Brisbane Property Spotlight
East Brisbane property and home loan guide
East Brisbane sits on the river about 3 km south-east of the city, between Kangaroo Point and Norman Creek. It's an even mix of old and new: 44.0% of homes are houses (many of them original Queenslanders) and 50.3% are units. Mowbray Park on the river is the suburb's centrepiece. For buyers, the age of the home and the flood map near the river and creek tend to matter most.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 44.0% separate houses, 5.2% terraces and townhouses | 50.3% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 |
| Median weekly rent, 1 bedroom | – | $600 | RTA, postcode 4169, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 2 bedrooms | $685 | $800 | RTA, postcode 4169, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 3 bedrooms | $830 | $1,150 | RTA, postcode 4169, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 4 bedrooms | $950 | – | RTA, postcode 4169, Jul–Sep 2026 |
In the 2021 Census, 42.0% of East Brisbane homes were owned outright or with a mortgage (ABS). Weekly rents are medians of new bonds lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) in the July to September 2026 quarter. They cover all of postcode 4169 (East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point). Where too few bonds are lodged the RTA doesn't publish a median, shown here as a dash. Sale prices will be added once licensed figures are available.
Figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Living in East Brisbane
Reverend Thomas Mowbray was among the first to buy land here in 1851. His 13 acres became Mowbraytown. The first bridge over the mouth of Norman Creek was built in 1855 and estates followed through the 1880s.
East Brisbane State School opened in 1899 and Mowbray Park was set aside beside the river in 1904. River baths opened beside the park in 1920 but closed in 1940, when tides carried sewage upstream from Pinkenba. Electric trams ran until 1969.
Transport
- CityCat ferries leave from Mowbray Park.
- Buses run along Lytton Road, Wellington Road and Vulture Street.
- Woolloongabba busway and Coorparoo station are a walk away.
- Plan trips on the Translink journey planner.
Schools
East Brisbane State School (opened 1899) is the local government primary school. Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), a private boys' school from Prep to Year 12, is also in the suburb. Coorparoo Secondary College is the nearest government high school.
Catchments change, so check the Queensland Government school catchment maps for any address before you buy.
Shopping and dining
East Brisbane has small local shops and cafés. Woolloongabba, Coorparoo and the Kangaroo Point strip on Main Street are close by for more choice.
Parks and recreation
- Mowbray Park runs along the river, with the East Brisbane War Memorial and a CityCat stop.
- Heath Park is home to Eastern Suburbs FC.
Lifestyle
East Brisbane suits people who want an inner-city riverside suburb with older houses and easy ferry access. It's a mix of renters and owners (56.1% of homes were rented in 2021). Expect Queenslanders on the hill, units closer to the main roads and a short trip to the Gabba.
East Brisbane
Did you know?
Mowbraytown
Reverend Thomas Mowbray bought 13 acres here in 1851. His land became known as Mowbraytown and gave its name to Mowbray Park.
Baths that closed
River baths opened beside Mowbray Park in January 1920. They closed in August 1940 because tides could carry sewage upstream from Pinkenba.
A cinema on the register
The former Classic (Triumph) Cinema on Stanley Street is on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Churchie's home
Anglican Church Grammar School opened in 1912 as the Church of England Grammar School. Locals still call it Churchie.
Property types
East Brisbane is a mix of old houses and newer units.
- Units make up 50.3% of homes. 15.1% of homes have one bedroom.
- Houses make up 44.0%, many of them original Queenslanders.
- Townhouses and terraces make up 5.2%.
Several houses are heritage-listed. Check the Brisbane City Plan for overlays and Council's Flood Awareness Map for streets near the river and Norman Creek.
What lenders look at in East Brisbane
East Brisbane mixes Queenslanders with units of every age. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Character and heritage homes
Many older homes here sit in character overlays and some are heritage-listed. Overlays can limit what you change. Valuers look closely at the condition of older timber homes.
Flood overlays
Streets near the river and Norman Creek sit lower. Lenders and insurers look at flood risk and insurance costs feed into what you can afford. Check the address on Council's Flood Awareness Map before you sign.
Unit size
One LMI provider's public guidelines require a unit to have at least 30 square metres of living area, not counting the balcony or car space. Some lenders set their own minimum size or lend less on small units. Ask for the strata plan so you know the exact size before you sign.
Body corporate
Lenders look at body corporate levies and any special levies coming up. Read the sinking fund and recent meeting minutes before you're committed.
Renovating or rebuilding
Construction and renovation loans pay out in stages and need a fixed-price building contract and approved plans. Talk to us before you sign with a builder.
Postcode 4169
East Brisbane shares postcode 4169 with Kangaroo Point. It isn't on one LMI provider's lists of excluded or single-industry postcodes.
Lender and LMI policies differ between lenders and change often. This is a general guide based on public lender and LMI information checked 3 November 2026. We can check current policy for the property you're looking at before you apply.
Buying in East Brisbane
In East Brisbane the property type shapes the loan. Older Queenslanders may need work and sit in character overlays. Units vary from 1960s walk-ups to new blocks. Riverside and creekside streets need a flood check.
First home buyers
Units are where most first home buyers start in East Brisbane. Before you fall for one, find out its internal size, how old the building is and what the body corporate levies are.
Some lenders limit how much they'll lend on small units, so a studio that looks affordable can need a bigger deposit than you expect. Getting pre-approval that's been checked against the type of unit you want helps avoid surprises. For government schemes and grants, see our first home buyer page for current details.
Upgraders
Upgrading in East Brisbane often means moving from a unit into a Queenslander. If you're buying an older home to renovate, talk to us early about construction finance. Budget for a building and pest inspection.
Deposit and costs
On top of your deposit, allow for:
- transfer duty (stamp duty), with concessions for some first home buyers (see our first home buyer page)
- conveyancing and legal fees
- building and pest inspections
- body corporate searches for units and townhouses
- lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if you borrow more than 80% of the property's value
Our calculators give you a starting figure.
Investing in East Brisbane
56.1% of East Brisbane homes were rented in 2021. Rents in the table cover postcode 4169, which includes Kangaroo Point's apartments. Small units and older buildings can narrow your lender choice. Speak with your accountant about tax and ownership structure before you buy.
Lender considerations
In East Brisbane the property's age and flood position often matter as much as your income. Checking the property against lender policy before you sign a contract is one of the simplest ways to avoid a surprise at valuation. See investing in property for how we approach investment loans.
Thinking about buying in East Brisbane?
Talk it through with a Brisbane broker before you sign a contract. We can check the property you're looking at against lender policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Brisbane mostly houses or units?
An even mix. In the 2021 Census 50.3% of homes were flats or apartments and 44.0% were separate houses.
Does East Brisbane flood?
Some streets near the river and Norman Creek can. Check any address on Council's Flood Awareness Map before you sign.
Which schools are in East Brisbane?
East Brisbane State School and Anglican Church Grammar School. Coorparoo Secondary College is the nearest government high school. Check the Queensland Government school catchment maps for any address.
Is there a ferry?
Yes. CityCat ferries stop at Mowbray Park.
East Brisbane shares postcode 4169 with Kangaroo Point. Does that matter?
It matters when you read data. Rents published by postcode mix both suburbs, so look for suburb-level figures where you can.
What costs should I budget for on top of the deposit?
Transfer duty, conveyancing, inspections and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the value. Add body corporate searches for units. The calculators on our site give you a starting figure.
Nearby suburbs
General information only. This page provides general information and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it's appropriate for you and seek advice before making a decision. Market figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Time Home Loans Pty Ltd ACN 161 695 012, Credit Representative 529395 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 384324.