Alice River is a rural-residential area in the foothills west of Townsville, about 23 kilometres from the CBD in a straight line. Named after the river that runs through it, it's home to about 2,700 people living across roughly 40 square kilometres. That means acreage homes, big sheds, paddocks and bushland rather than suburban streets. Tenants come here for space and quiet. Families want room for children and animals, tradespeople need space for vehicles and equipment, and horse owners want paddocks and stables. Kirwan, Thuringowa Central and Bohle Plains are the nearest places for shopping and schools, roughly 15 to 20 minutes' drive away. Relatively few homes are rented, and the RTA reports Alice River's rents as part of postcode 4817. For landlords, acreage takes more careful management than a suburban home, especially around water, fire and grounds.
Rental snapshot
Median weekly rent for new leases in postcode 4817 (there were too few new bonds in Alice River itself for the RTA to publish a suburb figure).
- 3-bedroom house June 2026 · up $30 on a year earlier
- $550 per week
- 4-bedroom house June 2026 · up $25 on a year earlier
- $620 per week
- 2-bedroom unit March 2026 · up $30 on a year earlier
- $420 per week
Source: Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), median weekly rent for new bonds lodged. Medians move around from quarter to quarter, and a specific home can rent well above or below them.
Get an appraisal for your propertyWho rents in Alice River
Alice River’s tenants choose it for the lifestyle. Families with children and pets want space to roam, horse owners look for paddocks and stables, and tradespeople need room for trucks, trailers and equipment. Some tenants are simply after privacy and a bush setting within commuting distance of the city.
Acreage tenants tend to stay longer than average, especially once they’ve set up animals, gardens or workshops. Finding the right tenant at the start is especially valuable here.
Schools, shops and getting around
There are no schools or shops inside Alice River. Families use schools in Kirwan, Condon and Bohle Plains, including Kirwan State High School, Thuringowa State High School, Ryan Catholic College and St Benedict’s Catholic School. Shopping is at Willows in Thuringowa Central, Kalynda in Bohle Plains or the Kirwan centres.
Alice River is reached via Hervey Range Road and the western suburbs, and a car is essential. Rupertswood Park is a local green space, but the real attraction is the surrounding bushland and the ranges behind.
Local considerations for landlords
Acreage needs detailed lease terms: who maintains the grounds, fences, gates, sheds, driveways and any water systems such as tanks, pumps or bores, plus any rules about animals and vehicles. Inspections should cover the whole property, and the entry condition report should record outbuildings and fences in detail.
Bushfire is a real consideration in the dry season, so firebreaks, cleared grass and gutters are important. In the wet season, creeks can rise quickly and cut roads. Check the council’s flood and bushfire maps for the address, and make sure your landlord insurance reflects the rural setting, including fire, flood and liability.
Managing a rental in Alice River
We appraise Alice River homes against recent leases of comparable acreage properties, because land, sheds, water and fencing all affect rent in ways a postcode median can’t. We market to families, horse owners and tradespeople who are looking specifically for this kind of property.
Our inspections cover the house, grounds and outbuildings, and we remind tenants about fire preparation before the dry season and storm preparation before the wet. Alice River is about 20 minutes from our Kirwan office.
Alice River FAQs
What should landlords know about renting acreage in Alice River?
The lease should be clear about grounds, fences, sheds, gates, water systems and animals. Plan for bushfire preparation in the dry season and flooding in the wet, and make sure your insurance reflects the rural setting.
Where do Alice River families go to school and shop?
Most use schools and shops in Kirwan, Thuringowa Central, Condon and Bohle Plains, about 15 to 20 minutes' drive away.
Sources: population from the ABS 2021 Census. Distances are straight-line, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). School list from the Queensland Government schools directory. Page reviewed September 2026.