain the primary contributors to this shift, accounting for the majority of people relocating to regional areas.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Regional and Agribusiness Banking Executive General Manager Kylie Allen said the findings reinforce the need for continued investment in regional communities.

“That shift brings real opportunity and reinforces the need for coordinated planning around housing and investment in infrastructure so regions can sustain momentum and support growing communities,” she said.

With around a quarter of first home buyers now purchasing in regional or remote areas, demand is expected to remain strong.

However, the continued influx is placing pressure on housing, infrastructure and services, leaving councils across the region balancing growth with the need to preserve the lifestyle that continues to draw people in.

By Sis HIGGINS