Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in South Mackay

South Mackay sits on the inner-south side of Mackay beside the Pioneer River and the harbour precinct. It is predominantly residential, with classic timber Queenslander cottages and modest postwar houses alongside low-rise units and newer infill homes. The suburb suits families, local workers and retirees who value a relaxed, water-oriented pace, with riverfront parkland and easy access to boating and fishing. A handful of local shops and cafés cover everyday needs, while the city centre and larger retail and service options are a short drive away and main roads connect the suburb to the wider region.

Families are prominent locally, with couples (with and without children) making up 76.5% of families; the suburb is home to 6,918 people and has a median age of 39. Most homes are owner-occupied (60.9%) while about 39.1% are rented. Several council and state-led projects are planned or under way, including an expansion of Mackay Base Hospital, flood-resilience work on the South Mackay levee, bus-stop accessibility upgrades, an airport redevelopment and a sporting-precinct master plan. Whether South Mackay suits you will depend on whether that riverside, residential mix and local investment match what you want.

Buying in South Mackay sits above what local households earned at the last Census. A median house price of $643,000 is about 8.4 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census (weekly household income $1,477), while the median unit price of $435,000 is about 5.7 times a typical local annual household income, which is somewhat above local incomes.

On the rental side, a house rent of $620 a week would take roughly 42% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a large share, and a unit at $500 a week would take about 34%, a sizeable share. On these figures, buying a house is the more stretched option against what people locally earned at the last Census, while renting still takes a significant share of income.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

The standout in South Mackay over the past year is unit values, which climbed 23.1% — a strong rise. House values also rose strongly, up 13.8%. On the income side, unit rents increased 8.7%, a solid gain, while house rents were up a more modest 3.3%. Overall, prices moved more sharply than rents across both property types this year.

For someone weighing South Mackay as an investment, the value changes point to capital growth over the last 12 months and the rent changes show how rental income has shifted. Units have outperformed houses on both capital and rental measures in this period. Whether that pattern suits your objectives depends on your personal goals and circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.