Barrack Point vs Shell Cove
Shell Cove (median $1,450,000) is roughly 35% cheaper to buy into than Barrack Point ($2,225,000). Over the past year, Shell Cove (+7.4%) ran 9.5 percentage points ahead of Barrack Point (-2.1%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Barrack Point or Shell Cove?
Selling in Barrack Point? The free selling guide
Barrack Point and Shell Cove side by side
| Measure | Barrack Point | Shell Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $2,225,000 | $1,450,000 |
| Median unit | $291,600 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | -2.1% | +7.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $700/wk | $810/wk |
| Unit rent | $495/wk | $660/wk |
| Owner occupied | 79.0% | 77.0% |
| Renter occupied | 19.0% | 19.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 964 | 968 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | – | 22 |
| Transit score | – | 0 |
| Bike score | – | 100 |
| Population | 725 | 7,591 |
| Median age | 48 | 40 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1020 mm | 1060 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.1°C | 25.9°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Shell Cove (968) sits above Barrack Point (964).
- For buyers
- Shell Cove is the lower entry point at $1,450,000 median, 35% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Shell Cove carries both higher gross yield (2.90% vs 1.64%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Shell Cove edges out on average school ICSEA (968 vs 964). Shell Cove also has a higher family-household share (87% vs 72%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Barrack Point vs Shell Cove: common questions
Is Barrack Point or Shell Cove cheaper to buy in?
Shell Cove has the lower median house price at $1,450,000, roughly 35% below Barrack Point ($2,225,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Barrack Point or Shell Cove?
Over the past 12 months, Shell Cove grew +7.4% vs -2.1% in Barrack Point, a gap of 9.5 percentage points. Twelve-month growth can swing year to year, so weight long-run trends from the individual suburb profiles before making a buy decision.
Does Barrack Point or Shell Cove have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Shell Cove scores 968 vs 964 in Barrack Point. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Barrack Point or Shell Cove?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.90% in Shell Cove vs 1.64% in Barrack Point. Gross yield equals annual rent divided by purchase price. Net yield (after strata, rates, insurance, agent fees and maintenance) typically runs 1.5-2 percentage points lower.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
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