Hillarys is the strongest tourism node in Perth’s northern coast, anchored by Hillarys Boat Harbour. The harbour’s restaurants, AQWA aquarium, Sorrento Quay, beaches and Rottnest ferry draw genuine year-round visitor demand, making Hillarys one of the better family-tourism short-stay markets outside the inner beaches. Proximity to the harbour and the beach is the key value driver.
Hillarys is the north’s premier tourism destination, built around Hillarys Boat Harbour, one of Perth’s most-visited attractions. For short-stay, that gives it something most northern suburbs lack: real, broad-based visitor demand. Here is how the market works and what a well-run listing can do.
Why guests come to Hillarys
Hillarys draws visitors the way few northern suburbs do, thanks to the harbour. The demand drivers are:
- Hillarys Boat Harbour, restaurants, bars, shops, the Sorrento Quay boardwalk and a genuine day-and-night destination
- AQWA (the Aquarium of Western Australia), a major family drawcard
- The Rottnest ferry, Hillarys is a departure point for Rottnest Island, pulling overnight visitors
- Beaches, protected swimming beaches and the foreshore for families
- Events and school holidays, the harbour hosts events and peaks hard through holiday periods
This blend of harbour, aquarium, ferry and beach gives Hillarys a broader, more year-round demand profile than its neighbours.
What a well-run listing earns
Figures are Airbtics 2026, 2–3 bedroom entire homes; indicative and property-dependent.
| Annual revenue | Occupancy | Nightly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market average | ~$116,400 | 79% | $405 |
| Professionally managed (top 25%) | ~$173,700 | 91% | $523 |
Hillarys’ genuine tourism demand should support stronger, steadier performance than the quieter northern beaches, and the gap between an average and a top-quartile listing remains execution. For a grounded comparison across suburbs, see the Perth Suburb Short-Stay Demand Guide.
Who stays here
Hillarys guests lean toward:
- Families visiting the harbour, AQWA and the beaches
- Rottnest-bound travellers staying overnight near the ferry
- Interstate and international visitors on a northern-beaches stay
- Perth families on weekend and school-holiday breaks
The practical implication is a family-friendly property close to the harbour and beach, with easy parking.
Seasonality in Hillarys
Hillarys is summer-led but holds up better than purely residential beach suburbs, thanks to the harbour’s year-round pull. December to February and school holidays are the peak, the harbour’s events and the Rottnest season add demand, and the shoulder rewards active pricing. Our shoulder-season pricing guide covers the approach.
What kind of property works
Hillarys is a houses-and-units market near the harbour and coast:
- Family homes and units within easy reach of the harbour and beach
- Comfortable, family-friendly fit-outs with good parking
- Proximity to the harbour and ferry as a marketing highlight
- Outdoor living suited to the coastal setting
Presentation matters here; a clean, well-styled property aimed at families will out-review and out-earn a tired one at the same distance from the harbour.
Compliance note for the City of Joondalup
Hillarys falls under the City of Joondalup. As across metro Perth, every property must be registered on the WA STRA Register and display its number, and an unhosted property let more than 90 nights a year needs council development approval. Confirm the council’s current requirements before committing. Full detail is in our WA STRA compliance guide.
Common owner mistakes in Hillarys
- Not leveraging the harbour and ferry. Proximity to Hillarys Boat Harbour, AQWA and the Rottnest ferry is the suburb’s biggest draw and should lead the listing.
- Pricing it like a quiet beach suburb. Hillarys has genuine tourism demand; price for it, especially around holidays and events.
- A tired fit-out. A clean, family-friendly property out-earns casual supply.
- Ignoring parking. Easy parking near a busy tourism node is a real value-add.
- Overlooking council rules. Confirm the City of Joondalup’s STRA position first.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a Hillarys Airbnb earn?
For a 2–3 bedroom entire home, Airbtics 2026 puts the market average around $116,400 a year (79% occupancy, $405 a night), rising to roughly $173,700 (91%, $523) for professionally managed, top-quartile listings. Figures are indicative and property-dependent.
Is Hillarys good for short-stay?
Yes, it is one of the stronger family-tourism markets on Perth’s northern coast, thanks to Hillarys Boat Harbour, AQWA, the beaches and the Rottnest ferry driving genuine year-round demand.
Who stays in Hillarys?
Families visiting the harbour and aquarium, Rottnest-bound travellers, interstate and international visitors, and Perth families on beach breaks.
When is demand strongest?
Summer and school holidays, supported by the harbour’s year-round pull and the Rottnest season, with the shoulder rewarding active pricing.
What property type works best?
Family-friendly homes and units near the harbour and beach, with easy parking and a clean, well-presented fit-out.
Our take on Hillarys
Hillarys is the northern coast’s standout tourism market, and it rewards owners who treat it as one. The harbour does the demand generation; your job is to be close, family-friendly and well-presented, and to price for the genuine visitor demand rather than treating it like a quiet residential beach. Get that right and it is one of the more reliable northern performers. If you own in Hillarys and want a straight read, you can book a property assessment. Our pillar guide to Perth short-stay management covers the full approach.
Figures are Airbtics 2026 for 2–3 bedroom entire homes, indicative and property-dependent. This is general information only, not financial advice. Verify current figures and check council requirements and any strata by-laws before proceeding.