SUBURB GUIDE
Earlville
Home of a major Cairns shopping hub, with genuine affordability, solid yields, and a central position that works for renters.
Median house price
12-mo growth
Median days on market
Median rent (house)
Gross yield (house)
Houses sold (12 mo)
Source: realestate.com.au suburb profile, 12 months to May 2026. Figures are suburb-wide; your specific property may differ.
Earlville is anchored by Stockland Cairns (long known locally as Earlville Shopping Centre), a major retail hub on Mulgrave Road, and sits in a practical central position just south-west of the city that makes it a natural choice for renters working across the city. The median house sale price is $700,000, up 9.4% over the past 12 months (realestate.com.au, to May 2026), with a gross yield of 5.1% on houses.
What Earlville is known for
Stockland Cairns, the shopping centre most locals still call Earlville, is the suburb's anchor, with supermarkets, a cinema complex, specialty retail, medical centres and food courts all in one precinct. That level of retail access in a suburb at this price point is unusual. The surrounding streets are a mix of lowset brick homes and older timber houses, functional more than aesthetic, but the convenience factor keeps demand steady.
Homes and price ranges
Three-bedroom homes sit around $672,500 and four-bedroom properties around $800,000 (realestate.com.au, to May 2026). The overall median of $700,000 reflects the suburb's value positioning. The unit market has also shown strong growth of 26.1% over 12 months with a median of $362,500, attracting investors chasing yield at the lower entry point.
Who lives here
Earlville draws a broad mix: families who prioritise convenience over character, investors targeting the 5.1% gross yield on houses and 6.2% on units, and renters working in the hospital precinct, CBD, or the broader southern Cairns employment corridor. The suburb is not glamorous, but the fundamentals are solid: location, yield, and consistent demand.
The Earlville market
Forty-nine houses sold over 12 months and 27 median days on market (realestate.com.au, to May 2026) indicate a functioning, liquid market. Growth of 9.4% for houses and 26.1% for units over 12 months covers different buyer segments. Rental demand is active with 38 houses leased in the past year. Verify current data before any pricing decision.
What buyers love
Stockland Cairns (Earlville) on the doorstep, a major retail hub
5.1% gross yield on houses, 6.2% on units, strong for central Cairns
Affordable entry point compared to premium suburbs
Central position suits tenants across the employment base
Things to consider
Suburb character is functional rather than aspirational
Proximity to the shopping centre means higher traffic on main roads
Frequently asked questions
What is the median house price in Earlville?
The median house sale price in Earlville is $700,000 as at May 2026, up 9.4% over the prior 12 months (realestate.com.au). With 49 houses sold in the year, there is reasonable comparable data. Get a local appraisal for a property-specific figure.
Is Earlville good for investment?
The yield case is strong: 5.1% on houses and 6.2% on units, with active rental turnover. The Earlville Shopping Centre precinct and proximity to the CBD and hospital keep tenant demand steady. As always, get a rental appraisal for your specific property and verify current market conditions.
What are the main amenities in Earlville?
Stockland Cairns, still widely called Earlville Shopping Centre, is the centrepiece, with full-sized supermarkets, a cinema, medical centres, a food court, and specialty retail. The CBD is roughly 10 minutes by car and the southern suburbs are easily accessible.
Thinking of selling?
Ask about selling in Earlville.
Thinking of selling in Earlville?
Get an honest, no-obligation appraisal from a specialist who knows this suburb inside-out.
What's My Home Worth?By Alexie Aristides, Your Cairns Selling Specialist