Top 10 places to retire in Australia
Retirement is one of life’s biggest transitions, and where you choose to spend it can make all the difference to your health, happiness and financial security. While Australia offers countless beautiful and peaceful locations to retire, not all of them will meet the unique needs of older Australians. Affordability, healthcare access, social opportunities and lifestyle factors play a crucial role in making the right decision.
Many retirees dream of a coastal paradise or a quiet countryside escape, but rising living costs, medical accessibility and social isolation can turn that dream into a struggle if not carefully considered. This article cuts through the guesswork by identifying the best places to retire in Australia – ones that don’t just look great on paper but actually address the common challenges older Australians face, from housing affordability to the availability of medical services and community engagement.
If you’re planning your retirement or helping a loved one make this important choice, this guide is essential reading. We’ve researched and compiled a list of the top 10 retirement locations that offer a comfortable, secure and fulfilling lifestyle, so you can retire not just anywhere, but in the right place for you.
1. Mandurah, Western Australia
Key Benefits for Retirees: Housing affordability, social engagement and access to healthcare.
Mandurah, located south of Perth, is one of Western Australia’s most affordable coastal cities. It offers reasonably priced housing options for retirees, particularly compared to Perth. The city has a strong community focus, reducing the risk of social isolation, and is well-equipped with medical centres and hospitals to support ageing residents. The peaceful lifestyle and proximity to natural beauty make it a desirable spot.
2. Hervey Bay, Queensland
Key Benefits for Retirees: Healthcare access, social engagement, affordability.
Known as the whale-watching capital of Australia, Hervey Bay offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle without the high costs seen in other beachside towns. Housing is more affordable than in major cities, and the healthcare system is well-developed, with medical centres and a hospital catering to older Australians. The active retiree community provides plenty of social opportunities, reducing loneliness.
3. Rosebud, Victoria
Key Benefits for Retirees: Retirement housing, healthcare, social connection.
Rosebud, on the Mornington Peninsula, offers a range of retirement villages and over 55 living options, ensuring retirees have access to age-appropriate housing with built-in community support. The area also has great healthcare services, including Peninsula Health facilities, and plenty of social and recreational activities, such as golf clubs, coastal walks and community events, keeping retirees engaged and connected.
Beyond housing and recreation, Rosebud stands out for its access to high-quality home care services, making it an ideal location for retirees who want to maintain independence while having support when needed. Unlike many areas where healthcare and home care operate separately, Rosebud benefits from integrated care providers – Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care, which uniquely combines GPs, carers, nurses, allied health professionals and support services under one model. This approach ensures retirees receive seamless, coordinated care, reducing the stress of managing multiple providers and allowing them to age comfortably in familiar surroundings.
This combination of affordable retirement living, strong healthcare infrastructure and integrated home care options makes Rosebud one of the best places in Australia for a secure, connected and fulfilling retirement.
4. Launceston, Tasmania
Key Benefits for Retirees: Cost of living, healthcare, social inclusion.
Launceston is an affordable alternative to major Australian cities, with lower property prices and cost of living. It offers excellent medical facilities, including Launceston General Hospital. The city has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, allowing retirees to maintain an active social life while enjoying a slower pace of living.
5. Echuca, Victoria
Key Benefits for Retirees: Affordable housing, social engagement, community feel and healthcare access.
Situated on the Murray River, Echuca is a charming, affordable town that attracts many retirees. The Echuca Community for the Aged offers independent living units designed to provide a secure and autonomous lifestyle for senior residents. These units are part of a village-style community that fosters a close-knit atmosphere. Echuca has a tight-knit community, helping to combat loneliness and offers a variety of clubs, social groups and outdoor activities. Healthcare services are easily accessible, making it a practical retirement choice.
Healthcare in Echuca is readily accessible, with facilities like Echuca Regional Health (ERH) providing a comprehensive range of services, including a 24-hour emergency department. Additionally, the Echuca Medical Centre offers general health check-ups, chronic disease management, and immunisations, operating seven days a week with bulk billing available for Medicare cardholders.
6. Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory
Key Benefits for Retirees: Healthcare, employment opportunities, urban accessibility.
Belconnen is a suburb of Canberra, meaning retirees here have access to world-class healthcare services, including Calvary Public Hospital and The Canberra Hospital. It also allows for continued employment opportunities for retirees who still want to work part-time. With urban conveniences, plenty of recreational areas, and social hubs, Belconnen is great for those who don’t want to move too far from city life.
7. Wallaroo, South Australia
Key Benefits for Retirees: Cost of living, community support, relaxed lifestyle.
Wallaroo is a low-cost coastal retirement option on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. The town offers affordable housing and a strong sense of community, which helps older Australians avoid social isolation. The influx of retirees has further enriched the local community, contributing to the development of amenities and services tailored to senior residents. It also has good medical services and the slow-paced environment is ideal for a relaxed retirement. The Wallaroo Hospital and Health Service offers a wide range of medical care, including emergency, surgical, chemotherapy and community health services. Additionally, Country Health Connect provides community-based healthcare across the Yorke Peninsula, ensuring comprehensive support for residents.
8. Armidale, New South Wales
Key Benefits for Retirees: Healthcare access, affordability, cultural and social engagement.
Armidale, in the Northern Tablelands, provides affordable housing in a regional setting while still offering high-quality healthcare services through Armidale Rural Referral Hospital, which is a 99-bed facility providing a comprehensive range of acute healthcare services to residents of Armidale and surrounding areas. Services encompass general medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, geriatrics and emergency care. Additionally, the Armidale Community Health Service delivers various health services such as mental health support, chronic disease management, rehabilitation, and allied health services.
The town has a rich cultural scene, including museums, theatre and university-led events, ensuring retirees stay socially and mentally engaged.
9. Maryborough, Victoria
Key Benefits for Retirees: Affordable housing, retirement-friendly amenities and healthcare access.
Maryborough is a budget-friendly regional Victorian town with plenty of retirement living options. Maryborough boasts several retirement living communities, such as The Schoolhouse Village, a family-run independent living community for those over 55. Additionally, Havilah offers quality residential aged care and independent living options, emphasizing a supportive environment for seniors.
Healthcare services are robust, with the Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) providing a wide range of medical services, including acute and urgent care, maternity, oncology, surgical services, allied health, community services, and residential aged care. The town’s connectivity to Ballarat’s major hospitals further ensures that residents have access to comprehensive medical care when needed.
The town’s slower pace of life, combined with a strong community atmosphere, makes it a great spot for retirees.
10. Victor Harbor, South Australia
Key Benefits for Retirees: Affordable housing, healthcare access, social and recreational opportunities, strong community atmosphere
Victor Harbor, located on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, is a coastal retirement haven known for its affordable housing, quality healthcare and strong community atmosphere. It may not be as cheap as some of the other alternatives but it offers various retirement-friendly housing options. The South Coast District Hospital ensures access to essential medical services, while Adelaide’s healthcare facilities remain within reach.
Retirees can enjoy whale-watching, scenic coastal walks, golf courses and a range of social activities, fostering an active and connected lifestyle. With its laid-back charm, natural beauty, and thriving retiree community, Victor Harbor stands out as one of the top retirement destinations in Australia.
While no single destination is perfect in every way, each of the locations in the list was selected because it addresses one or more key factors that significantly impact retirees’ quality of life, such as:
- Affordable housing options – Helping retirees make the most of their savings and maintain financial security.
- Access to quality healthcare services – Ensuring proximity to hospitals, GPs, aged care, and home care providers.
- Social and recreational opportunities – Encouraging an active and fulfilling lifestyle through clubs, activities and community events.
- A strong sense of community to reduce loneliness – Providing spaces and networks that help retirees stay socially engaged.
- Retirement-friendly services and infrastructure – Supporting ageing in place with accessible transport, senior-friendly housing and essential amenities.
Final Thoughts:
Retirement isn’t just about finding a beautiful place; it’s about ensuring affordability, healthcare access, social connection and quality of life. The 10 locations in this guide stand out because they offer practical solutions to common retirement challenges, from rising living costs to medical support and community engagement.
Whether you prefer a coastal retreat, a vibrant city hub or a peaceful regional town, choosing a location that meets both your current and future needs is key. With the right place and support systems in place, retirement can be a fulfilling, stress-free and rewarding new chapter of life.
