495-503 Sturt Street
Townsville City, QLD 4810

Overview

495-503 Sturt Street, Townsville City

There are properties that sit within a city - and then there are properties that help define it.

Built circa 1898–1902, this residence is widely regarded as one of Townsville's oldest and most distinguished inner-city Queenslanders. Originally known as Canobie House, the home was named by its original owners and builders, who also owned Canobie Station. Over time, this remarkable residence evolved from a grand private home into a much-loved bed and breakfast, with its current name reflecting the elegance, charm, and enduring prestige it is known for today.

Despite its extraordinary historical significance and beautiful period features, this iconic property is not heritage listed, offering rare flexibility for future use or development.

Now offered to the market, this property presents an exceptional opportunity spanning residential prestige, established hospitality income, and future development potential - all on a substantial block in the heart of Townsville City.

A Home With a Story

Featured multiple times in local publications over the years, the residence has long been celebrated for its:

• Federation-era architecture
• Tesselated roofline and ornate ridge detailing
• Original hoop pine floors
• Pressed tin ceilings
• Decorative fretwork and archways
• French doors opening to deep verandahs
• Bay windows and breezeways designed for tropical living

The home survived Cyclone Leonta in 1903, witnessed the transformation of Sturt Street from a dirt track to a central CBD spine, and has been sensitively restored to honour its original elegance. This is not a reproduced character home - it is authentic North Queensland history, beautifully preserved and exceptionally rare to find without a heritage listing.

The Layout – Grand Proportions

This is a substantial home designed for both privacy and gathering.

Accommodation

• Three oversized master suites, each with a private ensuite
• Additional guest bedrooms of generous proportions
• Main central bathroom servicing additional rooms
• Configuration ideal for luxury guest accommodation or multigenerational living

Each bedroom reflects the home's heritage scale - high ceilings, natural light, and character finishes throughout.

Living & Entertaining

• Multiple formal and informal living areas
• Dedicated main billiard room - a centrepiece space for entertaining
• Separate home office or sixth bedroom
• Elegant dining area
• Expansive rear deck capturing breezes and garden outlook
• Outdoor spa area for guest relaxation

The floorplan flows seamlessly between intimate sitting rooms and larger entertaining spaces - offering a versatility rarely found in modern builds.

Flexible Purchase Options

The sellers are flexible, with the property able to be purchased fully furnished, partially furnished, or vacant, depending on the buyer's preference and proposed use.

This creates a range of possibilities, including:

• Immediate continuation of the bed and breakfast operation
• A beautifully styled residence with selected furnishings included
• A vacant character home ready to be tailored to your own vision

The property is currently marketed internationally through platforms including Booking.com, benefiting from an established online presence and strong brand recognition.

External Improvements & Landholding

Beyond the residence itself lies significant additional value.

• Large 981 square meter lot
• Expansive rear yard with genuine development scope (subject to council approval)
• Three-bay carport at the rear
• Established gardens enhancing privacy
• Ample room for further accommodation expansion, secondary dwellings, or boutique redevelopment (subject to council approval)

CBD parcels of this scale are exceptionally rare - particularly those already improved with a landmark character residence.

Four Compelling Pathways

Grand Residential Estate
Restore and elevate one of Townsville's most iconic homes into a private inner-city estate of remarkable scale.

Boutique Hospitality Asset
Continue operating as a bed and breakfast with an established reputation, existing guest appeal, and flexible furnishing options to suit your plans.

Strategic Development Play
Retain the front residence while exploring rear expansion or redevelopment potential (subject to council approval). A rare land-bank opportunity in a tightly held CBD location.

Professional or Wellness Use
Perfectly suited to a boutique day spa, medical consulting rooms, dental practice, or allied health use with ample rear parking (subject to council approval).

Location – Unmatched Inner-City Positioning

Moments from:

• Palmer Street dining precinct
• Queensland Country Bank Stadium
• The Strand waterfront
• CBD offices and professional services
• Ferry access to Magnetic Island

Opportunities of this calibre, with this level of flexibility, history and landholding, are rarely offered to the open market.

Rates: $11,952
Licensing: Guest House

Disclaimer: All information provided in this listing is gathered from sources believed to be reliable; however, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Interested parties should conduct their own independent research, inspections, and due diligence to verify details and ensure the property meets their requirements. Photographs may have been digitally enhanced for marketing purposes. Features, boundaries, and conditions should be independently confirmed before making purchasing decisions.

Location