Building in Sorell
Tasmania's oldest inland gateway — historic character, coastal villages, and a 30-minute commute to Hobart that changes what's possible on your build budget.
Tasmania's South-East Gateway
Sorell is one of Tasmania's most historically significant towns. First settled in 1808 and gazetted as an official township in 1821, it sits at the junction of the Tasman Highway and Arthur Highway — the natural gateway to the Tasman Peninsula and Tasmania's spectacular east coast. The town is 27 kilometres north-east of Hobart's CBD, a commute that increasingly makes Sorell one of the most compelling addresses in southern Tasmania.
The municipality spans 583 square kilometres and encompasses far more than the town itself. Coastal villages dot the Storm Bay and Frederick Henry Bay shorelines — Dodges Ferry, Primrose Sands, and Lewisham attract those seeking a genuine beachside community without the price tags of Hobart's eastern shore. Midway Point, connected by a causeway, offers a peninsula setting with water on both sides. The broader district is farming country: the Sorell Berry Belt is famous across Tasmania, and the agricultural character gives the region a productive, grounded identity that sets it apart from purely residential dormitory suburbs.
Population across the Sorell Council area has grown to over 18,100 — and the growth trajectory is upward. Median house prices of $680,000–$720,000 represent a meaningful discount to equivalent Hobart properties, and rental yields of approximately 4.7% are attractive by southern Tasmanian standards. The combination of affordability, lifestyle, and Hobart access makes Sorell a legitimate alternative to the inner suburbs — and a platform for building something truly exceptional.
For custom home builders, the south-east offers something the north of Tasmania cannot: proximity to one of Australia's most liveable capital cities, combined with land prices and community character that make a quality build financially achievable. Heritage buildings from the 1820s share the streetscape with contemporary homes — a reminder that Sorell has always been a place people chose to put down roots.
Why People Choose Sorell
Gateway to the East Coast
Sorell sits at the junction of the Tasman and Arthur Highways — the natural departure point for Tasmania's world-class east coast, Freycinet Peninsula, and the Tasman Peninsula. Living here means extraordinary destinations are on your doorstep, not a half-day drive away.
30 Minutes from Hobart
A 27-kilometre commute to Hobart's CBD is the engine of Sorell's growth. Hobart workers are discovering that trading inner-city congestion for a Sorell address brings more land, more space, and a build budget that genuinely stretches — without sacrificing city access.
Berry Belt & Agricultural Character
The Sorell district is Tasmania's berry-growing heartland. Strawberry and berry farms give the region a productive, honest character that new residential suburbs simply can't manufacture. Farmers' markets, fresh produce, and a community grounded in the land.
Coastal Villages
Dodges Ferry, Primrose Sands, and Lewisham offer genuine beachside living on Storm Bay and Frederick Henry Bay. The coastal village atmosphere — boat ramps, beach walks, a close-knit community — draws both retirees and young families seeking a relaxed permanent lifestyle.
Historic Character
Sorell's colonial-era heritage — barracks, St George's Anglican Church, solid brick streetscapes — gives the town a depth of character most places can only aspire to. New builds sit alongside 200-year-old structures in a streetscape that rewards careful, considered design.
Affordable Entry to the South-East
Median house prices of $680,000–$720,000 represent a significant discount to equivalent Hobart eastern suburbs properties. Land remains accessible across the district, and rental yields of approximately 4.7% make investor builds financially compelling in a market driven by genuine tenant demand.
What to Know About Building in Sorell
Sorell Council administers planning for the entire municipality via the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. Applications are lodged through the PlanBuild Tasmania portal, and the council is generally responsive for pre-application guidance. Here's what matters when you're planning a build in this area:
- Sorell Council is accustomed to both heritage-sensitive infill projects in the town centre and contemporary new builds on rural residential land — the planning team is experienced with the full range of residential development types.
- Coastal sites at Dodges Ferry, Primrose Sands, and Lewisham are exposed to Storm Bay — salt air and prevailing south-westerly winds require marine-grade material specification for cladding, roofing, and hardware. Davies specifies coastal-rated materials as standard for all beachside sites.
- Rural residential lots in the Sorell district may be subject to Bushfire Prone Land (BAL) assessments. Our team identifies BAL requirements early in the design process so construction methods and materials are specified correctly from the outset.
- The flat to gently undulating terrain across much of the municipality makes site preparation straightforward on most lots, though elevated positions (particularly toward Dodges Ferry) may involve cut-and-fill retaining considerations.
- Proximity to Hobart means strong service infrastructure — established trades, reliable suppliers, and short lead times — reducing the project management challenges that can affect more remote sites.
- Heritage overlays apply to parts of Sorell's town centre. Any site within or adjacent to a heritage precinct warrants early consultation with council to understand design expectations before committing to a concept.
Davies has built across both northern and southern Tasmania throughout our 15+ years of operation. Our design-and-build process is tailored to each site and climate zone — from the coastal exposure of Storm Bay to the temperate rural blocks of the Sorell hinterland. We know the questions to ask before design begins, and we manage the planning process from pre-application through to building consent.
Davies Projects in the Region
Our portfolio spans Tasmania from the north-west coast to the south — each project a demonstration of what's possible when exceptional design meets precise construction.
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