Buying in Cairns 2026: Why This Market Could Outperform Every Capital City
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.
In this video, we cover:
00:00 – Introduction
00:16 – How Cairns Real Estate performed through 2025
03:12 – "Towards 2050- Growth Strategy" by Cairns Council
03:50 – Population growth forecasts expect an addition 72,000 people
05:37 – Cairns Economy a story of diversification.
06:16 – Cairns Real Estate Growth Corridor 07:03 – Restricted supply of Apartments and Units in Cairns
08:41 – Challenges facing land and house supply in Cairns
09:25 – Risks facing the Cairns Real Estate market in 2026
11:20 – Summary and prediction on how the Cairns Real Estate market will perform in 2026
👉 If you’re looking to buy property in Cairns or want expert help sourcing your next investment, our team is here to help.
To view the full "Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy." click the link below: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/707251/2025-Growth-Strategy.pdf
💡 Why watch:
✔ Predictive insights into Cairns real estate growth in 2026
✔ Learn which suburbs could outperform in the next 12 months
✔ Understand rental yields, supply constraints, and infrastructure impact
✔ See how Cairns is diversifying beyond tourism into a broader economy
🏡 About The Buyers Co. We help home buyers and investors plan, source, and secure the right property in Cairns and across regional Queensland. After more than a decade of personal investing success, we’re passionate about helping others make confident, data-driven decisions in today’s market.
