Brisbane’s 10 most walkable suburbs

According to a 2015 survey by finder.com.au on what buyers really look for in a suburb, when it comes to choosing an area to live in, proximity to shops, public transport, schools, work and the CBD came in as five of the top ten most important factors Australians look for.

In other words, a majority of Australians are concerned with the walkability of the suburb in which they choose to live. Living in a walkable neighbourhood is highly advantageous in terms of your environmental footprint, for your health and for the economy.

To make your search for a new place easier we’ve ranked Brisbane’s top 10 most walkable neighbourhoods based on their Walk Scores. We’ve also included Your Investment Property data for median unit prices (MUP) and weekly median unit rent (WMR), to give you an idea of housing affordability for each suburb.

What is a Walk Score?

A Walk Score is a rating out of 100 (where 100 is a walker’s paradise and daily errands don’t require a car) based on the walkability of an address.

A Walk Score is calculated by analysing hundreds of walking routes to close by amenities (like shops, schools, cafes, public transport or bike tracks) where amenities within a five-minute walk get maximum points and those within 30-minutes walk receive no points. It also takes into account pedestrian friendliness by looking at traffic and population density of the suburb.

Brisbane’s most walkable suburbs:

 1. Brisbane CBD

Stats: Walk Score 95, $495,000 MUP and $595 WMR.

Drawcards: Queen Street shopping, King George Square, Brisbane River views, Riverstage, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Theatre, William Robinson Gallery, Queensland Parliament, Roma Street Parkland, Central and Roma Street Stations, Anzac Square, Eagle Street Pier, Riverbar and Kitchen, Treasury Casino and Event Cinemas.

Typical house type: Apartments.

2. Fortitude Valley

Stats:  Walk Score 94, $447,120 MUP and $470 WMR.

Drawcards: Chinatown Mall, nightlife, Oh Hello nightclub, Bigsound conference, Palace Centro Cinema, Fortitude Valley Station, All Hallows’ School, The Valley Pool, James Street Market, Valley Markets, Brunswick Street Mall, live music and The Zoo.

Typical house type: Apartments.

For sale: 1509/25 Connor Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD.

3. Spring Hill

Stats: Walk Score 92, $410,000 MUP and $460 WMR.

Drawcards: Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane Private Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Cathedral Square, Brisbane Central State School, St Joseph’s College, Centenary Aquatic Centre, Victoria Park, Brisbane Girls Grammar, Brisbane Grammar School and Kaplan Business School.

Typical house types: Queenslanders and apartments.

4. South Brisbane

Stats: Walk Score 92, $490,000 MUP and $510 WMR.

Drawcards: South Bank dining, The Wheel of Brisbane, South Bank Cineplex, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank Parklands, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum and Scienentre, South Brisbane Station, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Theatre Company, The Markets Shopping Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Lyric Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Library, The Courier-Mail Piazza, Musgrave Park, Musgrave Park Swim Centre, Brisbane State High School, Griffith University, Queensland College of Art, St Laurence’s College, Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Mater Private Hospital and Queensland Maritime Museum.

Typical house type: Apartments.

5. Petrie Terrace

Stats: Walk Score 91, $775,000 median house price (propertyvalue.com.au), $535 WMR (propertyvalue.com.au).

Drawcards: Brisbane Arts Theatre, The Barracks shopping, Caxton Street bars and eateries, and Palace Barracks Cinema.

Typical house type: Freestanding traditional Queenslander houses.

For sale: 256 Petrie Terrace, Petrie Terrace, QLD.

6. New Farm

Stats: Walk Score 88, $577,325 MUP and $430 WMR.

Drawcards: New Farm Park, Brisbane River views, Brisbane Powerhouse, Merthyr Park, The Jan Powers Farmers Markets, New Farm Library, New Farm State School, Wilson Outlook Reserve, Brunswick Street cafes and eateries, New Farm Cinemas, Moonlight Cinema Brisbane and the New Farm-Newstead Bikeway.

Typical house types: Apartments and renovated Queenslanders.

7. Teneriffe

Stats: Walk Score 88, $590,000 MUP (propertyvalue.com.au) and $495 WMR (propertyvalue.com.au).

Drawcards: Teneriffe Park, Brisbane River views, New Farm-Newstead Bikeway, London Wool Stores building, restaurants and cafes.

Typical house type: Apartments.

8. West End

Stats: Walk Score 88, $567,000 MUP and $495 WMR.

Drawcards: Brisbane River views, Orleigh Park, Davies Park Market, Commercial Rowing Club, Boundary Street Markets, West End State School, South Brisbane Sailing Club and Queensland Ballet.

Typical house types: Queenslanders and apartments.

For sale: 17a Ambleside Street, West End, QLD

9. Milton

Stats: Walk Score 87, $548,000 MUP and $468 WMR.

Drawcards: Milton Station, XXXX Brewery, Brisbane River views, Frew Park, Milton Park, Suncorp Stadium and St Francis Theological College.

Typical house types: Cottages, apartments and Queenslanders.

10. Woolloongabba

Stats: Walk Score 87, $437,500 MUP and $450 WMR.

Drawcards: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Hanlon Park, Buranda Station, PACE/UQ School of Pharmacy, Buranda Mosque, Norman Creek Greenway, East Brisbane State School, The Gabba and Woolloongabba Antique Centre.

Typical house types: Queenslanders and apartments.

For rent:  49 Maynard Street, Woolloongabba, QLD

Happy house hunting!