Nairne
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Nairne, SA 5252.
About Nairne
Welcome to Nairne
Nairne sits in the Adelaide Hills, just east of Mount Barker and roughly 35 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, along the Mount Barker Road/South Eastern Freeway corridor. Once a small rural service town, it has grown steadily into a family-oriented community that still trades on its Hills character — rolling paddocks, established gum trees and a slower pace than the outer metropolitan suburbs closer to the city.
With a population of 5,327 and a median age of 36, Nairne attracts young families and commuters looking for more space and a quieter setting without giving up easy access to Mount Barker's services. It suits buyers after a house-and-land lifestyle, room for kids and pets, and a genuine sense of small-town community, bordered by the semi-rural pockets of Dawesley and Mount Barker Springs.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Nairne revolves around its town centre and the surrounding countryside rather than a bustling café strip, which is exactly the appeal for many residents. Locals tend to rely on Nairne's own small selection of everyday eateries and takeaways for a quick coffee or meal, while heading into nearby Mount Barker for a broader range of restaurants, pubs and specialty dining. Weekends are more likely to be spent walking the local reserves or driving out into the Hills than queuing for brunch, and that low-key rhythm is a big part of why people choose to live here.
Shopping
For day-to-day shopping, Nairne has a modest local offering covering basic essentials, but most residents do their major shopping in Mount Barker, just a short drive away, which has a full-scale shopping centre, supermarkets and speciality retail. This arrangement suits the town well — it keeps Nairne feeling residential and uncluttered while still putting a major retail hub within easy reach.
Getting around
Nairne's location just off Mount Barker Road and close to the South Eastern Freeway makes commuting to Adelaide a realistic option, with the CBD around 35 kilometres away. Regular bus services connect Nairne to Mount Barker and on towards Adelaide, and many residents drive to Mount Barker or Adelaide for work, school runs or connecting transport. The absence of a local train line means most trips are car-based, so buyers should factor in a vehicle-dependent lifestyle, albeit one softened by relatively easy freeway access.
Schools & families
Families are well catered for locally by Nairne School, which covers both preschool and primary years and gives younger children a genuine community school experience close to home. For secondary options, families typically look to the wider Mount Barker area, which offers a broader range of high schools. The town's median age of 36 reflects its popularity with young and growing families drawn to the combination of a local primary school, larger blocks and a close-knit community feel.
Parks & recreation
The countryside around Nairne, including the neighbouring rural landscapes of Dawesley and Mount Barker Springs, offers plenty of scope for walking, riding and simply enjoying the Hills scenery. Locally, reserves and open space around the town provide room for sport, dog-walking and family outings, while the broader Adelaide Hills region — known for its trails, vineyards and conservation parks — is only a short drive from home for those wanting a bigger day out.
The property market
Nairne's property market centres firmly on houses, which make up 87% of current listings, alongside a smaller share of land (11%) and a minimal apartment or unit presence (3%) — underlining its identity as a house-and-land, family-suburb market rather than a medium-density one. The median house price currently sits at $750,000, having grown by 8.7% recently, a sign of continued demand for Hills lifestyle properties within commuting distance of Adelaide. For renters, the median weekly rent is $590, reflecting solid demand from tenants wanting the space and setting Nairne offers without moving fully into regional South Australia.
Market snapshot
Nairne property market
Median sale price
$750k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$590
per week
Gross rental yield
4.1%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$627k
Median
$750k
Premium
$932k
Days on market
48
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
47
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +14.3% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Nairne by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Nairne, SA 5252.
Population
5,327
residents (2021)
Median age
36
years
Household income
$1,776
median, per week
Median rent
$350
per week
Median mortgage
$1,500
per month
Mortgage / income
19%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Nairne
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Nairne
$857k
25 Market Place
Sold ~July 2026
$870k
5 West Terrace
Sold ~July 2026
$888k
22 Clydesdale Place
Sold ~July 2026
$865k
73 Matthew Smillie Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$475k
27 Clydesdale Place
Sold ~June 2026
$590k
2 Saleyard Road
Sold ~June 2026
$749k
2/5 Elder Street
Sold ~June 2026
$800k
6/30 Shakes Road
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Nairne
Compare the area
Price map around Nairne
Every listing for sale near Nairne, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Nairne suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Nairne?
The median house price in Nairne, SA is $750k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 8.7%.
How much is rent in Nairne?
The median weekly rent in Nairne is around $590 per week.
Is Nairne a good place to live?
Nairne is a small township in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia. Nairne is an established residential suburb in SA, with a population of around 5,327 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Nairne?
Nairne has a population of 5,327 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 36.
What schools are in Nairne?
There is 1 school in or near Nairne, including Nairne School - Preschool and Primary.
How long do homes take to sell in Nairne?
Properties in Nairne take around 48 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Nairne?
Entry-level properties in Nairne start around $627k, while premium homes reach $932k.
What suburbs are near Nairne?
Suburbs near Nairne include Dawesley and Mount Barker Springs.
Fresh to market
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