North Queensland · Regional Queensland
Townsville Property Investment
Northern Australia’s largest city: a defence, health, education and port economy of 206,260 people, with a major hospital expansion and new industrial land on the way.
Townsville at a glance
The Capital of North Queensland
Townsville sits on the coast between Cairns and Mackay, and is the service centre for a large part of North and North West Queensland.
206,260
Residents, June 2025
237,567
Projected residents by 2046
165+
New beds, Townsville University Hospital
$86.8m
Council funding for Lansdown, 2026–27
Sources: Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (2024–25 and 2025 projections, medium series); Townsville Hospital and Health Service; Townsville City Council 2026–27 budget.
Why Townsville?
More Than One Engine
Townsville is home to Lavarack Barracks, one of Australia’s largest army bases, and RAAF Base Townsville. Townsville University Hospital and James Cook University anchor a large health and education workforce, and the Port of Townsville handles minerals, agriculture and general cargo for the north.
The next wave of investment is already funded or planned. Townsville University Hospital is adding at least 165 overnight beds under the Hospital Rescue Plan. Townsville City Council’s 2026–27 budget commits $86.8 million to enabling works at the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, $46.8 million to growth corridors and $20.5 million to the Haughton Pipeline and Burdekin pump station design.
We cross-check our location research against Hotspotting (Terry Ryder) and government, council and market data.
What’s driving demand
The Fundamentals Behind Townsville
Defence
Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville bring stable, well-paid jobs and steady rental demand.
Lansdown
A new eco-industrial precinct south of the city, with council funding enabling works.
Council budget 2026–27Education
James Cook University and a large TAFE campus.
Port and resources
The Port of Townsville is the gateway for North West Queensland’s minerals and agriculture.
Where we look
Growth Corridors, Not Just Cheap Prices
Townsville is more affordable than South East Queensland, but price alone is not a strategy. We focus on new homes in the city’s growth corridors, such as the Upper Ross, Burdekin Rise and the northern beaches, close to schools, shops and the defence and health jobs that drive rental demand.
See also: where to invest in Queensland: Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Mackay and how population growth drives property demand.
New builds in Townsville
Why We Favour New Over Established
Anyone can buy a property. We help identify property worthy of your investment dollars. For most investors, that means a new build:
- Stronger cash flow and higher depreciation
- Lower maintenance and a builder’s warranty
- Rent that reflects a modern, energy-efficient home
- The ten-year rule: a new home stays ten years younger than the house next door, including when you sell
Investor → Strategy → Location → Property
Read more: Existing homes vs new builds, what makes property investment grade and our Queensland house and land research. Set on an established home? Our buyers advocacy service can help.
“Whenever you apply emotion to any decision, especially when it comes to investing, you’re guaranteeing yourself a lower return on investment, but only 100% of the time.”
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Townsville
Townsville, Queensland
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Townsville a good place to invest?
Townsville has a diverse economy built on defence, health, education and the port, with a hospital expansion and new industrial land on the way. Results depend on buying the right home in the right growth area.
How many people live in Townsville?
206,260 people lived in the City of Townsville at June 2025, according to the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office.
Where is Townsville growing?
Mainly in the Upper Ross, Burdekin Rise and the northern beaches, with new industrial land planned at Lansdown.
Strategy Before Property
Talk to Us About Townsville
Book a complimentary strategy call with Stephen Lazar. We’ll talk about your goals and whether Townsville, and which part of it, fits your strategy.
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