Austins Ferry

Lifestyle & recreation

Life in Austins Ferry revolves around the Derwent River and the surrounding bushland. Riverside reserves offer spots for fishing, kayaking and simply watching the water traffic, while walking and cycling tracks connect through to Claremont and beyond. The Meehan Range Nature Recreation Area on the eastern fringe of the wider region gives keen walkers and mountain bikers plenty of scope for longer outings, and the suburb's semi-rural pockets suit those who want a bit of land without leaving the greater Hobart area entirely.

Getting around

The Brooker Highway runs directly through the area, making the run into central Hobart straightforward and typically quick outside peak times. Regular bus services link Austins Ferry to Hobart via Claremont and Glenorchy, and the suburb's position between Granton and Old Beach also makes it a convenient base for those working further north in the Derwent Valley or at the Brighton industrial precinct. Having a car is the practical choice here, as is the case across most of Hobart's northern suburbs, though the highway access keeps travel times reasonable.

Schools & families

Families in Austins Ferry are well placed for schooling, with St Virgil's College within easy reach and additional primary and secondary options available in neighbouring Claremont and Glenorchy. The suburb's quieter streets, larger blocks and river outlook make it popular with families wanting room for kids and pets to move around, while its proximity to Chigwell and Herdsmans Cove broadens the choice of community facilities and sporting clubs nearby.

Housing & architecture

Housing in Austins Ferry is varied, ranging from established brick-and-weatherboard homes on generous blocks to newer builds taking advantage of remaining vacant land. Current listings reflect this mix, with houses making up 43 percent of stock, land parcels a notable 37 percent, apartments and units 14 percent, and townhouses the remaining 6 percent. That relatively high proportion of land on the market points to a suburb still in the process of infill development, giving buyers genuine scope to build rather than simply buy established.

The property market

Austins Ferry has recorded strong recent momentum, with house prices up 17.5 percent to a median of $705,000. That growth puts it ahead of many surrounding suburbs and reflects growing buyer interest in riverside and bushland settings within commuting distance of Hobart. Median rent sits at $600 per week, a figure that speaks to solid demand from tenants drawn by the space and lifestyle on offer.

For buyers, the suburb offers a rare combination in greater Hobart: a substantial share of land listings alongside established houses, meaning both renovators and those wanting to build new have real options. Investors, meanwhile, are likely watching the price growth alongside steady rental demand as a sign the suburb is shifting from a quiet riverside pocket to a more sought-after address.