Acreage vs Standard Blocks
Bringing back backyard cricket
The Quarter-Acre Block (1,012 m²) was once the classic Australian suburban dream. It evoked backyard cricket, a pool, and a Hills Hoist.
Now, even a standard Perth block typically measures around
375m² to
450m²: significantly smaller than the homes Boomers grew up in. And even they are harder to come by, with property developers pushing multi-site dwellings as far as the council will allow.
It’s no wonder many WA families are looking further afield, and weighing up acreages against standard metro blocks.
Acreage is land of an acre or more, usually zoned rural residential and found beyond the suburbs. An acre is about
4,047m² (0.405 hectares), roughly ten times the size of an average new Perth block. A hectare is
10,000m² (2.47 acres).
Acreage vs a standard block for sale in Perth
Acreage gives you much more land of a typical Perth block, at a far lower price per square metre. For example, a 10,000m² lot at Rawson Springs works out to 1 hectare (or 2.47 acres) which is around 20 times the current standard metro block.
The trade-off is a longer drive and more land to look after: but one that increasingly more families are prepared to make, particularly as services to the area are improving.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons:
| Feature | Standard Perth block | Acreage (1 to 3 hectares) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | About 380 m² | 10,000 to 30,000 m² |
| In acres | Under 0.1 acre | 2.47 to 7.4 acres |
| Price per square metre | About $1,100 | A fraction of metro rates |
| Zoning | Urban residential | Rural residential or rural smallholdings |
| Services | Scheme water, sewer, power, NBN | Varies by estate; serviced lots offer scheme water and power |
| Building rules | R-Codes and estate guidelines | Design guidelines and Shire approvals |
| Room for | Home, alfresco, small garden | Home, large shed, workshop, orchard, animals (subject to Shire rules) |
| Neighbours | Close by, shared fences | Space between homes, bushland views |
| Location | Suburban growth corridors | Rural areas such as Bindoon and the Chittering Valley |
| Upkeep | Small yard | More land to manage, plus bushfire planning |
Perth figures: UDIA WA, March quarter 2026
Is an acreage right for you?
Acreage suits buyers who want space, privacy and a slower pace, and are happy to trade a little convenience to get it.
What you gain
- Room to spread out. One hectare holds about 26 average metro blocks, which leaves plenty of space for a big shed, a workshop, a veggie garden or a small hobby farm.
- More land for your money. Per square metre, rural land costs a fraction of what new metro land does.
- Privacy and quiet. You get space between neighbours, bushland views and dark night skies.
- Freedom to design. You can build a home that suits the land rather than squeezing it onto a small lot.
What to weigh up
- The drive. Rural living means a longer trip into the city, though areas along Great Northern Highway keep Perth within easy reach.
- Upkeep. More land means mowing, firebreaks and garden care, which many owners come to enjoy as part of rural living.
- Bushfire planning. Rural lots in WA come with bushfire requirements that shape how you build.
- Zoning rules. Rural residential and rural smallholdings zones have their own Shire rules on sheds, livestock and land use, so check these before you plan.
Rural land for sale in WA, close to Perth
Bindoon, in the Shire of Chittering, offer rolling hills, established trees and a close country community, all within reach of Perth via Great Northern Highway. When you compare acreage, look for:
- Serviced lots with scheme water and power
- Clear timing on when titles will be issued
- Design guidelines that protect the area's rural character
- Lot sizes that suit your plans, from 1 hectare (2.47 acres) upwards
Some questions buyers have asked since the launch:
How big is an acre compared to metro blocks?
An acre is about 4,047 square metres, roughly ten times the average new Perth block of around 380 square metres (UDIA WA, March quarter 2026). A hectare is 10,000 square metres, or 2.47 acres, so a one-hectare lifestyle lot holds about 26 typical metro blocks.
Is buying acreage worth it?
Buying acreage is worth it if you want space, privacy and room for sheds, animals or a big garden, and you're comfortable with a longer drive and more upkeep. Per square metre, acreage costs a fraction of metro land, so you get far more land for a similar outlay.
How much does an acre of land cost in WA?
The cost of an acre of land in WA varies widely with location, zoning and services. New Perth metro land averages about $1,100 per square metre (UDIA WA, March quarter 2026), which would put an acre at around $4.5 million. Rural residential acreage near Perth costs a fraction of that.
What is the average block size in Perth?
The average new block in Greater Perth is around 380 square metres, according to UDIA WA's March quarter 2026 Urban Development Index. That's under a tenth of an acre. Lot sizes have stayed broadly stable while average land prices have climbed past $420,000.
Is the country calling?
If you've been comparing large blocks of land in Perth and keep coming back to the idea of more space, it’s important to ensure you can see yourself enjoying the lifestyle. We encourage you to walk the land, take in the local area, and picture what you'd build with a hectare or more of your own, before packing up the cricket set.
We’d be happy to show you around.