The Block of the future: 5 Australian suburbs where The Block could reinvent itself outside of Melbourne
With sea and tree changes on the horizon, The Block is – literally and figuratively – entering new territory.
For the first time in the show’s history, contestants this year are renovating and completing holiday houses on Phillip Island, south-east of Melbourne.
And it’s been confirmed The Block will head to the Victorian country town of Daylesford next year.
But is it time to move on and see what The Block could do in another location? Where else in Australia could the competition work?
With the show’s sights shifting away from its long-term Melbourne base, we scope out potential new locations for the country’s favourite renovation series.
Toowoon Bay, NSW
This tiny peninsula suburb on the NSW Central Coast would be “the ultimate place for a Block getaway”, say former contestants Kyal and Kara Demmrich.
Since competing onThe Block: Fans v Faves in 2014, the Central Coast couple have become full time renovators, completing successful projects in Toowoon Bay, and nearby Long Jetty and Bateau Bay.
“We love the Central Coast lifestyle,” Kara says.
Offering picturesque beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, Toowoon Bay is in high demand among buyers looking to escape the city.
“It’s only an hour from Sydney so it would get the whole Sydney buyer pool,” Kara says. “It could be an easy weekender family home.”
It’s a tightly held suburb, though, so the show’s producers could find it difficult nabbing a large enough property. And it’s not cheap, either.
“The land value in Toowoon Bay has gone up quite a lot in the last few years,” Kara says, “mainly because a lot of beachfront homes have sold for a lot of money and it’s pushed it up.”
“There are heaps of old rundown hotels around Long Jetty, which is the neighbouring suburb.”
Long Jetty’s median house price is $945,000, according to Domain data.
In Toowoon Bay, there are still original fibro beach shacks that come up for sale. “You could find a couple in a row, and away you’d go,” Kara says, adding the area is flush with tradespeople who would be eager to be on the show.
Barossa Valley, South Australia
Renowned for its picturesque vineyards and rolling hills, the Barossa Valley would be perfect for The Block, say 2013 winners Alisa and Lysandra Fraser.
“While known primarily for its natural beauty and agricultural significance, the Barossa also has diverse architectural styes, from historic buildings to modern designs,” Lysandra says.
“This [could] provide interesting challenges and opportunities for contestants to showcase their renovation and design skills.”
Most residents in the Barossa Valley live in the townships of Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Angaston, Williamstown and Lyndoch.
Outside of these towns, stunning acreages dot the landscape, epitomising an idyllic country lifestyle that would provide a rich backdrop for The Block.
“The communities in these regions often embody a relaxed and vibrant lifestyle centred around wine, food, and the outdoors,” Lysandra says.
“For this reason, the desired end buyer could be many different groups, from the family that wants a weekend escape to the investment buyer who wants to use the property as a business for short stays.”
Compared to previous locations of The Block, the Barossa Valley has a lower price point, with stunning rural estates, complete with a country homestead, for sale for less than $2 million.
New Farm, Queensland
“Forget a sea change, let’s go back to the ‘burbs,” says Domain property editor Alice Stolz. “I think a series of The Block where it’s slap bang in the thick of Brisbane would be brilliant.”
Alice wants to see The Block take over a row of five houses in trendy New Farm. One of the most desirable suburbs in the city, it is bordered by Fortitude Valley and the Brisbane River.
“It would be chasing down the idea that many Australians [have of] upping stumps and relocating to a different city due to rising house prices,” Alice says, before adding, “Though you’d better be quick in Brissie!”
The city’s median house price swelled 12.5 per cent in the year to March, according to Domain, and is on track to hit the $1 million mark by 2025.
In New Farm, the median house price is already $2.87 million. The suburb is awash with contemporary takes on the classic Queenslander, which could offer a fun challenge to future Block contestants.
“Visually, it would be fascinating and in such stark contrast to Melbourne; the climate, the architecture, the laidback lifestyle and all that sunshine,” Alice says.
Dromana/Mount Martha, Victoria
“The Block has never been on the Mornington Peninsula before,” says Frank Valentic, a seasoned Melbourne buyer’s agent and a regular on The Block.
And he thinks it’s about time. Frank has thrown the suburbs of Dromana and Mount Martha into the ring as potential new locations.
“They’re typical lifestyle locations close to the beach,” he says. “[I have] been buying down there for 20 years. Typically clients are using them for dual holiday houses and Airbnbs.”
Both suburbs offer ocean views at a lower price than other Peninsula hotspots further south.
“It’s still reasonably affordable compared to what you pay in Sorrento, Portsea and Blairgowrie,” Frank says.
The median house price in Dromana is $1.02 million, and $1.45 million in Mount Martha.
Or, perhaps The Block could revisit renovating apartments or townhouses. There are daggy old motels and dated apartment complexes that are ripe for reinvention in the neighbourhood.
“There are also a lot of large blocks in Mount Martha that they might be able to split up,” Frank says.
A renovated, fully furnished home with views could fetch between $3 million and $4 million, he estimates.
Burleigh Waters, Queensland
Pleasantly wedged between the relaxed suburbs of the southern Gold Coast and the busier metropolitan postcodes in the north is Burleigh Waters.
Just inland from its beloved sister suburb of Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters has ample housing on the lakes that snake their way through the suburb.
All of this waterfront real estate could be a dreamy set for The Block to renovate five luxury family homes.
“I 100-per-cent think The Block could work up here,” says PRD agent Mark Shinners.
“It’s close to schools. It’s close to beautiful beaches. The cafe and restaurant scene has exploded in the last five years. It’s still a family orientated area, but there are bars and nightlife for the younger generation as well.”
Renovated family homes along the waterfront are popular with Sydney buyers, and local families looking to upsize and upgrade, he says.
The Gold Coast’s housing market has certainly hit its stride in recent years, experiencing an enormous migration boost from Sydney and Melbourne.
In Burleigh Waters, the median house price hit $1.375 million earlier this year, though a luxury four to five-bedroom home with all the bells and whistles could fetch upwards of $4 million.
But The Block would be hard-pressed to negotiate to buy four adjacent properties on the water, Mark says.
“It would be exceptional to get four in a row. I’m not saying it’s not possible but it would be a work in progress,” he says.
“When people buy in Burleigh Waters, they don’t really leave.”
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