Rose Bay
NSW 2029
Where harbour seaplanes meet village sophistication
Situated on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, Rose Bay is one of the Eastern Suburbs' most desirable addresses. Home to Australia's only harbour seaplane base, sweeping foreshore parklands, and some of Sydney's finest waterfront dining, this harbourside village seamlessly blends natural beauty with cosmopolitan living. With a 13-minute ferry ride to Circular Quay and a median household income well above the national average, Rose Bay attracts discerning buyers seeking harbour proximity without the bustle of the CBD.
Market Snapshot
$5.10M
4-Bed House Median
17 sold last year
$1.43M
2-Bed Unit Median
75 sold last year
29
Days on Market
2-bed units avg.
59%
Clearance Rate
4-bed houses
Data from Ben Collier Team / Domain.com.au • Last 12 months • Updated Feb 2026
Market Trends
Current median prices by bedroom count based on sales in the last 12 months. Rose Bay's market is dominated by units, which account for 68.8% of all dwellings in the suburb (Source: ABS Census 2021). The unit market recorded 168 sales over the past 12 months, compared to 62 house sales (Source: Your Investment Property Magazine).
Houses
3 Bed
21 sold
$4.21M
71% clearance
4 Bed
17 sold
$5.10M
59% clearance
5 Bed
20 sold
$7.11M
76% clearance
Overall house median: $4,675,000 with average 39 days on market. (Source: Your Investment Property Magazine)
Units
1 Bed
21 sold
$885K
81% clearance
2 Bed
75 sold
$1.43M
29 days avg.
3 Bed
59 sold
$3.40M
139 days avg.
Units dominate Rose Bay's market. 1-bed units show the highest clearance rate (81%), while 2-bed units sell fastest at 29 days on market. (Source: Ben Collier Team / Domain.com.au)
Rental Yields - Houses
Source: Your Investment Property Magazine
Rental Yields - Units
Source: Your Investment Property Magazine
Data Sources: Ben Collier Team (bencollierteam.com.au), Your Investment Property Magazine (yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au), Domain.com.au Suburb Profile for Rose Bay NSW 2029. Bedroom-level data from Ben Collier Team. Overall medians and rental yields from Your Investment Property Magazine. View on Ben Collier Team
Who Lives in Rose Bay
Demographics from ABS Census 2021. Rose Bay is an affluent, cosmopolitan harbourside suburb with a diverse international community. The median weekly household income of $2,539 is 45% above the national median of $1,746. Approximately 45.2% of residents were born overseas, with South Africa (9.3%) and England (5.6%) being the largest non-Australian birthplace groups.
9,911
Population
40
Median Age
54%
Owners
42%
Renters
66%
Families
30%
Singles
Income
$2,539/week
Median household income
$3,510/week
Median family income
Dwelling Types
68.8%
Flats or apartments
20.6%
Separate houses
Birthplace
54.8%
Born in Australia
9.3%
Born in South Africa
Source: ABS Census 2021 — Rose Bay (NSW) QuickStats (SAL13412)
Local Schools
Schools in and near Rose Bay, verified from NSW Government school directories and individual school websites (February 2026). Rose Bay Secondary College is a partially academically selective school established in 2003, with approximately 1,246 students. Kincoppal-Rose Bay caters for approximately 1,000 students including 150 boarders.
Rose Bay Public School
K-6
Co-educational
Rose Bay Secondary College
7-12
Co-educational, partially academically selective
Kincoppal-Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart
K-12
Co-educational Junior School (K-6), Girls-only Senior School (7-12) with boarding
Cranbrook Junior School
K-6
Co-educational
School data verified from NSW Government school directories, Good Schools Guide, and individual school websites (February 2026). Compare schools on Good Schools Guide
Why Choose Rose Bay
Key attractions and lifestyle features that make Rose Bay one of Sydney's most sought-after harbourside suburbs. With 15 parks covering 35.5% of the suburb's total area, Rose Bay offers an exceptional balance of natural amenity and urban convenience. (Source: Your Investment Property Magazine)
Rose Bay Ferry Wharf
F9 ferry to Circular Quay in 13 minutes, departures every 20 minutes on weekdays
Sydney Seaplanes
Australia's only harbour seaplane base, offering scenic flights over Sydney since 1938
Lyne Park
Expansive foreshore park with playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, and harbourside walking paths
Rose Bay Beach
Sheltered harbour beach with Murray Rose Pool (Redleaf Pool) tidal enclosure for safe swimming
Hermitage Foreshore Walk
Scenic coastal walk from Rose Bay to Nielsen Park through harbourside bushland
Catalina Restaurant
Multi award-winning waterfront fine dining with panoramic harbour views
Getting Around
Ferry
The F9 Watsons Bay ferry from Rose Bay Wharf reaches Circular Quay in just 13 minutes. Weekday services depart from 6:05am every 20 minutes until 6:45pm, then every 30 minutes. Weekend and public holiday services run from 9:39am. Fares cost $4-7 with Opal. (Source: Transport NSW / Rome2Rio)
Bus
Bus routes 324 and 325 run along New South Head Road connecting Rose Bay to the CBD via Wynyard Station. The 324 departs every 10 minutes and takes approximately 31 minutes to Wynyard. Route 386 also serves the area. (Source: Transport NSW / Citymapper)
Seaplane
Sydney Seaplanes operates from Australia's only harbour seaplane base at Rose Bay, offering scenic flights over Sydney Harbour, transfers to the Northern Beaches, and dining experiences. The terminal has operated since 1938. (Source: Sydney By Seaplane)
Driving
New South Head Road connects Rose Bay westward through Double Bay to the CBD, and eastward to Vaucluse and Watsons Bay. The CBD is approximately 7 km away, or 15-20 minutes by car. (Source: Wikipedia / Rome2Rio)
Distance to CBD
Sources: Transport NSW, Rome2Rio, Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living and buying in Rose Bay.
What is the median house price in Rose Bay?+
The median house price in Rose Bay is $4,675,000, based on 62 house sales over the last 12 months with an average of 39 days on market. The 4-bedroom house median is $5.10M based on 17 sales, while the 5-bedroom median is $7.11M based on 20 sales. (Source: Your Investment Property Magazine / Ben Collier Team, data sourced Feb 2026)
Is Rose Bay a safe suburb to live in?+
Rose Bay is considered a safe suburb. According to BOCSAR data via RedSuburbs, Rose Bay is 52% safer than all NSW suburbs. The statistical risk of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 36, compared to the NSW average of 1 in 20. Crime decreased 6.2% from 2023 to 2024. (Source: RedSuburbs / BOCSAR, 2024)
How do I get to the Sydney CBD from Rose Bay?+
The F9 ferry from Rose Bay Wharf reaches Circular Quay in 13 minutes, running every 20 minutes on weekdays from 6:05am. Bus route 324 along New South Head Road takes approximately 31 minutes to Wynyard Station, departing every 10 minutes. By car, the CBD is approximately 7 km away. (Source: Transport NSW, Rome2Rio)
What is the demographic profile of Rose Bay?+
Rose Bay has a population of 9,911 with a median age of 40. Owner-occupiers account for 53.8% of dwellings (30% owned outright, 23.8% with mortgage), while 42.4% are renters. The median weekly household income is $2,539, significantly above the national median of $1,746. Approximately 68.8% of dwellings are flats or apartments. (Source: ABS Census 2021)
What schools are in Rose Bay?+
Rose Bay has several well-regarded schools. Rose Bay Public School (Government, K-6) and Rose Bay Secondary College (Government, 7-12, partially selective) serve local families. Kincoppal-Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart (Catholic, K-12) offers co-educational primary and girls-only secondary with boarding. Cranbrook Junior School (Private, K-6) is also located in Rose Bay. (Source: NSW Government / school websites, Feb 2026)
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