When looking at Mid-Coast Council’s property trends, you initially get the impression that this slice of coastal paradise would be a haven for many young families to get a strong foothold on the property ladder.
However, this isn’t the case in this predominantly rural part of New South Wales. The region’s property market is shaped by one of the oldest average populations in Australia.
According to the Mid-Coast Council, 38.5% of their region is aged 60 or over. That is double the national average of around 19%.
This makes it one of the strongest performing areas in the state with many older residents buying their homes outright. So with that in mind, how does it shape the dynamic of Mid-Coast Council property trends?
Mid-Coast Council profile
Compared to neighbouring regions, the Mid-Coast Council is very much in its infancy. The region only formed in 2016 when three separate areas merged into one amalgamation:
- The Shire of Gloucester
- The Great Lakes Region
- The City of Greater Taree
Coming out of this merger, the region has forged itself a new identity. The city of Taree acts as the regional hub thriving from a regional hospital, a small domestic airport and direct links to Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane.
However, the Mid-Coast region has thrived thanks to several twin-town clusters spawning around the region’s picturesque river estuaries. The clusters of Forster-Tuncurry and Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest lie on beautiful estuarine areas that are punctuated with stunning beaches and idyllic seascapes.
Should you head inland, the region switches from stunning seascapes to world-heritage countryside. The World-Heritage Barrington Top National Park dominates the skyline of cosy country towns. This makes small towns like Gloucester a peaceful mecca compared to major metropolitan areas. It’s this diverse range of scenery that has seen many older residents leave behind a manic lifestyle in larger urban areas.
Mid-Coast Council General Facts
Population: 96,579 (2021)
Dwellings: 50,484 (2021)
Households: 45,039
Median Age: 54
Mid-Coast Council Property Trends
Taree
Taree is the main commercial hub of the Mid-Coast Council. The city has a population of just under 17,000 and sits on the lower reaches of the Manning River. Its spot on the Pacific Highway creates links to Newcastle and Sydney whilst the North Coast Train Line links the town to other major regions such as Grafton, Coffs Harbour and South-East Queensland.
Despite being the regional hub, Taree’s property prices have remained lower than the regional average. According to RealEstate.com, the average house price in Taree is $524,000 with units costing an average of $345,000. What’s amazing here is that even a four-bedroom house costs an average of $595,000 – some 30% lower than the regional average. House prices have only grown by 1.3% over the past year, but the area has seen steady growth for a while now.
Population: 16,839 (2023)
Average house price: $524,000 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit price: $345,000 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average house rental price: $460 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit rental price: $340 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Forster-Tuncurry
Known by tourists all across NSW, Forster-Tuncurry straddles the Coolongolook River estuary and are linked by a singular bridge. The area is home to just under 20,000 who enjoy the numerous golden beaches and access to many coastal lagoons.
This stunning coastal backdrop makes prices in both towns higher than the regional average, but many feel it’s worth the extra cost. Forster sports a particularly high property average of $870,000 – around $85,000 more than Tuncurry. Unit prices are also much higher with just a 2-bed apartment costing $522,500. Prices have risen over the past 12 months, with houses typically around $20,000 more expensive.
Population: 19,918 (2023)
Average house price: $870,000 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit price: $590,000 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average house rental price: $630 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit rental price: $420 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Gloucester
In the Mid-Coast region, few towns have a feel quite like Gloucester. Nestled at the bottom of the Barrington Tops, this country town has a much quieter feel than its coastal neighbours. Gloucester has a population of just over 3,000 and is seen as the perfect base to explore the nearby World-Heritage national parks.
Situated comfortably inland, the town has become a haven for retired couples with over 30% now being over 65. This has helped keep house prices affordable, with an average of $547,500 – a value that has grown slowly but surely in the past few years.
Population: 3,200 (2023)
Average house price: $547,500 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average house rental price: $460 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Wingham
Located north of Taree, the town of Wingham has established itself as one of the fastest-growing communities in the Mid-Coast Council area. Thanks to its spot on the Manning River, the town has become a thriving destination with rail links to Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane for those who want a trip to a big city. All this has helped the town grow to more than 5,000 residents with the population set to rise further.
Word’s getting out about Wingham. The average house price is $542,500, up from $510k this time last year, and it now has a higher price tag than nearby Taree.
Population: 5,395 (2023)
Average house price: $542,500 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit price: $377,500 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average house rental price: $450 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit rental price: $280 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest
On paper, Tea Gardens looks like the perfect town. Tucked away on the Myall River, the Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest region is dominated by holidaymakers and retired couples. So much so that Tea Gardens itself sports an average age of 69 – one of the oldest average populations in Australia. This has made this twin-town cluster of 4,500 an exclusive yet expensive place to live and retire.
This is highlighted by Tea Gardens sporting an average property price of $920,000 – one of the highest figures in the region and a massive increase of $60,000 since June 2024. A three-bedroom house in the area will set you back $775,000 with a 4-bedroom property costing around $1 million. Its popularity as a holiday destination has also caused unit prices to dramatically increase with an average price of $610,000. That eclipses average house figures in nearby towns such as Taree, Gloucester and even Forster.
Population: 4,500 (2021)
Average house price: $920,00 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average house rental price: $550 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Old Bar
Old Bar has developed considerably in the 21st century. On the mouth of the Manning River, Old Bar’s stunning coastal setting has seen it attract property development from all sides. So much so that the town now boasts a population of 5,000 – over double what it was back in the 1990s.
The coastal backdrop has made it a booming place to grab homes with values matching some of its other coastal rivals. Despite this, its average price of $780,000 is cheaper than nearby spots like Forster and Tea Gardens, however rent yields are on the rise.
Population: 5,126 (2023)
Average house price: $780,000 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit price: $540,000 (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average house rental price: $550 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Average unit rental price: $450 p/w (Realestate.com.au, June 2025)
Conclusion
When it comes to buying property in the Mid-Coast Council region, it’s clear to see two main trends developing.
If you head inland to towns like Taree or Gloucester, property prices are quite cheap and matched with good transport links and stunning scenery. However, if you want a place on the coast in Forster or Tea Gardens, you will find yourself forking out quite a lot more than you might initially anticipate. Whether this extra price tag is worth it depends entirely on your outlook and lifestyle.
To seek out the best options for purchasing a home, speak to a Wisebuy mortgage broker for guidance. Our property experts can give you all the advice you need to work out the best way to get on the property ladder.
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