Woolgoolga was named the best mainland beach in Australia in 2025.
A hidden gem that the locals call Woopi is being pitched as “The new Byron” without the price tag on the doorstep of Australia’s best beach.
Marketers for the new $110m masterplanned community Swell at Woolgoolga, a popular holiday spot just north of Coffs Harbour, are expecting seachangers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to pounce.
Already, 70 per cent of the first stage of Swell have sold — primarily to locals in the know — attracted to blocks of land priced from $490k and house and land packages under $1m.
Swell is located just 1.5km from Woolgoolga Beach, named the best mainland beach in Australia in 2025 by Ben Farmer, who rates Australian beaches for Tourism Australia.
Woopi apparently got its nickname because many years ago visiting rugby teams had to explain their location to others further down the coast, telling them: “Where the hell are we? We’re in the middle of Woop Woop.”
“It’s just so very ‘Aussie’ — ticking all the boxes for a perfect beachside destination,” Mr Farmer said.
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It’s being pitched as “The new Byron”.
The delights of the local village are also being celebrated.
“I have researched beaches across Australia for over 40 years and Woolgoolga is an absolute standout.”
Mr Farmer described Woolgoolga, which has a permanent population of about 6000, as an ideal location to experience all that nature has to offer – plus the delights of the local village.
“Fish the coast or any of its beautiful surrounding estuaries, surf any of the consistent pumping breaks, spot friendly kangaroos bouncing across the headlands, enjoy a round of golf, dine out in style or simply set up camp for few hours or a few days,” he said.
“It really is a hassle-free favourite.”
It’s these attributes that have made “Woopi” a drawcard for a wave of new homebuyers, according to consultancy firm Urban Economics.
It points to NSW Department of Planning figures showing the population of Woolgoolga was tipped to grow 9 per cent over the next decade compared with 6 per cent for Coffs.
The trend has been supported by strong demand in Clarence Property’s Swell development – one of the most significant land releases in the region over the past decade.
House and land packages start at just under $1m.
Population growth at Woolgoolga is set to outstrip nearby Coffs Harbour over the next decade.
There were just 30 lots in the first release of Swell last October, though a further 180 blocks are set to be released and there have already been about 2000 buyer registrations of interest.
“Our decision to invest in Woolgoolga is based on the fundamentals of lifestyle appeal and economic growth across the region,” says Simon Kennedy, CEO of Clarence Property.
“Population growth and a lack of new developments have led to a severe land undersupply, with Woolgoolga among the tightest residential markets in Coffs Harbour.”
Joshua Binkley, Associate Director, Urban Economics, expects supply to outstrip demand over the next 15 years.
“Overall, existing and future stock of residential lots is very constrained, particularly within Woolgoolga,” he said.
Mr Binkley said that house prices in the Coffs Harbour area had risen about 55 per cent in the past five years as people fled the capital cities seeking affordable homes by the sea.
Woolgoolga offers an array of amenities such as the revamped surf club, cafes, surf shops, boutiques and vintage stores.
And the hospital, airport and university at Coffs are just 25 minutes away.
Homesites in the first release of Swell, where lots range from 499sqm to 812sqm, are priced from $490,000.
This compares with recent nearby coastal northern NSW median vacant land prices of $597,000 at Ballina Shire, $650,000 at Byron Shire and $740,000 at Tweed Shire.
House and land packages are also available at Swell with prices ranging from just under $1m to about $1.3m with options for three, four and five-bedroom homes in single and double storey configurations.
Although not associated or familiar with the Swell project, Sotheby’s agent David Medina is expecting an “uplift” in Woolgoolga and gets the Byron Bay comparison.
“It’s relatively undeveloped and by the sea,” he said.
“I know of people who have bought for exceptional value, just 500m from the beach.”
Two Melburnians that “Woopi” has already won over are Sarah Poole and her husband Ryan who moved there to open Woopi Brewery Company in 2019.
“It ticked all the boxes for us, being beautiful and coastal in that area with an amazing all round temperature,” she says.
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