Across the country, more buyers are swapping city living for a country lifestyle, choosing the space, connection, and calm of a treechange.
According to the Regional Australia Institute’s latest Regional Movers Index, 35.6% more people moved from capital cities to regional parts of Australia than the reverse in the 12 months to September 2025.
One region that’s proving increasingly popular with downsizers looking to make a treechange is south-east Queensland.
Andrew Coulter, chief operating officer of GemLife, a leading developer of over-50s lifestyle resorts across Australia, says that the region is one to watch.
“It really is the best of all worlds here in south-east Queensland,” he says.
“Yes, we do have the most incredible beaches and major cities, but you don’t have to go too far west to see wide-open fields, beautiful forests, and mountain scenery, as well as the lakes in the Somerset Region.”
Regional south-east Queensland is emerging as a favourite location for downsizers.
Why are downsizers choosing a country escape?
Deciding where to settle for your next phase of life is a crucial decision, and regional moves are becoming an increasingly attractive choice.
For some, it’s a more practical and affordable option over moving to a smaller home in the same city.
Proptrack’s January 2026 Home Price Index found, for example, that the median value of a home in Australia’s capital cities is $290,000 greater than in regional areas.
Beyond finances, Mr Coulter also finds that downsizers are attracted to the unique atmosphere of a treechange.
“They’re sick and tired of fighting traffic, crowded shopping centres, and urban sprawl,” he says.
“They miss feeling as though they are part of a real community, where you can pop down to the shops and the person behind the counter knows you by name – where there’s time to stop and have a chat when you bump into a friend on the street.”
Beyond the charming, historic towns, treechange locations offer over-50s a more community-oriented lifestlye.
3 treechange destinations that active over-50s love
South-east Queensland is a hotspot for over-50s downsizers, offering a mix of comfort, climate, and connectivity.
“The weather is pleasant all year round with warm summers and mild winters – and for those who want to escape the summer heat, locations up on the Toowoomba Ranges offer milder temperatures,” says Mr Coulter.
“And, when you do need to head to the big smoke, Brisbane is only a two-to-three-hour drive away.”
That’s why GemLife has carefully curated communities in the area, creating resorts in key locations that make the most of that accessibility and lifestyle.
1. Highfields
Located 12km north of the regional centre of Toowoomba, Highfields is a charming community known for its parks, walking tracks and a historic village.
“Highfields is one of those places that instantly feels welcoming,” says Mr Coulter.
“It offers a true country atmosphere with leafy streets, country markets, local cafes, and all the everyday essentials close by.”
GemLife has built two communities in the town, GemLife Highfields and GemLife Highfields Heights, a testament to just how popular the location and its natural surroundings are with downsizers.
“GemLife Highfields and GemLife Highfields Heights have been thoughtfully positioned to embrace that landscape,” says Mr Coulter.
“With elevated outlooks, open space, and beautifully designed homes, both communities make the most of the region’s rolling hills and spectacular sunsets.”
While Highfields Heights in particular captures the sweeping views, both communities offer residents resort-style facilities and low-maintenance living in a warm and connected community.
Communities like GemLife Highfields Heights offer residents the ideal treechange home.
2. Cotswold Hills
Also located within the wider Toowoomba region, Cotswold Hills trades mountain views for even more convenience and access to the city.
“Cotswold Hills sits on the edge of Toowoomba, offering a peaceful semi-rural setting while staying close to everything that makes the region so liveable,” says Mr Coulter.
“Cotswold Hills provides easy access to major shopping, health services, and cultural attractions, while still enjoying a relaxed country outlook.”
It is also close to Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and key transport links, making travelling or visiting family even easier.
GemLife’s Cotswold Hills community continues the balance between country living and accessibility.
“The community has been master-planned to create space, connection, and wellbeing, with quality homes and resort-style facilities designed for an active lifestyle,” Mr Coulter says.
These premium amenities include a ten-pin bowling alley and golf simulator, fully equipped gym, indoor heated pool, a spa and sauna, and even a grand ballroom with dance floor.
With the Toowoomba nearby, GemLife Cotswold Hills is a semi-rural location with plenty of city convenience.
3. Kilcoy
Kilcoy is the hidden gem of south-east Queensland’s Somerset Region, surrounded by mountains, farmland and the stunning Lake Somerset.
“It’s a town with a strong local spirit – friendly, unpretentious, and deeply connected to the outdoors,” says Mr Coulter.
“For many, it represents the true meaning of a treechange: more space, less traffic, and a slower, more satisfying pace of life.”
With the nearby lake, it’s an ideal location for boating and fishing, as well as waterside bushwalks and drives.
The town itself still has all the essential services, cafes, and shops downsizers expect for their day-to-day life, while Brisbane is still only an hour-and-a-half drive away when needed.
The tranquil, country feeling of the region is what GemLife’s Kilcoy Greens community has been designed to reflect.
“With beautifully appointed homes, landscaped surrounds, and high-quality recreational facilities, the community offers a secure, low-maintenance lifestyle in a naturally stunning location,” says Mr Coulter.
“Many people are surprised when they discover just how affordable Kilcoy is compared to coastal areas. It truly is a hidden gem, offering exceptional value.”
GemLife Kilcoy Greens is located in the heart of the naturally beautiful Somerset Region.
How to make a smart treechange in 2026
GemLife’s south-east Queensland communities are offered under a land lease community model, making them an appealing option for downsizers looking to make their next move.
“A land lease community provides a way to unlock equity from the family home while avoiding some of the ongoing costs traditionally associated with home ownership,” explains Mr Coulter.
“At GemLife, there are no exit fees and homeowners retain any capital gains, which offers an added layer of confidence when planning for the future.”
Land lease communities like GemLife’s are all about supporting a vibrant and active lifestyle for residents, many of whom are still working but want to take full advantage of the benefits of their treechange location.
“They allow people to right-size without compromise and become part of a secure, welcoming community while still feeling connected to the broader region they’ve chosen to call home," says Mr Coulter.
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