Medina was the first of the Kwinana suburbs, designed by architect Margaret Feilman based on 'Garden City' principles. It was specifically built to house workers for the nearby BP oil refinery and industrial strip in the early 1950s.
Today, Medina is recognized for its leafy, curved streets and post-war cottages, increasingly popular with first-home buyers and renovators seeking character on a budget.
- Exceptional affordability for detached housing on large lots.
- Unique 'Garden City' layout with high tree canopy and parkland.
- Strong rental yields for investors targeting the industrial workforce.
- Character-filled post-war architecture with high renovation potential.
- Proximity to the Kwinana industrial strip provides steady local employment.
- Proximity to heavy industry may affect air quality and long-term health perceptions.
- Heritage overlays in certain streets can restrict modern development or extensions.
- Prevalence of older building materials including asbestos and lead paint.
- Higher than average rates of petty crime and anti-social behavior in some pockets.
- Limited local retail and dining options within the suburb boundaries.
How this suburb feels day-to-day.
Dominant dwelling stock.
Typical entry to ceiling.
Medina represents the 'last frontier' of affordable character housing in Perth. Its status as a planned garden suburb gives it a unique aesthetic compared to modern subdivisions, but its industrial neighbor is a permanent fixture.
$480k – $610k
N/A (Very few units)
12-month movement
Current asking rents
Prices have surged as buyers are priced out of Rockingham and Spearwood, making Medina a primary target for sub-$600k budgets.
Price comparison
Median price รท median income
Estimated rental yield
Medina remains highly affordable relative to the Perth average, though the gap is closing rapidly as low-end stock is absorbed.
Lower = tighter market
Avg time on market
Annual rental increase
Industrial workers, young families, and low-income earners.
Strong cash flow and high occupancy are guaranteed in the short term. Long-term capital growth depends on continued gentrification and Perth's overall market health.
- Extreme scarcity of housing under $600,000 in Perth.
- Ongoing expansion of the Kwinana Lithium and Hydrogen hubs.
- Gentrification as first-home buyers renovate older cottages.
- State government investment in the Westport project nearby.
- Interest rate sensitivity of the local buyer demographic.
- Environmental concerns regarding industrial emissions.
- Limited land for new residential development to refresh the suburb.
Moderate to high growth expected as the 'ripple effect' from coastal suburbs continues. Medina will likely remain a high-demand entry-point suburb for the foreseeable future.
vs last 12 months
Relative comparison
Check specific street lighting and proximity to high-density social housing clusters. Security systems are standard for the area.
The primary risks are environmental and structural. Proximity to heavy industry and the age of the housing stock are the main due diligence hurdles.
Low risk; well-drained sandy soils typical of the region.
Moderate risk in properties backing onto the Spectacles or local bushland reserves.
Generally available, but premiums may reflect historical crime statistics and older building types.
Heritage Protection Precinct (Feilman Plan)
Limited; mostly individual lot renovations.
Heritage overlays in Medina are stricter than neighboring suburbs, meaning you may not be able to demolish or significantly alter the street-facing facade of original homes.
Bus services connect to Kwinana Station (Mandurah Line). Commute to Perth CBD is approx 45-50 mins total.
Local Medina shops provide essentials; Kwinana Marketplace (3 mins drive) offers major supermarkets.
Excellent. Medina was designed with integrated parklands like Ridley Park and Medina Oval.
Medina Primary is well-regarded for its community feel; Gilmore College is the local high school.
Kwinana Medical Centre nearby; Rockingham General Hospital is the closest major facility (15 mins).
A transitioning suburb with a mix of multi-generational local families and a new wave of young professionals and tradespeople.
The high rental percentage and lower median income suggest a market sensitive to cost-of-living pressures but also one ripe for gentrification.
Focus is on industrial expansion in the Kwinana strip and the long-term Westport harbor project.
- Job creation in renewable energy and lithium processing.
- Infrastructure upgrades to Thomas Road and Kwinana Freeway.
- Increased demand for local housing from industrial contractors.
- Potential for increased heavy vehicle traffic on periphery roads.
- Ongoing industrial noise and light pollution.
Residents love the 'village' feel and the trees, but remain wary of the suburb's reputation and industrial smells on certain days.
The trees here are amazing and everyone knows their neighbors. It's much quieter than people think.
I bought a 1954 cottage and the bones are great. Hard to find this much land for under $550k anywhere else.
Never had a vacancy longer than 3 days. The yield is fantastic compared to the northern suburbs.
The 'Kwinana pong' is real when the wind blows the wrong way. I also got tired of the sirens from the industrial area.
It's getting better, but I still wouldn't leave my car unlocked on the street overnight.
Great parks for the kids, but I have to drive to Rockingham for a decent coffee or a nice dinner.
- Prioritize homes on the eastern side of the suburb, further from the industrial buffer.
- Check the Heritage Council database for specific restrictions on your street.
- Get a comprehensive building inspection specifically looking for asbestos in eaves and wet areas.
- Look for original jarrah floorboards under old carpets—they are a major value-add.
- Negotiate hard if the property has significant unpermitted 'DIY' additions common in the area.
- Is this property within the Heritage Protection Precinct, and what are the specific restrictions?
- Has a professional asbestos clearance been performed on the property?
- Are there any known issues with the plumbing or electrical systems common to this age of home?
- What is the current zoning, and are there any plans for R-Code changes in this street?
- How does the industrial buffer zone affect this specific address?
- What is the percentage of social housing currently in this immediate street?
- Are all the additions, including sheds and patios, council-approved?
- Highlight the 'Garden City' heritage and character features in marketing.
- Professional landscaping of the large front yards can significantly boost curb appeal.
- Ensure all old outbuildings/sheds are council-approved before listing.
- Target first-home buyers by emphasizing the low entry price compared to Orelia or Parmelia.
- Provide a pre-sale building and pest report to build buyer confidence in older stock.
Position the property as a 'Character Cottage on a Quarter Acre' to appeal to the emotional desires of young renovators priced out of the inner city.
High-yield play with long-term land value backing.
Higher maintenance costs due to age of dwellings and potential for tenant-related property damage.
- Target 3-bedroom houses with secure fencing.
- Budget for immediate electrical and plumbing upgrades.
- Focus on long-term tenants employed in the Kwinana industrial strip.
- Monitor the Westport project progress for capital growth triggers.
- Be ready with all documentation; competition for sub-$600 rentals is fierce.
- Check for air conditioning, as older cottages can be poorly insulated.
- Ask about security features like screens and sensor lights.
Large backyards and plenty of space for pets or workshops.
Older homes can have high utility bills due to poor thermal efficiency.
- Install high-quality security screens to attract better tenants.
- Maintain the garden—tenants often struggle with the large lot sizes.
- Regularly check for dampness issues common in 1950s builds.
Ensure RCDs and smoke alarms are updated; many older Medina homes have outdated wiring.
- Stock levels are at historic lows; off-market deals are becoming common.
- Buyers are increasingly coming from outside the Kwinana area (Eastern States and Perth North).
- The 'Feilman' architecture is a specific selling point for a niche group of buyers.
Affordable Heritage Living; The Garden Suburb Revival; Massive Land, Massive Potential.
Young couples (25-35), FIFO workers, and interstate 'borderless' investors.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Data is based on 2026 projections and historical trends. Buyers should conduct their own independent due diligence.
