10 Best Places to Retire in Australia

What are the best places to retire in Australia? These shouldn’t be so hard to find considering that the land down under has four of the world’s top eight most livable cities in the 2015 Global Liveability Ranking.

There are many things you need to consider when you’re about to retire. One of them is the weather. Australia’s climate varies depending on which part of the continent you’re in. It’s mostly tropical in the northern states while the southern states have cooler winters. It’s also one of the driest countries with an average annual rainfall of less than 600 millimeters. In fact, retirees can enjoy an entire year of sunshine in Queensland and New South Wales!

Jill and Owen Weeks, authors of the book Where to Retire in Australia, said that although the needs of retirees vary, they generally want good climate, relatively low cost of living, top medical facilities, low crime rates, and leisure places. Australia no doubt fits the bill for these criteria. However, we do recognize that not everyone wants to move far from the United States. If you’re one of them then we suggest that you take a look at the best places to retire in Canada.

We curated this list from OverSixty, Financial Mappers, Finder, and Retirement Living Online. The more frequent the place is recommended in the said sites, the higher rank it is given. In this list, we will look closely at what each location has to offer and why it is beneficial for seniors to spend their retirement years there.

10. Tweed Heads, New South Wales (2 out of 4 recommendations)

Aside from the breathtaking view of the Tweed River, the town of Tweed Heads is known for its relaxing and peaceful ambiance that makes it appealing to retirees. It is the twin of Coolangatta located on the border between north-eastern NSW and south-eastern Queensland. It has lots of amenities, community groups and clubs, shopping centers, entertainment and leisure areas—everything that seniors want and need. In fact, Tweed Heads has become a prime location for retirees, boasting 14 retirement villages. You will never run out of places to visit in this town from beaches to wildlife sanctuaries to bushland and mangroves trees. Tweed Heads has a lot of hidden gems to offer.

9. Coolangatta, Queensland (2 out of 4 recommendations)

Coolangatta is the better half of Tweed Heads. This town is quieter compared to its party neighbor Surfer’s Paradise. It’s strategically located near the airport, which makes traveling to other parts of Australia or the even the world easier. One of its main offerings is the Twins Towns Club, which is open to both Tweed Heads and Coolangatta retirees. It offers entertainment such as live performances, classic film showings, affordable and delectable dining, and even dancing! There are vineyards, waterfalls, rainforests, and quiet retreats scattered all around Coolangatta that’s perfect for quick getaways. A friendly and tranquil community, this town easily makes retirees feel at home.

8. Esperance, Western Australia (3 out of 4 recommendations)

Esperance is a haven nestled in the South West part of Western Australia. With a sundry of coastal getaways and inland towns, this town has pristine beaches (It’s not called as the “Whitest Beach in Australia” for nothing) coupled by a warm community that could easily entice seniors to permanently build their retirement home there. The average cost of houses in Esperance is around AUS $370,000 but if you prefer condo units it will cost you roughly AUS $267,000. The town has multiple art galleries, golf clubs, national parks, nature reserves for camping, and a pink lake! It also has an airport that travels every day to Perth.

7. Merimbula, New South Wales (3 out of 4 recommendations)

Another southern beauty is the town of Merimbula with scenic and serene spots coupled with beautiful weather all year round. If you’re looking for a mix of city and country life, Merimbula offers various dining places, leisure facilities, and shopping centers. It also has gorgeous beaches and parks that’re highly suitable for walking and exercise. Merimbula’s unadulterated natural resources are so picturesque you wouldn’t want to leave. It is also famous for its annual events such as the jazz festival, wave sailing competitions, orchid shows, food festivals, and fishing competitions. Plus, it has a small airport that can take you to Melbourne anytime you want.

6. Echuca, Victoria (3 out of 4 recommendations)

A charming town situated near the Murray River, Echuca offers a wide range of health and recreational facilities for seniors. It may not be close to coastlines but its warm and welcoming community makes it friendly to retirees. Echuca has numerous clubs, vibrant communities, and social activities, allowing the town to live up to the meaning of its name “meeting of the waters.” It is also accessible as it is the closest settlement to Melbourne. Echuca also has a ranch where you can practice equestrian techniques and archery skills. That’s aside from natural parks, wildlife parks, wineries, and paddle steamers river tours that you can enjoy whenever you want.

5. Yankalilla, South Australia (3 out of 4 recommendations)

Yankalilla is a one-hour drive from Adelaide, making it accessible to city amenities. Known to be a home of artists and farmers, this quaint town has boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other relaxing country offerings. The average cost for a house in this area is around AUS $240,000. It doesn’t have that much recreational facilities but it offers easy access to a big city with huge shopping complexes and top-notch health facilities. Yankalilla keeps enough distance from the hustle and bustle of the city and manages to maintain a peaceful country environment with a couple of beaches, walking trails, conservation parks, and golf clubs.

4. Huon Valley, Tasmania (4 out of 4 recommendations)

Huon Valley is cooler than the other locations we’ve mentioned but that doesn’t mean that it’s not conducive to retirees. It boasts of open spaces and stunning natural beauty. Best of all, Huon Valley offers a lot of affordable housing, making it appealing to seniors. Townships such as Huonville, Port Huon, Glen Huon, Geeveston, Dover, Franklin, and Cygnet are beautiful residential areas suitable for retirees. Aside from its friendly locals, there are a lot of things you can do in Huon Valley like cave explorations and thermal springs, and island cruises. Not to mention the art galleries, swinging bridges and AirWalk, trails, and nature parks that can make your stay more delightful.

3. Mornington Peninsula, Victoria (4 out of 4 recommendations)

Mornington Peninsula has won the heart of many retirees simply because of its breathtaking beauty and gorgeous coastal villages. This town is so picturesque that it truly deserves to be in this roster of top 10 best places to retire in Australia. Known for artisan food producers, retirees will enjoy fresh markets and organic produce in this charming locale. It is only an hour drive to Melbourne so you have easy access to big shopping complexes and other city amenities. But seriously, who would want to go to the city when you have turquoise beaches, vineyards, rolling hills with orchards, aromatic lavender farms, winding manicured hedges, and quaint hamlets around you? As if that weren’t enough, Mornington Peninsula offers a sculpture park, strawberry farm, hot springs, and breathtaking resorts you can enjoy anytime.

2. Hunter Valley, New South Wales (4 out of 4 recommendations)

Hunter Valley is popular among retirees for its wineries and thriving gourmet food scene. It is close to main urban cities such as Newcastle and Sydney. Home to 100 stunning vineyards, superb golf courses, spa getaways, and a sundry of amenities, Hunter Valley has everything retirees could ask for. The locale offers concert events, covering everything from classical to rockers and R&B artists. Although the cost of houses has steadily increased in this area, it is still relatively cheaper compared to other locales that are closer to the CBDs. It is also famous for the diversity of its residents, making Hunter Valley more welcoming to newcomers from other countries. You can appreciate the grandeur of the valley by going on a hot air balloon ride while basking in the beauty of the sunset or sunrise as it paints vibrant colors over Hunter Valley.

1. Sunshine Coast, Queensland (4 out of 4 recommendations)

Topping our list is Sunshine Coast, a no-brainer choice for retirees with its acrylic blue beaches and perfect weather all year round. It has that vibrant and laid back feel to it with a wide range of retirement villages to choose from. Sunshine Coast is just an hour drive from Brisbane, giving you easy access to the city’s amenities. There are suburbs such as Maroochydore, Noosa, Caloundra, and Mooloolaba but there’s an array of affordable housing and rental options available for retirees as well. The warm sunshine, tropical forests, eco-parks, botanical gardens, and freshwater rivers and lakes are just some of nature’s wonders in Sunshine Coast. The town also boasts of fresh and local produce from the famous Eumundi Market, specialty boutiques from Hastings Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade, and scenic championship golf courses. There are amusement and theme parks, too, which is perfect for visiting families!

The sheer beauty alone of these areas make it deserving to be in the 10 best places to retire in Australia. Not to mention the ideal weather for seniors. Most of them provide the sun, sand, and sea triumvirate the whole year which makes them more appealing and conducive to retirees. With a variety of retirement villages to choose from, impressive amenities, excellent health care provisions, and relatively low cost of living, it comes as no surprise that these Australian havens have become increasingly attractive to retirees.