Woolloongabba Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Woolloongabba QLD Investment Analysis
SUBURB INVESTMENT BRIEF — Woolloongabba, QLD 4102 LGA: Generated: 2026-04-11 | Estait AI Analysis
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overall Score: 75/100 — Buy
Woolloongabba rates as "Buy" due to strong growth fundamentals.
Woolloongabba sits in a growth phase of the property cycle with an overall investment score of 75 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: $1,400,000 Median unit price: $838,544 Median weekly rent: $725/week Days on market: 24 days (improving)
Woolloongabba sits within the mid-market segment in the QLD property landscape. Properties are spending an average of 24 days on market, indicating strong buyer competition.
Comparable suburbs: - Albany Creek (QLD): Median $1,200,000, yield 3.2%, 1yr growth 12.5% - Albion (QLD): Median $1,100,000, yield 3.1%, 1yr growth -13.0% - Alderley (QLD): Median $1,700,000, yield 2.0%, 1yr growth 21.8%
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RENTAL MARKET
Gross rental yield: 2.7% Net rental yield: 1.2% Vacancy rate: 2.5% (stable) Rental demand: Moderate
The rental market in Woolloongabba is characterised by moderate demand with a vacancy rate of 2.5%, which is near the national average of approximately 2.5%. Vacancy is trending stable, maintaining steady conditions.
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 25% premium over estimated long-term rental income of $37,700/year, though STR comes with higher management costs and regulatory risk.
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GROWTH OUTLOOK
Population growth (5yr): 2.7% Price CAGR (5yr): 13.4% Capital growth (3yr forecast): 15.0% Supply pipeline: Moderate
Strong population growth likely attracting new development approvals
Infrastructure & transport: - No major infrastructure projects identified. Transport: Well-connected inner-city location
If Woolloongabba maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.8%, median prices could reach $1,610,000 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
At current trajectory (2.7% growth, 2.5% vacancy, 2.7% yield), Woolloongabba offers steady returns with moderate capital appreciation in line with broader market trends.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Market cycle position: Growth Vacancy risk: Moderate
Key risks: - No significant risk factors identified for this suburb
Interest rate sensitivity (est. monthly repayment on median house price, 80% LVR): - At 7%: $7,451/month - At 8%: $8,218/month - At 9%: $9,012/month
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Woolloongabba pull back 10-15% from $1,400,000, with vacancy rising to 4.5% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
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LIVEABILITY
Affluence rating: Very High Safety score: 8.2/10 Walkability: 80/100 Owner-occupied: 34%
Schools: - Woolloongabba Public School (primary): Rating 10.0/10 - Woolloongabba East Public School (primary): Rating 9.5/10 - Woolloongabba West Public School (primary): Rating 9.0/10 - Woolloongabba High School (secondary): Rating 10.0/10
Woolloongabba is a highly sought-after residential area with excellent safety ratings and strong walkability. The 34% owner-occupier rate indicates a predominantly rental market.
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RECOMMENDATION — BUY
Woolloongabba presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of solid fundamentals and moderate rental demand supports entry at current price levels.
Conditions: Proceed with due diligence on specific properties. Target gross yields above 2.7% and prioritise properties with value-add potential. Consider timing entry around the current growth phase of the market cycle.
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KEY ACTION ITEMS
1. Shortlist properties in the $1,260,000 - 1,540,000 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 Woolloongabba 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.