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Point Piper’s ‘Radford’ Sells For Around $75M In Sydney’s Biggest House Deal of 2026

Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

A waterfront mansion at the northern tip of Point Piper has sold for around $75 million, becoming Sydney’s highest reported house sale of 2026 after its asking expectations were lowered during the campaign.

Robert Magid and his wife Ruth sold Radford, their Wolseley Crescent home, on 29 September through Michael Pallier of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty and Brad Pillinger of Pillinger. The exact sale figure was not disclosed by Pallier, although the result was reported at about $75 million — roughly $10 million below expectations when the property first came to market.

Buyer interest strengthened after the guide was adjusted. Pallier said the home sold within 10 days of the change, with about four serious parties competing for a property occupying one of Point Piper’s tightly held harbourfront positions.

Sydney property — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

From $7.35m Purchase To Harbourfront Record

The Magids acquired the property for $7.35 million in 1998, when Sydney’s median house price was about $250,000, according to the supplied material. Robert Magid, founder of TMG Developments, and his wife went on to extensively refurbish the residence during their ownership.

Architect Victor Berk designed the three-level modernist home, which was built in the early 1990s. Its position gives the residence uninterrupted harbour views taking in the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Shark Island, Rose Bay and Manly, while the main living areas open towards terraces, a swimming pool and level lawn beside the water.

Five bedrooms and five bathrooms are spread through the house, with the master suite including twin walk-in wardrobes and an ensuite. Three other bedrooms also have ensuites, while a gym can serve as a fifth bedroom.

The home also has a Gaggenau kitchen, home office, sauna, private lift, two powder rooms and an oversized double garage. A dining area can accommodate 14 people, and a private jetty provides direct access to Sydney Harbour.

Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

A Prized Pocket of Point Piper Changes Hands

Radford sits on land that once formed part of the Paradis Sur Mer estate, previously owned by the late Susan Sangster. Its Wolseley Crescent setting places it close to Lady Martins Beach, Prince Edward Yacht Club and Royal Motor Yacht Club, with Rose Bay’s marinas and Double Bay nearby.

The sale was not the only major Point Piper transaction handled by Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty during the week. Pallier, Daphne Sauvage and Di Wilkenfeld also sold Dunara at 10 Dunara Gardens, the childhood home of poet Dorothea Mackellar.

Point Piper home — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Dunara had initially been marketed with a $25 million guide and was believed to have sold for about $20 million. The historic residence is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and by the National Trust, and carries a Blue Plaque recognising its association with Mackellar.

Radford’s sale nevertheless occupied a different end of the local market, combining direct harbour frontage, a private jetty and expansive views with a reported price of about $75 million — the highest Sydney house result recorded in the supplied material for 2026.

Published 30-September-2026

$86.6m Rose Bay Apartment Project Approved After 83 Objections

Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

An $86.6 million apartment development has been approved for 23–31 Dover Road in Rose Bay, bringing 49 homes to a consolidated site beside the suburb’s town centre after a planning process that drew 83 objections.

The NSW Planning Portal records the State Significant Development application as approved on 14 September 2026. The consent allows a nine-storey residential building above two basement levels, with nine apartments to be managed by Bridge Housing as affordable housing.

The affordable component will make up 14.9 per cent of the residential floor area. Across the 2,657-square-metre site, the approved building will contain 7,587 square metres of gross floor area and reach a maximum height of 30 metres.

Rose Bay apartment development — Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

A Taller Plan Than The One Put On Exhibition

The project changed during assessment. The Environmental Impact Statement placed on public exhibition proposed an eight-storey building with the same total of 49 apartments, but 11 of those homes were identified as affordable housing.

Architectural material lodged with the original application described a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments across eight residential storeys, with two basement levels beneath. The earlier plans also listed 66 car spaces and 54 bicycle spaces.

Parking increased as the proposal moved through assessment, with the approved scheme providing space for 69 cars as well as 54 bicycles, motorcycle parking and car-share spaces. About 585 square metres of communal open space is proposed at rooftop level.

The project progressed under the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing and in-fill affordable housing provisions. Earlier design material identified a 22-metre base height control, with the affordable housing provisions allowing an uplift to 28.6 metres under the proposal then being assessed.

NSW Planning Portal — Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

Scale, Traffic and The Ground Beneath Dover Road

Public response was heavily weighted against the proposal during exhibition, with 83 objections among 85 submissions and two submissions in support. Concerns raised included the building’s scale, traffic and parking, excavation, groundwater conditions and the cumulative effects of increased development across Rose Bay.

The architecture itself was designed with the surrounding streetscape in mind. MHN Design Union’s design report drew on the nearby Rose Bay Hotel, using recessed balcony forms, framed façades and arched elements as references, while upper levels were stepped back and landscaping was carried through terraces and building edges.

Earlier plans also included a landscaped communal rooftop with barbecue areas, informal seating and vegetable gardens, alongside planting intended to soften building edges and provide privacy screening.

MHN Design Union is the architect, with Urbis leading the planning application for Dover Street (Rose Bay) Developments Pty Ltd and Bridge Housing responsible for the affordable housing component. The full assessment and determination record can be found on the NSW Planning Portal under SSD-86017721.

Published 25-September-2026

Developers List Custom Rose Bay Masterpiece with Massive Price Expectations

Photo Credit: Sotheby’s International Realty

The former waterfront block of Easybeats guitarist Harry Vanda in Rose Bay has been transformed into one of Sydney’s most expensive modern residences.

Property developer Stuart Rose and his wife Irina wrapped up a four-year construction marathon on the site, swapping a modest 1980s dwelling for a glass-wrapped compound. Decades earlier, the block belonged to Harry Vanda, lead guitarist of legendary rock outfit The Easybeats, before changing hands in 2015. Now, the finished product stands as a heavy-hitting contender ready to test the absolute ceiling of the eastern suburbs housing market.

Panoramic harbour views anchor every level of the five-storey floor plan. Real estate agents handling the campaign point out that the dwelling sits directly in the path of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Instead of traditional brick walls, massive panes of glass frame the skyline, pulling the outside scenery straight into the living spaces. A private lift whisks residents from the lower recreational depths right up to a flexible top floor that easily converts into a self-contained apartment.

Beneath the sleek surfaces lies an entertainment complex built for high-end hosting. A subterranean level houses a private cinema, a full music and library room, a games room, and an auxiliary kitchen. Next door, a temperature-controlled wine lounge centres around a custom fireplace and bar.

Stepping outside reveals a mosaic-tiled infinity pool that spills toward a manicured lawn, complete with a private boathouse and a harbourside loggia for aquatic arrivals.

Cooking enthusiasts get a double dose of luxury via a central marble kitchen with hidden appliances and a separate butler’s pantry boasting dual Wolf ovens. Health and wellness take over a dedicated fitness wing featuring an integrated spa zone overlooking the water. With seasoned agents Brad Pillinger and Michael Pallier steering the campaign, local observers are watching closely to see if this coastal masterpiece can officially join Sydney’s ultra-exclusive nine-figure club.

Published Date 23-September-2026

The Retirement Mistake That Is Easiest to Make Years Before You Retire

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Vitaly Gariev

By Mark Taylor – Chartered Accountant, Certified Financial Planner and Founding Partner of Stirling Warton Taylor

Retirement is one of those things most of us know is coming but are quite happy to leave sitting somewhere in the distance.

Then the years move faster than expected. The mortgage is still there, the cost of living has gone up and suddenly the questions become much more immediate: When can I actually afford to retire? How much will I need? And will what I have accumulated last as long as I do?

There is good reason to be asking those questions earlier. Australians are living longer, which means retirement savings may need to support us for considerably longer than previous generations expected.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures put life expectancy at birth at 81.1 years for men and 85.1 years for women. Thirty years ago, the corresponding figures were around 75 and 81.

For someone hoping to retire in their 60s, that makes planning for 20 years or more without a regular salary a very real consideration.

And plenty of Australians aren’t quite sure when that retirement will begin. The latest ABS retirement data shows 806,000 people intend to retire within the next five years, including 294,000 within two years. Yet 40 per cent of people who intend to retire don’t know when they will actually leave the workforce.

The average intended retirement age is now 65.6.

Retirement by the numbers

65.6 years

Average intended retirement age

806,000

Australians intending to retire within the next five years

40%

People intending to retire who don’t yet know when they’ll leave the workforce

$55,900

Approximate annual ASFA comfortable-retirement budget for a single homeowner aged 65–84

$78,600

Approximate annual ASFA comfortable-retirement budget for a couple aged 65–84

So, how much is enough?

It is probably the retirement question I hear most often, and unfortunately there isn’t a magic number.

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia’s Retirement Standard currently estimates that a comfortable lifestyle for a homeowner aged 65 to 84 costs about $55,900 a year for a single person and $78,600 for a couple.

ASFA’s corresponding savings benchmark for homeowners retiring at 67 is around $630,000 for a single person and $730,000 for a couple. Those calculations assume retirees draw down their capital over time and receive some Age Pension support.

Those figures are useful as a reference point. They aren’t, however, a target that can simply be applied to everybody.

A person entering retirement with their home paid off is in a very different position from somebody still paying a mortgage or renting. Then there are all the other variables: travel, health, helping children or grandchildren, hobbies and, quite simply, what you expect retirement to look like.

There is no one-size-fits-all retirement strategy. The appropriate mix of superannuation, investments, income and growth assets will depend on the individual — their circumstances, goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk.

That is why I prefer to start with the life somebody wants to fund, rather than immediately reaching for a particular dollar figure.

Starting earlier gives you more room to move

This is where time becomes particularly valuable.

Thinking about retirement well before you get there can give you more opportunity to build superannuation progressively, reduce debt and consider how your investments and other assets fit together. There may also be legitimate tax concessions and strategies worth considering along the way.

None of this means putting today’s life on hold for a retirement that may still be decades away. Nor does it necessarily mean choosing between paying down the mortgage and saving for retirement. For many people, several financial priorities will be running at the same time.

There is another reason not to leave all the planning until the final few years: retirement doesn’t always arrive on schedule.

Among Australians surveyed by the ABS in 2024–25 who had retired, reaching retirement age or becoming eligible for superannuation was the most common reason for leaving their last job, at 33 per cent. But 13 per cent had stopped because of sickness, injury or disability, while another 6 per cent had been retrenched, dismissed or found there was no work available.

In other words, the date you expect to retire and the date you actually stop working aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Starting earlier gives you more time to adjust if circumstances — or your plans — change.

Inflation is easy to underestimate

One of the quieter risks is inflation because its effect tends to creep up on us.

Something that costs $100 today is unlikely to cost $100 in another 10 or 20 years. So while protecting savings matters, simply preserving the dollar value of capital does not necessarily preserve what that money will actually buy.

The changing ASFA benchmarks give some indication of that pressure. In 2026, ASFA lifted its comfortable-retirement lump-sum estimates for the first time in three years, taking the benchmark from $595,000 to $630,000 for a single homeowner and from $690,000 to $730,000 for a couple.

The other side of the equation matters too. Pursuing higher growth can mean accepting greater volatility, and that can become particularly important when someone has retired and is drawing an income from their investments.

This is why I don’t think retirement investing is usefully reduced to a simple choice between “income” and “growth”. The right balance depends on what the money needs to provide, when it will be needed and how much investment risk the individual is comfortable carrying.

The important thing is to do something

For a lot of people, superannuation, investments, tax and retirement income can feel complicated. Put enough choices in front of somebody and it becomes very easy to put the whole subject aside for another day.

You don’t need to solve retirement in one sitting. But doing nothing because you don’t know where to begin is still a decision — and the longer retirement planning is postponed, the less time there is to make adjustments.

Start with some fairly ordinary questions. When would I ideally like to stop working? What sort of lifestyle do I want then? What debts might I still have? What assets am I building now? And do I actually understand what my superannuation is likely to provide?

For a lot of people, an SMSF may also be worth considering as part of that conversation. SMSFs can provide greater control over investment choices and retirement strategies, but they also bring additional costs, responsibilities and compliance obligations and will not be appropriate for everyone. Professional advice can help determine whether an SMSF is suitable for an individual’s circumstances.

The answers will change over time. That’s fine. Starting early isn’t about predicting your future perfectly; it’s about having enough time to change course when you need to.

The first step doesn’t have to be a major financial decision. It can simply be finding out where you stand.

Disclaimer: This column is for general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider your own circumstances and seek professional advice before making financial decisions.

Published 22-September-2026

About Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor is a founding partner of Stirling Warton Taylor and a Certified Financial Planner. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a tax agent and specialises in business services, taxation, superannuation and retirement strategies. Mark has also assisted Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office on superannuation policy.

Not sure where to start?

Stirling Warton Taylor (SWT) helps clients make sense of retirement planning, superannuation, taxation and investment decisions, with advice tailored to individual circumstances.

If you’re thinking about retirement but aren’t sure what your next step should be, you can provide some initial information to SWT and request further contact.

QR code to request contact from Stirling Warton Taylor

Scan the QR code to request a conversation with SWT or click here.

A SMSF may not be the right superannuation vehicle for you. Please seek financial advice.

Authorised to provide investment advice to wholesale investors. Representative No. 1283343.

Beau Maestro Brings Rose Bay Harbour Views to a New Level of Living

Photo Credit: Black Diamondz

A brand-new residence in Rose Bay is turning heads — and it is not hard to see why. Perched on an elevated 485-square-metre block in the suburb’s quieter eastern precinct, Beau Maestro offers sweeping Rose Bay harbour views that stretch all the way from the Eastern Suburbs rooftops to the CBD, the Harbour Bridge and the North Sydney skyline. It is the flagship home within Beau Rose Bay, a boutique collection of four Torrens Title residences at 53A Beaumont Street, just 400 metres from Rose Bay village.

The project is a collaboration between Marchese Partners Architects and Pure Interiors, and the result is a home that wears its ambition plainly. A custom oversized iron pivot entry door sets the tone on arrival — an architectural statement that doubles as a serious security feature. Inside, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home unfolds across two distinct living zones, separated by an internal courtyard. One zone is a formal sitting room; the other is an open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining space that spills out to a compact garden and a heated magnesium plunge pool.

The kitchen is appointed with Italian-made Giellesse and Arrital cabinetry and a four-metre island bench in Flaviker Corchia gold Italian porcelain, anchored by pendant lights from Occhio. Appliances are top-shelf throughout: a Gaggenau oven and cooktop sit alongside integrated Miele fridge, freezer and dishwasher. The material quality carries through every room — herringbone European oak floors in the living areas, wool carpet in the upper-level bedrooms, high shadowline ceilings and full-height doors.

The main bedroom suite is a particular highlight. The north-facing balcony makes it an ideal spot for morning coffee, with harbour light filling the space from the early hours. Inside, a walk-through wardrobe leads to an en suite featuring a free-standing bath and a twin vanity surfaced in Italian porcelain. All five bathrooms include heated towel rails and a Paco Jaanson multifunction shower system — incorporating rain shower, waterfall outlet and handheld options.

One feature that genuinely distinguishes Beau Maestro in today’s Sydney market is the secure basement garaging for six vehicles, each bay fitted with electric vehicle charging capability. It is a level of parking provision rarely found in a newly built Rose Bay home, and the space has been designed with flexibility in mind, lending itself to conversion as a wine cellar, home gym or private cinema. A lift connects the garage to both upper levels.

The location complements the lifestyle the home promises. Rose Bay village’s cafes, boutique retailers and everyday services are a short walk away, while the harbour foreshore, local parks, beaches and some of Sydney’s most sought-after schools are all within easy reach.

Published 18-September-2026

Rose Bay Marina Proposal Refused Over Scenic Character Concerns

Rose Bay Marina will not be expanded under its latest proposal after Woollahra’s Local Planning Panel refused an application involving a new marina arm, connecting walkway and the relinquishment of 55 commercial swing moorings.

Read: COBLI Launches at Rose Bay Marina, Bringing Luxury Boating Closer to Home

The decision was made in September 2026, for the marina at 594-596 New South Head Road. The application, identified as Development Application 490/2025, was assessed in relation to the proposed marina infrastructure and its impact on the scenic character of Rose Bay.

Proposal sought new marina arm

Photo credit: Woollahra Municipal Council – 490/2025

The application sought approval for a new marina arm containing 32 fixed berths for vessels of up to 20 metres. It also included a walkway connecting the new arm to the existing marina.

Development material said the proposal was intended to help accommodate rising powerboat ownership and address a shortage of berths on Sydney Harbour.

The 55 commercial swing moorings were to be relinquished as part of the proposed changes. The application therefore involved a change in how boats would be accommodated at the marina, with fixed floating berths replacing the existing swing-mooring arrangement covered by the proposal.

A 3.5-metre height limit for vessels using the proposed new berths was also included. The measure was intended to help maintain harbour views over the new marina infrastructure.

The planning panel ultimately refused the application. Its determination found that converting the swing moorings to fixed floating berths would constitute an overdevelopment of the site and result in unacceptable impacts on the scenic character of Rose Bay.

Harbour views at centre of dispute

Existing promenade (Photo credit: Woollahra Municipal Council – 490/2025)

The planning panel’s reasons included concerns about the proposal’s effect on existing views and the scenic character of the area.

The assessment considered that the visual dominance of the proposed fixed marina infrastructure would favour a smaller number of berth holders over the broader community’s enjoyment of existing Rose Bay views. It also found that the proposal did not appropriately prioritise the public good over private interests.

Those findings formed part of the basis for refusing the application. The proposal had been presented as a response to demand for additional berthing facilities, while the 3.5-metre vessel height limit was intended to help preserve views across the harbour.

The refusal means the proposed marina arm cannot proceed under the application as determined. The latest decision follows earlier planning and court scrutiny of proposed changes to the Rose Bay Marina site, where visual and view impacts have also been considered.

For the current application, the planning decision centred on whether the proposed fixed infrastructure was appropriate for the site and compatible with the scenic character of Rose Bay.

Read: Rose Bay Homeowners Seek $40 Million From Development Site Sale

The September 3 refusal means the proposed 32-berth expansion cannot proceed in its current form. Any substantially different proposal would need to be considered through the relevant planning process.

Published 12-September-2026

Point Piper Waterfront Sells After About 40 Years With Same Family

Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby's International Realty

A waterfront home in Point Piper has changed hands after remaining with the same family for about 40 years, in a suburb where property turnover sits well below the Sydney average.

The property at 31 Wunulla Road sold for around $35 million after initially reaching the market with a $50 million asking price, leaving a difference of about $15 million between the two figures.

Michael Dunn of Richardson & Wrench Double Bay and James Dunn of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty jointly handled the sale, with the property marketed by expressions of interest.

waterfront homes — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Rare Change Of Ownership In Point Piper

Homes in Point Piper change hands relatively infrequently.

Cotality’s 2025 Best of the Best report recorded a property turnover rate of 2.3 per cent for the suburb. That compares with 4.3 per cent across Sydney and 4.8 per cent nationally.

The suburb has 218 properties, while its median house price was recorded at $17,313,502.

Against that backdrop, the sale of 31 Wunulla Road brings an approximately four-decade period of ownership by the same family to an end.

The property last changed hands for $343,000 in 1977 before returning to the market decades later.

Point Piper waterfront — Photo Credit: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Waterfront Home Overlooks Rose Bay

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence occupies about 1,139 square metres overlooking Rose Bay.

Its waterfront features include terraced gardens, a private jetty, boatshed and swimming pool. The home also has several living and dining areas, two parking spaces and a separate annex.

The main bedroom includes an ensuite and private terrace with views across the water.

These property details remain secondary to a sale that represents an uncommon change of ownership within a suburb where relatively few homes are sold each year.

$15 Million Gap Between Asking And Sale Price

The Wunulla Road property had been offered at $50 million before selling for around $35 million.

The approximately $15 million difference between the initial asking price and reported sale price was one of the most notable aspects of the transaction.

Point Piper was also ranked by Cotality as Australia’s most expensive suburb, placing the sale within one of Sydney’s smallest and least frequently traded residential pockets.

The buyer of 31 Wunulla Road was not identified.

Published 7-September-2026

Rose Bay Parish Project Advances After Modified Plans Approved

Photo Credit: DA215/2011/3

A development planned by the Greek Orthodox Parish of St George Rose Bay more than 14 years ago has cleared another planning step, with revised residential plans approved for its Newcastle Street property.

St George Rose Bay Plans Modified

The Woollahra Local Planning Panel approved the latest Section 4.55 modification on 6 August, after Antoniades Architects lodged the application in November 2025. Council records identify the modification as DA215/2011/3, linked to the original DA215/2011 development consent.

The changes cover internal and external modifications across all levels of the residential building and add another basement parking level. The parish has said the revised plans will ensure all apartments comply with Specialist Disability Accommodation design requirements.

The approval allows the Parish Council to progress the project towards its next stages, although construction has not yet been given a commencement date.

*Photo Credit: St George Church Rose Bay*/Facebook

Project Dates Back To 2011

The wider development at 88–96 Newcastle Street was approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in December 2011, with an estimated construction cost of $9.19 million.

The original proposal included a 34-place childcare centre and a four-storey residential building containing 20 apartments, together with basement parking, landscaping and associated works.

In April 2015, Woollahra Council approved a modification dividing the development into two stages. The childcare centre was designated as Stage 1, while the residential building became Stage 2.

Under that arrangement, the childcare and residential components were separated, with the latest August approval concerning modifications to the residential stage rather than a new development proposal.

The decision continues a planning process that has extended for more than 14 years since the wider project was first approved.

Rose Bay Parish — *Photo Credit: St George Church Rose Bay*/Facebook

Parish Prepares For Next Steps

Parish President Spero Raissis described the approval as an important milestone for the parish and said it would allow the Parish Council to continue progressing the project.

The parish has linked the development to its long-term financial sustainability and its ability to continue its mission and serve the community into the future.

It also thanked those who had contributed to the approval process. No construction commencement date has been announced, with further updates expected to cover the start of works and other key project milestones as details become available.

Published 31-August-2026

Major Rose Bay Apartment Proposal Includes 433 Homes

Photo Credit: SSD-108773958

A Rose Bay housing proposal spanning more than 20 properties along Dover Road and Hamilton Street has been declared State Significant Development following a recommendation from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

The HDA record identifies three residential flat and shop-top housing buildings ranging from eight to 12 storeys, with an indicative yield of 433 homes. Five per cent of the residential gross floor area is proposed as affordable housing in perpetuity, across a site covering 11-31 Hamilton Street and 36-56 Dover Road.

The signed ministerial order formally includes the Rose Bay land among the latest developments declared State Significant. State Significant Development status allows the project to proceed through the state assessment pathway but does not constitute development approval.

Proposed height exceeds existing planning controls

The HDA noted the proposal seeks a maximum height of 44 metres, compared with existing building controls of between 22 and 24 metres. The authority said further refinement would be required through merit assessment and noted the eventual development standards and dwelling yield could be lower than those put forward in the expression of interest.

HDA records identify Hewlett Property Rose Bay Pty Ltd and Perifa Pty Ltd as the proponents and state that the proposal involves a concurrent rezoning process.

Earlier proposal covered a smaller Rose Bay site

An earlier scoping report prepared for part of the development area covered 36-56 Dover Road and 27-31 Hamilton Street. The 5,987.6-square-metre site comprised 15 lots containing development including detached houses, four townhouses and a five-apartment residential building.

The current NSW Planning Portal entry for SSD-108773958 covers the broader address range of 36-56 Dover Road and 11-31 Hamilton Street. The application is at the Prepare EIS stage, with an Environmental Impact Statement to be prepared before the project moves to public exhibition and subsequent assessment.

Hewlett Property Group separately publishes details for a Dover Road and Hamilton Street project comprising about 315 apartments across a 9,192-square-metre consolidated site, with multiple nine-storey residential buildings above two basement levels.

Dover Road & Hamilton Street
Photo Credit: Hewlett Property Group

Other Rose Bay developments move through state assessment

A separate State Significant Development at 23-31 Dover Road remains under assessment and proposes demolition of existing buildings for apartments, including in-fill affordable housing, above basement parking. The Planning Portal records 85 submissions, including objections raising concerns about traffic, parking, excavation, groundwater and the scale of development.

23-31 Dover Road
Photo Credit: SSD-86017721

Another apartment development at 2-16 Spencer Street received State Significant Development approval on June 29, 2026, after attracting 61 submissions during its assessment. Published objections included concerns about parking, traffic, building scale and cumulative development in Rose Bay.

2-16 Spencer St
Photo Credit: SSD-86122958

SSD-108773958 must still proceed through preparation of its Environmental Impact Statement, public exhibition, assessment and determination before development consent can be granted. The Planning Portal currently lists the proposal at the third stage of the State Significant Development assessment process.

Published 31-Aug-2026

Rose Bay’s Lost International Airport: When Sydney’s London Flights Took 10 Days

Long before Sydney Airport became the city’s international gateway, passengers were beginning journeys to Britain from the waters of Rose Bay. In 1938, flying boats operated by Qantas Empire Airways and Imperial Airways turned the harbour suburb into a departure point for international air travel.

Read: When Smallpox Struck Sydney Harbour In 1789

Qantas began international passenger operations in 1935, initially connecting Brisbane with Singapore. The Sydney-London flying-boat service followed in 1938, when Rose Bay became the city’s international gateway for flights operated by Qantas Empire Airways and Imperial Airways.

The location was practical. Flying boats did not require a conventional runway, instead using suitable stretches of water for take-off and landing. Rose Bay offered calm harbour waters and was close to central Sydney, making it a useful base for long-distance services.

Aeroplane hangar in Rose Bay for flying boats, 1939 (Photo credit: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales)

The Rose Bay flying-boat operation officially opened in August 1938. The first full Sydney to Southampton service had already departed the previous month aboard the Empire flying boat Cooee.

The journey to Britain was nothing like today’s long-haul travel. The early “Kangaroo Route” could take around 12 days. The Rose Bay flying-boat service to Southampton in 1938 took about 10 days and involved roughly 30 stops.

From 12 days to five

Two Qantas Empire Airways flying boats at Rose Bay (Photo credit: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales)

The Kangaroo Route connected Australia with Britain through a series of stops across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. By 1947, the Sydney-London journey had been reduced to about five days, although passengers still had to make several stops along the way.

The change becomes even more striking when compared with modern air travel. Today, a typical Sydney-London journey with a stopover takes about 24 to 25 hours, depending on the routing.

The next major change is already on the horizon. Qantas is scheduled to begin non-stop Sydney-London services in October 2027 as part of its Project Sunrise program. The new service is expected to take around 19 to 21 hours depending on conditions, while the aircraft is designed for flights of up to 22 hours.

The aircraft and passenger experience have changed almost beyond recognition. The flying boats carried relatively small numbers of passengers and were designed around long-distance comfort. There was a galley for preparing meals, while passengers could move around the aircraft during the journey.

Smoking was also permitted. The aircraft had a dedicated smoking cabin, something that would be unthinkable on a modern commercial flight. For passengers making a journey lasting several days, it was simply part of the onboard experience.

War, changing aircraft, and the end of Rose Bay’s airport

Photo credit: Max Dupain/Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

The international flying-boat era at Rose Bay was interrupted by World War II. Commercial services were suspended during the conflict, while the flying boats were used for wartime purposes, including transporting supplies and conducting reconnaissance operations.

After the war, passenger services returned, but the aviation industry was already moving in another direction. Long-range land-based aircraft increasingly challenged flying boats as improvements in aircraft technology made conventional airliners more practical for international routes.

Qantas discontinued its flying-boat service in 1955 and sold its aircraft to Ansett Airways. Ansett continued operating flying boats to destinations in the South Pacific, including Lord Howe Island.

The final flying-boat services from Rose Bay ended in 1974, marking the close of an era in Sydney’s aviation history. The terminal and remaining airport infrastructure were later removed, leaving little obvious evidence of the suburb’s former role as an international gateway.

Yet the connection has not disappeared entirely. Seaplanes still operate from Rose Bay, offering a modern echo of the aircraft that once landed on the harbour. The numbers tell the story. An international journey that could once take around 12 days was reduced to five by 1947. Today, Sydney to London can be completed in about a day with a stopover, while Qantas’ planned non-stop service is expected to cut the journey to around 20 hours.

Read: Rose Bay Tower Bid Would Stand Three Times the Height Limit

Rose Bay was once where travellers began the long journey to Britain aboard a flying boat, with dozens of stops along the way and a dedicated smoking cabin on board. It remains a remarkable chapter in the history of Sydney’s international aviation.

Published 22-August-2026