A master-planned community about 28km north of Brisbane, North Lakes was first developed in the early 2000s.

Formerly a pine plantation, the estate development spans some 1,000 hectares and is expected to be home to about 20,000 people on its completion. It was officially made a suburb in 2006.

Given its youth, the majority of homes in North Lakes are single-set brick-and-tile houses, while the suburb also has a smattering of Queenslanders. There are also units and townhouses. 

Surrounded by the suburbs of Mango Hill and Deception Bay, North Lakes is very popular with families and couples. The area has two primary schools as well as a high school. The nearest university is the Caboolture campus of the Queensland University of Technology, while there is a TAFE college in Redcliffe.

North Lakes has access to a variety of modern amenities including major supermarkets and sporting facilities. While the suburb already has ample parks, bike, walk and waterways, these will increase as the area develops. Westfield North Lakes opened in late 2003 and contains a Myer, Coles and Woolworths. North Lakes Business Park, which began construction in 2007, is expected to be completed by 2014.

The nearest train stations are Petrie, Strathpine and Dakabin on the Caboolture line, while the airport is 35 minutes away in Brisbane. The suburb is well positioned near the Bruce Highway, and trips to the Sunshine Coast only take 45 minutes.