Rye
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Rye, VIC 3941.
About Rye
Welcome to Rye
Rye sits on the Mornington Peninsula, roughly 90 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, tucked between Port Phillip Bay to the north and the rugged Gunnamatta coastline to the south. The suburb has long been a favourite escape for Melburnians chasing long summers, easy beach days and a genuine sense of slowing down — and a growing number are now choosing to stay year-round.
The community has a relaxed, unpretentious character that suits young families, retirees and sea-changers in equal measure. Its proximity to neighbouring suburbs like Tootgarook, Capel Sound and St Andrews Beach means residents enjoy a wider network of amenities, while Rye itself retains a distinctly local, unhurried feel.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Rye moves at a pace that feels earned rather than enforced. The foreshore along Port Phillip Bay draws swimmers, kayakers and early-morning walkers throughout the warmer months, and the energy rarely fully disappears even in winter. There is a solid base of cafés and local eateries along the main strip — Picnic Basket is a well-regarded local favourite for coffee and casual bites — giving residents somewhere reliable to land on a slow weekend morning.
The dual-coastline position is one of Rye's genuine drawcards. Families can choose between the calm, shallow waters of the bay beach and the dramatic surf breaks accessible via St Andrews Beach and Fingal to the south. That combination of safe swimming for young children and proper surf for older kids and adults is something very few suburbs on the peninsula can offer.
Shopping
Rye's everyday retail needs are covered by a modest but functional local centre. BWS and a personal laundry service are among the day-to-day conveniences on hand, and the broader Mornington Peninsula township network — including Rosebud, a short drive north — fills the gaps for larger supermarkets and specialty shopping. It is not the suburb for those who want a high-street retail experience on the doorstep, but for most residents the trade-off against coastal living is an easy one to make.
Fresh produce and artisan goods are well catered for through the peninsula's strong network of farm gates, farmers' markets and providores, many of which are accessible within a 15 to 20-minute drive.
Getting around
Rye is primarily a car-dependent suburb, as is typical across the Mornington Peninsula. The Nepean Highway is the main artery connecting Rye to Rosebud, Mornington and ultimately the Frankston freeway corridor into Melbourne. Bus services operate through the area, with stops around the Lyons Street/Sullivan Street corridor and Timmins Crescent/Dundas Street providing local connectivity, though services can be infrequent outside peak periods.
For commuters making the trip to Melbourne, the drive to Frankston train station — where Metro services run into the city — is the most practical option. Many residents who have made Rye a permanent base work locally on the peninsula or have flexible arrangements that make the occasional CBD trip manageable rather than routine.
Schools & families
Rye Primary School is the local state primary school, serving the suburb's younger residents within the community. For secondary schooling, families typically look to nearby townships on the peninsula, and the relatively relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle tends to attract households with children who thrive in that environment.
The broader peninsula offers a range of schooling options across government and independent sectors within a reasonable drive, and the strong community networks that characterise coastal suburbs like Rye mean that families tend to settle in and connect quickly.
Parks & recreation
Green space is well distributed across Rye. French Street Reserve and Mathis Avenue Reserve offer local spots for informal recreation, while the Recreation Reserve provides more structured sporting and community facilities. These spaces are particularly well used during summer when the resident population swells with holiday visitors, but they remain accessible and rarely overcrowded through the rest of the year.
Beyond the reserves, the foreshore parklands, coastal walking tracks and the broader Mornington Peninsula National Park — which encompasses stretches of the ocean coastline near Fingal and St Andrews Beach — mean that outdoor activity options extend well beyond the suburb's boundaries.
The property market
Rye's median house price currently sits at $870,000, with recent growth of 2.4 per cent reflecting steady, measured demand rather than the speculative surges that have affected some other coastal markets. The median rent of $575 per week speaks to consistent demand from short and long-term tenants alike, making investment purchases a common motivation alongside owner-occupier sea-change purchases.
The current listing mix is dominated by houses at 76 per cent, with land making up a notable 19 per cent — a figure that points to ongoing development interest in the suburb and opportunities for buyers looking to build. Apartments and units account for just 5 per cent of listings, and townhouses are virtually absent, which means the streetscape retains a low-density, residential feel. Neighbouring suburbs like Tootgarook and Capel Sound offer comparable lifestyle appeal at similar price points, giving buyers a sensible comparison set when weighing up their options on this stretch of the peninsula.
Market snapshot
Rye property market
Median sale price
$873k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$580
per week
Gross rental yield
3.5%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$668k
Median
$873k
Premium
$1.41m
Days on market
38
Auction clearance
64%
Sold this year
158
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth -6.7% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Rye by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Rye, VIC 3941.
Population
9,438
residents (2021)
Median age
51
years
Household income
$1,334
median, per week
Median rent
$372
per week
Median mortgage
$1,800
per month
Mortgage / income
31%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Rye
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Rye
$995k
53 Field Street
Sold ~July 2026
$990k
45 Bruce Street
Sold ~July 2026
$840k
26 Strathmore Street
Sold ~July 2026
$655k
3 Lillian Street
Sold ~July 2026
$772k
89 Weeroona Street
Sold ~July 2026
$535k
4/35 Ozone Street
Sold ~July 2026
$800k
40 McDonald Road
Sold ~July 2026
$600k
83 Creedmore Drive
Sold ~July 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 Rye
Compare the area
Price map around Rye
Every listing for sale near Rye, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Rye suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Rye?
The median house price in Rye, VIC is $873k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 3.3%.
How much is rent in Rye?
The median weekly rent in Rye is around $580 per week.
Is Rye a good place to live?
Rye is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 9,438 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Rye?
Rye has a population of 9,438 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 51.
What schools are in Rye?
There is 1 school in or near Rye, including Rye Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Rye?
Properties in Rye take around 38 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 64%.
How much do you need to buy in Rye?
Entry-level properties in Rye start around $668k, while premium homes reach $1.41m.
What suburbs are near Rye?
Suburbs near Rye include Tootgarook, Sound, Capel Sound, Fingal and St Andrews Beach.
Fresh to market
New this week in Rye
HAPPY DAYS.
Understated Luxury
The Pinnacle of Peninsula Living: Spectacular 360° Views & Ultimate Coastal Luxury
Easy Living, Peninsula Style
Available now
Properties in Rye
A Rare Tyrone Opportunity with Space to Grow
Wide Bay 196, Beach Facade
Parkview 286, Urban Facade
Space, Privacy and Ocean Beach Proximity
Genuine Sale, Exceptional Value
An Exceptional Lifestyle Property with Space, Style & Serenity
Private Coastal Retreat with Bay Glimpses
Comfort, Convenience and Relaxed Coastal living
Beautifully Landscaped Coastal Living
