Property and transport in Australia

The buying and renting process varies from state to state so research your area before getting on the plane. Sydney generally still has the highest average property price, but Perth has recently shown considerable growth in its housing market. The general rule of thumb though, as with most countries, is that the more upmarket suburbs in bigger cities generally carry the higher price tag.

As in the UK, real estate agents will generally ask for a rental deposit as a form of security. This could be to the value of four weeks rent for an unfurnished property, six weeks for a fully furnished premise.

Prices

Average house prices in main capital cities are: Sydney $516,000 (£207,000), Melbourne $347,000 (£139,000), Brisbane $814,000 (£326,000), Adelaide $774,000 (£310,000), Canberra $1m (£405,000), Perth $988,000 (£396,000), Darwin $894,000 (£358,000) and Hobart $557,000 (£223,000).

Average unit (property other than a house) prices in the state capitals are: Sydney $358,000 (£143,000), Melbourne $267,000 (£107,000), Brisbane $247,000 (£99,000), Adelaide $529,000 (£212,000), Canberra $731,000 (£293,000), Perth $247,000 (£99,000), Darwin $236,000 (£95,000) and Hobart $187,000 (£75,000)

Please note that prices are in Australian dollar.

Property types

Although considered a relatively young country in terms of European settlement, Australia does offer a wide range of property types. Most major cities and their suburbs will offer studios, apartments, townhouses, houses, penthouses and villas.

The predominant style in the suburbs is what we would refer to as colonial modern, a one or two storey house often timber framed or weather boarded. Out of the cities buildings are often shaped according to their varied and dramatic environment. For instance, in some areas where termite infestation is a problem, homes can be made of concrete and steel. By the coast, on the other hand, the bright new apartment developments favour steel and glass in order to bring much of the natural light and surrounding beauty within the home itself.

The country's generally warmer climate means that open plan design is very popular. Access to a swimming pool is almost considered a basic human right in Australia and many detached homes will have one. Due to the sheer enormity of the land mass homes tend to be a lot bigger and have good-sized gardens and on the outskirts of cities homes will often come with sizeable pieces of land.

BSJ has chosen a selection to illustrate what's on offer:

Near the top of the range would be this architect designed 742.98 sqm, $3.6m (£1.4m) tri-level home complete with lift, pool, mooring, smart wiring and the very best quality fixtures and fittings, or visit (www.yourmoverealty.com.au).

This semi-detached/duplex home is regarded as a first time buyer property but still offers 3-bedrooms, a master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite and a single garage for $299,000 (£120,000), or visit www.yourmoverealty.com.au.

At the less glamorous end of the scale comes this Brisbane property, which offers three-bedrooms, sundeck and garage for $497,000 (£199,000), or visit www.ourbrisbane.realestate.com.au.

This magnificent 3-bedroom $4.4m (£1.7m) penthouse in the Reflection Tower is indicative of the quality and scale of the new developments growing up around the Gold Coast, or visit www.goldcoastrealestate.info.

This 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom new family home makes the best of its surroundings for a cool approximately $4m (£1.6m), or visit www.coldwellbankerpropertyaustralia.com.au.

Getting around

Getting to Australia involves flying, a long and expensive affair usually requiring a stop in Hong Kong, or Singapore. Expect a flight between London Heathrow and Sydney with one stop to take 22 to 24 hours.

By virtue of its vastness Australia is most effectively travelled across by plane with regular flights available between the major cities. Buses and trains are also available for cross state travel, and this way you will get to see some of the extraordinary landscapes offered in this multi-climate, multi-time zone continent.

In the cities you can expect clean, regular and plentiful bus, rail, underground and taxi services are fine.

Car hire is easy and can be arranged before you travel. Rates are comparative to UK and US.