Young, female and living in the city: the face of Australia in 2024
As planners consider the future of our cities and regional centres, clear patterns are emerging of where people of all ages and sexes choose to live
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Our cities are home to more women than men and there are more younger people choosing the capitals over regional areas, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown.
The Regional Population by Age and Sex Report revealed Darwin was the capital with the lowest median age at 34.6 years, as well as being the only capital with a higher proportion of males to females.
Once known as the city of churches, Adelaide had the oldest population by median age at 39.2 years. The breakdown by town or suburb is even more revealing, with Acton and Duntroon in the ACT recording the lowest median age at 20.8 years and 21.8 years respectively. One area is popular with university students while the other is home to a high number of military personnel.
At the other end of the scale, the retirement hotspots of Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest in NSW (66.2 years), Bribie Island (63.6 years) and Cooloola (62.4 years) in Queensland and Point Lonsdale-Queenscliff (62.2 years) in Victoria had the highest median ages in the country.
Higher median ages were also reflected in the male to female ratios, with women’s higher life expectancy resulting in more women relative to men in some areas. In the Sydney suburb of Woollahra, there were 80.9 males to every 100 females and in Mornington West in Melbourne, there were 82.4 males to every 100 females.
Areas with extremely high proportions of males to females were either mining communities (274.2 males per 100 females in East Pilbara), male correctional facilities (278.1 males per 100 females in Wacol near Brisbane) or military training centres (227.0 males per 100 females at Duntroon in the ACT).
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A heritage-listed Federation estate with tennis court, pool and studio, Marika offers timeless elegance and modern family living in the heart of Hunters Hill.
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A grand old dame who has stood the test of time, Marika is a slice of Hunters Hill heritage transformed for modern-day living.
Meticulously renovated between 1981 and 1983, with several updates since, Marika made it onto the heritage register in 1999 just in time to signal a new millennium. Today, the modernised mansion is on the market with an auction price guide of $7.5 million, marketed through BresicWhitney’s Nicholas McEvoy.
“The home is a fantastic opportunity for a discerning buyer to get a grand family estate-style property, with a pool, tennis court and grounds, for a price that’s much more affordable than expected,” McEvoy says.
Sitting pretty on the corner of Augustine St and Ryde Rd, the stately Federation residence occupies a sprawling 2472sq m block, which was once part of a 30-acre land grant handed to Frederick Augustus Hayne in 1835. In 1902, he sold it to Dr Leopold Augustus Carter, a local dentist. Two years later, Marika, then known as “Ryde”, appeared in the famed Sands Directory – the social media of its era – a symbol of its architectural significance.
Surrounded by manicured gardens with sculpted hedges, a pool and full tennis court, Marika is a prime example of Federation style with contemporary elements.
Inside, the single-level five-bedroom home showcases intricate craftsmanship, from its decorative gables, period archways and bay windows to the coloured glass panels on multiple doors and windows. Elegant formal rooms have high ornate ceilings that are a preserved nod to Marika’s past, while the more modern spaces are relaxed family-friendly zones.
Thanks to a pavilion-style addition, the L-shaped layout measures 450sq m internally and wraps around a central courtyard that plays host to the alfresco dining terrace and pool, while a wide veranda frames the original front rooms of the house.
Primary living spaces, including the dining area with integrated bar, open to the great outdoors via stacker doors and the 21st century kitchen has a large island bench and a butler’s pantry with hidden access to the triple lock up garage. There is also a dedicated media room, a library or home office, plus a separate family room with a beautiful bay window.
All bedrooms feature built-ins while the main retreat, and a second bedroom, have shower ensuites. The shared bathroom houses convenient twin vanities and a freestanding bathtub.
Beyond the interiors, Marika delivers resort amenities with a full-sized, floodlit tennis court, the pool, barbecue terrace and a self-contained studio apartment with the added bonus of Harbour Bridge glimpses.
Added extras include a converted loft storage space, a large laundry with side yard access, ducted air conditioning, multiple fireplaces, solar panels with a battery backup and modern insulation.
Accessed via Augustine St, Marika is close to St Joseph’s College, Boronia Park shops, local ovals and city transport.
Marika at 59 Augustine St, Hunters Hill is set to go under the hammer on April 26, on site at 9am with a price guide of $7.5 million. The listing is with Nicholas McEvoy and Narelle Scott of BresicWhitney Hunters Hill.
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