Gordonvale
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Gordonvale, QLD 4865.
About Gordonvale
Welcome to Gordonvale
Gordonvale sits at the foot of Pyramid Mountain on the Mulgrave River, about 20 minutes south of the Cairns CBD. It's a town with its own strong identity rather than a satellite suburb, built around a classic Queensland main street and a history rooted in the sugar cane industry that still frames the surrounding landscape.
These days Gordonvale suits families and first-home buyers drawn by relatively affordable land, a growing choice of schools, and easy access to both the city and the Atherton Tablelands hinterland. With the fast-expanding Mount Peter growth corridor right on its doorstep, the area is in the middle of a genuine transformation from quiet cane town to one of Cairns' key growth fronts.
Lifestyle & dining
Gordonvale's heart is its heritage-flavoured main street, lined with older Queensland-style buildings that house cafes, pubs, bakeries and everyday services. It's an unpretentious, community-minded town where locals tend to know each other, and the pace is noticeably slower and more relaxed than in central Cairns, even though the city is a short drive away.
The Mulgrave River and the backdrop of Pyramid Mountain give the town a distinct sense of place, and the annual Cairns to Gordonvale foot race and local agricultural show are reminders of the town's long-standing community traditions. For bigger nights out or a wider dining scene, residents typically head into Cairns itself.
Schools & families
Education options are a real drawcard for families considering Gordonvale. Gordonvale State School and Gordonvale State High School provide the local public pathway from primary through to senior secondary, while St Michael's School offers a Catholic primary option in the town itself. Nearby, Djarragun College and Cairns Adventist College extend the choice further, giving families a good spread of independent and faith-based schooling without having to travel all the way into Cairns.
With a median age of 38 and a population of 6,944, Gordonvale has the feel of an established, multi-generational community rather than a newly minted suburb, which many families find appealing when weighing up long-term schooling and social connections.
Getting around
Gordonvale is well connected to Cairns via the Bruce Highway, with the drive into the CBD taking around 20 minutes outside peak periods. The town also sits on the North Coast rail line, giving residents a public transport alternative for commuting or day trips into the city.
Locally, Gordonvale is compact and walkable, with the main street, schools and sporting facilities within easy reach of most residential streets. The neighbouring Mount Peter growth area, immediately adjacent to Gordonvale, is bringing new roads and infrastructure to the area as it develops, which is gradually improving connectivity across the wider district.
Parks & recreation
The natural surrounds are one of Gordonvale's biggest assets. The Mulgrave River offers spots for swimming and fishing, while Pyramid Mountain is a well-known local landmark and walking challenge for the more energetic, with views back over the cane fields and out towards Cairns. There's also the Mulgrave Central Mill nearby, a working reminder of the region's sugar industry heritage.
Sporting fields, a swimming pool and local parks around the town centre cater to everyday family recreation, and the broader Cairns hinterland, including the Atherton Tablelands, is within easy striking distance for weekend trips.
The property market
Gordonvale's property market has been firming noticeably, with the median house price sitting at $750,000 after growth of 15.4% over the recent period, a strong result that reflects growing buyer interest in the area's affordability relative to Cairns proper. Median rent is currently $720 per week, pointing to solid rental demand alongside the owner-occupier activity.
Current listings show an even split between established houses and vacant land, at 51% and 49% respectively, underlining just how much new residential development is underway, largely tied to the adjoining Mount Peter growth corridor. That mix gives buyers a genuine choice between established character homes in the town itself and the opportunity to build new on land in the surrounding growth area, making Gordonvale a suburb to watch for both owner-occupiers and investors.
Market snapshot
Gordonvale property market
Median sale price
$750k
House · 4 bed
Median rent
$720
per week
Gross rental yield
5.0%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$601k
Median
$750k
Premium
$1.48m
Days on market
16
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
66
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +13.0% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Gordonvale by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Gordonvale, QLD 4865.
Population
6,944
residents (2021)
Median age
38
years
Household income
$1,659
median, per week
Median rent
$320
per week
Median mortgage
$1,517
per month
Mortgage / income
21%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Gordonvale
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Gordonvale
$960k
39 Goessling Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.54m
63 Vico Street
Sold ~July 2026
$742k
7 Charlton Street
Sold ~July 2026
$700k
44-48 Hickey Close
Sold ~June 2026
$430k
9 McDowall Close
Sold ~June 2026
$700k
6-8 LOWREY CLOSE
Sold ~June 2026
$2.25m
Lot 66 Crossland Road
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Gordonvale
Compare the area
Price map around Gordonvale
Every listing for sale near Gordonvale, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Common questions
Gordonvale suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Gordonvale?
The median house price in Gordonvale, QLD is $750k for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 15.4%.
How much is rent in Gordonvale?
The median weekly rent in Gordonvale is around $720 per week.
Is Gordonvale a good place to live?
Gordonvale is a rural sugar-growing town and locality situated on the southern side of Cairns in the Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia. Gordonvale is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 6,944 and 5 schools in the area.
What is the population of Gordonvale?
Gordonvale has a population of 6,944 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 38.
What schools are in Gordonvale?
There are 5 schools in or near Gordonvale, including Djarragun College, Cairns Adventist College and Gordonvale State School.
How long do homes take to sell in Gordonvale?
Properties in Gordonvale take around 16 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Gordonvale?
Entry-level properties in Gordonvale start around $601k, while premium homes reach $1.48m.
What suburbs are near Gordonvale?
Suburbs near Gordonvale include Mount Peter.
Fresh to market
New this week in Gordonvale
Now Selling, Limited Release, Don't Miss Out!
Now Selling, Limited Release, Don't Miss Out!
Now Selling, Limited Release, Don't Miss Out!
Now Selling, Limited Release, Don't Miss Out!
Available now