Kurnell is a small seaside suburb with the feel of a rural retreat. Featuring an array of beautiful waterfront homes and with easy access to a national park, it’s become popular for those seeking a quiet life without leaving the city.
Despite being set apart from the rest of the Sutherland Shire, Kurnell’s property market has performed well recently. And, with new developments on the way (including a new ferry), it’s one to watch for future growth.
In this suburb profile:
- Benefits of living in Kurnell
- Kurnell property market snapshot
- FAQ about Kurnell
Benefits of living in Kurnell
Schools
The little ones will usually start their learning journeys at Kurnell Public School, which caters for kindergarten up to year 6. Then, as they move into high school age, Cronulla High School is where they’ll go – a very well thought of school which has won two Director-General’s School Achievement Awards.
Religious schools and schools for children with special needs are available in the Sutherland Shire as well, if these are important for your family.
Transport links
Kurnell’s charm lies in its perfect balance between seclusion and accessibility. While it feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, its transport links make it surprisingly connected to the rest of the city, offering the best of both worlds.
The drive from Kurnell to Cronulla is just over 10 minutes, and the 987 bus also goes out this way (a ride of about 15-20 minutes). From Cronulla you can then access the rest of Sydney using the train or various buses.
Kurnell is also getting a ferry, which will help to facilitate easy transport to and from La Perouse (and the airport or CBD beyond).
Beaches and Outdoors
Kurnell is one of the best places to live in the Sutherland Shire, and all of Sydney, for a quintessentially Australian laid-back outdoor lifestyle.
There are swimming and fishing opportunities all along Prince Charles Parade, and Silver Beach also has an off-leash area for dogs – so everyone gets to enjoy fun by the water.
For weekends in the sun there’s also the fabulous southern headline of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. Here, in 1770, the local Aboriginal people made first contact with Captain Cook of the Endeavour, making it one of NSW’s most significant heritage sites. Whale watching off Cape Solander, picnicking and walking are three of the most popular activities here. A day pass to access the park can be bought at the visitor centre or Park’nPay app.
As for other activities, the Cape Baily Track will take you right through to Cronulla (where there are more great beaches) if you want a stunning day trek. Kurnell Peninsula also contains opportunities for diving, boating and various sports, including the excellent Kurnell Boarding Stables & Riding School, plus Kurnell Horse Arena.
Food and Dining
Kurnell feels like a little holiday town, so you can expect great cafe and takeaway options here – Milkhouse and Cook are both popular, though you’ve a few more options if you explore the waterfront. There’s also a small shopping block on the roundabout where Captain Cook Drive and Torres Street meet, which offers extra takeaways, a supermarket and fruit shop.
When you decide it’s time for a nice evening out, Cronulla is the place to go. This beachy suburb is growing into a foodie paradise, with a range of high-quality cuisine options by the water.
Kurnell property market snapshot
Note: These figures present a snapshot of the Kurnell property market at time of writing.
Figures may have changed since then. To get a more up to date idea of property prices in the area, check out listings for sale in Kurnell or contact us for advice.
Kurnell is like an island away from the rest of the city, with a healthy property market populated mainly by houses – there are very few units or townhouses in the area compared to other Shire suburbs.
- Median house price: $1,820,000 (up 3.4% since last year)
- Median unit price: N/A (not enough unit sales to generate useful data)
The rental market here is also relatively small, with only a handful of residents living in leased properties (about 13% or so). Still, rental yields for houses are comparable to other, more populated suburbs like Cronulla or Caringbah.
- Average rental yields, homes: 2.6%
- Average rental yields, units: 2.9%
- Median weekly rent, homes: $900
- Median weekly rent, units: $650
- Current vacancy rate: 0.89%
Sources: Data from realestate.com.au, Domain, Real Estate Investar
Frequently asked questions about Kurnell
What is Kurnell famous for?
Kurnell is famous as the first meeting place between Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook and the crew of the Endeavour, and Aboriginal Australians from the Goorawal people and Gweagal people. Cook and his crew landed in 1770 and stayed for eight days.
What is the population of Kurnell?
The 2021 Australian census puts the population of Kurnell at about 2,500 people. Of this, a large proportion are families with children, giving the community a close-knit, family-friendly reputation.
Is Kurnell a nice place to live?
Kurnell is considered a very nice place to live, especially for those looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city without leaving it entirely. The beachy, village feel is considered one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets.
How long is the Kurnell to Cronulla walk?
The coastal walk from Kurnell to Cronulla is about 16km in length, which takes about four to five hours one way. It starts at the national park visitor centre and goes around the peninsula, past Cape Solander whale observation platform, Cape Baily Lighthouse, above cliffsides and capes, along sandy beaches, ending next to Dunningham Park in Cronulla.