The five best homes to buy to get ready for summer in south east Queensland

Summer is pretty much already here, let’s face it. Midway through August, winter just gives up and leaves Queensland early. Which is totally fine, because that means more sun and beaches for us, right?

Well it also means you’ve got less time to ditch your stuffy old home for something a little more breezy for summer, but don’t worry. He’s a few of the best properties in south-east Queensland to ride out the warmer months in.

21 Ada Street, Toowong

Price: $1.2 million – $1.35 million

Agent: Gail Miller

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car park

When is a granny flat a not a granny flat? When it’s arguably better than the “main” house. Built under the Queensland government’s “granny flat” laws the second residence on 21 Ada Street is a breezy and eco-friendly one-bedroom home, where the vendors live while renting out the old 1920s cottage at the front of the block with Airbnb.

Selling agent Gail Miller said the two residences would make good summer/winter homes, but the options didn’t end there.

“You’ve got this immense amount of flexibility. You may want to live in the front and use the back one as a work space,” she said. “If you’re someone who isn’t from Brisbane and you have lots of family visiting, you’ve got a lovely little pad set up for when they do come into town.”

The rear residence was designed to make use of the outdoors, too. “It’s like a resort feel to it. When you come home you’re sitting amongst beautiful landscaping it’s very relaxing,” Ms Miller said.

• Related: Both apartment prices and construction falling
• Related: South Korea’s property tax won’t work here
• Related: Brisbane buyers are chasing townhouses over apartments

124 Mooloolah Drive, Minyama

Price: Auction September 

Agent: Damien Michael and Geoff Ohmsen

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car parks

Minyama is an enclave on the Sunshine Coast where the rich and powerful go to hide from prying eyes, and many of the estates are like private resorts in their own right. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the the living areas overlook the outdoor areas, including a view of the river and pool.

To top it off, a deck sits over the Mooloolah River; the perfect spot for a drink or fish and chips during the warm afternoons.

23 Bulimba Parade, Bulimba

Price: Auction September 14

Agent: Tanya Douglas and Roger Carr

4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 car parks

There’s nothing like cooling off on a rooftop terrace after a hot day. A fairly standard, if not luxurious, home otherwise, 23 Bulimba Parade is a great example of inner city living, with something extra to deal with Brisbane’s subtropical climate.

It isn’t far from Bulimba’s famous Oxford Street dining precinct too, so when the evenings start getting later, it’ll be perfect for a night out at one of the many restaurants in the area.

161 Marina Boulevard, Banksia Beach

Price: $1,495,000

Agent: Mark Vanderzeil

4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car parks

North Brisbane’s Bribie Island is an area with a growing property market, with some suburbs reporting sales of more than $1 million. Banksia Beach is one of those suburbs, and is beginning to set itself out as a prestige area.

The home at 161 Marina Boulevard is a year-round outdoor entertainer that listing agent Mark Vanderzeil said was sufficiently protected from the elements to make enjoying the outdoors a breeze.  

“The courtyard is protected from the wind and that sort of thing,” he said. “It means your day won’t be wiped out if the weather turns a little bit.

“It is a beautiful home, it’s craftsman built.”

50 Coutts Street, Bulimba

Price: $2,525,000+

Agent: Frank Gosdschan

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car parks

This may be the most traditional outdoor living area on this list, but because it’s traditional doesn’t mean it isn’t good. There’s a reason why Queenslanders love a good alfresco dining spot out the back of the house and that’s because it makes a great entertaining area during the summer.

This one comes with a barbecue built into the outdoor bench, as well as an outdoor gym that overlooks the pool and deck.