Where to buy dirt-cheap land within two hours of Australia's big cities

With property and land prices skyrocketing in capital cities around the country, many buyers are having to move further out to get their hands on something vaguely affordable.

But you don’t need to move to the middle of nowhere. We’ve found some rural blocks within two hours of a major city that you can snap up for the fraction of the cost of a much smaller parcel in the big smoke.

For example, the median price for a square metre of vacant land is almost $1000 in the most expensive cities.

But there are large blocks in beautiful regional areas on offer for less than $1 a square metre. Sure, they don’t have a house on them yet (and you need council permission to be allowed to build on some of them), but others already have power and town water already connected.

Quairading, Western Australia
– $190,000 for 96.25 hectares (or 19c per square metre)

With a whopping 96.25 hectares on offer, this farming land backs onto the seasonal flowing salt river with York Gum and Salmon Gum trees, according to the listing.

It’s approximately 165 kilometres from Perth, and close to the town of Beverley, which was founded in 1838 and was one of the state’s oldest settlements. The town boasts a golf course, art gallery and museum.

Myers Flat, Victoria
– $275,000 for 43.71 hectares (or 62c per square metre)

This one is a great development opportunity that requires a bit of work to remove all the vegetation, but a bargain nonetheless! And less than 2 hours away from Melbourne.

Tabulam, New South Wales
– $300,000 for 42 hectares (or 71c per square metre)

Over 100 acres of freedom awaits you! Plus there are great stands of timber for an extra income. Set up your weekender and use it as a place to escape. Under two hours to Byron Bay or 3 if you want to head to the Gold Coast – it doesn’t get better than this!

Black Hill, South Australia
– $288,000 for 182 hectares (or 15c per square metre)

A perfect lifestyle opportunity, you’ll be surrounded by other lifestyle owners who adjoin the property. Get away to the Murraylands for an adventure and soak up the riverside life! If you need to go to the SA capital of Adelaide, you can get there in just over 1.5 hours.

Ballogie, Queensland
– $180,000 for 22 hectares (or 81c per square metre)

This block boasts not one, but two dams! A great block for a few cows or horses, or bikes if that’s what you’re into.

With a fully fenced allotment and all-weather roads, now to pick a spot to build your house.