In a recent episode of the Cairns Property Podcast, I sat down with David Murphy, Director of Ray White Cairns & Northern Beaches, to unpack exactly that, from industrial sheds and CBD offices to “affordable” housing and why certain suburbs are now priced in ways that make zero sense on paper.

David’s background in property valuation and property economics, combined with his frontline role running a large residential and commercial sales team, gives him a rare dual perspective: data plus day-to-day market reality.

When it comes to investing in real estate, headlines about soaring prices can feel abstract. What does growth actually look like on the ground, in the ledger of a real investor? To answer that, we’re pairing a real-life Cairns investment story with the latest hard data from the Cairns Economic Monitor. This combination reveals not just the potential, but the tangible results of investing in one of Australia’s strongest regional markets.

Cairns has wrapped up 2025 as one of Australia’s standout real estate markets, with prices surging on the back of investor demand, strong population growth and limited new housing supply. Despite high interest rates, buyer competition remains fierce and quality homes are still attracting multiple offers. In this month’s update, we break down the latest data on prices, rents, building approvals and tourism and share expert insights into the suburbs and property types offering the best value heading into 2026.

Is the Australian property market heading for a crash in 2027? Explore 50 years of data, the 2022 correction, market fundamentals, and why smart suburb selection matters more than timing the market.

When considering buying an investment property in Cairns, many potential investors focus on the upfront costs: the purchase price, stamp duty, loan setup fees, and ongoing expenses like insurance, property management, and maintenance. But the bigger question isn’t just “what will it cost me today?”, it’s “what will this property earn and be worth over the next five years?”

Discover how much deposit you need for an investment property, including the standard 20%, 5% deposit options with LMI, first-home buyer schemes, and how to use equity. Learn the smartest way to structure your loans and grow your property portfolio.

Considering Cairns in 2026? This evidence-backed guide covers market performance, neighbourhood picks and danger zones, rental yields, the $400k playbook, and relocation pros/cons.

When weighing up Cairns vs Townsville for property investment, the decision often comes down to long-term fundamentals: population growth, rental demand, economic diversity, major infrastructure spending, and lifestyle-driven migration.

Both are growing North Queensland hubs, but Cairns is increasingly emerging as the more constrained, resilient and opportunity-rich real estate market, particularly for investors looking for capital growth, stable yields, and long-term scarcity advantages.

Below is a data-backed comparison of both markets, plus what makes Cairns stand out as the superior choice in 2026 and beyond.

Building a profitable property portfolio in Australia often feels out of reach for everyday investors. Rising prices, higher interest rates and affordability challenges make the idea of owning multiple investment properties seem unrealistic.

But over the last decade, we (Shaun and Nicole Craike) managed to build a 9-property portfolio in 9 years, all located across Cairns and while we are one property short of the very satisfying “10 properties in 10 years,” we’ll happily admit:

Quality beats a vanity metric any day of the week.

This blog breaks down exactly how we did it, why our portfolio works, and how you can apply the same strategy in today’s market.

Cairns is emerging as one of Australia’s strongest property markets, with soaring prices, surging rental demand, and a booming tourism economy driving long-term growth. In this market update, we break down the latest insights from the Cairns Economic Monitor and explain why now is one of the smartest times to buy or invest in Cairns and how working with a local buyers agent can give you a major advantage in a tightening market.

The Cairns property market moves fast, and buyers who go it alone often overpay or miss hidden risks. This article breaks down the key pitfalls DIY buyers face and shows how a local buyers agent helps you avoid them while maximising your long-term return.

When people think about investing in real estate, they tend to focus on the purchase price, rental returns, and long-term capital growth. But the real cost of property ownership often sits below the surface.

For many investors, especially those buying in regional or tropical markets like Cairns, unexpected expenses can quickly turn a promising investment into a financial headache.

In Cairns' dynamic urban landscape, few voices carry as much weight as Sarah Mort, Managing Director of My Haven. With nearly two decades of experience in the local development industry, Sarah has witnessed firsthand the transformation of this regional city and the complex challenges it now faces.

Thinking about buying an apartment in Cairns? Don’t overlook this investment class!

Apartments and units can be one of the most affordable and high-potential property types for first-time buyers and investors alike especially here in Cairns.

Thinking about buying or investing in Cairns? In this 2026 Cairns property market forecast, we break down everything you need to know before making your next move from housing growth trends and rental vacancies to major developments and the region’s shift beyond tourism. The Cairns real estate market has outperformed many capital cities in recent years, and 2026 could be another breakout year. Whether you’re an investor chasing yield, a first home buyer, or relocating to Far North Queensland, this deep dive will help you understand where the opportunities (and risks) lie.

Discover Cairns City, Edge Hill, Whitfield & more. A local buyers agent’s guide to living, investing and buying in Central Cairns.

Explore the Northern Beaches of Cairns, from Palm Cove to Machans Beach. Discover lifestyle, schools, and property insights for buyers and investors.

Cairns has a new 25-year growth plan. We break down the "Towards 2050" strategy and what its focus on infill, diversity, and climate resilience means for house prices, suburbs, and investment opportunities.

Regional Queensland has been one of Australia’s standout property markets in recent years. With lifestyle migration, improving infrastructure and constrained supply all working in its favour, many areas are recording strong growth. In the Far North, Cairns in particular is grabbing attention: tighter rental markets, rising prices and infrastructure investment. But as 2026 unfolds, the picture is more nuanced: there are opportunities and risks. This article will unpack what to look for, how to interpret the numbers and where buyers should focus.