On the up: Townsville property market headed for new heights

Townsville‘s market is experiencing a period of significant change. The city recorded a high volume of seven-figure property sales in recent years according to M Property Townsville agent Tracey Stack. 

“Townsville and North Queensland form the next location for the positive property cycle, with more than $7 billion in committed infrastructure expenditure,” she says.

Stack points to the city’s diverse and growing economy as a key draw-card, along with excellent lifestyle credentials. 

“Fifteen years ago there weren’t the number of executive and medical appointments that there are now,” Stack says. 

“We have a teaching hospital, university campuses, the Department of Defence, the port, metals and mining and the cane-farming districts.”

Aspirational address

One of Townsville’s most exclusive streets is Cleveland Terrace. Dishing up views of Castle Hill, Magnetic Island and Cleveland Bay, it’s among a handful of hillside enclaves that capture the city’s landmarks and cooling sea breezes, while being only a hop, skip and jump from The Strand, Townsville’s award-winning beachfront promenade.

In years gone by it has attracted distinguished defence personnel and businessmen, and today it remains an aspirational address for Townsville’s residents. 

Christine Ponti and her husband Ben, both doctors at the Townsville Family Medical Centre, moved to Cleveland Terrace last year and Ponti says the location is a dream come true.

“We’re really close to The Strand, close to places to eat, the school is a two-minute walk and we’re close to the city as well.”

Raised on a cattle property in western Queensland, Ponti completed her medical degree in Townsville and after a few years practising in Brisbane, settled in the northern city.

“It’s a place that’s big enough that you’ve got everything you could wish for in terms of shops, medical facilities and schools. At the same time it’s small enough that you don’t have to worry about traffic, you know everyone in your neighbourhood and the community is very friendly.

“In many ways, it’s like living in a country town but with all the big city offerings.” 

There is no shortage of entertainment options, with a pro-active council maintaining a diverse events calendar.

• Related: Professionals ditch Melbourne for the Surf Coast
• Related: The new Southern Highlands favourite
• Related: Why sleepy Noosa is seeing a surge

This year, it will include an Arts and Cultural Festival to coincide with the Commonwealth Games in April.

This will be followed by the annual Festival of Chamber Music in July and the Magnetic Island Race Week in August/September.

Buying In

26 Cleveland Terrace has hit the market. Photo: Supplied

Set in the exclusive Melton Hill enclave and priced around $2.2 million, Warringa is a grand, clay-brick Queenslander on a 1879 square-metre lot with three street frontages and views over Cleveland Bay. 

The manicured tropical gardens include a pool and level lawn and every room has access onto the deep verandahs.

Features include air-conditioning, silky oak joinery, pressed metal ceilings and plenty of storage.

M Property Townsville are handling the sale. 

See more of 26 Cleveland Terrace here. Download the Domain app for more Townsville listings.