West End
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for West End, QLD 4101.
About West End
Welcome to West End
West End is one of Brisbane's most characterful inner-city suburbs, sitting on a peninsula formed by a broad bend in the Brisbane River, roughly 2 kilometres south-west of the CBD. Bordered by Highgate Hill to the south, South Brisbane to the east, and with Toowong and Milton accessible across the river, it occupies a geography that feels both close to everything and quietly apart from it.
The suburb has long attracted a cross-section of residents — students, creatives, long-term locals and young families — drawn by its walkable streets, independent food culture and a property market that, despite steady price growth, still offers a genuine mix of housing options. Those who move here tend to stay, and that sense of community loyalty gives West End much of its personality.
Lifestyle & dining
Boundary Street is the spine of daily life in West End, lined with cafes, restaurants and independent retailers that have defined the suburb's identity for decades. The street runs from the river fringe down toward Highgate Hill, and on any given morning it hums with foot traffic from locals picking up coffee and produce. West End Butchery is a well-known stop for quality meat, and Perci has become a local favourite for those after a considered dining experience without crossing the river.
The suburb's cultural calendar is consistently busy. Markets, live music and community events fill weekends, and the area's proximity to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and GOMA — both just across the Goodwill Bridge — means a proper arts offering is never far away. It is the kind of place where independent businesses are genuinely supported, and the food-and-drink scene reflects that.
Parks & recreation
Green space in West End is threaded through the suburb rather than concentrated in one large park, which suits the neighbourhood's walkable character. Boundary Street Park serves as a social anchor near the commercial strip, while Rotary International Presidents Park offers a quieter spot closer to the riverfront. The Brisbane River herself is the suburb's greatest recreational asset — the Bicentennial Bikeway runs along the bank connecting West End to the CBD and beyond, making cycling and running genuinely practical for fitness and commuting alike.
The river swimming and kayaking community is active here, and the grassy banks near the ferry terminals attract families and picnickers on weekends. For residents who want more structured recreation, the South Bank Parklands and the Davies Park Saturday markets are a short walk or ride away.
Schools & families
Families in West End are well served at the primary level by West End State School, a long-established state school with a strong community following. For alternative and flexible learning pathways, Arethusa College's West End Campus provides a smaller, more individualised environment, and Townsville Flexible School rounds out the specialist options for students who benefit from non-traditional settings.
Secondary schooling typically draws students to schools in neighbouring suburbs, and the suburb's excellent public transport and cycling infrastructure makes those daily commutes straightforward. The area's high walkability and low-traffic laneways make it a comfortable environment for families with younger children, and the density of parks and the river foreshore mean there is always somewhere to be outside.
Getting around
West End is well connected without being dominated by major arterial roads, which is part of what makes it liveable. The Dornoch Terrace corridor provides several bus and hail-and-ride stops — including the Dornoch Terrace Hail 'n' Ride, the stop at Doris Street (stop 17) and Dudley Street at Boundary Street (stop 24) — linking residents to the CBD, South Bank and beyond. The journey into the city by bus typically takes under fifteen minutes outside peak hour.
For cyclists and pedestrians, the Goodwill Bridge and the Captain Cook Bridge both provide direct river crossings to South Bank and the CBD. Car ownership is common but far from essential, and many households manage comfortably with one vehicle or none. Xpress Dornoch Convenience and Liquorland on the Dornoch Terrace strip mean that day-to-day errands can be handled on foot for much of the suburb.
Housing & architecture
West End's streetscapes are an honest record of Brisbane's architectural evolution. Traditional Queenslander cottages on raised stumps — some immaculately restored, others still waiting for their turn — sit alongside post-war brick homes and a growing number of contemporary infill apartments. The suburb's topography, which rises from the river flat up toward Dornoch Terrace, means that elevated blocks often carry sweeping views of the CBD skyline and the river bend.
The current dwelling mix skews heavily toward apartments and units, which make up 73% of listings, with houses accounting for 21% and townhouses a further 3%. That balance reflects both the suburb's inner-city density and the development activity of the past decade. Land listings at 3% are rare and typically attract significant competition when they do come to market.
The property market
West End's property market sits firmly in premium inner-Brisbane territory. The median house price currently stands at $1.63 million, reflecting both the scarcity of detached housing stock and the consistent demand from buyers who want inner-city convenience with a genuine neighbourhood character. Units and apartments have a median of $950,000 — a figure that reflects the quality of newer developments rather than just location — and median rent sits at $920 per week across the suburb.
House prices have grown by 3.0% in the most recent period, a measured pace that suggests the market here is maturing rather than surging. With neighbouring suburbs like Highgate Hill and Milton also commanding strong prices, West End sits within a cluster of high-demand inner suburbs where supply is structurally constrained. For investors, the rental demand driven by university students, young professionals and CBD workers has historically kept vacancy rates low, and that dynamic shows no signs of shifting.
Market snapshot
West End property market
Median sale price
$400k
House · 2 bed
Median rent
$448
per week
Gross rental yield
5.8%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$321k
Median
$400k
Premium
$687k
Days on market
9
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
25
Median sold price trend · House 2 bed
Compound growth +9.5% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in West End by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for West End, QLD 4101.
Population
3,891
residents (2021)
Median age
40
years
Household income
$1,402
median, per week
Median rent
$250
per week
Median mortgage
$1,430
per month
Mortgage / income
24%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in West End
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Arethusa College - West End Campus
Recent results
Recently sold in West End
$405k
3/31-39 Harold Street
Sold ~July 2026
$835k
31006/9 Pidgeon Close
Sold ~July 2026
$1.05m
233/8 Musgrave Street
Sold ~July 2026
$635k
4/37 Jane Street
Sold ~July 2026
$850k
16 Baxter Street
Sold ~July 2026
$850k
305/80-88 Victoria Street
Sold ~July 2026
$765k
10 Cowley Street
Sold ~July 2026
$970k
22 Stagpole Street
Sold ~July 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 West End
Compare the area
Price map around West End
Every listing for sale near West End, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
West End suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in West End?
The median unit price in West End, QLD is $958k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 16.1%.
How much is rent in West End?
The median weekly rent in West End is around $830 per week.
Is West End a good place to live?
West End is an inner southern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. West End is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 3,891 and 4 schools in the area.
What is the population of West End?
West End has a population of 3,891 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 40.
What schools are in West End?
There are 4 schools in or near West End, including Townsville West State School, West End State School and Arethusa College - West End Campus.
How long do homes take to sell in West End?
Properties in West End take around 14 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 63%.
How much do you need to buy in West End?
Entry-level properties in West End start around $731k, while premium homes reach $1.58m.
What suburbs are near West End?
Suburbs near West End include End, Auchenflower, Highgate Hill, Milton and Toowong.
Fresh to market
New this week in West End
Penthouse Living at Its Finest in Boutique AURA West End
44 Victoria St West end 4101
Exquisite designer apartment at exclusive 'Altura'
A Rare Lifestyle Opportunity in One of West End's Most Tightly Held Pockets
Available now