Robina has always been one of the Gold Coast’s most masterfully planned suburbs, yet for years it flew under the radar in favour of more glamorous coastal postcodes. Originally developed with community and connectivity in mind, it was practical, accessible and family friendly. But for many locals, it lacked the buzz of beachside living.
That perception is changing. As rising prices push buyers inland and a new generation of residents look beyond the beachfront, Robina is experiencing a quiet transformation. Houses once considered entry-level are now reaching prestige territory, with three sales exceeding $3 million so far this year.
“There’s a real movement of people into the area who probably wouldn’t have considered it before,” says Kollosche sales agent Nikolas Kuth, who specialises in Robina and Varsity Lakes. “They’re bringing strong budgets and seeing the value in what Robina offers. That’s helping lift the suburb to a level it hasn’t seen before.”
Nikolas returned to the Gold Coast after two decades in London, choosing Robina as a home base for his family and his clients. His fresh perspective is helping challenge long-held local assumptions.
“Local buyers have local perceptions and pay local prices,” he says. “But the people who are prepared to pay more are often coming from outside the area. They don’t carry that same bias. They see Robina for what it is, a well-connected, peaceful and affordable place to live, and they’re happy to pay what they see as good value.”
For a suburb often overlooked, Robina offers a surprising depth of lifestyle and amenity. Families are drawn to the quiet, green streets, the network of lakes and walking trails, and proximity to some of the Gold Coast’s best schools, including Somerset College, All Saints Anglican School and Varsity College. Golf lovers enjoy access to three courses, while shoppers and diners flock to Robina Town Centre, one of Queensland’s largest retail precincts. The new Greenheart parklands add another layer of lifestyle appeal, with playgrounds, bike tracks and green space for all ages.
“It’s quiet, it’s leafy, and you can still hear the birds,” says Nikolas. “That’s something you lose in the busier beachside spots. People come here because they’re chasing that balance, convenience without chaos.”
That balance is reflected in the housing mix. Around 73 per cent of dwellings are standalone houses, with 18 per cent townhouses and just 9 per cent apartments. There is demand across the board, from young families and upgraders to downsizers and investors. A typical four-bedroom home in Robina now commands around $1.42 million, with values rising 8 per cent over the past year. Units have grown even faster, up 12 per cent year-on-year, with a median value of $846,000. Gross rental yields sit at 4 per cent for houses and 5 per cent for units.
“A lot of people originally bought here because they couldn’t afford Mermaid Waters or Broadbeach Waters,” says Nikolas. “But now they wouldn’t live anywhere else. It’s become this really appealing pocket with so much going for it.”
Robina’s central location is another strength. The suburb is just 15 minutes from the beach, minutes from the M1 and serviced by a train station, and is close to major employment and medical hubs. New development continues to enhance the area, including the nearly sold-out Cascades apartment project and a major master-planned precinct in the pipeline, expected to deliver 3,000 new homes over the next decade.
“There’s a sense among some buyers that they’ll look back in 10 years and say, I wish I’d bought in Robina,” Nikolas says. “And I think they’re right. There’s a lot of growth still to come.”
