Brisbane Property Spotlight
Red Hill property and home loan guide
Red Hill is named for its steep hills of red soil and rock, about 3 km north-west of the city. St Brigid's Church on the hilltop can be seen from all directions. Most homes are houses (64.9%), many of them timber workers' cottages and Queenslanders, but 27.2% are units and nearly half of households rent. For buyers, the age of the home and the slope of the block tend to matter most.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 64.9% separate houses, 7.7% terraces and townhouses | 27.2% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 |
| Median weekly rent, 1 bedroom | $320 | $484 | RTA, postcode 4059, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 2 bedrooms | $650 | $720 | RTA, postcode 4059, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 3 bedrooms | $880 | $865 | RTA, postcode 4059, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 4 bedrooms | $1,200 | – | RTA, postcode 4059, Jul–Sep 2026 |
In the 2021 Census, 52.1% of Red Hill 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 4059 (Red Hill and Kelvin Grove). 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 Red Hill
Allotments were auctioned along Waterworks Road from about 1880 and estates followed through the 1880s. Red Hill became part of the Shire of Ithaca in 1887 (the Town of Ithaca from 1903) and joined Brisbane City Council in 1925.
St Brigid's Church was built on the hilltop in 1914. Electric trams ran along Waterworks Road, Musgrave Road and Enoggera Terrace until August 1968. The old Skate Arena, once the State Theatre, burnt down in 2002 and reopened as Red Hill Cinemas in 2019.
Transport
- Several council bus routes run through Red Hill to the city.
- The city is close enough that 4.5% of working residents walked to work in 2021.
- Plan trips on the Translink journey planner.
Schools
Red Hill Special School is the only school in the suburb. The nearest mainstream schools are Kelvin Grove State College (Prep to Year 12), Petrie Terrace State School and Ithaca Creek State School in Bardon.
Catchments change, so check the Queensland Government school catchment maps for any address before you buy.
Shopping and dining
Shops and small businesses are concentrated on Musgrave Road and Waterworks Road. The Normanby Hotel sits at the bottom of the hill and Red Hill Cinemas is in the restored Skate Arena building on Enoggera Terrace.
Parks and recreation
- Gilbert Park on Fulcher Road is the Brisbane Broncos' training ground and home of the Red Hill Community Sports Club.
- Victoria Park and Paddington's parks are close by.
Lifestyle
Red Hill suits people who want to live close to the city in an older house with character. It's a mix of renters and owners (45.9% of homes were rented in 2021) and the median age was 33. Expect steep streets, timber cottages and a village feel on Musgrave Road.
Red Hill
Did you know?
Named for its soil
Red Hill is named after its steep hills, which have red soil and rocks.
Source: Wikipedia: Red Hill, Queensland
A church you can see from everywhere
St Brigid's Church was built on the hilltop in 1914 and is visible from all directions. It's on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Source: Wikipedia: Red Hill, Queensland
From skating rink to cinema
The Skate Arena, once the State Theatre, was destroyed by fire on 26 December 2002. It reopened as the five-screen Red Hill Cinemas on 30 November 2019.
Source: Wikipedia: Red Hill, Queensland
Pictures under the stars
The Red Hill Picture Pops open-air cinema opened on 14 December 1912.
Source: Wikipedia: Red Hill, Queensland
Property types
Red Hill's housing is a mix of old and new on steep land.
- Houses make up 64.9% of homes, many of them workers' cottages and Queenslanders.
- Units make up 27.2% and 9.8% of homes have one bedroom.
- Townhouses and terraces make up 7.7%.
Character and heritage overlays are common. Check the Brisbane City Plan for overlays before you plan any changes.
What lenders look at in Red Hill
Red Hill mixes old cottages on steep blocks with units. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Character and heritage homes
Many Red Hill homes 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.
Condition and valuation
Older cottages can have stumps, roofs and wiring that need work. A building inspection before you're committed helps you and the valuer see the same picture.
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. Ask for the strata plan 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 4059
Red Hill shares postcode 4059 with Kelvin Grove. 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 Red Hill
In Red Hill the house and the slope shape the purchase. Small cottages on steep blocks can need structural work and overlays limit what you change. Units are a more affordable way in.
First home buyers
Units and small cottages are where many first home buyers start in Red Hill. For units, check the internal size, the building's age and the body corporate levies. For cottages, budget for a thorough building inspection.
Getting pre-approval helps avoid surprises. For government schemes and grants, see our first home buyer page for current details.
Upgraders
Upgrading in Red Hill often means a bigger loan for a renovated character home. If you're buying an older home to renovate, talk to us early about construction finance and how the lender will value the finished home.
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 Red Hill
Nearly half of Red Hill homes (45.9%) were rented in 2021, helped by QUT Kelvin Grove nearby. Rents in the table are for all of postcode 4059, including Kelvin Grove. 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 Red Hill the property's age and condition often decide which lenders are comfortable before your income does. 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 Red Hill?
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 Red Hill mostly houses or units?
Mostly houses. In the 2021 Census 64.9% of homes were separate houses, 27.2% were flats or apartments and 7.7% were townhouses or terraces.
Are there schools in Red Hill?
Red Hill Special School is the only school in the suburb. Kelvin Grove State College, Petrie Terrace State School and Ithaca Creek State School are nearby. Check the Queensland Government school catchment maps for any address.
Can I buy a unit in Red Hill with a small deposit?
Possibly, but small units are where lender policy matters most. Some lenders set a minimum internal size or ask for a bigger deposit on small units.
Does a character overlay affect my loan?
Not directly, but it can limit renovations, which affects your plans and costs. Check the Brisbane City Plan before you buy.
Red Hill shares postcode 4059 with Kelvin Grove. 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, building and pest inspections and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the value. Add body corporate searches for units.
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.