Of all the things you can assess at an inspection, orientation is one of the most important and one of the most overlooked. It costs nothing to check, it can't be changed after you buy, and it affects how comfortable and how expensive the home is to live in every day of the year.
Why north is the magic direction in Australia
In the southern hemisphere, the sun sits in the northern part of the sky. This means north-facing windows and living areas receive sunlight for most of the day. In winter, when the sun is lower, that northern sun reaches deep into the home and warms it naturally. In summer, when the sun is higher overhead, well-designed eaves can shade those same windows, keeping the home cool. A north-facing living area is the single best orientation for comfort and low running costs in most of Australia.
What the other directions mean
East-facing rooms get morning sun, which is pleasant for bedrooms and breakfast spaces but fades by afternoon. West-facing rooms get harsh afternoon sun, which can make living areas uncomfortably hot in summer, especially without shading. South-facing rooms get the least direct sun and can feel dark and cold, particularly in winter. None of these are dealbreakers, but knowing the orientation tells you how a space will feel at different times of day and year.
How to check it
You don't need anything special. Your phone has a compass app built in, or you can search "compass" in your browser. Stand in the main living area, face the main windows, and check which way you're looking. That's the orientation of the living space, which is the one that matters most for daily comfort.
While you're thinking about light, notice how bright each room actually is at the time you're inspecting, and try to picture it at other times. A room that's dim at midday will be darker still in the morning or evening. Look at whether windows are shaded by neighbouring buildings, fences, or large trees that might block light you'd otherwise get.
Passive comfort beyond orientation
Orientation works together with a few other things worth noticing. Eaves and awnings over north and west windows shade them from high summer sun. Heavy materials like brick and concrete inside the home hold temperature and even out the daily swing. Cross ventilation, where you can open windows on opposite sides of the home to let a breeze through, makes a real difference in summer. None of these are things you can easily add later, so they're worth noticing while you're there.
The bottom line
Orientation is free to assess, impossible to change, and affects your comfort and energy bills for as long as you own the home. It deserves a deliberate moment of attention at every inspection, not an afterthought. Face the main windows, check your compass, and picture the light through the seasons.