Double Bay carries a reputation for wealth and polish that has stuck for decades, and for good reason. Positioned on the southern edge of Sydney Harbour just four kilometres from the CBD, it is a suburb built around designer retail, harborfront dining, and a residential character that draws some of Sydney’s most affluent residents. The streets between Bay Street and Cross Street form one of Australia’s most concentrated luxury shopping precincts, while the waterfront offers ferry connections to the city, beaches for swimming, and uninterrupted views across the harbour.
The suburb went through a quieter period in the early 2000s when competition from larger shopping centres drew retail activity away from its boutique streets. That era has largely passed. Double Bay has re-established itself as a destination for people who know what they want: exceptional food, understated luxury, and a harbour-adjacent lifestyle that does not require sacrificing proximity to the city. The Intercontinental Sydney Double Bay sits at the centre of this resurgence, drawing visitors who then discover the independent restaurants, wine bars and boutiques on the surrounding blocks.
As part of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Double Bay is well-connected to the broader region, accessible by ferry from Circular Quay, by train from the nearby Edgecliff Station, and by bus routes that link it to Bondi Junction, Paddington and the CBD. It is small in area but significant in character, and it remains one of the most distinctive suburbs in Sydney’s east.
Quick Facts
Boundary and Location Map
Double Bay occupies a small but strategically situated peninsula on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, approximately four kilometres east of the CBD. The suburb is bounded to the north by the harbour itself, to the west by Darling Point, to the east by Point Piper and Rose Bay, and to the south by Edgecliff. Its 0.82 square kilometre footprint makes it one of Sydney’s smallest suburbs by area, which contributes to the concentrated, walkable character of its shopping and dining precinct.
The harbour frontage is the defining geographic feature. New South Head Road and Bay Street connect the suburb to its neighbours and to the wider Eastern Suburbs network, while the ferry wharf at the waterfront provides a direct water connection to the city and onward to other harbour suburbs.
What Makes Double Bay Special
Is It Worth Visiting?
Double Bay earns a visit on its own terms. It is not a suburb to hurry through on the way to somewhere else. The combination of harbour swimming, quality dining and boutique shopping, all within a ten-minute ferry ride of the city, makes it one of the more rewarding half-day trips available from Sydney’s CBD.
For visitors arriving by ferry from Circular Quay, the journey itself adds to the experience. The thirteen-minute crossing offers views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge before the boat turns into the calmer waters of the eastern bays. Arriving at Double Bay Wharf and walking up into the village precinct is a satisfying transition from the harbour to the street.
Food-focused visitors will find the dining options genuinely good. The suburb has moved beyond its old-money reputation and now hosts restaurants that can hold their own against the best of the inner city, with a higher proportion of harborfront and outdoor tables than most Sydney precincts.
Shoppers looking for something specific, particularly jewellery, Australian fashion labels and considered homewares, will find Double Bay more productive than larger centres. The boutique scale means individual attention and a lower chance of buying something everyone else has.
What Is It Like Living Here?
Double Bay attracts wealthy owner-occupiers, downsizers from the Eastern Suburbs who want harbour access without the maintenance demands of a large house, and a subset of high-earning professionals and executives drawn by the ferry commute and the waterfront lifestyle. The median age of 39 reflects a mix of established residents and younger arrivals who can meet the area’s considerable price point. Families do live here, though the suburb’s small size limits school options within the immediate area.
Amenities, Dining & Shopping
Day-to-day amenities are concentrated along Bay Street and Knox Street. There is a Harris Farm Markets for grocery shopping, multiple cafes for weekday breakfasts, a pharmacy, and dry-cleaning and convenience services. For broader supermarket shopping, residents typically drive or bus to Bondi Junction or Edgecliff. The dining options within Double Bay itself are a genuine strength, with everything from casual all-day cafes to full-service restaurants available within a short walk.
Sports & Fitness
Water activities define the sporting options here. Redleaf Beach, also known as Murray Rose Pool, provides harbour swimming in an enclosed tidal pool year-round. Seven Shillings Beach is an open harbour beach suitable for summer swimming and picnicking. Several commercial gyms and fitness studios operate in the surrounding streets, and Centennial Park is accessible by bike or bus for extended running and cycling.
Schools
Within the immediate suburb, school options are limited by Double Bay’s small size. Double Bay Public School serves local primary-age children. For secondary education, residents typically look to nearby Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, or the selective schools accessible by public transport. The area falls within catchment for the well-regarded Paddington and Edgecliff primary zones depending on exact address.
Hospitals
St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst is the closest major public hospital, approximately four kilometres west by road. The Royal Hospital for Women and Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick are around eight kilometres south and provide specialist services. Several private day surgeries and specialist medical suites operate within the suburb and in adjacent Edgecliff.
What Locals Say
Residents consistently point to the ferry as the suburb’s defining practical advantage. The ability to commute to the city by water, avoiding road congestion entirely, genuinely affects quality of life for those who work in the CBD. The compact scale of the village is also praised, along with the quality of the weekend food and retail experience. The main frustration is parking during busy periods and the limited range of supermarket options without leaving the suburb.
Realty Market
Buying in Double Bay
Double Bay is consistently one of Sydney’s most expensive property markets. The median house price sits at approximately $7,280,000 in 2026, though with only 23 houses sold in the past twelve months, the house market is thin and individual sales can significantly move the median. Houses in Double Bay tend to be substantial properties with harbour views or large private gardens, attracting buyers who have already exhausted the options in adjacent Darling Point and Point Piper.
The apartment market is considerably more active, with median unit prices around $2,050,000. This end of the market draws downsizers, owner-occupiers seeking a manageable footprint in a premium location, and a small number of investors. Premium apartments in buildings with harbour views or walking distance to the ferry can exceed $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 for larger configurations.
Annual capital growth has been modest by recent Eastern Suburbs standards, with houses recording a small decline and units showing approximately 2.5% annual growth. The suburb’s price ceiling limits the pool of buyers, which tends to produce a more stable if slower-moving market than the broad mid-range suburban market.
Renting in Double Bay
The rental market in Double Bay is tight, with limited stock and strong demand from professionals and executives who want the ferry commute and the harbour lifestyle without committing to a purchase at these price levels. One-bedroom apartments typically rent for $700 to $800 per week, while two-bedroom units range from $1,000 to $1,300 per week. Premium furnished apartments, particularly those with harbour views, can command substantially higher rents from corporate tenants.
Key Features, Attractions & Parks
Transport
Rail
Double Bay does not have its own train station. The closest station is Edgecliff, a short walk or bus ride away on the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line. From Edgecliff, the city (Town Hall) is approximately eight minutes. Bondi Junction is two stops in the opposite direction.
Bus
Several bus routes serve Double Bay, connecting it to Bondi Junction, Edgecliff, Paddington, the CBD and Rose Bay. The 325, 327 and related routes provide regular services throughout the day. The bus network is less frequent than the rail services at Edgecliff, but useful for local connections within the Eastern Suburbs.
Ferry
The F5 Eastern Suburbs Ferry service calls at Double Bay Wharf, providing direct connections to Circular Quay and onwards to Manly and other harbour destinations. The service runs throughout the day and into the evening on weekdays, with modified weekend timetables. Journey time to Circular Quay is approximately thirteen minutes. This is the preferred commute option for many Double Bay residents working in the CBD or at Circular Quay.
Distance to CBD & Airport
Double Bay is approximately four kilometres from the Sydney CBD. By ferry to Circular Quay the journey takes thirteen minutes. By bus via Edgecliff the journey to the city takes approximately twenty to twenty-five minutes. Sydney Airport is approximately twelve kilometres south by road, a journey of twenty to thirty-five minutes depending on traffic, typically via New South Head Road and the Eastern Distributor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the postcode for Double Bay?
The postcode for Double Bay is 2028.
Which LGA is Double Bay in?
Double Bay falls within the Municipality of Woollahra. Interestingly, Woollahra Council’s administrative centre is located in Double Bay rather than in the suburb of Woollahra itself.
Is Double Bay a good place to live?
For those who can meet the price point, Double Bay offers a genuinely exceptional quality of life. The ferry commute to the city, harbour swimming, walkable village precinct and quality dining make it one of Sydney’s most liveable small suburbs. The trade-off is cost: both purchase prices and rents sit among Sydney’s highest.
How far is Double Bay from Sydney CBD?
Double Bay is approximately four kilometres east of the Sydney CBD. By ferry the journey to Circular Quay takes thirteen minutes. By bus via Edgecliff the trip is approximately twenty to twenty-five minutes.
What is the median house price in Double Bay?
The median house price in Double Bay is approximately $7,280,000 in 2026. Median apartment prices sit around $2,050,000, though premium harbour-view apartments can significantly exceed this figure.
What are the best things to do in Double Bay?
Swimming at Redleaf Beach (Murray Rose Pool), dining along Bay Street, shopping in the boutique retail precinct, arriving or departing by ferry for the harbour views, and relaxing at Steyne Park foreshore are the suburb’s highlights.
What schools are near Double Bay?
Double Bay Public School serves local primary-age children. Cranbrook School in Bellevue Hill is a nearby independent boys’ secondary school. SCEGGS Darlinghurst provides girls’ secondary education a short distance west. The selective Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High Schools are accessible by public transport.
Does Double Bay have a train station?
Double Bay does not have its own train station. The closest is Edgecliff Station, a short walk or bus ride away, on the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line. The suburb is also served by the F5 ferry route to Circular Quay.