BIGGER YARDS AND BETTER LIFESTYLES

Divide and conquer is the order of the day in Port Hacking. It’s how the suburb’s most famous resident, Scott Morrison, snatched the prime ministership from wannabe Liberal leader Peter Dutton. It’s also a similar modus operandi for homeowners, who have subdivided large blocks to build duplexes.

Justin Ressler, of Ressler Property, estimates that about half of Port Hacking is zoned to allow duplexes.

“People are trying to get more value out of their land,” he says. “A lot of people are keeping one house to live in and selling the other.”

Port Hacking is a small suburb on the north shore of the Port Hacking estuary, about 30 kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD.

Mature trees provide a leafy canopy over the quiet streets, where boat trailers and tradies’ utes share the kerbside with residents’ cars. The peninsula position means traffic is minimal and water views plentiful. Some homes have pools, landscaped gardens and private boat sheds.

There were fewer than 350 residences – including 20 semi-detached homes – in Port Hacking, according to the 2016 census. If recent building activity is any guide, this is set to rise substantially.
The nearest train station is Caringbah, about three kilometres away. The closest small cluster of shops is at Lilli Pilli. Westfield Miranda is about four kilometres north-west.

One of the local hot spots is Wally’s Wharf at the end of Port Hacking Road in Dolans Bay, where residents can drop their boats in the water and explore the nearby waterways.

Ressler says more young families are coming into the area, replacing the baby boomers who are moving on. “I’m meeting people coming from other areas like the eastern suburbs who are seeing more value for money in Port Hacking,” he says. “If you want a bit more yard and a better lifestyle this area provides that.”

New duplexes are fetching upwards of $1.4 million – about the same as the starting price for older-style freestanding homes. Premium waterfront blocks can command more than $4 million.

Kathryn MacMillan, who runs 923 Recruitment & HR, first moved to Port Hacking nearly 20 years ago. “We moved out for a few years, to Stanmore, but then we found our dream home and moved back,” MacMillan says.

“Port Hacking is a very beautiful suburb because it’s so close to the Royal National Park, so the homes can have views of the park. It’s also a very settled area; a lot of people have been here a long time.”

For Sale in the area:

54 Turriell Point Road

$1.4 million-$1.45 million
54 Turriell Point Road, Port Hacking NSW.

About halfway between Lilli Pilli oval and Wally’s Wharf, this original three-bedroom brick veneer home on 660 square metres offers plenty of scope for a contemporary renovation.

A pool and bar are among the highlights.

​Ressler Property has the listing.