Double-digits: Cairns top growth suburbs revealed

Thirty suburbs across the Cairns region have recorded double-digit house price growth in the past 12 months, with one lucky locale posting a mind-blowing 44 per cent growth.

The latest REA Market Trends report for August has revealed that the region’s top performing suburb in the 12 months to the end of July was Bingil Bay, where the median house price is now $655,000 — $200,000 more than a year ago.

It was followed by houses in Innisfail Estate, which posted 35.6 per cent growth to reach $500,000.

In fact Innisfail dominated the top five list, with South Innisfail (+31.6%) and East Innisfail (+28.9%) making the cut.

The Cairns council region had numerous suburbs also on the double-digit list, including Speewah (+26.1%), Westcourt (+23.1%), White Rock (+19%), Brinsmead (+17.6%) and Manunda (+17.6%).

The Northern Beaches were also top performers, led by the Cyclone Jasper flood-affected suburbs of Holloways Beach (+14.4%) and Machans Beach (+13.1%).

Kewarra Beach, Smithfield and Trinity Park also posted double-digit price growth.

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The cheapest suburb to buy a house was Raveshoe with a median price of $332,500 and 22 per cent growth in 12 months.

The most expensive suburb on the list was Goldsborough with a median of $892,500 and 17.4 per cent growth.

It comes as the latest Ray White Economic Report revealed that Australian cities are hemorrhaging 24 sub-$750,000 homes every single day.

The report analysed properties that sold for under $750,000 across Australia’s nine capital cities between 2015 and 2025 – and the result was alarming.

“Sydney leads the decline with 7.1 affordable properties disappearing daily, followed by Brisbane losing 5.0 and Melbourne 3.6,” the report by Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said.

“Even smaller markets show significant losses – Gold Coast sheds 2.5 properties daily, Adelaide 2.1, while Canberra and Hobart each lose around 0.7 properties per day.

“Darwin stands alone as the only capital showing growth, gaining 0.3 affordable properties daily.”

Sixteen of the 65 house suburbs across the Cairns region now have median prices north of $750,000.

A recent survey by Finder revealed that 35 per cent of Aussies don’t think they will ever be able to affoird a home, as price growth continues.

Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said the dream of homeownership was slipping out of reach for more Australians.

“Record prices, steep borrowing costs, and saving for a deposit are locking people out,” Cooke said.

“In many suburbs, even a six-figure salary won’t comfortably cover a mortgage.”

On the topic of house prices, experts were asked: What is the most effective action the government could take to make housing prices more affordable?

Kyle Rodda from Capital.com had a clear message for the government.

“Build, baby, build,” Rodda said.

Noel Whittaker from QUT said the only options were to reduce demand or increase supply.

“The way to reduce demand is to limit immigration and reduce all these government schemes that are allegedly making homes more affordable.

“As far as supply goes, I’m pessimistic,” Whittaker said.

“There’s a huge bottleneck, and the bureaucratic processes of government at all levels make it nearly impossible.”

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TOP SUBURBS FOR HOUSE PRICE GROWTH

(Suburb/Median house price/% growth)

Bingil Bay $655,000 44%

Innisfail Estate $500,000 35.6%

South Innisfail $375,000 31.6%

East Innisfail $342,500 28.9%

Wongaling Beach $792,500 26.8%

Speewah $882,500 26.1%

Babinda $400,500 25.2%

Westcourt $600,000 23.1%

Ravenshoe $332,500 22%

Belvedere $452,500 21.5%

Herberton $445,000 21.1%

White Rock $572,500 19%

Brinsmead $770,000 17.6%

Manunda $600,000 17.6%

Mount Sheridan $651,500 17.5%

Goldsborough $892,500 17.4%

Mooroobool $620,000 17.2%

Earlville $640,000 16.4%

Edmonton $620,000 15.3%

Holloways Beach $617,500 14.4%

Innisfail $287,500 14.1%

Bentley Park $640,000 13.7%

Kurrimine Beach $480,000 13.5%

Machans Beach $567,000 13.1%

Woree $587,500 11.9%

Gordonvale $625,000 11.9%

Mossman $490,000 11.4%

Kewarra Beach $777,500 11.1%

Smithfield $740,000 10.4%

Trinity Park $750,000 10.1%

(Source: REA Market Trends – August 2025)

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