A quietly located suburb is shaping up to be Cairns’ next property hotspot as Woree edges closer to a council-backed rezoning that could dramatically alter its investment prospects.
The Cairns Regional Council this month confirmed it has advanced its proposed amendments to the CairnsPlan, with a focus on increasing medium-density development along key corridors. Woree, bordered by Mulgrave Road to the west and Toogood Road in the east, is expected to be a testing ground for this new wave, sources familiar with the planning department said.
Why Woree, and Why Now?
While the Northern Beaches and Smithfield continue to headline regional growth, industry observers say Woree’s under-appreciated proximity to both the city centre and major employment nodes positions it for a sharp profile boost. With the median house price in Cairns at $420,000 and Woree’s own median clinging to $376,000, buyers priced out of neighbouring Earlville and Bayview Heights are looking south for better value.
Local employment anchors are a major factor. Trinity Anglican School’s Woree campus has seen rising enrolments since 2023, while Pacific Toyota’s service centre on Mulgrave Road feeds steady traffic. The recently upgraded Woree Plaza Shopping Village, boasting fresh retail and medical tenancies, gives residents a neighbourhood hub that rivals more lauded suburbs.
Early Movers and Fresh Numbers
Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) data shows house listings in Woree have dropped by 13% over 12 months to June, pushing average days on market down to just 24 days—a stark contrast to 37 days citywide. Several older homes on Windarra Street and Toogood Road have already changed hands to local builders, who are quietly assembling sites in anticipation of higher-density options under the draft rezoning plan.
Of note, a 1,600 sqm parcel at 12 Joyce Street went under contract in late May for $600,000, well above comparable recent sales. “Interest is up across the board,” says a Cairns-based agency director, citing a renewed trickle of buyers with connections to Far North tourism and overseas investors, including returning Chinese interest in development sites along Cairns’ southern approach.
The draft rezoning, currently under public exhibition until August 15, would enable townhouse and apartment blocks up to three storeys on select lots abutting Mulgrave Road and close to Cannon Park Racetrack. For buyers and speculators, the window to secure pre-rezoning properties is rapidly narrowing.
Navigating the Transition
With the formal decision on new zoning expected by October, those looking at Woree as an investment or first home prospect are urged to move quickly but carefully. Local agent tracking shows a 20% uptick in investor inquiries compared to January. Homebuyers are reminded to review flood maps—sections east of Toogood Road border elevated creek lines—and keep an eye on the council’s interactive CairnsPlan maps for lot-specific zoning progress.
Savvy buyers are already registering interest in upcoming auctions and private sales, particularly older properties with solid bones on Koolmoon Street and Windarra Street, seen as ripe for redevelopment. Expect further market activity as the council finalises its plans early in the fourth quarter, and watch for Woree’s spot on the radar to glow a little brighter before year’s end.
