Inner south and central: Townsville suburbs we manage in

Between the CBD and the university precinct lies a band of established suburbs that has long been the core of Townsville’s rental market. Aitkenvale, Mundingburra, Hermit Park, Hyde Park, Pimlico, Currajong, Gulliver, Heatley, Vincent, Cranbrook, Garbutt and Oonoonba are mostly low-set and high-set houses on standard blocks, mixed with small unit blocks and duplexes.

Location is the main drawcard. From here, tenants can reach the CBD, Stockland in Aitkenvale, Castletown in Pimlico, the airport and RAAF Base Townsville in Garbutt, and the hospital and JCU in Douglas, all within about 15 minutes. That makes these suburbs popular with families, defence members, health workers and tradespeople alike.

Much of the housing stock dates from the 1960s to the 1980s, so landlords should budget for ongoing maintenance. Air-conditioning, updated kitchens and secure fencing make a noticeable difference to the rent and the pool of applicants. Several of these suburbs sit near the Ross River or Louisa Creek, and some streets were affected by the February 2019 floods. Check the Townsville City Council flood maps for any specific address.