NSW Property Spotlight

Baulkham Hills property and home loan guide

Baulkham Hills sits in Sydney's Hills District, about 28 km north-west of the CBD. Its name dates from 1802 and its streets grew quickly from the 1960s. In the 2021 Census 75.4% of homes were houses and 48.3% had four or more bedrooms. Townhouses and villas make up 13.3%. Express buses on the M2 run to the city and the metro is close by. For buyers here the loan size and the age of the home tend to matter most. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with buyers in Baulkham Hills by phone and video.

Information last updated 3 November 2026

2153PostcodeAustralia Post (shared with Bella Vista, Norwest and Winston Hills)
37,415PopulationABS Census 2021 (Baulkham Hills)
39Median ageABS Census 2021 (Baulkham Hills)
75.4%Homes that are separate housesABS Census 2021 (Baulkham Hills)
48.3%Homes with 4 or more bedroomsABS Census 2021 (Baulkham Hills)
$520Median weekly rent (all homes)ABS Census 2021 (Baulkham Hills)

Market snapshot

HousesUnitsSource
Share of homes75.4% separate houses, 13.3% terraces and townhouses11.3% flats and apartmentsABS Census 2021 (Baulkham Hills)

In the 2021 Census, 75.6% of Baulkham Hills homes were owned outright or with a mortgage and 22.3% were rented. The median weekly rent across all homes was $520 (ABS). Rents by bedroom aren't shown for this area. Sale prices will be added once licensed figures are available.

Figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.

Living in Baulkham Hills

The Bidjigal people, a clan of the Darug, are the traditional custodians of the area. Scottish settler Andrew McDougall named it after his homeland and the name was officially recognised in 1802. William Joyce was granted 30 acres in December 1794. His farmhouse burned in 1804 and was rebuilt. It still stands near Old Windsor Road.

Land grants were split into farms from the mid-19th century and the post office opened on 1 April 1856. Urban development sped up from the 1960s. On 29 June 2018 northern parts of the suburb became part of Norwest and Bella Vista. Baulkham Hills was the administrative seat of The Hills Shire.

Transport

  • Express buses use the M2 Motorway bus lanes to the city and North Sydney, including routes 610X, 612X, 613X, 614X and 615X.
  • The North-West T-way forms the suburb's western boundary. Route 600 runs to Parramatta and Pennant Hills.
  • Norwest and Bella Vista stations on the Metro North West & Bankstown Line are nearby.
  • Plan trips on the Transport for NSW trip planner.

Schools

Government primary schools include Baulkham Hills North Public School, Jasper Road Public School, Matthew Pearce Public School and Crestwood Public School. Baulkham Hills High School (a selective school), Crestwood High School and Model Farms High School are in or near the suburb. St Michael's and Our Lady of Lourdes are Catholic primary schools.

Zones change, so check the NSW School Finder for any address before you buy.

Shopping and dining

Grove Square between Windsor Road and Old Northern Road has three supermarkets and about 70 specialty shops. Castle Towers in Castle Hill and Norwest Marketown are a short drive away.

Parks and recreation

  • Bidjigal Reserve, about 186 hectares of bushland, is home to koalas, swamp wallabies and powerful owls.
  • Sophia Doyle Reserve and Crestwood Reserve are local bush reserves.
  • Norwest Lake is close by for walks.

Lifestyle

Baulkham Hills suits families who want a settled suburb with established schools and bushland. Family households made up 83.1% of the suburb in 2021 and the median age was 39. Most homes are owner-occupied (75.6%). The Orange Blossom Festival runs each September.

Baulkham Hills

Did you know?

1

Named after Scotland

Settler Andrew McDougall named the area after his Scottish homeland. The name was officially recognised in 1802.

Source: Wikipedia: Baulkham Hills, New South Wales

2

A farmhouse from the 1790s

William Joyce was granted 30 acres in December 1794. His farmhouse burned in 1804 and was rebuilt. It still stands on a 2,055 m2 block backing onto Old Windsor Road.

Source: Wikipedia: Baulkham Hills, New South Wales

3

A post office from 1856

Baulkham Hills Post Office opened on 1 April 1856, when the district was still farmland.

Source: Wikipedia: Baulkham Hills, New South Wales

4

A reserve with deep history

Bidjigal Reserve was dedicated on 22 October 2004. Its rock shelters include a midden dated to 10,150 years before present, the earliest known human habitation site in the Sydney area.

Source: Wikipedia: Bidjigal Reserve

Property types

Baulkham Hills is a suburb of established family homes.

  • Houses make up 75.4% of homes, many built from the 1960s onward.
  • Townhouses, villas and semis make up 13.3%.
  • Flats and apartments were 11.3% in 2021.
  • Size: 48.3% of homes have four or more bedrooms.

Check zoning, easements and hazards for any address on the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer. Blocks backing onto bushland or creeks are worth a bushfire and flood check with The Hills Shire Council.

What lenders look at in Baulkham Hills

Baulkham Hills is an established house market with townhouses and villas in the mix. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.

Larger loan amounts

Larger loans get closer scrutiny of income, expenses and existing debts. Some lenders cap their maximum loan-to-value ratio (LVR) on bigger loans, so check how much deposit you'll need early.

Older homes

Much of the suburb was built from the 1960s. Valuers look at condition, so a building and pest inspection is worth doing. Budget for any renovation you have in mind.

Townhouses and villas

13.3% of homes are townhouses, villas or semis. Many sit in strata or community schemes. Read the scheme's records for levies, sinking fund balances and any building defects.

Knockdown and rebuild

Rebuilding on an older block is common. Construction loans pay out in stages and need a fixed-price building contract and approved plans. Talk to us before you sign with a builder.

Bushland and creeks

Some blocks back onto Bidjigal Reserve or creek lines. Check the planning certificate for bush fire prone land and flood notations because they can affect insurance and building costs.

Postcode 2153

Baulkham Hills shares postcode 2153 with Bella Vista, Norwest and Winston Hills. It isn't on one LMI provider's lists of excluded or single-industry postcodes.

Lender and LMI policies differ between lenders and change often. This is a general guide based on public lender and LMI information checked 3 November 2026. We can check current policy for the property you're looking at before you apply.

Buying in Baulkham Hills

In Baulkham Hills the loan size and the condition of the home shape most purchases. Many houses date from the 1960s onward, so building reports matter. Getting your borrowing range and inspections sorted before you make an offer saves time.

First home buyers

First home buyers in Baulkham Hills often start with a villa, townhouse or apartment. Houses usually need a larger deposit or help from family. A family guarantee may help some buyers.

Getting pre-approval before you look tells you your range. For NSW schemes, price caps and duty concessions, see our first home buyer page for current details.

Upgraders

Many buyers here are moving from a townhouse to a house. Others knock down and rebuild an older home. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance early. With 43.0% of homes mortgaged, many owners also look at whether to refinance when a fixed rate ends.

Deposit and costs

On top of your deposit, allow for:

  • stamp duty (transfer duty) under New South Wales rules, with concessions for some first home buyers (see Revenue NSW)
  • conveyancing and legal fees
  • building and pest inspections
  • lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if you borrow more than 80% of the property's value

Our calculators give you a starting figure. Stamp duty rules differ between states, so check the New South Wales rules for your purchase.

Thinking about buying in Baulkham Hills?

Talk it through with a Brisbane broker before you sign a contract. We can check the property you're looking at against lender policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is Baulkham Hills mostly houses?

Yes. In the 2021 Census 75.4% of homes were separate houses, 13.3% were townhouses, villas or semis and 11.3% were flats or apartments.

Is there a train or metro station in Baulkham Hills?

Not within the suburb. Norwest and Bella Vista metro stations are nearby and express buses use the M2 Motorway to reach the city.

What schools are in Baulkham Hills?

Several public primary schools, Baulkham Hills High School and Catholic primary schools are in or near the suburb. Check the NSW School Finder for the zone of any address.

Can I buy in Baulkham Hills with a small deposit?

Possibly, depending on your income, the price and the lender. Some buyers use a family guarantee. Lenders mortgage insurance usually applies if you borrow more than 80% of the value.

Can a Brisbane mortgage broker help me buy in Baulkham Hills?

Yes. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with clients across Australia by phone and video. Lender policy is national, so the lending side works the same way. Stamp duty, first home buyer concessions and grants follow NSW rules, so we check those for your purchase. We don't have an office in Baulkham Hills.

What costs should I budget for besides the deposit?

NSW transfer duty (stamp duty), conveyancing, building and pest inspections and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the value. First home buyers may pay less duty under NSW rules. The calculators on our site give you a starting figure.

Johnathon Reeves - Time Home Loans

About the author

Johnathon Reeves

Johnathon has spent 17 years in finance: six as a business and agribusiness banker at NAB and since 2015 as a mortgage broker. He runs Time Home Loans in Brisbane and helps clients right across Australia, comparing 50+ lenders to find the loan that fits and explaining why in plain English. He is an FBAA member and the author of The Great Australian Mortgage Guide. Johnathon Reeves is Credit Representative 478570 of outsource Financial Pty Ltd, Australian Credit Licence 384324.