Bribie Island's Pacific Harbour has topped the list of realestate.com.au's most searched-for communities in the country, writes Sophie Foster
QUEENSLAND has come out on top in the popularity stakes, delivering not just the country's most popular development but seven of the top 10, new data shows. 
Pacific Harbour on Bribie Island was the most searched-for development in the country, according to internal data from the nation's top real estate portal realestate.com.au.
REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Pacific Harbour was the most popular new community in country during the first quarter this year - continuing a trend it was on throughout 2015.
"Located on Bribie Island, around 75km north of Brisbane, the unique nature of its location such as being on an island, proximity to water and a national park, is a likely driver behind its popularity," Ms Conisbee said.
The only new Queensland community in the top 10 was Pacific Cove in Pimpama, which shot straight to second spot nationally.
Ms Conisbee said many of the most popular estates had extensive water features. "These can be either man-made (lakes) or natural (beaches)," she said. According to the Pacific Harbour team, waterfront land was most popular with buyers, followed by the golf precinct, with land prices ranging from $239,000 to $900,000, and house and land packages from $399,000 to $3 million.
"Buyers are mainly from the north side of Brisbane, as Bribie is the closest beach to the north side suburbs," they said. "House styles are very contemporary, with many architect designed cutting-edge homes, on both the waterfront and waterside land. Almost every waterfront home has a pontoon and boat, from tinnies to glamorous yachts." Cindy and Bob Green, who moved to Bribie Island from California a decade ago, have loved every minute of life at their dream home at Pacific Harbour.
"We came to visit some friends here and fell in love with the island, so we made plans to move here from California. We just love it," Mrs Green said.
"We love having the boat in the backyard, and Bob can go fishing any time, or we can head out together to Moreton Bay or Brisbane. There's a lot to do besides boating with the golf course, beaches, three or four lagoons and quite a bit of bushland." Mrs Green said going forward it was important that developers kept the community feel of Pacific Harbour.
"I like to see bigger blocks and nice landscaping and trees to keep the feel of being in the country," she said.
AUSTRALIA'S TOP 10 NEW COMMUNITIES 1. Pacific Harbour, Banksia Beach, Qld (1) 2. Sunshine Cove, Maroochydore, Qld (5) 3. Jimboomba Woods, Jimboomba, Qld (6) 4. Pelican Waters, Pelican Waters, Qld (7) 5. Lightsview, Northgate, SA (4) 6. Pacific Cove, Pimpama, Qld (new entry) 7. Ardennes, Edmondson Park, NSW (new entry) 8. Arcadian Hills, Cobbitty (new entry) 9. Gainsborough Greens, Pimpama, Qld (3)10. Arise at Rochedale, Rochedale, Qld (8)