Vaucluse: The Sydney suburb with 'pinch me' views and prices

Living in Sydney’s east presents the prime opportunity for making the most of the city’s wondrous waterways, and perhaps no better place guarantees this more than the affluent suburb of Vaucluse.

Geographically born under a lucky star, Vaucluse is not only located just eight kilometres from the CBD, but it’s also perfectly positioned to capture spectacular “pinch me” views, with Sydney Harbour to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

Historic harbourside haven

One of Sydney’s original suburbs, Vaucluse holds a wealth of history, including many heritage-listed buildings like Vaucluse House, one of the city’s few 19th-century mansions.

It’s now open to the public as a museum, enticing visitors to its lush and still secluded grounds.

Sydney-born barrister and novelist John Lang once wrote about the Wentworth family’s estate in 1859, “Travel where you will, the eye will not rest upon any spot more favoured by nature than that exquisite valley which was called Vaucluse.”

Echoing this, the managing director of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty, Michael Pallier, says Vaucluse has always been an area of affluence and remains so today.

“Families tend to move to Vaucluse as the homes are often quite large with more than enough room for children to grow and play,” he says.

“It has a great connection to the water, plus many parks and established gardens, meaning plenty of options to go for a swim or walk dogs.”

Unsurprisingly, Vaucluse constantly ranks in Sydney’s top five most expensive residential areas.

According to Domain’s latest House Price Report, the suburb’s median currently sits at $8.8 million, having jumped 46.7 per cent just in the past 12 months and a staggering 99.8 per cent over the past five years.

“I have found that the prices for large, luxurious homes in Vaucluse have remained very strong, as people continue to put only more value on the type of space and lifestyle that this prestigious postcode affords,” Pallier says.

A slice of the west

Bringing a piece of the inner west to the eastern suburbs, Nick Stubbs has been helping Vaucluse lift its cafe game since opening The Trail cafe in 2015.

Originally hailing from Glebe, Stubbs noticed a big demand for more classic cafes in the area after talking to many locals, motivating him to fulfil this need.

“Over the years, I’ve come to know many families in the area, who are lots of fun, super-friendly and always enjoy a good bit of banter,” he says.

“People often share conversations between tables over coffees and breakfast burritos, before grabbing another takeaway coffee to take on a scenic walk along the Hermitage Foreshore Track.”

Stubbs notes that summer is undoubtedly the best time to be in Vaucluse – which has pretty harbour beaches at Nielsen Park, Parsley Bay and Hermit Bay – as the suburb glistens and the locals smile that much more with some sunshine.

“Everyone is out and about with a generally happier feel, along with plenty of pooches walking about,” he says.

“There’s a good reason people come from all over Sydney to swim, exercise and get some good snaps of the city from here, making those who live here all the luckier.”

For sale in Vaucluse right now..

Expressions of Interest

2/2A Black Street, Vaucluse NSW 2030

4

7

4

View property

An ode to the timeless beauty of Vaucluse, this stately family manor is supremely flexible and luxurious in its design. Breathtaking moments are created throughout, be it from the chandelier-adorned lounging quarters, the view-swept wrap-around terraces or the sparkling swimming pool with spa.