Hillarys was named after one of it's early settlers, a Gallipoli war veteran, Bertram John Hillary (1895–1957). Bertram had become blind in his right eye while fighting in Gallipoli during World War 1.
He came to the area during the Great Depression while fishing for a living with his brother Harry, and built a boatshed on the beach in 1930. He then expanded it by adding a dormitory to accommodate himself, his wife and four children. For many years, they were the only residents of what is now Hillarys, and the nearest store, at North Beach to the south, was a 5 km walk away. During the Second World War, the Australian Army used the area, and named it "Hillary's Beach" on their maps. Bert Hillarys died in 1957 and the shack and 14 others nearby were destroyed in a fierce storm in 1964.
The Metropolitan Region Scheme, designed in 1955, had proposed that Whitford Beach , just beyond modern Hillarys's north, would be the limit of coastal settlement, and in 1962, a highway from Fremantle to Sorrento was suggested by the Government. In 1967, a road to Whitford Beach was built after a major Catholic school, Sacred Heart College , relocated from inner-suburban Highgate into the region.
In preparation for Australia 's defence of the 1987 America 's Cup at Fremantle, the State Government commissioned the building of Hillarys Boat Harbour , the first major marina in the north metropolitan area. The retail complex on the site, called Sorrento Quay, commenced trading in December 1987 and was officially opened in January 1988. Also, in May 1987, the Government declared Marmion Beach Park over a region from Burns Beach to Trigg, to which the new marina complex provided a gateway.
The shopping centre and marina development fuelled growth in the suburb and by the mid-1990s, both the northwest and southwest of the suburb had been fully developed.
In preparation for Australia 's defence of the 1987 America 's Cup at Fremantle, the State Government commissioned the building of Hillarys Boat Harbour , the first major marina in the north metropolitan area. The retail complex on the site, called Sorrento Quay, commenced trading in December 1987 and was officially opened in January 1988. Also, in May 1987, the Government declared Marmion Beach Park over a region from Burns Beach to Trigg, to which the new marina complex provided a gateway.
The shopping centre and marina development fuelled growth in the suburb and by the mid-1990s, both the northwest and southwest of the suburb had been fully developed.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
Since opening in 1988, Hillarys Boat Harbour has been a premier recreational destination for Perth locals and visitors. Hillarys Boat Harbour , north of Perth is a bustling dining and entertainment hub right on the water.
There's a big range of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from, as well as plenty of gift shops to browse. Sample locally made ice cream, or sip a coffee or award winning wine overlooking the water.
With more than 2700 car-parking bays, convenient cycle paths, walkways, and parklands for public use, Hillarys Boat Harbour is an exciting, unique destination, perfect for a family day out - the kids will love the leisure park with water slides and mini golf.
It's also home to the Aquarium of Western Australia where you can see the marine life that exists right along the State's 12,000 kilometres of coastline. There's even the chance to go swimming with sharks inside the aquarium.
Accommodation, self-catering apartments right on the water are available for rent.
Hillarys Boat Harbour is home to hundreds of boats – take a stroll to see the expensive launches, yachts and catamarans that are moored there.
There are dive tour operators, cruise tours to go whale watching, or you can catch a ferry from Hillarys to Rottnest Island .
Nearby are sandy beaches perfect for swimming and fishing.
Hillarys Boat Harbour is about a 20 minute drive north of Perth along the coast.
www.hillarysboatharbour.com.au
Sorrento Quays
Hillarys Boat Harbour is home to the magnificent Sorrento Quay Boardwalk. You couldn't find a more prime piece of real estate in Hillarys! Sorrento Quays isn't just by the ocean; it's ON the ocean! ~ Literally! Sorrento Quay is a great day out for the whole family. Enjoy an outstanding selection of restaurants and cafes; live entertainment and over 40 specialty stores, all perched over the beautiful Indian Ocean . A fantastic holiday atmosphere in a beautiful marina with a safe, sheltered swimming beach.
www.sorrentoquay.com.au
AQWA
Hillarys is also home to Australia 's largest aquarium and underwater tunnel which showcases the unique regions of Western Australia 's 12,000km coastline of which you can travel in a single day. AQWA takes you on an underwater journey to discover the incredible and unique marine life of Western Australia .
www.aqwa.com.au
The Great Escape
The Great Escape! ~ Described as Perth 's Ultimate Leisure Park and only 20 minutes from Perth 's city centre. It is located in Hillarys boat harbour, with a wonderful variety of safe and welcoming rides and activities all year round that are suitable for all ages. Spectators are free and you only pay for what you ride.
www.thegreatescape.com.au
Parks
Hillarys offers a wide variety of beautiful parks located in and around the surroundings of the suburb. Lovely open areas where one can enjoy the scenic gestures that nature has to offer.
- Broadbeach Park
- Flinders Park
- Hillarys Park
- James Cook Park
- Mawson Park
- Pinnaroo Point
- Waterford Park
- Whitfords Park
- Leeward Park
- Conica Park
- Scott Park
- Fenton Park
- Harbour View Park
Education
There are numerous kindergartens and schools in the area that provide you with the facilities and services you may require as a family. Before and after school care is also available at the local Whitfords Occasional Child Care Centre www.whitcare.net
Kindergarten
Schools
Entertainment
Considering Hillarys is one of the most sought after places to explore when touring Western Australia, it is thus packed with loads of fun and entertainment, which everyone thoroughly enjoys when visiting our beautiful suburb.
What is a Real Estate Median price and why do we use it?
The median price is the middle price in a series of sales. For example, if there are 15 sales recorded in a suburb and these are arranged in order from lowest to highest value, then the eighth sale is the median price. In the case where there is an even number of sales in a series, the median is the average of the middle two prices.
An average price is different to a median as adding up the value of all the sales and dividing it by the number of sales calculate it.
Median prices are generally used in property analysis rather than average prices because median prices are unaffected by a few unusually high or low prices that may skew averages. The median represents a more accurate measure of true market activity.
Whilst the median provides a general indicator of the trend in property prices for the majority of the market in a suburb, care should be taken when applying the results to an individual property as prices may be influenced by a range of unique factors including age, house and lot size and condition, with the best indicator of your property's worth in the current market still a market appraisal from a licensed agent / representative specialising in your area.
The median price for real estate in Hillarys, for a 4 bedroom home is $805,000. This is a rise from $680,000 in 2006. There were over 80 properties sold in Hillarys in the last financial year.