Brisbane Property Spotlight
Woolloongabba property and home loan guide
Woolloongabba, 'the Gabba', is about 3 km south of the CBD and home to the Brisbane Cricket Ground and the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Most homes are apartments (69.5%) and 69.6% of households rent. Older houses remain on the side streets and new towers are rising near the busway. For buyers, the building and the apartment's size tend to shape the loan.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 29.8% separate houses, 0.7% terraces and townhouses | 69.5% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 |
| Median weekly rent, 1 bedroom | – | $569 | RTA, postcode 4102, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 2 bedrooms | – | $797.50 | RTA, postcode 4102, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 3 bedrooms | $770 | $985 | RTA, postcode 4102, Jul–Sep 2026 |
| Median weekly rent, 4 bedrooms | $587.50 | – | RTA, postcode 4102, Jul–Sep 2026 |
In the 2021 Census, 26.4% of Woolloongabba 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 4102 (Woolloongabba, Buranda and Dutton Park). 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 Woolloongabba
Experts disagree on the meaning of the Aboriginal name: suggestions include 'whirling waters' and 'fight talk place'. Until the early 1890s the area was commonly called the One Mile Swamp. Woolloongabba Mixed State School opened in 1884.
The Diamantina Hospital opened in 1901 on the site of today's Princess Alexandra Hospital, which took its name in 1960. Brisbane's largest tram depot was on Ipswich Road from 1927 to 1969. Australia's first Coca-Cola bottling plant was built on Balaclava Street in 1942.
Transport
- Woolloongabba and Buranda busway stations are on the South East Busway.
- Boggo Road and Buranda train stations are close by.
- The Maroon CityGlider stops here.
- In 2021, 10.9% of working residents took the bus to work.
- Plan trips on the Translink journey planner.
Schools
Buranda State School is the local government primary school. Narbethong State Special School specialises in students with impaired vision. There's no mainstream government high school in the suburb. Brisbane State High School, Coorparoo Secondary College and Brisbane South State Secondary College are nearby.
Catchments change, so check the Queensland Government school catchment maps for any address before you buy.
Shopping and dining
Logan Road and Stanley Street have heritage shopfronts, cafés and restaurants. Buranda Village shopping centre sits on the old tram depot site. The Norman Hotel has served customers since 1890.
Parks and recreation
- Kangaroo Point's riverside parks and cliffs are close by.
- The Gabba hosts cricket and AFL through the year.
Lifestyle
Woolloongabba suits people who want to be close to the city, the hospital and the busway. It's young (median age 29) and 19.5% of households were group households in 2021. Game days at the Gabba bring crowds and noise.
Woolloongabba
Did you know?
The One Mile Swamp
Until the early 1890s Woolloongabba was commonly known as the One Mile Swamp.
Coke's first Australian plant
Australia's first Coca-Cola bottling plant was built at 36 to 39 Balaclava Street in 1942.
A spelling dispute
Queensland Railways always spelt its 'Wooloongabba Branch' with one 'l', unlike the suburb.
A hospital renamed for a royal visit
The South Brisbane Hospital was renamed the Princess Alexandra Hospital in 1960, timed to coincide with a royal visit.
Property types
Woolloongabba mixes apartments with older houses.
- Apartments make up 69.5% of homes. 20.7% of homes have one bedroom.
- Houses make up 29.8%, mostly older timber homes.
Check the Brisbane City Plan for character overlays and Council's Flood Awareness Map for lower-lying streets.
What lenders look at in Woolloongabba
Woolloongabba is changing fast, with new apartments near the busway. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
New and established apartments
Some lenders set a lower maximum loan-to-value ratio (LVR) for new apartments in high-density buildings than for established ones. If you're buying off the plan or in a newly finished building, check the lender's policy early. It can change the deposit you need.
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.
Mixed-use buildings
Units in buildings with shops, offices or a hotel downstairs are generally acceptable, but lenders look at how the building is run and what the body corporate covers. Check the building's make-up before you commit.
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.
Postcode 4102
Woolloongabba shares postcode 4102 with Dutton Park and Buranda. 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 Woolloongabba
In Woolloongabba the building often shapes the loan. New towers near the busway, older walk-ups and timber houses each come with different lender questions.
First home buyers
Units are where most first home buyers start in Woolloongabba. 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 Woolloongabba often means a larger apartment or a house in a nearby suburb like East Brisbane or Coorparoo. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance.
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 Woolloongabba
69.6% of Woolloongabba homes were rented in 2021, with demand from hospital staff, students and city workers. New apartment supply affects rents and resale. Speak with your accountant about tax and ownership structure before you buy.
Lender considerations
In Woolloongabba the apartment often decides which lenders are available before your income does. Checking the property against lender policy before you sign 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 Woolloongabba?
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 Woolloongabba mostly apartments?
Yes. In the 2021 Census 69.5% of homes were flats or apartments and 29.8% were houses.
Is it harder to get a loan for a new apartment?
It can be. Some lenders set a lower maximum LVR for new apartments in high-density buildings. Check before you sign.
Is public transport good?
Yes. Woolloongabba and Buranda busway stations, nearby train stations and the CityGlider all serve the suburb.
Which schools are in Woolloongabba?
Buranda State School and Narbethong State Special School. Several government high schools are nearby. Check the Queensland Government school catchment maps for any address.
Do game days affect living here?
Crowds and noise around the Gabba on game days are part of life near the ground. Visit on an event night before you buy close by.
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.