Stirling
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Stirling, SA 5152.
About Stirling
Welcome to Stirling
Stirling sits high in the Adelaide Hills, around 16 kilometres south-east of the Adelaide CBD via the Mount Barker Freeway or the old Mount Barker Road. It's the kind of place people picture when they imagine "hills living" done well — English-style deciduous trees lining the main street, cool-climate gardens, stone cottages and a genuine sense of separation from the city, despite being a manageable commute away.
With a population of just over 3,000 and a median age of 48, Stirling has long attracted families wanting space and established professionals and downsizers after a slower pace without giving up access to good schools and cafes. It suits buyers looking for character homes on generous blocks, rather than those chasing new-build convenience.
Lifestyle & dining
The village centre of Stirling is the drawcard, with a cluster of cafes, restaurants and pubs that punch above their weight for a town of this size. The main street's tree-lined footpaths are especially well known in autumn, when the deciduous plantings turn Stirling into one of the most photographed streetscapes in the Adelaide Hills. It's a place where a Saturday morning coffee run or long lunch is part of the appeal, and the pace is noticeably slower than the plains below.
Shopping
Stirling's shopping is boutique rather than big-box, centred on its village strip of specialty grocers, gift shops, bakeries and a supermarket for everyday needs. For bigger shopping trips, residents typically head to nearby Mount Barker or down the freeway into Adelaide, but the local offering covers most day-to-day essentials comfortably, and neighbouring Aldgate adds another small, walkable shopping node close by.
Getting around
The Mount Barker Freeway gives Stirling relatively fast access to the Adelaide CBD, making it a realistic option for city commuters despite the hills setting. Old Mount Barker Road provides a more scenic, slower alternative through the village and on to neighbouring Crafers, Crafers West, Aldgate and Heathfield. There's no train line through Stirling itself, so most residents rely on car travel, supplemented by regional bus services connecting the hills townships to Adelaide.
Schools & families
Education is a strong drawcard, headlined by St Catherine's School, a well-regarded independent school based in Stirling, alongside Stirling East Primary School for local families needing a public option. The combination of respected schooling, larger blocks and a tight-knit community feel is a major reason families put down roots here for the long term, reflected in the suburb's older median age of 48.
Parks & recreation
The surrounding hills landscape is really the suburb's biggest recreational asset, with bushland, walking trails and reserves woven through Stirling and neighbouring Crafers and Upper Sturt. Cool-climate gardens are a feature of many properties, and the area's elevation and rainfall support a greener, more established look than much of metropolitan Adelaide, particularly through spring and autumn.
The property market
Stirling's property market is firmly in premium territory, with a median house price of $1.95 million and growth of 22.0% over the recent period, underlining strong demand for hills lifestyle properties. Current listings show a mix of 73% houses and 27% land, indicating that while established character homes dominate, there's still a reasonable pipeline of vacant blocks for those wanting to build. Buyers are typically drawn by larger allotments, established gardens and the prestige attached to the Stirling name, with nearby Aldgate, Heathfield and Crafers offering comparable hills alternatives at varying price points.
Market snapshot
Stirling property market
Median sale price
$1.95m
House · 4 bed
Median rent
—
per week
Gross rental yield
—
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$1.25m
Median
$1.95m
Premium
$3.96m
Days on market
54
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
23
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +12.2% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Stirling by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Stirling, SA 5152.
Population
3,067
residents (2021)
Median age
48
years
Household income
$2,368
median, per week
Median rent
$450
per week
Median mortgage
$2,448
per month
Mortgage / income
24%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Stirling
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Stirling
$1.19m
14 Ethel Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.05m
120 Old Mount Barker Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.45m
20 Tingaling Grove
Sold ~June 2026
$2.10m
21 Pine Street
Sold ~June 2026
$850k
51 Mabel Street
Sold ~June 2026
$2.30m
6 Bracken 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 Stirling
Compare the area
Price map around Stirling
Every listing for sale near Stirling, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Stirling suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Stirling?
The median house price in Stirling, SA is $1.95m for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 22.0%.
Is Stirling a good place to live?
Stirling is a small town in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, approximately 15 km from the Adelaide city centre. Stirling is an established residential suburb in SA, with a population of around 3,067 and 2 schools in the area.
What is the population of Stirling?
Stirling has a population of 3,067 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 48.
What schools are in Stirling?
There are 2 schools in or near Stirling, including St Catherine's School and Stirling East Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Stirling?
Properties in Stirling take around 54 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Stirling?
Entry-level properties in Stirling start around $1.25m, while premium homes reach $3.96m.
What suburbs are near Stirling?
Suburbs near Stirling include Crafers West, Crafers, Heathfield, Aldgate and Upper Sturt.
Fresh to market
New this week in Stirling
A RARE STIRLING OPPORTUNITY RESTORE, RENOVATE OR REIMAGINE
Big brick home, bigger shedding - 922sqm at the foothills of the Flinders
Available now
Properties in Stirling
A RARE LEVEL ALLOTMENT OF 1226sqm IN A PRIME STIRLING POSITION - Moments to Stirling's Main Street and ready to bring your Hills dream to life
Vacant Land for Sale
Value-Rich Tudor Charm on the Respected Edge of Stirling Village.
Attention Investors and First Home Buyers
Open the Door to Luxury 5-6 Bedroom Living in Dress Circle Stirling
A Large Block With Elevated Views and Approved Plans
Practical Family Home with Exceptional Outdoor Entertaining
