Mission Beach Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Mission Beach QLD Investment Analysis
SUBURB INVESTMENT BRIEF — Mission Beach, QLD 4852 LGA: Generated: 2026-04-11 | Estait AI Analysis
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overall Score: 61/100 — Hold
Mission Beach rates as "Hold" due to weak growth indicators, tight rental market (1.6% vacancy), attractive 5.6% gross yield.
Mission Beach sits in a trough phase of the property cycle with an overall investment score of 61 out of 100. This assessment reflects the suburb's growth trajectory, rental market health, economic resilience, and infrastructure positioning within the QLD market.
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MARKET POSITION
Median house price: $549,000 Median unit price: $110,321 Median weekly rent: $590/week Days on market: 62 days (worsening)
Mission Beach offers an accessible entry point in the QLD property landscape. Properties are spending an average of 62 days on market, pointing to softer demand conditions.
Comparable suburbs: - Aitkenvale (QLD): Median $560,000, yield 4.6%, 1yr growth 23.1% - Atherton (QLD): Median $530,000, yield 5.2%, 1yr growth 10.4% - Booval (QLD): Median $700,000, yield 3.7%, 1yr growth 16.7%
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RENTAL MARKET
Gross rental yield: 5.6% Net rental yield: 4.1% Vacancy rate: 1.6% (worsening) Rental demand: High
The rental market in Mission Beach is characterised by high demand with a vacancy rate of 1.6%, which is well below the national average of approximately 2.5%. Vacancy is trending worsening, warranting careful monitoring.
Short-term rental data indicates a median nightly rate of $185 with an estimated occupancy of 70%. This translates to an estimated annual STR revenue of $47,268 before expenses. This represents a 54% premium over estimated long-term rental income of $30,680/year, though STR comes with higher management costs and regulatory risk.
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GROWTH OUTLOOK
Population growth (5yr): 1.9% Price CAGR (5yr): -4.2% Capital growth (3yr forecast): -4.8% Supply pipeline: Moderate
Development activity consistent with long-term averages
Infrastructure & transport: - No major infrastructure projects identified. Transport: Well-connected inner-city location
If Mission Beach maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.1%, median prices could reach $631,350 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
At current trajectory (1.9% growth, 1.6% vacancy, 5.6% yield), Mission Beach offers steady returns with moderate capital appreciation in line with broader market trends.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Market cycle position: Trough Vacancy risk: Low
Key risks: - Negative price growth suggests a softening market
Interest rate sensitivity (est. monthly repayment on median house price, 80% LVR): - At 7%: $2,922/month - At 8%: $3,223/month - At 9%: $3,534/month
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Mission Beach pull back 10-15% from $549,000, with vacancy rising to 2.9% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
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LIVEABILITY
Affluence rating: Average Safety score: 7.6/10 Walkability: 90/100 Owner-occupied: 34%
Schools: - Mission Beach Public School (primary): Rating 10.0/10 - Mission Beach East Public School (primary): Rating 9.5/10 - Mission Beach West Public School (primary): Rating 9.0/10 - Mission Beach High School (secondary): Rating 10.0/10
Mission Beach offers a balanced lifestyle proposition with good safety ratings and strong walkability. The 34% owner-occupier rate indicates a predominantly rental market.
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RECOMMENDATION — HOLD
Mission Beach offers balanced fundamentals but does not present an urgent buying signal. The market is in a trough phase with low vacancy risk.
Conditions: Monitor vacancy trends and price movements over the next 6-12 months. Only enter if a property can be acquired at or below median pricing with yields exceeding 6.1%.
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KEY ACTION ITEMS
1. Shortlist properties in the $494,100 - 603,900 range for deeper analysis 2. Verify current vacancy and rental rates with local property managers 3. Assess STR regulatory environment with local council 4. Model cash flow at 7%+ interest rates before committing 5. Engage a buyer's agent with Mission Beach market expertise for off-market opportunities
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Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.