Rushcutters Bay
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011.
About Rushcutters Bay
Welcome to Rushcutters Bay
Rushcutters Bay sits just under three kilometres east of the Sydney CBD, wrapped around the harbourside park and marina of the same name. It's a compact, densely built pocket of eastern Sydney bordered by Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Darlinghurst, Darling Point and Paddington, and it trades almost entirely on its proximity to the water, the city and some of Sydney's most walkable inner-city streets.
With a population of just 2,335 and a median age of 38, it's a suburb of professionals and downsizers rather than families, drawn to apartment living, harbour views and the ability to leave the car at home. It suits people who want the buzz of Kings Cross and Potts Point on their doorstep but a patch of green and open water to retreat to at the end of the day.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Rushcutters Bay revolves around the park and the harbour edge, where locals run, walk dogs and watch the yachts come and go from the marina. It's a genuinely mixed-use pocket, with the café and restaurant strips of neighbouring Potts Point and Darlinghurst only a short stroll away, offering everything from long-standing Italian trattorias to newer wine bars and coffee roasters. Paddington's boutiques and terrace-lined laneways are also within easy walking distance, giving residents a broader spread of dining and retail without needing to leave the inner east.
Shopping
There's no large shopping centre in Rushcutters Bay itself, and that's part of its appeal — daily errands are handled at the small grocers, delis and specialty stores scattered along the fringes of Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point. For bigger shopping trips, Oxford Street in Paddington and Darlinghurst offers fashion, homewares and design stores, while the city centre's David Jones, Westfield Sydney and Pitt Street Mall are a short bus or taxi ride away.
Getting around
Rushcutters Bay is well served by bus routes running along New South Head Road and through Darlinghurst into the CBD, making it a realistic option for commuters without a car. Kings Cross railway station, on the Eastern Suburbs line, is within walking distance for those wanting a direct rail link into the city and onward through the Illawarra line corridor. The suburb's inner-city position also makes it an easy cycle or e-scooter trip into the CBD, and ferries from nearby wharves add another way to reach the city or cross the harbour.
Parks & recreation
Rushcutters Bay Park is the suburb's centrepiece — a generous stretch of harbourside green space with sporting fields, playgrounds, a running track and views across to the moored yachts of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. It's heavily used by residents from Rushcutters Bay, Elizabeth Bay and Darling Point alike, and gives the area a sense of openness that's rare this close to the CBD. Rowing, sailing and harbour swimming spots in the surrounding bays add to the recreational appeal for those who like to be on or near the water.
Housing & architecture
Housing here is overwhelmingly apartment-based, reflecting the suburb's tight geography and harbourside desirability. Current listings show 58% apartments or units, 3% houses and the remaining 39% falling into other dwelling types such as terraces and semis, a mix that points to a streetscape of low- and mid-rise blocks interspersed with the occasional heritage terrace. Building styles range from Art Deco blocks near the park to more contemporary developments closer to Paddington and Darling Point.
The property market
The median unit and apartment price in Rushcutters Bay currently sits at $825k, reflecting strong ongoing demand for a harbourside address this close to the city. Given that apartments make up more than half of all current listings, the unit market is the clearest read on where values sit locally, with buyers weighing up park frontage, harbour glimpses and walkability to Potts Point, Darlinghurst and the CBD against the more limited house stock. The suburb's small population and tightly held housing stock tend to keep listings scarce, which supports competition whenever well-located apartments come to market.
Market snapshot
Rushcutters Bay property market
Median sale price
$825k
Unit · 1 bed
Median rent
$700
per week
Gross rental yield
4.4%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$475k
Median
$825k
Premium
$1.10m
Days on market
36
Auction clearance
74%
Sold this year
41
Median sold price trend · Unit 1 bed
Compound growth -3.5% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · Unit
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Rushcutters Bay by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011.
Population
2,335
residents (2021)
Median age
38
years
Household income
$1,877
median, per week
Median rent
$450
per week
Median mortgage
$2,600
per month
Mortgage / income
32%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Recent results
Recently sold in Rushcutters Bay
$725k
33/137-141 Bayswater Road
Sold ~July 2026
$560k
2/14-16 Ward Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$6.95m
6/6 Evans Road
Sold ~June 2026
$3.50m
3/24 Waratah Street
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 Rushcutters Bay
Compare the area
Price map around Rushcutters Bay
Every listing for sale near Rushcutters Bay, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Common questions
Rushcutters Bay suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Rushcutters Bay?
The median unit price in Rushcutters Bay, NSW is $825k for a 1-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 10.8%.
How much is rent in Rushcutters Bay?
The median weekly rent in Rushcutters Bay is around $700 per week.
Is Rushcutters Bay a good place to live?
Rushcutters Bay is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 2,335.
What is the population of Rushcutters Bay?
Rushcutters Bay has a population of 2,335 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 38.
How long do homes take to sell in Rushcutters Bay?
Properties in Rushcutters Bay take around 36 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 74%.
How much do you need to buy in Rushcutters Bay?
Entry-level properties in Rushcutters Bay start around $475k, while premium homes reach $1.10m.
What suburbs are near Rushcutters Bay?
Suburbs near Rushcutters Bay include Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Darlinghurst, Darling Point and Paddington.
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