Imagine if you could turn back time and buy a property at the price it was in 2004, would you do it? Whilst most markets have fully recovered from the GFC – the resort town of Airlie Beach – gateway to the world famous Whitsunday islands is a market on the move but prices are still at 10 year lows.

The GFC hit all regions and had effects on most property prices however the Whitsundays had the perfect storm – literally, and property prices were put under pressure on several fronts. Just as the paint was drying on three new projects the GFC put valuations under pressure and over $100m worth of off the plan contacts failed to settle, combined with the major airlines withdrawing direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne, the high aussie dollar slowing tourism and two cyclones including Ului put the region on the front page for all the wrong reasons.

But fast forward to today and the region is poised for a major correction. News of the Whitsunday Coast Airport is about to become Australias next international terminal, with direct flights scheduled to commence from Auckland later this year has already delivered an influx of southern investors.

In addition record tourism numbers and the southern hemispheres largest coal mine in the final stages of approval are providing southern investors confidence that the region is ready for a correction. With prices of apartments in Airlie Beach at the similar levels as they were in 2004, there are opportunities to buy an ocean view furnished apartment from as little at $275,000.

With many markets already showing signs of reaching a plateau – maybe it’s time to look at areas that have some growth potential, and not a bad place to come and check on your investment property.