CAIRNS SUBURB GUIDE
Manunda
An established inner-city suburb minutes from the CBD, with strong recent growth and the Raintrees shopping precinct on its doorstep.
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 June 2026. Figures are suburb-wide; your specific property may differ.
Manunda is an established inner-city Cairns suburb just north-west of the CBD, valued for its central position and practicality rather than prestige. It is a practical choice for first-home buyers, downsizers and investors who want to be close to everything. The median house sale price is $755,000, up 25.8% over the past 12 months (realestate.com.au, to June 2026), one of the stronger growth rates among the inner suburbs.
What defines Manunda
Manunda sits just north-west of the Cairns CBD, which makes it one of the most central suburbs in the city. It is a mix of post-war timber homes, brick houses and a growing number of units, and it was long one of the more affordable inner suburbs, though a 25.8% surge in the year to June 2026 has narrowed that gap considerably. The Raintrees shopping centre on Alfred Street is the local retail hub, and the city, hospital and esplanade are all a short drive away. The character is unpretentious and well-located rather than polished.
Homes, streets & price ranges
Houses in Manunda are typically three and four-bedroom homes on standard blocks, often older stock with renovation upside. Recent recorded sales sketch the spread: a 5-bed with dual living on Chaplain Avenue reached $905,000, the MacDonnell Street and McLachlan Street pocket produced a run of 4-bed sales between $749,000 and $799,000, established homes on English Street and MacNamara Street traded at $640,000 to $700,000, and the unit complexes around Hill Street, Cannon Street and McCormack Street span roughly $385K to $450K. Recorded medians for the 12 months to July 2026 were $749,000 for a 4-bed and $692,000 for a 3-bed, with a recorded top sale of $2.19M.
Daily life and getting around
The Raintrees shopping centre covers everyday needs, and Cairns Central in the CBD is only a few minutes further. Cairns Hospital, schools in the surrounding suburbs and the city centre are all close. Because Manunda is so central, trips are short and public transport options into the CBD are reasonable by Cairns standards, though most households still rely on a car.
The Manunda market
realestate.com.au recorded 109 Manunda sales in the 12 months to July 2026, about two a week, with a recorded-sales median of $443,000 across all property types, a figure shaped by the heavy unit volume (85 unit sales against 55 houses in the profile year). Houses rent at around $580/wk on a 4.6% REA-displayed yield, and units at $450/wk on 6.2%, which keeps the suburb on investor radars given its central location. The combination of position, renovation potential and a deep unit market drives consistent demand. Always verify current data before any pricing decision.
Recent Manunda sales
| Address | Sold | Property | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Chaplain Avenue | $905,000 | 5 bed, dual living | Jun 2026 |
| 20c Hill Street | $830,000 | 4 bed duplex, built 2018 | Mar 2026 |
| 10 MacDonnell Street | $799,000 | 4 bed house | Nov 2025 |
| 7 McLachlan Street | $779,000 | 4 bed house | Jan 2026 |
| 97 English Street | $700,000 | 3 bed house | Feb 2026 |
| 45 MacNamara Street | $640,000 | 4 bed house | Dec 2025 |
| 4/24 Hill Street | $450,000 | 2 bed unit | Dec 2025 |
| 10/12-16 Cannon Street | $390,000 | 2 bed unit | Sep 2025 |
Recorded sales from realestate.com.au public sold results, 12 months to July 2026, all sold by TS Property Group, Alexie's agency (17 of the suburb's 109 recorded sales in that period; 8 Chaplain Avenue sold by Alexie personally). Prices are the published sold figures.
What buyers love
Very central, only minutes from the Cairns CBD
Raintrees shopping centre and Cairns Hospital close by
Units offer a much lower entry point than houses
Strong 25.8% price growth over 12 months (realestate.com.au, June 2026)
Renovation upside in older timber and brick homes
Things to consider
Older housing stock often needs work or updating
More mixed in character and presentation than premium suburbs
Frequently asked questions
What is the median house price in Manunda?
The median house sale price in Manunda is $755,000 as at June 2026, up 25.8% over the prior 12 months (realestate.com.au). Recorded medians for the 12 months to July 2026 were $749,000 for a 4-bed and $692,000 for a 3-bed. For a property-specific assessment, request a local appraisal. No online figure replaces a walk-through.
Which Manunda streets and pockets stand out?
Recent recorded sales put Chaplain Avenue at the top ($905,000 for a 5-bed with dual living), the MacDonnell and McLachlan Street pocket in a tight $749K to $799K band for 4-beds, established homes around English and MacNamara Streets at $640K to $700K, and the Hill, Cannon and McCormack Street unit complexes at $385K to $450K.
Is Manunda a good suburb for first-home buyers?
It can be, with eyes open. The suburb sits only minutes from the CBD, units offer a genuinely lower entry point, and older homes carry renovation potential. House prices have climbed sharply though, up 25.8% in the year to June 2026, so houses no longer carry the discount they once did.
Is Manunda a good suburb to sell in?
Median days on market is 39 (realestate.com.au, to June 2026) and the suburb saw 25.8% price growth over the past 12 months, so buyers are active and competition for well-priced homes is solid. The dry-season window from May to October typically lifts interstate interest. Get a local appraisal for your specific property before pricing.
Thinking of selling?
Ask about selling in Manunda.
Selling resources
Nearby suburb guides
Thinking of selling in Manunda?
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