El Arish suburb profile
El Arish is a quaint rural town in Far North Queensland, situated approximately 140km south of Cairns. Known for its rich history and lush landscapes, El Arish offers a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by sugarcane fields and tropical rainforest. The town was originally established for returning World War I soldiers and retains a charming village atmosphere. Key features include the historic El Arish Tavern and a nine-hole golf course, providing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors. Its proximity to the Cassowary Coast and Mission Beach makes El Arish an ideal spot for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
El Arish property market performance
El Arish’s property market has remained static over the past 12 months, with no recorded changes in median house or unit values. Both the median house and unit prices have stayed at $0, indicating a lack of market activity. Similarly, there have been no house or unit sales in the past year, and properties have not been listed on the market, as reflected by zero median days on market for both houses and units.
The rental market in El Arish has also seen no movement, with average rents for both houses and units remaining at $0 over the last 12 months. This suggests a stagnant market with no rental activity or demand changes.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | N/A | N/A |
Change in value Past 12 months | N/A | N/A |
Sold Past 3 months | N/A | N/A |
Median days on market Past 12 months | N/A | N/A |
Average rent Past 12 months | N/A | N/A |
Change in rent Past 12 months | N/A | N/A |
El Arish demographics
El Arish, a quaint rural locality in Queensland, offers a serene lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With a small population of just 337, it is a close-knit community where residents enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. The median age of 47 suggests a mature population, with many residents likely enjoying the slower pace and community-oriented lifestyle that El Arish provides.
Family structures in El Arish are diverse, with a fairly even split between couple families with children (41%) and those without (42.2%). This balance indicates a community that values both family life and the independence of child-free living. One-parent families make up 16.9% of the population, adding to the suburb's family-friendly appeal.
Property ownership in El Arish is predominantly outright, with 53.3% of homes owned without a mortgage. This high rate of outright ownership reflects a stable and established community, where residents have likely lived for many years. Additionally, 23% of properties are owned with a mortgage, while 23.8% are rented, offering a mix of housing options for both long-term residents and newcomers. The median total household income of $1148 per week suggests a modest but comfortable living standard, typical of rural Australian communities.
El Arish infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
El Arish remains a small rural township with limited large-scale redevelopment, and there are currently no widely reported major residential, commercial, or retail projects underway that would significantly reshape the suburb in the short term.[6][7] The town’s amenities largely centre around its existing village core and nearby agricultural employment, with residents continuing to rely on larger centres such as Innisfail and Tully for higher-order shopping, services, and jobs, which keeps demand steady but relatively modest compared with coastal hotspots.[6][7]
Local schooling and transport infrastructure are stable, with no recent announcements of new schools or major transport upgrades directly in El Arish, meaning accessibility and education options are largely unchanged and continue to support a quiet, rural lifestyle.[6][7] At this time, there are no significant new infrastructure or planning changes reported that are likely to materially impact the property market in El Arish beyond normal regional trends.
El Arish rental market trends
The rental market in El Arish has remained stable over the past year, with both house and unit rents showing no change, maintaining a median rent of $0 per week. This indicates a lack of rental activity or available data in the area, suggesting a quiet market with limited investment opportunities at present.
Suburbs near El Arish
Some popular suburbs near El Arish include:

