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Caboolture Leads Queensland Property Boom as Buyers Chase Space Over Prestige

Caboolture has become Queensland’s busiest property market, with more homes changing hands there than anywhere else in the state — a sign that buyers are turning to the Moreton Bay suburb for space, flexibility and long-term value rather than traditional city prestige.

The trend became clear in the December 2025 quarter, when new data showed Caboolture recorded the highest number of house sales across Queensland, ahead of nearby Morayfield and other South East Queensland suburbs.

A Region on the Rise

Caboolture’s strong performance is part of a wider surge across Moreton Bay, which has steadily moved from an affordable alternative to a key growth area in South East Queensland. Reports from property data groups show several suburbs in the region ranking among the state’s most active markets, supported by population growth and improving infrastructure.

Earlier findings had already pointed to Moreton Bay as a rising hotspot, with Caboolture regularly appearing among the most searched and transacted suburbs. By late 2025, that interest had turned into high levels of activity, placing the suburb at the centre of Queensland’s housing market.

Industry data suggests buyers are drawn to the area for its mix of affordability and larger land sizes, with many able to secure more space than they would closer to Brisbane. This has attracted families, tradespeople and those looking for flexible living arrangements.

What Buyers Are Paying For

Recent high-value sales in Caboolture show that demand is not only strong but shifting in focus. At the upper end of the market, buyers are placing higher value on properties that offer more than modern finishes alone.

Large blocks, dual-living layouts and extensive shed space are emerging as key features. Homes that can support extended families, home-based work or future development are attracting stronger interest, reflecting a broader change in buyer priorities.

Several of the suburb’s top sales in early 2026 involved acreage properties with multiple dwellings or infrastructure suited for storage and business use. This indicates that practicality and adaptability are now major drivers of price growth in the area.

More Than Just Affordability

While affordability helped put Caboolture on the map, recent activity suggests the suburb is moving beyond its entry-level reputation. Buyers are increasingly seeking properties that offer long-term flexibility and potential, rather than just lower prices.

This aligns with broader trends across South East Queensland, where demand has expanded beyond inner-city locations. The growth is shaping not only property prices but also how neighbourhoods are developing.

Caboolture leads Queensland in home sales as buyers seek space, flexibility and value, driving strong growth across Moreton Bay.

Published 6-April-2026

Hundreds Flock to Waraba’s First Display Village Opening

Waraba’s emergence as Queensland’s next major city hit a visible milestone when around 600 people turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the Lilywood Landings Display Village, the first of its kind in the new city taking shape within the City of Moreton Bay.

Read: Waraba Welcomes First Residents as New City Takes Shape

The opening transformed Merryvale Circuit into a vibrant hub of activity, with free food, barista-made coffee, ice cream, giveaways and children’s entertainment setting a festival tone across the precinct. Spread across 31 completed display homes from 18 of Queensland’s leading builders, the day gave prospective buyers the chance to explore a wide range of designs and experience the community firsthand.

The Lilywood Landings Display Village sits at the gateway to Waraba, within the first suburb of Lilywood, and the broader community is already welcoming its first residents following strong sales since the project launched in mid-2024. Lennium Group is now gearing up for its next land release off the back of that demand.

Formerly known as Caboolture West, Waraba is one of southeast Queensland’s most ambitious urban development projects, a 40-year city-building endeavour within the City of Moreton Bay, planned to deliver around 30,000 homes, schools, parks, sporting facilities and a town centre for a population expected to reach 70,000 people.

Lennium Group Development Manager Ian Worthington said the turnout reflected a level of genuine community excitement that had been building since the project launched.

“This was a fantastic result and a clear sign of the interest we’re seeing in both Lilywood Landings and the new city of Waraba,” Mr Worthington said.

“To have hundreds of people walking through the new homes, meeting with builders and experiencing the community firsthand is exactly what this Display Village was designed to deliver.

“It’s one thing to talk about a new city, but this is where people can truly see it taking shape and imagine their future here.”

The display village, delivered in partnership with Master Builders Queensland, brings together some of the state’s leading residential builders across 31 completed homes. Builders represented include Brighton Homes, Burbank, Dare Homes, Glenvill Homes, Integrale Homes, McLachlan Homes, Metricon, Neptune Homes, Orbit Homes, Roonsleigh Construction, Simonds Homes, Zoom Constructions, Arcadia Homes, Creation Homes, Hudson Homes, Kiba Built, NuTrend Homes and Ultra Living Homes.

For visitors, the variety was a drawcard in itself, with each home styled with its own unique activation, showcasing a diverse mix of designs, layouts and finishes tailored to modern Queensland living.

Master Builders Queensland Manager of Display Villages, Greg Byrne, said the event underscored the health of the state’s residential building sector at a time when confidence in new housing is closely watched.

“The quality of homes on display and the level of public engagement we saw on Saturday was outstanding,” Mr Byrne said.

Read: Bellmere Land Deal brings 1000-lot Ambury Estate to Waraba Development Area

“This Display Village brings together some of the state’s most respected builders and gives visitors a genuine opportunity to explore a wide range of home designs in one location.”

The Lilywood Landings Display Village and Sales Centre is located at 4 Merryvale Circuit, Lilywood, and is open Saturday to Wednesday from 10am to 4pm. For more information, visit www.lilywoodlandings.com.au.

Featured image: supplied

Published 4-April-2026

Bribie Island Volunteers Help Thousands of Turtles Reach the Ocean

More than 4,600 baby turtles have made it safely to the ocean on Bribie Island, thanks to a group of local volunteers working daily to protect nests along one of Queensland’s most popular beach destinations.

The effort took place during the 2025–26 nesting season, which runs from November through April.

The Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA), supported by funding from Unitywater, monitored 58 turtle nests along the island’s northern beaches. Volunteers patrolled a 30-kilometre stretch of coastline each day, checking nests, putting up protective barriers, and stepping in when hatchlings needed help reaching the water.

BIEPA’s wildlife team reported that the work focused on giving both nesting mothers and hatchlings the best chance of survival. The group noted that threats remain high in the area, with predators such as foxes, feral pigs and goannas often targeting nests. Bright artificial lighting was also identified as a major issue, as it can confuse hatchlings and lead them away from the ocean.

Human activity along the beach continues to be another challenge. The organisation highlighted that four-wheel drives can damage nests when driven on sand dunes, while tyre tracks in softer sand can trap hatchlings before they reach the water.

Support from Unitywater’s Healthy and Thriving Community Grants Program allowed volunteers to continue their daily work throughout the season. The funding also helped update a mobile app that provides tide and driving information, aimed at reducing accidental harm to turtle habitats.

Community involvement has played a key role in the program’s success. BIEPA representatives said their goal is to help locals and visitors better understand the unique coastal environment on Bribie Island and the importance of protecting it. Volunteers have continued their patrols in all conditions, working to safeguard nests across the season.

The organisation expects around 1,500 more hatchlings to emerge before the end of the season, adding to what has already been a strong year for turtle conservation on the island.

Published 3-April-2026

New Patrol Vehicle Brings Smarter Parking Enforcement to Caboolture and Moreton Bay

A new parking patrol vehicle equipped with number plate recognition technology is now operating across Moreton Bay, including Caboolture, to help manage overstaying and illegal parking in the region’s busiest town centres.

The vehicle uses high-resolution cameras and GPS to monitor regulated parking zones as it moves through the area. When it detects a vehicle that has overstayed its time limit or parked illegally, it captures time-stamped images and precise location data. Those records are reviewed by officers before an infringement notice is issued by post, meaning drivers no longer need to be caught in the act on the spot.

The patrol vehicle operates across regulated zones in Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe, Strathpine and Petrie.

How the Technology Works

Unlike traditional parking officers working on foot, the vehicle can cover significantly more ground in a single patrol. The number plate recognition system reads plates continuously as the car moves, cross-referencing them against time limit data for each zone. If a vehicle has been in the same spot beyond its permitted time, the system flags it automatically.

New patrol vehicle — Photo *Credit: City of Moreton Bay*

The shift to camera-based enforcement also creates a more consistent evidence trail. Because each detection includes a time-stamped image and GPS coordinates, the record is highly accurate. Officers still review each case before any notice is issued, providing a human check on the automated data. This move to vehicle-based monitoring also creates a safer work environment for parking officers by reducing the potential for on-street conflict.

Foot patrols by parking officers will continue alongside the vehicle, with the two approaches working in parallel across regulated areas.

Addressing Growing Parking Demand in Caboolture

Parking availability in Caboolture town centre has long been a pressure point. Kerbside spots around King Street and near Caboolture train station fill quickly during weekday mornings, and vehicles that overstay their time limits reduce turnover for shoppers and business customers who need short-stay access. The town also hosts regular community events, including the Caboolture Country Markets, which push demand even higher on those days.

An example of cars parked legally at an intersection without traffic lights. Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

The problem is only growing. Moreton Bay is one of the fastest-growing regions in Queensland, with Caboolture West alone projected to eventually house tens of thousands of new residents. More people means more vehicles and more pressure on existing parking infrastructure across all the region’s centres.

The city authority said the new patrol vehicle was part of a broader approach to delivering smarter parking solutions that kept centres accessible and attractive as the population grows, and that keeping car parks turning over ensures a fair go for everyone and directly supports local businesses by making it easier for customers to find a space.

How This Impacts Everyday Parking

Drivers parking in regulated zones across Caboolture and the other listed areas should ensure they observe posted time limits, as the new patrol vehicle removes the buffer that sometimes existed when enforcement relied solely on officers walking circuits on foot.

Infringement notices are issued by post after officer review, so a fine may arrive days after the overstay. Residents with questions about parking rules, time limits in specific areas, or how to dispute an infringement notice can contact the City of Moreton Bay on 07 5475 9999 or visit moretonbay.qld.gov.au.

Published 02-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay’s Award-Winning Wildlife Network Puts Bribie and Morayfield on the Map

A wildlife road safety network that includes dedicated monitoring sites at Bribie Island and Morayfield has earned national recognition, with the Australasian Network for Ecology and Transportation (ANET) presenting City of Moreton Bay its Project Award for the Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program.

The award acknowledges a decade of infrastructure built to help native animals cross roads safely, with Bribie Island and Morayfield among the 14 locations where a permanent camera network keeps watch over fauna crossing structures around the clock.

A Decade of Infrastructure Across the Region

Since 2014, the programme has constructed more than 47 canopy bridges, 48 wildlife underpasses, 21 kilometres of wildlife exclusion fencing and 16 fauna escape hatches across the region’s road network. More than 150 vehicle-activated LED signs now alert motorists in real time when they are travelling through koala and kangaroo zones.

Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

The monitoring network, which includes sites at Bribie and Morayfield alongside North Lakes, Narangba and Everton Hills, has recorded more than 80,000 animal crossings since crews installed the cameras in 2020. Among the species captured are the Brush-tailed Phascogale, a rarely seen marsupial, and the Feather-tailed Glider, the world’s smallest gliding mammal.

Why Bribie and Morayfield Are Central to This Story

Bribie Island and the Morayfield corridor sit at a particular pressure point for wildlife movement. Bribie’s island geography means animal populations have limited room to move, and the causeway and surrounding roads represent genuine pinch points for species navigating between bushland patches. Morayfield, meanwhile, sits at the northern edge of Brisbane’s expanding suburban fringe, where new development continues to push against established wildlife habitat.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

The combination of exclusion fencing, underpasses and canopy bridges gives animals in these areas structured pathways through what would otherwise be unbroken stretches of road. Cameras at both locations actively track the crossings, ensuring crews do not simply build and forget them and instead generate data that informs where future infrastructure is most needed.

ANET Chairperson Rodney Van der Ree described the programme as a model for local governments across Australia, noting it demonstrated what different departments could achieve by working toward a shared goal.

The national award from ANET follows the Australian Road Safety Foundation’s Local Government Programs Award, which the programme received at last year’s Australian Road Safety Awards.

Getting Involved and Reporting Wildlife

Residents around Bribie Island, Morayfield and Caboolture who spot injured or distressed wildlife near roads can contact RSPCA Queensland on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or Wildcare Australia on 07 5527 2444. More information about the Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program is available here.

Published 02-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Before the Lifts and the Overpass, There Was This Shed at Burpengary Station

When Burpengary station reopened in late 2024 after an eight-month closure, commuters returned to new lifts, a new overpass, raised platforms and a reconfigured carpark. Among all of it, one structure was deliberately retained: the concrete shelter shed on the platform. It has been standing there for more than 107 years and, thanks to a deliberate decision by Queensland Rail, it is not going anywhere.

Read: Caboolture Railway Electrical Substations Level Up in $48M Rail Network Renovation

Queensland Rail Head of South East Queensland Scott Riedel said ahead of construction commencing that the building was significant to Queensland Rail because it was one of the early examples of a construction technique that was later adopted across the network, and that the team had taken care to incorporate it into the accessibility upgrade to ensure it was preserved.

Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay, reference number CLPC-P0001

The shed was prefabricated from a kit of reinforced concrete components and assembled using semi-skilled labour under the supervision of one or two tradespeople, a technique Queensland Rail subsequently adopted across the broader network.

The station itself has been in operation since 1888. The North Coast railway line to Caboolture was built by contractor John Robb, with construction beginning in 1886 and 420 workers employed for the duration. By June 1888, the 25-mile section to Caboolture was complete, and Burpengary received its first platform, which functioned as a crossing gate where a gatekeeper manually opened and closed wooden gates to stop road traffic when a train was due.

When the shelter shed was built in 1917, workers left a handwritten document in the ceiling recording their names and noting that the Great European War was raging in its third year. It was discovered in the 1990s. That same year, the local community raised funds for an honour board at the station recognising local WWI enlistees, which now hangs at Burpengary Community Hall. In 1921, the station won a prize in the Commissioner for Queensland Railways Annual Garden competition, and from 1931 a station mistress was placed in charge. The post office also operated from the station for more than 50 years.

As for the upgrade itself, the station was closed from 22 January until 9 September 2024 to allow the $53 million works to proceed. Two footbridges, one weighing more than 35 tonnes and another more than 65 tonnes, were lowered into place using 450-tonne and 500-tonne cranes, fastened between lift shafts to form the overpass structure linking the platforms across the tracks.

Burpengary station — Photo credit: Facebook/Queensland Rail

The refurbished station is now equipped with lifts, an overpass and raised platforms, along with accessible toilets, a disability-compliant ticket window, improved seating, extended platform shelters, hearing augmentation loops, tactile floor indicators, new wayfinding signage, CCTV upgrades and a reconfigured carpark with space for almost 500 cars.

Read: Morayfield Residents to See Major Road Transformation as Moreton Bay Commits $6.7-M to Buchanan Road Planning

During the upgrade, Burpengary State School students and the Burpengary Community Association buried a new time capsule at the station, set to be reopened in June 2054. The station also includes new artwork from local resident Brenden Hirst, who won Queensland Rail’s photography competition.

Queensland Rail has committed to installing a story board on the side of the heritage shed detailing its history. The building is listed on the Queensland Rail Heritage Register but not on the State Heritage Register.

Featured image: Burpengary Railway Station in 1917 (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay, reference number CLPC-P0001)

Published 1-April-2026

Magic Shows and Character Visits Headline Bribie Island Holiday Calendar

The Bribie Island Hotel is transforming the traditional pub experience into a full-scale community playground to help local parents keep their children entertained for free during the Easter school holidays.

A New Way to Holiday at the Local

The move to bring high-energy entertainment into the local bistro comes as more families look for affordable ways to enjoy their time off together without leaving their own neighbourhood. While many people usually head to the city for professional magic shows and character events, this coastal venue is bringing that same level of excitement directly to the residents of Bellara.

By blending classic pub hospitality with structured kids’ programming, the hotel is acting as a central meeting point where parents can relax in sun-filled beer gardens while their children participate in organised fun just a few steps away.

Easter Magic and Character Visits

The holiday schedule is built around high-interaction activities that go beyond the standard playground equipment. On Easter Sunday, the venue will host a themed afternoon where the Easter Bunny will appear alongside famous characters from Alice in Wonderland starting at 1 pm.

This specific event is designed to create a festive atmosphere for families dining during the holiday weekend. The hotel staff have organised the appearances to ensure children can meet their favourite storybook figures in a safe and familiar environment.

Diverse Entertainment for All Ages

Beyond the holiday weekend, the hotel has planned a rotating calendar of events to ensure no two visits feel the same for returning families. The lineup includes everything from high-energy dance parties and professional magic shows to quieter creative sessions like face painting and balloon twisting. For older children, the pub is hosting interactive game shows and mini-games that encourage friendly competition.

These activities are provided at no extra cost to patrons, providing a practical solution for local families looking to balance their holiday budgets with the need for quality outdoor social time.

Published Date 01-April-2026

Photo Credit: Supplied

Bribie Island Duo Proves Lightning Strikes Twice

A Bribie Island couple has redefined the meaning of luck by securing a massive $4.8 million windfall that will pay them $20,000 every month for the next two decades.

A Life Changing Commute

The local husband and wife were simply heading off to start another day of work on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, when they realised their lives had changed forever. While many people dream of winning the lottery once, this pair had already experienced a smaller brush with fortune a few years ago. In a rare twist of fate, they previously won a second-division prize in the same Set for Life game, which granted them $5,000 a month for a full year.

Despite that earlier win, the husband admitted he nearly missed the news of this much larger jackpot because he initially thought his ticket was only worth a few dollars.

Hard Work Meets Good Fortune

The couple is well-known for their strong work ethic and their habit of helping others in the community before looking after themselves. Upon hearing the news from lottery officials, the winning husband had to step out of his car to catch his breath and calm his nerves.

He mentioned that the win felt like a reward for years of labour and a selfless lifestyle. His wife was equally overwhelmed, noting that things had been difficult lately and that the steady stream of income would finally allow them to stop working and enjoy a well-earned retirement.

National Luck and Local Impact

This win represents a significant moment for the Queensland region, as the Bribie Island entry was the only one in the entire country to take home the division one prize for this specific draw. The winning numbers that changed their lives were 28, 7, 5, 36, 43, 17, and 33. This latest win adds to a successful year for the state, marking the tenth time someone has hit the top prize in this game during the current financial year. Beyond individual winners, these national games contribute a large amount of funding back into the public, supporting hospitals and local disaster relief efforts across the country.

Published Date 31-March-2026

Photo Credit: Pexels

Secret History of Bribie Island: The Man Who Taught Flinders How to Talk to the Coast

Did you know that the first Australian-born person to sail around Australia was an Aboriginal man named Bungaree (aka Bongaree or Boongaree), who is now immortalised in a bronze sculpture at the Seaside Museum on Bribie Island?

A Meeting of Two Worlds

The shoreline of the Pumicestone Passage serves as the backdrop for a story of friendship and shared discovery. While British navigator Matthew Flinders is a household name in maritime history, the presence of Bnugaree at his side was essential to the success of their voyages.

The two men first met while working on a ship headed for Norfolk Island, where Flinders noticed Bungaree’s quick mind and skills. This connection led to a partnership that changed how the world viewed the Australian coastline.

The Journey to Bribie Island

The pair arrived at the beach now known as Bongaree after sailing from Sydney on a small 25-tonne boat called the Norfolk. This landing was a significant moment for the local area, marking one of the earliest recorded meetings between European explorers and the Traditional Owners of the region.

Bungaree was much more than a passenger on these trips. He acted as a skilled diplomat who could talk to different Aboriginal groups they met along the way, helping to keep the peace and gather information despite the many different languages spoken across the coast.

Mapping the Continent

*Bungaree, a native of N.S.Wales, lithograph, hand-coloured with watercolour, on paper by Augustus Earl*
Photo Credit: Australian Museum

Because of his success on earlier trips, Flinders relied on Bungaree again for his most famous voyage. From their departure until their return, they worked together aboard the HMS Investigator to map parts of the Australian coastline that were previously unknown to Europeans.

Bungaree’s role as an intermediary remained vital, and he later continued this work by joining other explorers, such as Phillip Parker King, on journeys to the north-western parts of the country. These expeditions proved that his maritime and social skills were respected by many of the era’s leading navigators.

Bringing History to Life

The Bribie Island Historical Society worked to ensure that Bungaree received equal recognition next to Flinders. For a long time, there were many signs and stories about the English explorer but very few visual reminders of the man the local suburb is actually named after.

The community-funded project resulted in a detailed artwork located outside the Bribie Island Seaside Museum. It shows Bungaree pointing toward the horizon while Flinders prepares to look through a telescope. Even Trim, the famous ship’s cat who travelled with them, is included in the scene.

A Lasting Local Legacy

The project involved local elders from the Kabi Kabi and Joondoburri people, along with descendants of Bungaree’s family, to make sure the tribute was respectful and accurate. The Historical Society spent years researching and saving funds to complete the work, viewing it as a necessary step to fill a gap in the island’s recorded history.

By placing these figures together, the community has created a space where people can reflect on the teamwork required to map the continent and the deep connection Bungaree had to the sea.

Published Date 31-March-2026

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Region Libraries/Archer, Geoff

Short-Term Rail Disruptions to Affect Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe

Residents in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe are set to experience short-term but widespread rail disruptions, with train services suspended across key northern lines during early April as part of major network works across South East Queensland.

From April 3 to April 11, multiple train lines including the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula and Shorncliffe lines will be impacted while large-scale infrastructure works are carried out across the rail corridor. During this period, rail replacement buses will operate to keep passengers moving.

Northern lines affected in early April

The closures are part of a coordinated shutdown across the network to allow several major rail projects and maintenance works to be completed at the same time. These include Cross River Rail supporting works, upgrades on the Sunshine Coast line, improvements to the Logan and Gold Coast corridor, new digital signalling systems and general track maintenance.

While the disruptions on the northern lines are shorter than those affecting the southside, they will still impact daily commutes for thousands of passengers travelling between outer suburbs and Brisbane’s CBD.

Longer travel time for commuters

For commuters in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe, the changes will mean replacing train journeys with buses for several days in early April. This is likely to result in longer travel times and possible transfers depending on the route.

Transport authorities have advised that both express and all-stops rail replacement buses will be available, along with regular bus services. In some cases, regular bus routes may provide a more direct option for passengers heading into the city.

Dates	Lines Impacted	What It Means for You
3–11 April	Caboolture, Redcliffe, Shorncliffe and other lines	Train services replaced by buses
After 11 April	Most northern lines return to normal	Services resume, fewer disruptions

After April 11, services on these northern lines are expected to return to normal, while closures continue on other parts of the network, particularly on the southside.

Plan ahead for travel

Transport authorities are encouraging commuters to plan ahead, check journey options before travelling and allow extra time during the closure period. Changes may vary across different lines and days, so passengers are advised to stay updated through official transport channels.

Although the disruptions are limited to just over a week for northern suburbs, they form part of a broader program aimed at improving the reliability and capacity of the rail network across South East Queensland.

Published 31-March-2026

Featured Image Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0