Garbutt is home to RAAF Base Townsville and Townsville Airport, and that shapes almost everything about it. The base and the airport take up most of the suburb, alongside commercial and light industrial areas. The residential streets are compact and close-knit, with older low-set and elevated homes, small unit blocks and duplexes. For renters, the attraction is location and value. The base is a few minutes' drive from most homes, the CBD is under five kilometres away, and rents are generally lower than in the beachside and riverside suburbs. Garbutt State School serves primary-aged children, and local IGA supermarkets handle everyday shopping. Air force members and aviation workers are the natural tenant pool, alongside tradespeople and people who work in the city. For landlords, Garbutt offers affordable, practical housing with a built-in source of demand.
Rental snapshot
Median weekly rent for new leases in Garbutt.
- 3-bedroom house March 2026 · up $20 on a year earlier
- $550 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 Garbutt
Garbutt’s tenant pool starts with the air force. RAAF Base Townsville is inside the suburb, and many members prefer to live close by rather than commute from the outer suburbs. Airport staff, aviation maintenance workers and people in Garbutt’s commercial and trade businesses also rent here.
The suburb’s affordability and short trip to the CBD also appeal to young workers and couples. Units and flats suit singles, and houses attract small families, especially those wanting Garbutt State School nearby.
Schools, shops and getting around
Garbutt State School covers Prep to Year 6. Secondary students typically attend schools in nearby Heatley, Pimlico or the CBD fringe. Everyday groceries are handled by local IGA supermarkets, with Warrina Shopping Centre in Currajong and the CBD a short drive away for more.
Garbutt is one of the best-connected suburbs in Townsville. The airport is on the doorstep, the CBD is under 5 km away, and main roads lead quickly to the northern suburbs and the Bruce Highway. The RAAF Townsville Aviation Heritage Centre is a local point of interest for anyone with an interest in the base’s history.
Local considerations for landlords
Much of Garbutt’s housing is older. Plan for regular maintenance of roofs, gutters, timber, plumbing and electrical work, and check roof fixings against current cyclone standards on older homes. Parts of the suburb are low-lying, and some streets can hold water during heavy rain, so check the council’s flood maps for the address.
Aircraft noise is a reality next to an airport and air base. It rarely stops tenants who choose Garbutt for the location, but insulation, air-conditioning and well-sealed windows make a home more comfortable and more competitive.
Managing a rental in Garbutt
We market Garbutt properties to air force members and aviation workers, the people for whom the location is a genuine advantage. Where we can, we time vacancies with the defence posting cycle. We describe the location honestly, which means fewer surprises for tenants and more stable tenancies for owners.
Garbutt is a short drive from our Kirwan office. We keep a close eye on older homes during routine inspections and recommend maintenance early, so problems are fixed before they turn into urgent repairs.
Garbutt FAQs
Is Garbutt popular with air force members?
Yes. RAAF Base Townsville is inside Garbutt, so members can live within a few minutes of work. Demand often lifts around posting periods, particularly December and January.
What should landlords know about aircraft noise in Garbutt?
Aircraft noise is part of living next to an airport and air base. Most tenants who choose Garbutt accept it for the location, but good insulation, sealed windows and air-conditioning help, and viewings are a chance for tenants to judge for themselves.
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.