Anchor a piece of maritime history at Cornelian Bay

A rare slice of Hobart’s waterfront heritage has hit the market, with Boatshed No.3 at Cornelian Bay offering buyers the chance to secure one of the city’s most tightly held property types.

Dating back to the early 1900s, the boatshed is believed to be one of the first constructed along the Cornelian Bay foreshore, where 34 similar structures line the shore.

While the earliest sheds in the bay were built in the 1840s, most standing today trace their origins to the early 1900s through to the 1930s.

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Peterswald director and real estate agent Nick Morgan said interest in the boatshed had been strong since it launched onto the market, reflecting just how scarce these waterfront offerings are.

“It is an amazing space,” Mr Morgan said.

“It took a little while for the vendor to decide to part ways with it, because they made so many wonderful memories there.”

In a typical year, buyers might be fortunate to see just a small handful of these boatsheds come up for sale — sometimes none at all.

Recent transactions have been few and far between, with No.30 selling in November 2025 and No.1A changing hands in mid-2024.

For those who do secure one, the lifestyle on offer is hard to replicate.

“The family who owns No.3 describe spending time there as having the feel of being in a national park,” Mr Morgan said.

“A world away from the hustle and bustle. Yet, just minutes from the CBD.

“It’s not just waterfront, you are sitting above the water. It’s an oasis.”

Boatshed No.3 captures that sense of connection to its environment, with a timber deck extending out over the bay and uninterrupted views across the water towards the surrounding hills.

Inside, natural timber finishes and a gently curved plywood ceiling lend warmth and character, while glass bi-fold doors open the main living space onto the deck, blurring the line between indoors and out.

The kitchenette provides practical amenity, alongside a bathroom — updated in 2014 — a shower, vanity and composting toilet, plus a hot water system installed in 2025.

Structural upgrades over the years including replacement piers, raising of the boatshed in 2014 and restumping of the deck in 2024, have preserved the building’s integrity while retaining its original charm.

“The owners have added some flair to it, alongside some considered improvements,” Mr Morgan said. “The boatshed has been very well maintained. There is a nice earthy feel, a strong connection to the beautiful environment of the bay.”

Unlike conventional waterfront homes, Cornelian Bay’s boatsheds are bought and sold as freehold buildings together with a Crown Lease for the water beneath them, extending to the high tide mark.

They are designated for recreational use only, meaning the property cannot be used as a permanent residence.

Surrounded by walking tracks, parkland and the Cornelian Bay waterfront precinct, the setting strikes a rare balance between seclusion and convenience.

“The Cornelian Bay boatsheds are highly sought-after because of the setting,” Mr Morgan said.

“It is a pleasure to spend time there; it is a breath of fresh air.”

No.3 is listed at $450,000-plus.