Question 1

Is Shearwater a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Shearwater is a coastal suburb on Tasmania’s north coast set around the Rubicon estuary and facing Bass Strait, with a relaxed seaside village character. It is popular with retirees, families and holiday homeowners drawn to waterfront living. The community numbers 2,051 people with a median age of 58. Housing is mostly low-rise, combining traditional weatherboard and brick homes with holiday apartments and newer low-density estates near the shore. A compact retail strip provides cafes and everyday services, while larger shopping and transport options in Devonport are a short drive away.

Swimming, fishing and boating are everyday activities on the foreshore and sandy beaches, and nearby wetlands and coastal paths attract birdwatchers and walkers. Council and regional projects include a planned Hawley Esplanade foreshore shared pathway of about 1.45 kilometres, environmental work on invasive rice grass in the estuary, and ongoing drainage investigations and planning-stage road improvements. With a high share of owner-occupiers and an older median age, Shearwater tends to suit people seeking a settled, seaside lifestyle; whether it suits you will depend on what you want from a suburb.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Shearwater?

Accepted Answer

Buying a house in Shearwater works out to about 12.8 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, based on a median house price of $735,500 and a typical household income of $1,104 a week at the last Census.

Rents are large relative to that Census income: $550 a week for a house would take roughly 49.8% of a typical local household's weekly income, and $470 a week for a unit would take about 42.6%. On these figures both renting and buying use a large portion of what people locally earned at the last Census, with buying particularly well above local incomes; which measure matters most will depend on whether you plan to rent or buy.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Shearwater a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

Over the past 12 months Shearwater saw a modest decline in house values, down 3.5%. At the same time house rents rose modestly, up 3.8%, while unit rents increased more notably, up 9.3% — so rental income for units was the strongest mover this year.

If rental income is your priority, the rent figures are the most relevant and units showed the larger rise. If capital growth is what you care about, the house value number points to a modest fall over the year. How that balance fits your goals and circumstances is for you to weigh up.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$736K	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	-3.5%	N/A
Sold Past 3 months	12	3
Median days on market Past 12 months	79	41
Average rent Past 12 months	$550	$470
Change in rent Past 12 months	3.8%	9.3%

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