Albert Sassoon
Double Bay, NSW+12
Sydney · Eastern Suburbs
Perched on dramatic sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Vaucluse, Dover Heights is a prestigious residential enclave defined by its spectacular panoramic views of both the Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour. It offers a quieter, more spacious alternative to its bustling neighbours, with larger blocks and a serene, family-friendly atmosphere. The suburb is characterised by luxurious, often architecturally designed homes, attracting affluent professionals and families.
Market snapshot
Price register · May 2026
Median house
$6.85M - $9.25M
Mid-band $8.05Mspread 30%
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Create Your Free ProfileLast reviewed 13 May 2026
Median unit
$1.55M - $2.10M
Mid-band $1.82Mspread 30%
Days on market
~17-41 days
Median listing-to-sold window. Shorter = tighter buyer field.
Auction clearance
Private-treaty market
Share of auctions sold. Brisbane skews private-treaty.
Rental yield
1.7% to 2.7%
Gross yield on house stock. Premium suburbs compress.
5-year house-price growth
+19% to +39%
cumulative since 2021Who buys here
High-net-worth families · Established professionals · Downsizers seeking views and luxury
5-year trend
Modelled trajectory anchored on aggregated 5-year median figures. Indicative; not month-by-month observed data.
Market analysis
The Dover Heights property market operates at the apex of Sydney's prestige real estate sector, characterised by high values, low turnover, and strong buyer demand. As of early 2026, the median house price has reached a formidable $8.05 million, reflecting a significant 17.1% increase over the past twelve months. This robust growth, even from a high base, underscores the suburb's resilience and enduring appeal to high-net-worth individuals. The unit market has seen even more dramatic percentage growth, surging over 40% to a median of $1.84 million, recovering strongly from a brief consolidation period.
Supply in Dover Heights is perennially tight. Homes are often held for generations, and new listings are scarce. This scarcity is a primary driver of price growth, creating intense competition for quality properties, particularly those with prized harbour or ocean views. Properties that are well-presented and realistically priced are selling quickly, with average days on market sitting at just 29 for houses and 26 for units. The demand profile is largely composed of local families looking to upsize from neighbouring suburbs like North Bondi or Rose Bay, drawn by the larger block sizes and perceived value relative to Vaucluse or Bellevue Hill. There is also consistent interest from international buyers and expatriates seeking a premium Sydney base.
Recent market movement has been driven by a flight to quality and space, a trend accelerated in the post-pandemic era. Buyers are prioritising lifestyle attributes, and Dover Heights delivers with its coastal walks, large parks, and proximity to both beaches and elite schools. While the broader Sydney market may experience fluctuations, this top-tier segment appears to be well-insulated, driven more by wealth creation and generational planning than by conventional interest rate cycles. Infrastructure in the area is well-established, with no major new developments planned that would alter the suburb's exclusive, low-density character. The investment thesis rests on long-term capital preservation and growth, underpinned by a finite supply of land in one of Sydney's most desirable cliffside locations.
With its dramatic cliffside setting and tightly held homes, Dover Heights is less a speculative market and more a generational investment in Sydney's enduring coastal prestige.
Why a buyers agent
In the high-stakes Dover Heights market, a buyer's agent is not a luxury but a necessity. With a median house price exceeding $8 million, the financial implications of a misstep are enormous. Many of the suburb's most desirable properties trade off-market, accessible only through a network of established local relationships that a skilled agent cultivates over years. They provide access to these silent listings, giving you a crucial head start. Furthermore, the suburb has distinct pockets; an agent with local expertise can discern the nuances between a home with a south-facing ocean view versus a north-facing harbour view, and how that impacts value and livability. They can identify properties with redevelopment potential under Waverley Council regulations and steer you away from those with hidden issues. In a competitive environment where auctions are common and emotions run high, an agent provides objective, data-driven advice to prevent overpaying and ensures your acquisition is a sound long-term investment.
Perched atop Sydney's eastern cliffs, many properties in Dover Heights offer some of the most spectacular, and often dual, ocean and harbour views in Australia, providing a daily backdrop of iconic scenery.
Compared to its more densely populated neighbours, Dover Heights is an oasis of calm. It features larger block sizes, wider streets, and a tranquil residential atmosphere, all within 10km of the CBD.
As a blue-chip suburb with extremely limited supply, Dover Heights has a proven history of strong, long-term capital growth. It is considered a secure, generational investment in Sydney's prestige property market.
With direct access to the stunning Federation Cliff Walk, beautiful reserves like Dudley Page, and proximity to both harbour and ocean beaches, the suburb offers an unparalleled outdoor and recreational lifestyle.
Compare
| Metric | This suburbDover Heights | NearbyRose Bay | NearbyVaucluse | NearbyWatsons Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median house | $6.85M - $9.25M | $4.90M - $6.60M | $8.10M - $10.95M | $7.60M - $10.30M |
| Median unit | $1.55M - $2.10M | $1.45M - $1.95M | $1.35M - $1.80M | $1.40M - $1.90M |
| Auction clearance | — | 37% to 47% | — | — |
| Days on market | ~17-41 days | ~26-62 days | ~25-57 days | — |
| Year-on-year growth | +12% to +22% | -2% to +8% | +9% to +19% | +20% to +30% |
| 5-year growth | +19% to +39% | +20% to +40% | +48% to +68% | +96% to +116% |
| Rental yield | 1.7% to 2.7% | 1.4% to 2.4% | 1.1% to 2.1% | 1.2% to 2.2% |
| Postcode | 2030 | 2029 | 2030 | 2030 |
Snapshot date varies by suburb; see individual suburb pages for figures.
The place
Dover Heights is one of Sydney's most affluent and visually stunning suburbs, located 9 kilometres east of the CBD. Its defining feature is its elevated position on the cliffs, affording many homes breathtaking, dual-aspect views of the Pacific Ocean sunrise and the Harbour Bridge sunset. The suburb's character is predominantly residential and peaceful, with wide, quiet streets lined with a mix of grand 1930s houses, contemporary architectural marvels, and a limited number of luxury apartment blocks.
The lifestyle is relaxed and family-oriented. A significant portion of the community is Jewish, and the suburb is home to the Kesser Torah College, a private Jewish day school. While there are no state schools directly within the suburb, it falls into the catchment for Rose Bay Secondary College, and is a short drive from some of Sydney's most elite private schools, including Kincoppal-Rose Bay.
While Dover Heights has a small collection of local shops and cafes, residents typically travel to the nearby shopping precincts of Rose Bay North, Vaucluse, or the major hub of Bondi Junction for more extensive retail and dining options. Public transport consists of bus services connecting to Bondi Junction's train and bus interchange, providing access to the CBD and wider Sydney.
Recreation is centred on the coastline. The famed Bondi to Watsons Bay Federation Cliff Walk traces the edge of the suburb, offering spectacular walking trails and lookouts. Dudley Page Reserve is a major drawcard, offering one of the city's most iconic panoramic views of the Sydney skyline, Harbour Bridge, and Opera House, making it a popular spot for picnics and New Year's Eve fireworks.
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The 5-year trajectory is a modelled curve anchored on the documented cumulative growth rate. Editorial review: 13 May 2026. Updated quarterly.
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