You can buy this entire Australian town for less than a city apartment

Can't afford a house or apartment? Why not buy a town?
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Can't afford a house or apartment? Why not buy a town?

As Australia's younger generation wonder how on earth they're supposed to "get a good job that pays good money" to purchase their first home in the country's capital cities, perhaps the easiest solution is well, to buy an entire town.


You May Also Like

Yes, the whole town of Allie's Creek in Monogorilby is up for sale. It is located in the south-east corner Queensland, around five hours drive from Brisbane.

The town consists of 16 Queenslander-style homes -- which have wrap around balconies, stumps for ventilation and weatherboard cladding -- but there are also roads, street lights, a water purification plant, power depot, a dam with a pontoon, plus a phone line to each home. 

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The cost? You can buy the lot for the relatively affordable sum of A$750,000 (US$547,612). That amount would barely get you a two-bedroom apartment in the inner suburbs of Sydney, or a newer home in Melbourne's inner suburbs.

"It's a mini-town, it's unbelievable," Julie Sutton, Principal at Sutton Nationwide Realty told Mashable Australia

The town is actually a decommissioned saw mill, complete with sheds and all the machinery to make it happen. A perfect spot to reenact your own version of Twin Peaks, or to start becoming a lumberjack. 

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable


Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Formerly owned by a husband and wife who bought the town in 2008, it was put on the market for $2.1 million in September but has just been slashed to the bargain price due to the death of the husband.  

Around half of the homes are currently occupied by tenants, but Sutton said the town is a perfect spot for a music festival, a caravan site or a retreat. "It's only been used as a place for rental income so far, but it's a complete small town with all the roads made, including a hall for functions ... there's just so much that's possible," she said.

So far, Sutton has received around a dozen serious expressions of interest from individual buyers and consortiums, which isn't a surprise given the bargain basement cost of an entire town.

So if you want to run in the streets of a town you actually own, you'd better hurry.

UPDATE: Friday May 13, 2:07 p.m. AEST The original story stated Monogorilby was for sale, when it is in fact Allie's Creek, a part of Monogorilby that is for sale.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open online for free
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz hits a return

How to watch Zverev vs. Diallo online for free
Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semi-final 2025

How to watch Sinner vs. Gaston online for free
Jannik Sinner of Italy serves

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Walton online for free
Carlos Alcaraz hits a shot during a practice session

How to watch Martinez vs. Djokovic online for free
Novak Djokovic practices in Australia

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!