St Huberts Island is one of the Central Coast’s most distinctive waterfront addresses. A compact 0.6 km² canal estate of around 563 homes, it connects to the mainland by a single bridge at Daleys Point. Cuttlefish Parade and Helmsman Boulevard are two of the island’s most sought-after streets, and they offer quite different versions of waterfront living.
Location and Position on the Island
One bridge at Daleys Point brings you onto Helmsman Boulevard, the island’s longest residential artery. Cuttlefish Parade sits at the northern reaches, tucked at the end of its own cul-de-sac. The drive-time difference is negligible given the island’s compact size.
Both streets share identical transport infrastructure. Woy Woy station is a roughly 10-minute drive, Ettalong Wharf offers a 35-minute ferry to Palm Beach, and the M1 puts Sydney about 90 minutes away. The southern end of Helmsman Boulevard is closest to the bridge exit; Cuttlefish Parade is furthest. Two bus routes (Route 59 and Route 64) serve the island, though a car is needed for most errands since there are no shops on the island.
Property Market and Value
Cuttlefish Parade holds a clear price premium. Its median sale value sits at $2,909,000, compared with Helmsman Boulevard’s $2,529,000, a $380,000 gap or roughly 15%. Both streets comfortably outpace the suburb median of $1.9 million to $1.93 million.
Where they diverge is price spread. Cuttlefish Parade has no entry-level island buying. Its floor sits around $2.18 million (14 Cuttlefish Parade, 2024), and the top of the documented range reaches $4.25 million (29 Cuttlefish Parade, April 2022). Helmsman Boulevard spans from roughly $920,000 to $3.6 million (18 Helmsman Boulevard, June 2025). Its upper tier competes directly with Cuttlefish pricing; its lower end opens the island to a wider buyer pool.
Both streets see long holding periods: Cuttlefish homes change hands every 13.0 years on average, Helmsman every 13.5. A 2015 sale at 13 Cuttlefish Parade for $1.26 million versus today’s $2.91 million median highlights the decade-scale appreciation. Current listings include 15 Cuttlefish Parade, a five-bedroom waterfront, along with 3 Helmsman Boulevard (guide $2.8M to $3.0M), 51 Helmsman Boulevard ($2.3M, five bedrooms), and 53 Helmsman Boulevard (guide $3.2M).
Streetscape and Character
This is where the two streets truly part ways.
Cuttlefish Parade is a point-terminating cul-de-sac of just 35 homes, all houses. There is zero through-traffic. It has been described as a “dress circle cul-de-sac surrounded by some of the Island’s best homes.” The housing is consistently large executive residences on lots of roughly 651 m² to 854 m². The streetscape reads as intimate, exclusive, and quiet.
Helmsman Boulevard is the island’s longest residential street with 129 properties. As a through-road it carries moderate traffic and more pedestrian activity. Housing spans the full spectrum, from single-level three-bedroom homes to architect-designed luxury waterfronts, on lots around 483 m² to 693 m². The streetscape is varied rather than uniform.
Cuttlefish Parade is 90% owner-occupied, as is Helmsman Boulevard. The cul-de-sac versus boulevard contrast is the deepest experiential difference: one is a retreat, the other a neighbourhood.
Lifestyle, Water Access, and Community
Both streets deliver the core island lifestyle: boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming from your back door. The canal network is the common thread.
Cuttlefish Parade is defined by seclusion and water immersion. Its point position delivers predominantly north-facing Brisbane Water frontage with wide, uninterrupted panoramas. Listings describe “one of St Huberts Island’s widest and most private canals” with “crystal clear waters” and sandy beaches at the water’s edge. Homes feature private jetties, pontoons, and slipways. It is the pick for buyers wanting a private waterfront retreat.
Helmsman Boulevard offers the same water access with more pedestrian activity and neighbour interaction. With a 4.6 out of 5 Homely rating, it mixes north-facing and other water aspects along its length. Waterfront homes include private jetties, slipways, sandy beaches, and solar-heated pools. The Island News community newsletter helps keep residents connected.
One differentiator is the Bridge Reserve, a foreshore reserve with seating at the island’s entry on Helmsman Boulevard. It is the only documented on-island community gathering space. Cuttlefish Parade has no equivalent; its point position trades micro-amenities for water panoramas.
Both streets rely equally on the same off-island hubs. Ettalong Beach, Umina, and Woy Woy are a five-minute drive for cafes, restaurants, shopping, Cinema Paradiso, and the Ettalong Markets.
Schools and Education
The two streets are effectively identical. Both fall within Empire Bay Public School (ICSEA 1,039, roughly a 16-minute walk) and Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus (ICSEA 966, about a 10-minute drive). No schools sit on the island itself.
Helmsman Boulevard has one marginal edge: Kincumber High School (ICSEA 1,045) sits within its 5 km radius as an additional government secondary option. Private school access, including Coast Christian School and Green Point Christian College (K-12), is near-identical from both streets. For buyers comparing the two, school access is not a deciding factor.
Conclusion
Cuttlefish Parade and Helmsman Boulevard share the same fundamentals: water-centric canal living on a tightly held island, strong owner commitment, and proximity to the Central Coast’s best amenity hubs. The choice comes down to what kind of island lifestyle you want. Cuttlefish Parade suits buyers who value privacy, prestige, and a secluded setting with consistently premium housing. Helmsman Boulevard suits those who want island living with community connection, a wider range of housing choices and price points, and the community atmosphere of a larger street. Neither is the wrong answer. Each answers a different set of priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cuttlefish Parade’s median property price in St Huberts Island?
Cuttlefish Parade’s median sale value is $2,909,000 (July 2026). Recent sales range from $2.18 million to $4.25 million, well above the suburb median of $1.9 million to $1.93 million. Current listings include a five-bedroom waterfront at 15 Cuttlefish Parade. With an average holding period around 13 years, listings appear infrequently.
What is it like living on Cuttlefish Parade day to day?
Quiet and private. With 35 homes on a point-terminating cul-de-sac, the only vehicles belong to residents. Deep-water access from private jetties supports spontaneous boating, fishing, and paddling. North-facing Brisbane Water views, sandy beach edges, and resort-style pools define the waterfront experience. A five-minute drive reaches Ettalong Beach and Umina for shopping and dining. A car is part of daily life, since there are no shops on the island.
How often do homes come up for sale on Cuttlefish Parade?
Infrequently. The turnover rate is 76.7%, an average holding period of roughly 13 years. With only 35 properties, around three are typically on the market. A small property count plus long tenure means buyers need patience.
What waterfront features do Cuttlefish Parade homes offer?
North-facing Brisbane Water frontage from the point position delivers wide, uninterrupted panoramas. Homes include private jetties, pontoons, slipways, and sandy beaches. A water frontage of 36.8 metres at 32 Cuttlefish Parade is one example. The canal is described as “one of St Huberts Island’s widest and most private” with “crystal clear waters.” Deep-water access suits larger vessels.
Is Cuttlefish Parade suitable for families with children?
Yes, though it depends on the family’s priorities. Zero through-traffic makes it safe and quiet. Empire Bay Public School is the primary catchment (about a 16-minute walk); Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus is the secondary (roughly a 10-minute drive). Private options including Green Point Christian College (K-12, roughly a 13-minute drive) and St John the Baptist Catholic Primary (roughly an 11-minute drive) are accessible. The waterfront lifestyle with boating, fishing, and swimming offers a rich outdoor childhood.
What is Cuttlefish Parade’s long term investment outlook?
Strong fundamentals. With only 35 homes, scarcity is genuine. A 2015 sale of $1.26 million at 13 Cuttlefish Parade versus the current $2.91 million median shows substantial decade-scale appreciation. The turnover rate of 76.7% confirms owner commitment, not speculative churn. The absence of entry-level product creates a consistent prestige profile that supports long-term value resilience.
What is Helmsman Boulevard’s median property price in St Huberts Island?
Helmsman Boulevard’s median sale value is $2,529,000 (July 2026). Sales span from roughly $920,000 to $3.6 million. Current listings include 53 Helmsman Boulevard at $3.2 million, 3 Helmsman Boulevard at $2.8 million to $3.0 million, and 51 Helmsman Boulevard at $2.3 million. The median sits roughly $600,000 above the suburb median of $1.9 million to $1.93 million. Helmsman Boulevard’s price breadth, from under $1 million to over $3.6 million, is the widest on the island.
What is it like living on Helmsman Boulevard day to day?
Helmsman Boulevard is the island’s longest and most populous residential street, with around 129 properties. As a through-road with moderate traffic, it carries a neighbourly feel (residents rate the suburb 4.6 out of 5). Waterfront homes offer private jetties, slipways, sandy beaches, and solar-heated pools. The Bridge Reserve provides a community foreshore space, and The Island News community newsletter keeps residents connected. A five-minute drive to Ettalong Beach, Umina, and Woy Woy covers all shopping and dining.
How often do homes come up for sale on Helmsman Boulevard?
More often than Cuttlefish Parade, but still limited. The turnover rate is 73.9%, roughly a 13.5-year average. With 129 properties, around five are typically on the market. The larger count and wider price spread mean listings appear across different segments, from entry-level island homes to premium waterfront estates.
What waterfront features do Helmsman Boulevard homes offer?
A mix of north-facing and other water aspects along the boulevard. Features include private jetties, slipways, sandy beach frontages, and solar-heated pools. Some properties offer 18-metre water frontages, documented at 39 Helmsman Boulevard. Current listings show the range: 3 Helmsman Boulevard (north-facing waterfront, sandy beach, jetty, pool) and 54 Helmsman Boulevard (waterfront, private jetty, heated pool). Deep-water canal access is available along the waterfront sections.
Is Helmsman Boulevard suitable for families with children?
Yes, and its community-oriented feel appeals to families. More pedestrian activity creates an interactive, neighbourly environment. The Bridge Reserve provides dedicated outdoor space. Catchments are Empire Bay Public School and Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus. Helmsman Boulevard also has Kincumber High School within range. Private choices including Coast Christian School (Bensville, about 11 minutes) and Green Point Christian College (K-12, about 12 minutes) are nearby.
What is Helmsman Boulevard’s long term investment outlook?
Helmsman Boulevard offers breadth rather than scarcity. Its 129 properties and wide price range attract first-time island buyers, downsizers, families, and luxury purchasers alike. The turnover rate of 73.9% and 13.5-year holding period confirm strong owner commitment. The upper tier at $2.8 million and above competes directly with Cuttlefish Parade pricing. The bridge-entry position and Bridge Reserve are unique to Helmsman. Entry-point accessibility may support liquidity across varied market conditions, while the top end has demonstrated solid appreciation.