Why Now is the Smartest Time to Invest in Geelong and Lara, Victoria
As Melbourne’s property market continues to regain momentum, savvy investors are already looking just beyond the city limits — to Geelong and its standout suburbs of Armstrong Creek and Lara — for the next wave of capital growth and healthy rental returns.
Geelong: Victoria’s Next Major Growth Engine
Located just 75 kilometers from Melbourne’s CBD, Geelong is Victoria’s largest regional city, home to nearly 300,000 residents and set to grow to half a million by 2047. Geelong is a true economic powerhouse, generating around $20 billion in gross regional product each year.
Unlike many regional centres, Geelong boasts a diverse and resilient economy spanning healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and education — meaning no single industry dominates. This balanced economy, coupled with major infrastructure and private investment projects worth over $14 billion, makes Geelong a magnet for long-term growth.
Migration trends tell the story: Geelong has captured 10% of all regional migration from Australian capital cities, underscoring the lifestyle and affordability appeal that continues to attract both homeowners and investors.
Lara: A Hidden Gem Between Melbourne and Geelong
Situated perfectly between Melbourne and Geelong, Lara offers investors the best of both worlds — affordability, strong rental yields, and excellent future growth prospects. Just 55 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and 15 minutes from Geelong, it’s becoming one of the most in-demand regional investment hotspots.
Key fundamentals for Lara include:
- Strong and consistent Population Growth
- Owner-occupier rate: Around 80%, signalling strong community stability.
- Vacancy rates: Around 1.37%–2.1%, indicating healthy rental demand.
- Rental yields: Approximately 4.4–4.5%, outperforming many Melbourne suburbs.
- Median house prices: Around $650,000–$670,000, offering excellent value compared to Melbourne’s metro markets.
- Young Demographic 30-39 years old, primarily couples with children.
Investors are already securing quality homes for around $600K, generating $500+ per week in rent, with minimal maintenance required — genuine “set and forget” assets poised for capital growth.
Why Timing Matters
Market activity across Geelong has been building steadily, and Lara is emerging as a 2026 growth story — but the window to buy in before prices accelerate is closing fast.
Days on market are trending down, buyer demand is picking up, and new infrastructure projects are enhancing livability and accessibility.
Much like Newcastle’s transformation following Sydney’s boom, Geelong is set to follow Melbourne’s growth curve — only at a more affordable entry point and with stronger yields. As Melbourne continues its upswing, Geelong and Lara are perfectly positioned to benefit from the “second wave” of capital growth.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait
With Melbourne’s recovery underway and Geelong’s fundamentals stronger than ever, now is the time to secure your position before prices rise further.
Armstrong Creek, Lara, Lovely Banks, Batesford and the wider Geelong region are offering rare opportunities for investors to capture both solid cash flow and significant medium-term capital gains — all within commuting distance of Melbourne.
Smart investors aren’t waiting for the headlines — they’re buying now.