← Lower North Shore/Kirribilli & Milsons Point
Suburb guide

Buying in Kirribilli & Milsons Point.

Harbour views, the Bridge on your doorstep and a walk or a short ferry ride into the city.

My view

The harbour at your front door.

Kirribilli and Milsons Point sit at the northern end of the Harbour Bridge, and I know them very well. They suit professionals, downsizers and buyers who want to walk to the city and wake up to the harbour.

Most homes are apartments, from early 1900s blocks to modern towers, along with a small number of terraces and grand old homes. Harbour views are everywhere, but their quality varies a great deal.

With so much choice, the view, the building and the floor plan drive value more than size alone.

A little history

From Milson’s farm to the foot of the Bridge.

Milsons Point is named after James Milson, a free settler who farmed and built homes here from the 1820s. Kirribilli’s name probably comes from an Aboriginal word for a good fishing spot.

Grand sandstone villas went up from the 1830s, including the house later enlarged as Admiralty House. Kirribilli House, now the Prime Minister’s Sydney residence, was built in the 1850s. One of the first waterfront apartment blocks went up in 1907, and many more followed.

Milson family land was taken in the 1920s for the Harbour Bridge, which opened in 1932. Luna Park opened beside it in 1935, and its art deco face is still a Sydney landmark.

Where people buy

The pockets I know.

Even in this small area, each pocket feels different.

Kirribilli villageApartments and some terraces near the cafes on Broughton and Fitzroy Streets, the markets and the ferry. It has a real village feel. Older buildings vary a lot in condition.
Kirribilli waterfrontApartments on the harbour streets near Admiralty House and Kirribilli House, many with Opera House and city views. These are some of the most sought after views in Sydney.
Milsons PointApartments near the station, Luna Park and North Sydney Olympic Pool, a short walk across the Bridge to the city. It suits buyers who want maximum convenience. Train and Bridge noise vary by building.
Lavender Bay edgeApartments and homes looking over Lavender Bay and Luna Park, close to Wendy’s Secret Garden. It is quieter than the station side, with lovely outlooks.
Living here

Beaches, schools and getting around.

  • Harbour and parks. Bradfield Park, Lavender Bay, Wendy’s Secret Garden, North Sydney Olympic Pool and the harbour foreshore.
  • Schools. Loreto Kirribilli and St Aloysius’ College are right here, with Shore and Wenona close by.
  • Shops and cafes. The Kirribilli village cafes, the Kirribilli markets and everything in North Sydney a short walk away.
  • Getting around. Milsons Point station, ferries from Kirribilli and Milsons Point, and a walk over the Bridge to the city.
My buying tips

What I tell buyers here.

  • Not all views are equal. Opera House and Bridge views are worth far more than side or partial views. A view is only as good as its protection.
  • Read the strata. Many buildings here are old or very large. Levies, defects and planned works can change the true cost a lot.
  • Noise is part of the picture. Trains, the Bridge, Luna Park and New Year’s Eve crowds affect some streets more than others.
  • Parking is rare. A car space adds real value and makes an apartment much easier to sell.

General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice. Please read my terms and disclaimer.

Looking in Kirribilli or Milsons Point?

Call me for a confidential, no obligation chat about what you’re looking for.

Call JamesFree strategy call