What’s Happening?
Median farmland prices across Central Queensland fell during the first half of 2026, according to the latest Australian Farmland Values Mid-Year Report from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness.
The report recorded year-on-year declines in median prices across both the Central and Central Highlands regions. However, Bendigo Bank Agribusiness says the Central Queensland property market remains resilient, with strong and steady demand for premium, well-watered assets.
Why It Matters
The regional declines contrast with the broader Queensland farmland market. Across the state, the median price reached a record $11,047 per hectare in the first half of 2026, up 11.9 per cent year-on-year.
However, sales activity continued to tighten. Queensland recorded 647 transactions, down 10.8 per cent year-on-year and the lowest half-yearly sales volume in more than 32 years.
The report said falling transaction numbers reflect ongoing land consolidation, while affordability pressures following a 70 per cent rise in Queensland land values over the past five years have also affected demand.
Local Impact
In the Central region, the median farmland price fell to $1,053 per hectare, down 33.3 per cent year-on-year and 14.2 per cent half-on-half. The region recorded 10 transactions, down 23.1 per cent year-on-year.
The Central Highlands also recorded softer prices, with the median falling to $5,944 per hectare, down 19.1 per cent year-on-year and 12.7 per cent half-on-half. The region recorded 41 transactions, down 14.6 per cent year-on-year.
Keith Dahms, Agribusiness Relationship Manager in Rockhampton, provided the report’s commentary for Central and Central Highlands.
“The Central Queensland property market remains resilient with strong, steady demand for premium, well-watered assets. While recent dry winter conditions and rising input costs have introduced short-term operational challenges and made buyers more cautious, the underlying long-term outlook for the region remains highly supportive of further growth.”
By The Numbers
- $1,053 per hectare — Central median farmland price, down 33.3 per cent year-on-year and 14.2 per cent half-on-half.
- $5,944 per hectare — Central Highlands median farmland price, down 19.1 per cent year-on-year and 12.7 per cent half-on-half.
- 647 transactions — recorded across Queensland, down 10.8 per cent year-on-year and the lowest half-yearly sales volume in more than 32 years.
Zoom In
Transaction activity also declined across both Central Queensland regions.
Central recorded 10 transactions during the first half of 2026, down 60 per cent half-on-half and 23.1 per cent year-on-year. Central Highlands recorded 41 transactions, down 12.8 per cent half-on-half and 14.6 per cent year-on-year.
Despite the short-term challenges, the report said the Central Queensland property market remains resilient. Strong and steady demand continues for premium, well-watered assets, while dry winter conditions and rising input costs have made buyers more cautious.
Zoom Out
Queensland’s overall farmland market moved in the opposite direction to Central and Central Highlands, with five of the state’s seven regions recording year-on-year growth in median farmland prices.
Continued strength in cattle markets, alongside ongoing property consolidation, helped push Queensland’s median farmland price higher. However, challenging conditions across the cane, horticultural and cropping sectors weighed on buyer interest.
What To Look For Next?
Bendigo Bank Agribusiness forecasts modest growth in Queensland farmland values into 2027.
However, market direction will increasingly depend on how seasonal conditions develop over the next six months, while the direction of the cattle sector is also expected to influence Queensland’s farmland market.
For Central Queensland, Dahms said the underlying long-term outlook remains highly supportive of further growth despite current operational challenges and more cautious buyers.
Check out the full Australian Farmland Values report and Bendigo Bank Agribusiness insights.
