If Albion’s charm has you hooked but the property prices have you wincing, you’re not alone. The good news? There are plenty of nearby suburbs that tick the same boxes, think café culture, leafy streets, and easy city access, minus the Albion-level price tag.
From leafy Kedron to lively Bowen Hills, refined Clayfield to family-friendly Hendra, and community-minded Windsor, these alternative postcodes are giving Albion a serious run for its money. We take a deep dive into what life (and the property market) looks like in these postcodes that are every bit as appealing as Albion, but just that little bit easier on the wallet.
Kedron
Nestled just 10km north of the Brisbane CBD, Kedron is that perfect blend of suburban calm and city convenience. With lush green spaces, top-notch schools, and quick access to major shopping and transport hubs, it’s no wonder everyone’s taking notice of this hidden gem.
The market lowdown
Kedron’s streets are a charming mix of classic Queenslanders, post-war gems, and contemporary builds, making for a suburb bursting with charm yet still within cooee of the CBD.
The median house price now sits at around $1.4 million, while units are proving just as popular, with a median price of $703K and weekly rents hovering around $680 for homes and $540 for units. For many, Kedron hits that sweet spot, established, leafy, and still evolving, offering room to grow while staying firmly connected to the buzz of Brisbane.
Cafés, shops and weekend spots
Kedron’s cafe scene delivers in spades. Nana & Da’s homey vibe and strong brunch game make it a favourite for Northsiders, while Farmhouse has built a strong cult following for their breakfast gnocchi and Biscoff pancakes. Tucked down a quiet suburban street, this spot’s great for enjoying a coffee in their sunny outdoor area.
Shopaholics, rejoice. Westfield Chermside, one of Australia’s largest shopping centres, is just three minutes away, offering everything from designer boutiques to your daily essentials.
Locals love the Kedron Brook Bikeway, a scenic 29km stretch perfect for walking, running, or cycling. And yes, it’s dog-friendly. The off-leash area along the brook is a weekend favourite for pups and their humans. Families flock to Bradbury Park, where kids can run wild through its ‘magic forest’ and oversized modern playground, with scooter tracks and plenty of green space for some good old-fashioned, screen-free fun.
The essentials
Families are well looked after here. Kedron State School and Kedron State High School both have solid reputations, with Kedron High regularly ranking among Queensland’s top performers.
Health-wise, you’re covered with The Prince Charles Hospital and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside close by. And when it’s time to cool off, the Chermside Aquatic Centre, home to Brisbane’s biggest water park, is only a five-minute drive.
Getting to and from this suburb is easy, you can be in the CBD in 15 minutes by car or about 30 minutes by bus, with train stations a short drive away in Nundah and Toombul. Kedron’s connectivity is only set to improve with major transport upgrades planned for the 2032 Olympics, including a proposed new road tunnel.
Bowen Hills
Bowen Hills is a lively inner-city pocket that balances convenience, culture, and lifestyle. Just 1.6km from Brisbane’s CBD and only five minutes by train to Central Station, it’s a hotspot for young professionals and city commuters who want to be close to the action.
The local property story
With houses few and far between, apartment life dominates in Bowen Hills. The median unit price currently sits at $633K (up 20% over the past year), with median rent around $620 per week, a rise of 3% over the last 12 months. Renters account for majority of residents, while the scarce houses, often classic Queenslanders, mean there’s insufficient data on median sale and rental prices.
Urban buzz with room to breathe
Bowen Hills has plenty to keep you entertained. King Street is the suburb’s dynamic retail, dining, and lifestyle hub, with work still underway to transform it into a vibrant mixed-use precinct that will soon be home to over 15,000 residents and workers.
The Old Museum hosts live music, theatre, cabaret, classical performances, and community events in a heritage-listed venue with lovely gardens. And the Brisbane Showgrounds, home to 250+ events each year, including the iconic Ekka, delivers major event energy on the regular.
Food-wise, Bowen Hills is a standout. C’sis Espresso is known and loved by loved for its Thai-inspired brunch, while Bowen Arrow’s health-charged menu is fresh, wholesome and nourishing.
For dinner, head to El Camino Cantino for Tex Mex, Montrachet for elevated French dining and The Lamb Shop for flavour-packed souvlaki.
Bowen Hills may lean urban, but Victoria Park/Barrambin is just 3km away, a sprawling inner-city green space transformed from an 18-hole golf course in 2021. With sweeping lawns, leafy trails and skyline views, it’s your go-to for relaxed picnics and weekend walks.
Community and connectivity
Families are well catered for with numerous childcare options nearby, along with access to high-quality schools including Brisbane Grammar School, Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, and Brisbane Central State School.
Just 3km from the CBD and five minutes by train to Central, Bowen Hills is a commuter’s dream, with buses, trains, and even walkable or bike-friendly routes making city access effortless.
Clayfield
Refined and historic, Clayfield’s tree-lined streets and prestige homes ooze character. With top-tier schools and quick links to the CBD and airport, it’s no surprise the suburb sits high on the wish list for families and city commuters alike.
Homes with heritage
Houses in Clayfield are highly sought-after, with a median price of $1.96 million (up 4% in the past year) and median weekly rents have dropped 11% to $600. Units are also popular, with a median price of $741K, a significant 22% jump over the past year, and median rents of $550 per week (up 6%). The suburb’s mix of elegant Queenslanders, modern homes, and contemporary apartments caters to a range of lifestyles.
Food, parks and local life
Just a stroll or drive away, is the Racecourse Road dining precinct, a boutique, tree-lined strip spanning Ascot to Hamilton. Here you’ll find cafés, restaurants, wellness studios, and boutique shopping, all with easy access from the river at one end and Eagle Farm Racecourse at the other.
You’ll find great coffee and brunch at Let Minnow, while the Indonesian street eats at Mamaku are second to none.
Families and outdoor enthusiasts love heritage-listed Kalinga Park, which runs along Kedron Brook, providing walking and cycling trails, playgrounds, and plenty of space to relax or get active.
Clayfield is ideal for families, offering access to excellent public and private schools including Aviation High School, Clayfield College, Eagle Junction State School, St Agatha’s Primary, and St Rita’s College, as well as a wide choice of childcare options.
Close to everything
Only 10km from the CBD, Clayfield keeps everything within reach, a 10-minute train ride to the city, a 15-minute drive downtown, and just 7km to Brisbane Airport for those spontaneous escapes.
Hendra
Set just 8km from the CBD, Hendra’s mix of leafy streets, character homes and local favourites make for a suburb on the rise. With cafés, schools and the city all within minutes, it’s got that rare calm-in-the-city energy everyone’s chasing.
Value meets lifestyle
Hendra’s all about leafy calm and character, think wide streets, classic Queenslanders and post-war homes, with modern builds peppered throughout for good measure. Low-density zoning means houses are this suburb’s strong suit, and buyers are taking note. The median house price now sits at $1.989 million (up 12% from the past year), with rent for houses up 4% to $940 a week. Units are holding strong too, with a median of $977K (up 3%).
From riverside eats to leafy strolls
Start your morning right at Dandelion and Driftwood, who serve Aussie breakfast classics with a twist, like their double-decker breakfast tower. You’ll also find great coffee at The Brass, a community hub with a cult following.
Just minutes away, Racecourse Road is your go-to for boutique cafes, brunch spots, and casual bars, while Portside Wharf is similarly close, offering riverside dining, walks, and boutique retail, perfect for Saturday morning brunching or post-work get-togethers by the river.
For resident thrill-seekers, Urban Xtreme, Australia’s largest indoor adventure park, is your go-to for indoor rock climbing, skiing and more. While horse racing fans are also spoiled with Doomben and Eagle Farm racecourses at their doorstep.
When it comes to green space, the locals can’t get enough of TC Beirne Park. Once part of the grounds of a Victorian villa, this leafy Federation-style park is now the local go-to for weekend picnics, strolls, or letting the kids rampage in its well-equipped playground.
Family-ready and well connected
Hendra is notoriously family-friendly, and boasts plenty of private and public schooling options including Hendra State School, Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Aviation High, St Rita’s College, and Clayfield College, plus several childcare centres for those with younger kiddos.
With the CBD a mere 15 minutes’ drive or 18 minutes by train, and Brisbane Airport 9 minutes’ drive away, whether you’re nipping to the city or travelling further afield, Hendra has you totally covered on the transport front.
Windsor
Only 7km from the CBD, Windsor nails the balance between convenience and calm. Think leafy streets, a mix of property styles, and a strong community vibe, all with parks, amenities and schools right on your doorstep. Close to everything yet far from the chaos, it’s little wonder buyers and renters are lining up for Windsor.
Property potential
From charming Queenslanders to contemporary apartments, Windsor’s property market serves up plenty to satisfy every kind of buyer. Houses have a median price of $1.45 million, up 9% in the past year, with weekly rents around $680. The unit market has been even more impressive, rising by by 19% from last year to a median of $754K, while renting has increased by 5% to $620 per week.
Lifestyle essentials and weekend adventures
Newmarket Village and Lutwyche Home Co. are nearby for all your daily shopping needs. If browsing outdoors is more your style then Northey Street City Farm markets on Sundays are a local favourite, dishing up fresh produce and community vibes.
Tucked away in Windsor’s Colwill Place, you’ll find a great cup of coffee at the pink-hued Bear Boy Espresso, while Sunny Side is your go-to for top-tier sandwiches and toasties on fluffy shokupan bread.
Leafy parks and outdoor escapes are a highlight of Windsor living. Windsor Park and Downey Park are perfect for a stroll or kick-about, while Eildon Hill Reserve offers bushwalks and sweeping city views from its panoramic lookout. The Enoggera Creek Bikeway is ideal for running, cycling, or a relaxing stroll, with planned extensions in 2026 set to make it even better. Got furry friends in tow? They’re sorted too, with Windsor Dog Park serving up plenty of space to run, sniff and socialise.
Family life and getting around
Families are well looked after here. Windsor State School caters to primary students, while other nearby options include Wilston State School, St Mary of the Cross Catholic School, and St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School. Multiple childcare centres round out the suburb’s education options. Health-wise, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital is close enough to provide peace of mind.
Commuting from Windsor couldn’t be easier. Windsor train station gets you to the CBD in around 10 minutes, and numerous bus routes provide similarly convenient options. Major roads also mean quick access to the city, airport, and beyond for residents of this suburb.
Thinking of making a move in Brisbane’s inner-north?
As you can see, it’s not just an Albion postcode that serves up character, charm and choice in spades. If you’re in the market for that same mix of city-fringe community, café culture, green spaces and easy CBD access, neighbouring suburbs like Kedron, Bowen Hills, Clayfield, Hendra and Windsor will plug you straight into that coveted inner-north lifestyle, often with more space and less spend.
Thinking of making a move in Brisbane’s inner-north? Chat to your local Aussie Broker or Buyer’s Agent today for personalised advice and support to help you take the next step toward your new postcode.
From calculating your borrowing power to accessing property reports and suburb insights and keep track of your equity through the Aussie App, we’ve got everything you need to make your next move with confidence.