'I realise how bloody lucky I am': Bronte, the elite Sydney enclave that still has a small town vibe

Nigel Marsh wants to die in Bronte. Not today, mind you, or anytime soon, but he is so enamoured of the coastal suburb he’s called home for 18 years, there’s no place he’d rather be.

The host of award-nominated podcast The Five of my Life, Marsh is also an author, speaker and chief executive of branding agency West 82nd. He moved from London to Sydney in 2001 and found himself living in Bronte at the suggestion of his relocation service.

“It’s only retrospectively that I realise how bloody lucky I am,” Marsh says. “I’ve never moved more than 500 yards from that first house. I want to die here!”

Centre of the universe

His children went to Bronte Public, a school he describes as “heavenly”, with its sea views and a community that delivered “wonderful Aussie mates”.

Marsh says the centre of his local universe is the Bronte beach pool where he joins swim club every Saturday morning.

“I’m lucky enough to be able to walk there,” he says. “It’s an unusual beach. There’s no road behind it, instead there’s a valley of green and if you squint your eyes and choose to be selective, you could be in the country.”

Bethwyn Richards of The Agency Eastern Suburbs says lots of locals follow in Marsh’s footsteps, changing homes within the suburb. “They decide it’s time to get a view, time to get an apartment, time to downsize, but they do it
all within Bronte,” she says.

With homes wrapping around both the beach reserve and the dramatic Waverley Cemetery, Richards says there are plenty of top streets to choose from.

“You have the fabulous position and the excitement of the Hewlett Street properties but there are buyers who prefer the peacefulness on the other side of Bronte. It’s north-facing and it’s an easy walk to Macpherson Street village cafes.”

Favourites include the Bogey Hole cafe, Cafe Salina and Three Blue Ducks.

Cafe heaven

Richards says the cafes provide the key meeting points for the local community.

“There’s a huge following and sense of loyalty to each one and the clientele gets to know each other,” she says.

As for Marsh, it’s a foregone conclusion that if you put him on the other side of the mic for his podcast, where personalities chat about their favourite film, book, song, possession and place, Marsh would choose Bronte for the latter.

“For me this is heaven, I cannot believe my life has been arranged in a way that I can live in Bronte,” he says.

Two homes in the area

146 MacPherson Street

There is very much a king-of-the-castle vibe at this north facing residence.

A five-minute walk from the beach, the home claims magnificent elevated views up the coast to Mackenzies Point.

Bethwyn Richards of The Agency Eastern Suburbs is quoting a guide of $5.6 million to $5.9 million.

21 Murray Street

This glamorous beach house has a luxe quality that carries right through from the texture-rich interiors to the level garden.

It’s here that you’ll find a self-contained studio beside the pool, which could be used as a guest house of a teenage retreat.

David Tyrrell of Phillips Pantzer Donnelley is marketing the property.