Winter on the Blackall Range may be crisp and tranquil, but behind the morning mist the Hinterland property market is quietly simmering. Buyer activity has eased from last year’s frenzy, yet Maleny’s median house price is still up ~21% year-on-year. In this July 2025 update, we unpack the latest market stats for Montville, Mapleton, Kureelpa, Dulong, Flaxton and Maleny – and share what savvy sellers can do now to prepare for spring’s selling season.
Sales data at a glance (last 12 months):
*(Data sources: CoreLogic via realestate.com.au and YIP; figures are rounded and indicative.)
Montville
Montville’s reputation as the Hinterland’s boutique heart continues to shine. Buyers are drawn to its panoramic views and charming village atmosphere. A noteworthy recent sale involved a character home on acreage near the village, which attracted multiple interested parties and sold in the mid-$1 millions – showing that if a Montville property offers something special (think coastal views or B&B potential), the market will respond. The pricing sweet spot in Montville sits around the low-to-mid $1 millions for a well-presented 3–4 bedroom home on acreage. Above $1.5M, properties tend to be luxury estates or those with commercial appeal (wedding venues, cottages), which do find buyers, albeit sometimes taking longer to secure the right one. Overall, Montville’s buyer profile skews toward lifestyle-seekers and entrepreneurial tree-change buyers; they value quality over quick bargains, meaning well-maintained, unique homes can still command strong prices in any season.
Mapleton
In Mapleton, the market is all about value and village lifestyle. With its slightly more attainable prices, Mapleton has seen steady interest from buyers who might be priced out of Montville or Maleny but still want that Range charm. The most sought-after properties here have been renovated Queenslanders and solid family homes on generous blocks – particularly those listed in the high $800,000s to ~$1M range, where competition remains healthy. For example, a tidy 4-bedroom home within walking distance of Mapleton’s cafes and school recently sold just under the $1M mark after drawing a mix of local and Brisbane buyers. The buyer profile in Mapleton ranges from young couples looking for a quieter pace of life to retirees downsizing onto manageable blocks (without explicitly targeting any age group). The pricing sweet spot tends to be mid-$900k – that’s where demand is greatest and homes move relatively quickly. While Mapleton’s market dipped slightly last year, savvy vendors who price in line with buyer expectations are still achieving solid results. It’s a hyper-local market – one standout sale or listing can reset the benchmark – and right now the benchmark is holding around that million-dollar mark for a great Mapleton home.
Kureelpa
Kureelpa is a tiny pocket of the Hinterland that punches above its weight in sale prices. This area, known for acreage properties and small farms, saw very limited turnover – only a handful of sales – but at high values thanks to the land on offer. The typical Kureelpa listing is a multi-acre property with a mix of cleared land and bush, often with a sizeable family home. These properties have been changing hands around the low $1 millions. Buyer interest comes mostly from those specifically seeking space and privacy (for instance, horse enthusiasts or those wanting room for orchards or sheds). A standout sale in Kureelpa recently was a modern homestead on ~5 acres that sold for around $1.3M after attracting a couple of competing offers – notable in a suburb with so few transactions. The pricing sweet spot here is harder to pinpoint due to the low volume, but generally homes priced around the $1.1M–$1.3M range see the most enquiry. Kureelpa buyers tend to be patient and selective: they’ve often been waiting for “the right property” in this locale. As a result, vendors in Kureelpa should be prepared for a slightly longer sale process, but also reassured that when the match is right, buyers will pay a premium for these rare acreage havens.
Dulong
Dulong sits just east of Mapleton and Kureelpa and boasts stunning escarpment views overlooking the Coast. It’s an exclusively residential acreage area with very few sales each year – but those that occur are noteworthy. Recently, Dulong’s market has softened a touch; our snapshot showed the median sale price back to about $1.2M after an extremely strong 2024. The buyer pool for Dulong is small but motivated: they are often drawn by the idea of a ridge-top home with coastal vistas. A pricing sweet spot has emerged around $1.3M–$1.4M for a quality four-bedroom home on 1–2 acres with a view. Anything in this bracket tends to get interest, though this winter we’ve seen buyers negotiating more and not rushing in – hence Dulong listings have averaged nearly three months on market to find the right buyer. A notable recent sale here involved a contemporary build on 2 hectares that had been initially ambitiously priced. After a strategic adjustment and fresh marketing, it sold close to $1.3M. The key lesson for Dulong owners: buyers will pay for standout features (like an unbeatable panorama or a brand-new renovation), but they are also very price-conscious. With so few opportunities to compare, getting the price strategy right is critical in Dulong.
Flaxton
Flaxton’s property market has made headlines within the Hinterland recently. The sale of 16 Old Mill Lane for $2.05M with multiple offers highlighted the strong appetite for premium Flaxton homes. In general, Flaxton offers a mix of character homes and acreage lifestyle properties, sitting geographically between Montville and Mapleton. This means buyers often cross-shop in Flaxton when they want the Montville scenery without the Montville price tag. Over the past quarter, interest has been very robust in the $1–$1.5M range – this is the sweet spot where beautifully presented 3–4 bedroom homes on an acre or two are selling briskly. The upper end of Flaxton (above $1.5M) now has proven buyer depth as well, thanks to sales like 16 Old Mill Lane and another estate that traded just under $1.9M last year. The typical Flaxton buyer is a mix of locals upsizing to acreage and lifestyle buyers from Brisbane or southern states. They value peace, privacy and views – and they’re willing to act when they see a property that delivers those. For Flaxton sellers, the current market has shown that a strong marketing campaign can draw out multiple bidders, even in the cooler months.
Maleny
Maleny remains the bustling centre of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland real estate scene. Even in the middle of winter, Maleny continues to log a steady drumbeat of sales, far outpacing its smaller neighbors in volume. What’s driving this? Diverse buyer demand. On one end, young families and couples are eager to secure cottages and mid-century homes walking distance to Maple Street (many of these selling in the high $800k to ~$1M range). On the other end, we have acreage lifestyle seekers eyeing the green rolling hills around Maleny and willing to spend $1.3M+ for useable land and a modern home – including interstate buyers who have sold in Sydney/Melbourne and see value here. The standout sales in Maleny lately have been in the prestige category: estates with substantial land or architect-designed homes with postcard views of the Glass House Mountains. One recently exchanged hands for well over $2M, showing that Maleny can achieve hinterland record prices. But it’s not only the high end that’s thriving: Maleny’s “bread and butter” homes (3–4 bedroom houses on quarter-acre blocks in town) are still attracting multiple offers if priced around that $900k–$1.1M range. The pricing sweet spot is broad – roughly $900k up to $1.3M covers a majority of residential sales – which reflects Maleny’s mix of property types and its status as both a hometown and a tree-change destination. Sellers in Maleny can leverage the town’s popularity by highlighting proximity to amenities, community events, and the lifestyle (think farmers markets, cafes, and scenic drives). As spring approaches, expect Maleny to lead the Hinterland in new listings and buyer foot traffic; it’s the bellwether for our region’s market health, which currently remains positive.
Q1: Is winter a bad time to sell my Hinterland property?
A: Not necessarily. While spring is traditionally busier, serious buyers are active year-round (many people move due to personal timelines, not just seasons). Winter can actually be advantageous because there are fewer competing listings – your property might get more attention. We’ve successfully sold homes in every month. The key is presentation and pricing. If you’re ready now, don’t be afraid to list in winter; just ensure your home is warm and inviting for inspections (lights on, maybe a fire going) to capitalize on the cozy atmosphere. That said, if you prefer to wait for spring, use winter to prepare (see our checklist above) so you hit the market in peak condition come September.
Q2: What pre-sale improvements will give me the best return on investment?
A: Focus on quick, cost-effective wins. Fresh paint and landscaping are top of the list. A coat of neutral paint can make an older home feel new again at minimal cost, and tidying up your garden and front facade (think new mulch, trimmed hedges, a clean driveway) creates instant street appeal. Also, fix obvious defects – leaky faucets, cracked glass, broken switches – these little things instill confidence in buyers. Conversely, be cautious about big renovations right before selling; you rarely recoup dollar-for-dollar on major kitchen or bathroom overhauls done purely for sale. Often, simpler updates (new handles, fixtures, a modern mirror) can refresh those spaces without overspending. Every property is different, though – we’re happy to advise you on where to spend vs. save. The bottom line: do the small improvements that make your home look well-cared-for, but avoid overcapitalising on expensive remodels that the next owner might prefer to do to their own taste.
Q3: How will The Ottiam Group find buyers for my property?
A: In a word, everywhere. We don’t just sit and wait for buyers to come; we actively hunt them out using our multi-pronged marketing strategy. Of course we’ll list your home on the major real estate portals (realestate.com.au, Domain etc.), but we go much further. We deploy targeted social media ads using our in-house algorithm to reach buyers in key demographics – for example, a potential Montville buyer in Sydney who follows Hinterland lifestyle pages might see your home pop up on their Facebook feed. We also tap into our extensive database of qualified buyers. These are people we’ve met at open homes or who have contacted us for other properties – when we list your home, we directly call or email everyone whose criteria matches. Being a boutique agency, we have an intimate knowledge of our buyers and will often say “Oh, this new listing is perfect for so-and-so from Brisbane” and reach out proactively. Additionally, we network within the community and with buyer’s agents; about 50% of Hinterland sales involve out-of-town buyers, so we make sure your property is on the radar of professionals who advise those buyers. Finally, our marketing includes high-quality signage, exposure in our agency email newsletter, and sometimes even PR in local publications if it’s a unique property. Rest assured, no stone is left unturned – if a buyer is out there, we will get your property in front of them, whether they’re around the corner in Maleny or browsing online from Melbourne.
Email info@ottiamgroup.com.au or call us on (07) 5445 7788 to chat with our friendly Hinterland specialists.
Disclaimer: All market statistics are approximate and for general information purposes only. This report does not constitute financial advice. Individual property outcomes will vary – please consult us for guidance tailored to your situation.
