Clovelly: the coastal village suburb boasting divine natural scenery

The sheltered waters off Clovelly Beach and the more rugged Gordons Bay, which forms Clovelly’s southern border, have a reputation for being great snorkelling spots.

On a good day, you might bump into a blue groper, surgeonfish, octopus and starfish.

But while the locals love having access to this underwater world, they’re equally smitten with life on land.

“When I walk along the end of the Clovelly promenade or along the rocks at Burrows Park, I feel like I could be a million miles away from anywhere,” says local Lisa Summers.

“There are pockets of bush and the sea, and it’s absolutely so beautiful. I also tend to walk a fair bit around the local area, not just the coastal walk, and there are lots of amazing gardens and beautiful trees.”

Summers says if you wander through the Waverley Cemetery, which forms the suburb’s northern border, you’ll see native birds and lizards, which provide a welcome dose of nature so close to the city.

“The connection to the environment is a really important focus,” she says.

“Most people in this area look for that connection.”

Village delights

While it’s a quieter pocket than neighbours Coogee and Bronte, Clovelly still plays host to a collection of restaurants, specialty stores and small businesses with a loyal local following.

Summers, a rehab trainer and owner of Studio 44 Personal Training, has been running her business on Burnie Street for 15 years and says Clovelly has a deep sense of community and feels both safe and relaxed.

“I originally lived in Coogee, and so Clovelly, in comparison, is a little bit more tranquil and has a village feel,” she says.

Her favourite stores include Chinaclay, a florist and ceramics gallery showcasing local artists, and Gallery East, an exhibition space that also runs small musical events and local festivals.

On the food front, Summers loves Darley Street Bistro for its consistently good food and lovely staff, and newcomer Reel, a casual seafood restaurant.

PPD Real Estate agent Alexander Phillips adds Gordons Cafe and the iconic Clovelly Hotel to the must-visit list.

Mixed demographic

Phillips says the suburb has long been popular with young families keen to send their kids to the popular Clovelly Public School while enjoying a coastal lifestyle.

But it’s also a magnet for cashed-up professionals happy to pay top dollar to get into the market.

Phillips reports two record sales in the past 12 months, with 24 Ocean Street fetching $9.9 million last year and 20 Victory Street selling recently off-market for circa $13.5 million.