NSW Property Spotlight
Drummoyne property and home loan guide
Drummoyne sits between Iron Cove and the Parramatta River, about 6 km west of the Sydney CBD. It's an apartment suburb with a house market alongside it. In the 2021 Census 57.1% of homes were flats or apartments and 30.4% were separate houses. Victoria Road runs through the middle and ferries run from the wharf to the city. For buyers the strata records of a block and the size of the loan for a house tend to matter most. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with Drummoyne buyers by phone and video.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 30.4% separate houses, 10.8% terraces and townhouses | 57.1% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 (Drummoyne) |
In the 2021 Census, 61.9% of Drummoyne homes were owned outright or with a mortgage and 35.8% were rented. The median weekly rent across all homes was $600 (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 Drummoyne
In 1853 the merchant William Wright bought land in the northern part of the area, bounded by today's Lyons Road and Victoria Road. He built Drummoyne House in the Georgian style and named it after his family's home in Scotland. The name comes from Gaelic and is said to mean a flat ridge.
Drummoyne Rowing Club formed in 1919. Drummoyne Oval was built in 1931 as a Depression-era project. In 2000 the municipalities of Drummoyne and Concord merged to form the City of Canada Bay, which still runs its civic centre from Drummoyne.
Transport
- Drummoyne ferry wharf is on the Parramatta River service between Parramatta and the city.
- Many bus routes from Sydney's west run through Drummoyne along Victoria Road.
- The Gladesville Bridge links Drummoyne to Huntleys Point. Victoria Road can be slow in peak hours.
- In the 2021 Census 3.9% of working residents used public transport to get to work.
- Plan trips on the Transport for NSW trip planner.
Schools
Drummoyne Public School is the local government primary school (Kindergarten to Year 6). St Mark's Catholic Primary School is also in the suburb. High school students travel to neighbouring suburbs.
Zones change, so check the NSW School Finder for any address before you buy.
Shopping and dining
Drummoyne's shops run along Victoria Road and Lyons Road, with cafes, restaurants and specialty stores. Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre on the water has a supermarket and factory outlets.
Parks and recreation
- The Bay Run around Iron Cove is a popular loop for walkers and runners.
- Drummoyne Oval on the Parramatta River holds about 8,000 people and hosts cricket, rugby union and Australian rules.
- Drummoyne Olympic pool sits on the banks of Iron Cove.
Lifestyle
Drummoyne suits buyers who want water views, a ferry and a short trip to the city. The median age was 42 in 2021 and 67.5% of households were families. There's a mix of long-term owners in houses and renters in apartments: 35.8% of homes were rented.
Drummoyne
Did you know?
Named after a Scottish home
William Wright bought land here in 1853 and built Drummoyne House. He named his estate Drummoyne Park after his family's home at Drumoyne in Scotland.
A Depression-era oval
Drummoyne Oval was built in 1931 as a Depression-era project. Rugby clubs had used the site since 1892.
Rowing since 1919
Drummoyne Rowing Club formed in 1919. It is one of four rowing clubs on Iron Cove.
Two councils became one
In 2000 the municipalities of Drummoyne and Concord merged to form the City of Canada Bay. The council's civic centre is on Marlborough Street in Drummoyne.
Property types
Drummoyne is mostly an apartment market with houses on the quieter streets.
- Flats and apartments make up 57.1% of homes, from older walk-up blocks to newer buildings.
- Houses make up 30.4%.
- Townhouses and semis make up 10.8%.
- Size: 6.2% of homes have one bedroom and 18.2% have four or more.
Check zoning, heritage items and hazards for any address on the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer.
What lenders look at in Drummoyne
Drummoyne is an apartment suburb on the water with a house market beside it. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Apartments and strata
57.1% of Drummoyne homes are flats or apartments. Lenders look at the strata report, the sinking fund, levies and any special levies or building defects. Older walk-up blocks and newer towers are assessed differently.
Unit size
Small units can limit your lender choice. One LMI provider's public guidelines ask for at least 30 m2 of living area, excluding balconies and car spaces. Check the floor plan before you commit.
Larger loan amounts
Houses near the water mean bigger loans. 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
Many Drummoyne houses are decades old. Valuers look at condition, so a building and pest inspection is worth doing before you commit. Renovations need a fixed-price contract if you want them in the loan.
Postcode 2047
Drummoyne uses postcode 2047. 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 Drummoyne
In Drummoyne the strata records and the building shape most unit purchases. For houses it's usually the size of the loan and the condition of an older home. A strata report or a building and pest inspection before you make an offer saves time.
First home buyers
Most Drummoyne homes are apartments, so many first home buyers here start with a two-bedroom unit. A unit can mean a smaller deposit than a house, but lenders look closely at the building. A family guarantee may help some buyers.
Getting pre-approval before you look tells you your range. For NSW schemes, price caps and grants, see our first home buyer page for current details.
Upgraders
Many Drummoyne buyers are moving from an apartment to a house or a larger unit in the same area. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance early. Older houses often need work, so budget for an inspection and any renovation you have in mind.
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
- strata or body corporate searches for units and townhouses
- 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.
Investing in Drummoyne
35.8% of Drummoyne homes were rented in the 2021 Census and the median weekly rent was $600. Lenders usually count only part of the rent when they assess your income. For units they also look at strata levies and the building. See our investing in property page for how lenders assess investment loans.
Lender considerations
Drummoyne purchases often involve strata units, older houses and larger loans. Lenders look at your income, the building or the house and any levies you'll pay. Time Home Loans is Brisbane-based and works with Drummoyne buyers by phone and video.
Thinking about buying in Drummoyne?
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 Drummoyne mostly apartments?
Yes. In the 2021 Census 57.1% of homes were flats or apartments, 30.4% were separate houses and 10.8% were townhouses or semis.
Is there a train station in Drummoyne?
No. Drummoyne has a ferry wharf on the Parramatta River service and many bus routes along Victoria Road.
Are there schools in Drummoyne?
Yes. Drummoyne Public School and St Mark's Catholic Primary School are in the suburb. Check the NSW School Finder for any address.
Can I buy a unit in Drummoyne with a small deposit?
Possibly, depending on your income, the price, the building 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 Drummoyne?
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 Drummoyne.
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. Unit buyers should also budget for a strata report. First home buyers may pay less duty under NSW rules. The calculators on our site give you a starting figure.
General information only. This page provides general information and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it's appropriate for you and seek advice before making a decision. Market figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Time Home Loans Pty Ltd ACN 161 695 012, Credit Representative 529395 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 384324.