Murray is Townsville's army suburb. Most of its land is Lavarack Barracks, the home of the Army's 3rd Brigade and one of Australia's largest army bases, spread across the foot of Mount Stuart on the city's southern side. The residential part of the suburb is small, with around 1,700 residents, and it sits close to the barracks and to neighbouring Annandale, Douglas and Wulguru. For defence families, living in Murray means the shortest possible trip to work, with the schools and shops of Annandale only a few minutes away. The hospital and JCU are also within about four and a half kilometres. Few homes are rented here compared with the larger suburbs around it, so the RTA reports Murray's rents as part of postcode 4814. For landlords, demand is almost entirely driven by the posting cycle, so timing a vacancy matters.
Rental snapshot
Median weekly rent for new leases in postcode 4814 (there were too few new bonds in Murray itself for the RTA to publish a suburb figure).
- 3-bedroom house June 2026 · up $70 on a year earlier
- $565 per week
- 4-bedroom house June 2026 · up $50 on a year earlier
- $650 per week
- 1-bedroom unit June 2026
- $280 per week
- 2-bedroom unit June 2026 · up $60 on a year earlier
- $450 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 Murray
Murray’s rental market revolves around Lavarack Barracks. Army members and their families make up most tenants, choosing Murray to be as close to work as possible. Defence Housing Australia leases homes from private owners across Townsville, and many members also rent privately with a rent allowance.
Health and university workers also rent here occasionally, with Townsville University Hospital and JCU about 4 to 4.5 km away. Because there are relatively few homes in Murray, most tenants also look in neighbouring Annandale, Wulguru and Douglas, and Murray homes compete with those suburbs on price and presentation.
Schools, shops and getting around
There are no schools inside Murray. Families use Annandale State School, William Ross State High School, Annandale Christian College and Southern Cross Catholic College in Annandale, and Wulguru State School to the east. All are a short drive away.
Annandale Central is the nearest shopping centre, with Stockland in Aitkenvale and Fairfield Central in Idalia also close. The Lavarack Golf Club is inside the suburb, and the Murray Sporting Complex and Townsville Stadium are on the Annandale side of the boundary. Mount Stuart rises behind the suburb, and main roads link to University Road, Annandale and the CBD.
Local considerations for landlords
Defence tenancies have their own rhythm. Postings usually run two to three years, and moves cluster around December and January, so vacancies outside that period can take longer to fill. Some defence tenants may need to break a lease if they are posted unexpectedly. Queensland’s break-lease rules set out how this works, and a well-drafted lease makes it clear.
Murray sits at the foot of Mount Stuart, and creeks running off the range can rise quickly in heavy rain. Check the council’s flood maps for the address, and make sure landlord insurance includes storm, flood and loss-of-rent cover.
Managing a rental in Murray
We plan Murray vacancies and renewals around the posting cycle wherever possible, and we market directly to relocating army families, many of whom are searching from interstate. Detailed photos, floor plans where available, and prompt communication help families decide quickly, sometimes without an in-person inspection.
We check every applicant carefully, including confirming posting details where relevant, and keep you informed at each step. With Annandale, Douglas and Wulguru nearby, we also price Murray homes against what defence families could rent in those suburbs.
Murray FAQs
Is Lavarack Barracks in Murray?
Yes. Lavarack Barracks, home of the Army's 3rd Brigade, is inside Murray. Neighbouring Annandale, Wulguru, Douglas and Idalia are all within a few kilometres of the base.
When is demand highest for Murray rentals?
Around the defence posting cycle, particularly December and January, when many families arrive in Townsville with little time to find a home. Planning lease end dates to suit that cycle can reduce vacancy.
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.