Robina vs Varsity Lakes

Varsity Lakes is the younger of the two, with a median age of 36 against 39 in Robina. In both, most households own their home.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Robina

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)
  • has more parks and reserves (112 vs 39)
  • has more childcare (13 vs 6)
  • But Varsity Lakes carries lower crime risk (59/100 vs 72/100)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Varsity Lakes

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (44% vs 34%)
  • has cheaper rent ($490/wk vs $540/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Robina

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (83.5 km vs 86 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Robina has more GPs (16 vs 6)
  • Varsity Lakes has more units and townhouses to downsize into (57% vs 45%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Varsity Lakes

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.6% vs 3.9%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Robina and Varsity Lakes drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Robina Varsity Lakes
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Robina Varsity Lakes
Walkability 74 / 69
Robina — Walkability: 74/100 Varsity Lakes — Walkability: 69/100
Safety 28 / 41
Robina — Safety: 28/100 Varsity Lakes — Safety: 41/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Robina — Low fire risk: 100/100 Varsity Lakes — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Robina has more residents (25,659 vs 16,493); Robina rents higher ($540/wk vs $490/wk).

Robina Varsity Lakes
Population 25,659
+36% vs other
 16,493
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +11.0% +9.8%
Median age 39 36
Median household income $91,416/yr
+6% vs other
 $85,592/yr
Median weekly rent $540/wk
+9% vs other
 $490/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Robina Varsity Lakes
0-4 4.7% / 5.3%
Robina — 0-4: 4.7% Varsity Lakes — 0-4: 5.3%
5-14 11.8% / 13.0%
Robina — 5-14: 11.8% Varsity Lakes — 5-14: 13.0%
15-19 6.6% / 6.2%
Robina — 15-19: 6.6% Varsity Lakes — 15-19: 6.2%
20-24 7.2% / 7.7%
Robina — 20-24: 7.2% Varsity Lakes — 20-24: 7.7%
25-34 13.0% / 15.9%
Robina — 25-34: 13.0% Varsity Lakes — 25-34: 15.9%
35-44 13.7% / 15.0%
Robina — 35-44: 13.7% Varsity Lakes — 35-44: 15.0%
45-54 12.4% / 13.7%
Robina — 45-54: 12.4% Varsity Lakes — 45-54: 13.7%
55-64 11.2% / 9.2%
Robina — 55-64: 11.2% Varsity Lakes — 55-64: 9.2%
65-74 10.4% / 7.6%
Robina — 65-74: 10.4% Varsity Lakes — 65-74: 7.6%
75-84 6.6% / 4.5%
Robina — 75-84: 6.6% Varsity Lakes — 75-84: 4.5%
85+ 2.5% / 1.8%
Robina — 85+: 2.5% Varsity Lakes — 85+: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Robina 43.9% couple families
Robina — Couple Families: 43.9% Robina — Lone Person: 29.0% Robina — One Parent Families: 19.0% Robina — Group Household: 6.9% Robina — Other Families: 1.3%
Varsity Lakes 38.4% couple families
Varsity Lakes — Couple Families: 38.4% Varsity Lakes — Lone Person: 31.3% Varsity Lakes — One Parent Families: 20.1% Varsity Lakes — Group Household: 8.3% Varsity Lakes — Other Families: 1.9%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Robina 33.9% renting
Robina — Owned Outright: 32.6% Robina — Mortgage: 33.5% Robina — Renting: 33.9%
Varsity Lakes 44.3% renting
Varsity Lakes — Owned Outright: 21.4% Varsity Lakes — Mortgage: 34.3% Varsity Lakes — Renting: 44.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Robina Varsity Lakes
Bachelor Degree 14.5% / 15.0%
Robina — Bachelor Degree: 14.5% Varsity Lakes — Bachelor Degree: 15.0%
Certificate III & IV 13.5% / 13.9%
Robina — Certificate III & IV: 13.5% Varsity Lakes — Certificate III & IV: 13.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.9% / 9.0%
Robina — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.9% Varsity Lakes — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Postgraduate Degree 4.9% / 5.0%
Robina — Postgraduate Degree: 4.9% Varsity Lakes — Postgraduate Degree: 5.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.0% / 1.7%
Robina — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.0% Varsity Lakes — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.0%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Robina Varsity Lakes
New Zealand 6.7% / 6.2%
Robina — New Zealand: 6.7% Varsity Lakes — New Zealand: 6.2%
England 6.0% / 4.2%
Robina — England: 6.0% Varsity Lakes — England: 4.2%
China 2.9% / 3.1%
Robina — China: 2.9% Varsity Lakes — China: 3.1%
South Africa 1.9% / 1.5%
Robina — South Africa: 1.9% Varsity Lakes — South Africa: 1.5%
Brazil 0.9% / 1.9%
Robina — Brazil: 0.9% Varsity Lakes — Brazil: 1.9%
Japan 1.1% / 1.4%
Robina — Japan: 1.1% Varsity Lakes — Japan: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Robina 54.6% houses
Robina — Houses: 54.6% Robina — Townhouses: 31.6% Robina — Flats / Apartments: 13.8%
Varsity Lakes 42.6% houses
Varsity Lakes — Houses: 42.6% Varsity Lakes — Townhouses: 33.1% Varsity Lakes — Flats / Apartments: 24.3%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Robina Varsity Lakes
Median house price $1,410,000 $1,310,000
Median unit price $870,000 $820,000
Median land price $1,750,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 27 days
from 292 sales
 22 days
from 121 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Robina Varsity Lakes
1 bed $715K / $680K
Robina — 1 bed: $715K (19 sales) Varsity Lakes — 1 bed: $680K (44 sales)

19 vs 44 sales

2 bed $820K / $828K
Robina — 2 bed: $820K (81 sales) Varsity Lakes — 2 bed: $828K (120 sales)

81 vs 120 sales

3 bed $1M / $922K
Robina — 3 bed: $1M (60 sales) Varsity Lakes — 3 bed: $922K (42 sales)

60 vs 42 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Robina Varsity Lakes
2 bed $955K / $950K
Robina — 2 bed: $955K (11 sales) Varsity Lakes — 2 bed: $950K (7 sales)

11 vs 7 sales

3 bed $1.27M / $1.19M
Robina — 3 bed: $1.27M (188 sales) Varsity Lakes — 3 bed: $1.19M (113 sales)

188 vs 113 sales

4 bed $1.56M / $1.43M
Robina — 4 bed: $1.56M (211 sales) Varsity Lakes — 4 bed: $1.43M (94 sales)

211 vs 94 sales

5 bed $1.65M / $1.73M
Robina — 5 bed: $1.65M (45 sales) Varsity Lakes — 5 bed: $1.73M (13 sales)

45 vs 13 sales

Development activity

Robina Varsity Lakes
New dwellings approved 7,196
across Gold Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -35%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Robina Varsity Lakes
Houses 3.9%
$960/wk on $1.28M
 4.6%
$950/wk on $1.08M
Units 4.8%
$830/wk on $899K
 4.6%
$795/wk on $899K

Ranking within QLD

Robina Varsity Lakes
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 64% of QLD Higher than 59% of QLD
Schools Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 43% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 94% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 92% of QLD Higher than 91% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 80% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 48% of QLD Higher than 79% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 66% of QLD Higher than 56% of QLD

Liveability

Robina scores higher overall (69 vs 55).

Robina Varsity Lakes
Grade A B
Score 69/100 55/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Robina carries more crime risk (72 vs 59).

Robina Varsity Lakes
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
72/100
 Moderate
59/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 5
within 5 km
 8
within 5 km

Schools

Robina Varsity Lakes
Inside the suburb 5 4
Rated above peers 2 0
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
Gold Coast campus, 0.0 km
 1
Gold Coast campus, 2.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.9% 3.6%

Schools in Robina

  • Robina State School Government · Primary above peers
  • Arcadia College Independent · Secondary · Special school above peers
  • Robina State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Silkwood School - Robina Campus Independent · Combined
  • The Industry School - Gold Coast Independent · Secondary

Schools in Varsity Lakes

  • Varsity College Government · Combined at peers
  • Arcadia College - Varsity Lakes Temporary Facility Independent · Secondary
  • Mastery Schools Australia - Varsity Lakes Campus Independent · Combined
  • Mastery Schools Australia - Varsity Lakes Secondary Temporary Facility Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Robina Varsity Lakes
Supermarkets 4 3
Cafes & restaurants 35 14
Parks & reserves 112 39
Childcare 13 6
GPs 16 6
Pharmacies 10 2
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 10 2
Fuel stations 7 2
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 14 23

Mobility

Varsity Lakes sits further from the CBD (86 km vs 83.5 km).

Robina Varsity Lakes
Walkability score 74/100 69/100
Distance to Brisbane 83.5 km 86 km
+3% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 65 min 67 min
Public transport score 79/100
Rail · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 295.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 142.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.7%
postcode 4226
 1.6%
postcode 4227
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 51
postcode 4226
 50
postcode 4227

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Robina Varsity Lakes
Car (driver) 72.8% / 72.7%
Robina — Car (driver): 72.8% Varsity Lakes — Car (driver): 72.7%
Worked from Home 17.6% / 16.3%
Robina — Worked from Home: 17.6% Varsity Lakes — Worked from Home: 16.3%
Car (passenger) 4.5% / 5.1%
Robina — Car (passenger): 4.5% Varsity Lakes — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Walked Only 2.1% / 2.3%
Robina — Walked Only: 2.1% Varsity Lakes — Walked Only: 2.3%
Bus 1.1% / 1.5%
Robina — Bus: 1.1% Varsity Lakes — Bus: 1.5%
Train 1.2% / 1.0%
Robina — Train: 1.2% Varsity Lakes — Train: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (72.8%).

Setting

Robina Varsity Lakes
Elevation 18 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 10 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.0 km 3.9 km
3.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Robina Varsity Lakes
Connectivity score 73/100 71/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 24%
11,155 premises
 30%
6,705 premises

Climate

Robina Varsity Lakes
Annual rainfall 1,556 mm 1,637 mm
Summer max (Jan) 28.7°C 28.6°C
Winter min (Jul) 10.8°C 10.5°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Robina Varsity Lakes
PM2.5 4.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.3 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.43 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Robina Varsity Lakes
Average residential rate $1,298/yr
same for both
Council Gold Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Robina Varsity Lakes
Division McPherson
same for both
Member Leon Rebello
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Robina Varsity Lakes
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Robina

Parks Regional Centre Townhouses

Varsity Lakes

Parks Regional Centre River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Robina

Robina vs Mudgeeraba Robina vs Burleigh Waters Robina vs Mermaid Waters Robina vs Reedy Creek Robina vs Merrimac Robina vs Clear Island Waters

Other comparisons with Varsity Lakes

Varsity Lakes vs Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes vs Burleigh Waters Varsity Lakes vs Burleigh Heads Varsity Lakes vs Reedy Creek
Full data on Robina Full data on Varsity Lakes
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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