Nome is an acreage community south of Townsville on the Bruce Highway, about 17 kilometres from the CBD in a straight line, with Mount Elliot and Bowling Green Bay National Park as its backdrop. Around 1,000 people live here on larger blocks. Lifestyle properties with sheds and paddocks, horse properties and quality acreage homes make up most of the housing. Billabong Sanctuary, a well-known wildlife park, is inside the suburb. For tenants, Nome offers genuine acreage living only about 20 minutes from the city, with Idalia's Fairfield Central about 15 minutes away for shopping. That combination appeals to families with animals, horse owners, professionals wanting a lifestyle property and tradespeople who need space. The RTA publishes no median rent for Nome or its postcode, because so few homes are leased, so each property needs its own careful appraisal.
Rental snapshot
Too few leases are signed here for the RTA to publish a median rent. That is exactly when a local appraisal matters most.
Get an appraisal for your propertyWho rents in Nome
Nome attracts tenants who want acreage close to the city. Families with children, dogs and horses, professionals who want a lifestyle property, and tradespeople who need space for vehicles and equipment are the typical renters. Many are moving out from suburban homes and want the space without a long commute.
Acreage rentals are uncommon, so the right tenants are often keen and tend to stay a long time once they’ve settled in with animals, gardens and workshops.
Schools, shops and getting around
There are no schools or shops in Nome. Families use schools in Wulguru, Idalia and Annandale, including Wulguru State School, Oonoonba State School, William Ross State High School and Southern Cross Catholic College. Fairfield Central in Idalia is the nearest major shopping centre.
Nome sits right on the Bruce Highway, giving a direct run north to the city in about 20 minutes and south towards Alligator Creek and Ayr. Billabong Sanctuary is inside the suburb, and Mount Elliot and Bowling Green Bay National Park are close by for bushwalking.
Local considerations for landlords
Acreage leases need clear terms: who maintains the grounds, fences, gates, sheds, driveways and any water systems such as tanks, pumps or bores, and what animals and vehicles are allowed. Horse properties need particular attention to fencing, stables and water. Inspections should cover the whole property, and the entry condition report should document it in detail.
Nome’s creeks and low-lying land can flood in heavy rain, and bushland blocks carry bushfire risk in the dry season. Check the council’s flood and bushfire maps for the address, keep firebreaks maintained, and make sure landlord insurance reflects the rural setting, including fire, flood and public liability.
Managing a rental in Nome
With no published median, we appraise Nome properties against recent leases of comparable acreage around Townsville, factoring in land size, sheds, stables, water supply and the quality of the home. We market directly to families, horse owners and professionals looking for this kind of property.
Our inspections cover the house, grounds and outbuildings, and we remind tenants about seasonal fire and storm preparation. The Lynham & Co. team also sells acreage in Nome, so we know the area and its properties well.
Nome FAQs
How far is Nome from Townsville?
About 17 km in a straight line, or roughly 20 minutes by car along the Bruce Highway to the CBD. Fairfield Central in Idalia is about 15 minutes away for shopping.
Why is there no median rent for Nome?
Too few homes are leased in Nome, and in postcode 4816 overall, for the RTA to publish a median. We appraise Nome properties against recent leases of comparable acreage around Townsville.
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.