Katherine East NT Property Investment
Roper Gulf · 0850 · Score: 52/100 · Hold
Katherine East Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Katherine East NT Investment Brief
HOLD — 8.1% gross yield on a $375,000 (single source — OnTheHouse only, no peer to validate) median.
THE MARKET
Katherine East has compounded at 1.9%/yr over 5 years. Median sits in the $375,000 (single source — OnTheHouse only, no peer to validate) band today. Properties are sitting on market for 45 days (roughly balanced conditions).
- Median house: $375,000 (single source — OnTheHouse only, no peer to validate) | Units: $279,754
- Gross yield: 8.1% | Net yield: 6.6%
- 5yr price CAGR: 1.9%/yr | 3yr forecast: 12.8%/yr
- Population: 3,061 | Owner-occupier rate: 42% | Affluence: Above Average
- Supply pipeline: Low — Price growth outpacing new supply, limited development pipeline
RENTAL SNAPSHOT
- Vacancy: 3.0% (stable) | Rental demand: Moderate
- Median weekly rent: $583/wk | Days on market: 45 (stable)
- Tenant market — vacancy elevated, negotiate hard on rent.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
- Median nightly rate: $512/night | Occupancy: 40%
- Estimated annual STR gross: ~$74,794/yr
- vs long-term rent: $30,316/yr (+147% STR premium — factor in higher management costs)
INFRASTRUCTURE & CATALYSTS
- No major confirmed infrastructure projects on record.
- Transport: Katherine station 2.4km away
BULL CASE
If Katherine East maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 2.1%, median prices could reach $431,250 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
BEAR CASE
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Katherine East pull back 10-15% from $375,000, with vacancy rising to 5.0% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Distance from CBD may limit long-term capital growth potential
COMPARABLE MARKETS
- Daly River (NT): $301,492 median, 1.4% yield, 0.0% 1yr growth
- Borroloola (NT): $352,293 median, 0.5% yield, 25.0% 1yr growth
- Mataranka (NT): $272,172 median, 1.5% yield, 0.0% 1yr growth
THE PLAY
Katherine East offers balanced fundamentals but does not present an urgent buying signal. The market is in a recovery phase with moderate vacancy risk. Monitor vacancy trends and price movements over the next 6-12 months. Only enter if a property can be acquired at or below median pricing with yields exceeding 8.6%.
- Entry range: $337,500 – $412,500
- Minimum gross yield to target: 8.4%
- Watch signal: vacancy dropping below 2% and days on market falling below 35
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Gentrification Index
Growth Forecast
low confidenceBasis: 5yr CAGR 1.9% + 10yr CAGR 3.6%
- −Population decline (-0.7%/yr) — demand headwind
- −Moderate supply pipeline (98 approvals)
Suburb Metric Thresholds
Macro Environment
Macro Indicators
Cash Rate
4.35%
▲ 0.25%Cash rate as at 2026-05-06 · Credit data 2026-04
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
38
2020
17
2021
8
2022
20
2023
15
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 0850
Decile 3 of 10 — High disadvantage
Population
7,873
Education (IEO)
6/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
1/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on Katherine East NT data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $583/wk median rent for Katherine East. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
Analyse a Property in Katherine East
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.