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The places with the biggest property vacancy rates in Australia

9News Staff

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If you want the biggest chance of snaring a property in a crowded market, you might have to think outside the capitals.

Removalists Top Removals analysed data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, comparing vacancy numbers to local populations to determine what locations around the country had the biggest vacancy rates.

Continue through the gallery to see the top 10.

Attribution: 9News
10. Wyalkatchem, Western Australia
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10. Wyalkatchem, Western Australia

The remote town of Wyalkatchem in Western Australia has 273 vacant dwellings, or 1 per cent of the town's total.

This amounts to a vacancy rate of 1000 homes per 100,000 people.

Attribution: Domain
9. Cue, Western Australia
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9. Cue, Western Australia

Cue, in Western Australia's Mid West region, has a vacancy rate of 1.1 per cent, or 101 homes.

That translates to 1100 vacancies per 100,000 people.

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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8. Wiluna, Western Australia.
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8. Wiluna, Western Australia.

The mining town of Wiluna has a 1.35 per cent vacancy rate, or 112 homes. That's 1350 per 100,000 people.

"Workforce fluctuations and its isolated location may result in homes being left empty, particularly during mining downturns," Top Removalists noted.

Attribution: Penny Stephens
7. Diamantina, Queensland
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7. Diamantina, Queensland

The Diamantina Shire in Queensland is home to, among other things, the iconic Birdsville Races.

With 124 vacant homes, it has a vacany rate of 1.4 per cent, or 1400 homes per 100,000 people.

Attribution: Facebook
6. Roxy Downs, South Australia
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6. Roxy Downs, South Australia

In Roxby Downs the vacancy rate is 1.9 per cent, or 1709 homes.

That's 1900 vacancies per 100,000 people.

Attribution: David Mariuz
5. Hope Vale, Queensland
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5. Hope Vale, Queensland

The remote northern Queensland region of Hope Vale currently has 228 vacant homes, or a two per cent vacancy rate.

That's 2000 empty homes per 100,000 people.

Attribution: Hope Vale Council
3. Palm Island, Queensland
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3. Palm Island, Queensland

There are 259 homes in Palm Island that are currently empty, for a 2.9 per cent vacancy rate.

That's 2900 vacancies per 100,000 people.

Attribution: Getty
2. Yarrabah, Queensland
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2. Yarrabah, Queensland

Yarrabah, near Cairns, has a three per cent vacancy rate, meaning 386 homes are empty - or 3000 per 100,000 people.

Attribution: Rick Stevens
1. Darwin Waterfront Precinct, Northern Territory
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1. Darwin Waterfront Precinct, Northern Territory

Darwin Waterfront tops the list for vacant dwellings, with 3.7 per cent of homes empty.

That's a total of 255, or 3700 vacancies per 100,000 people.

"Seasonal tourism likely explains this, as many properties may be used as holiday homes," Total Removalists said.

"Economic shifts, high prices, and urban development may also play a role."

Attribution: Darwin Waterfront Corporation / Tourism NT
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