A beach box, merely a garden shed in size, has drawn sharp criticism after being listed for sale in Mount Eliza, located on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula, for an astonishing price of between $275,000 and $300,000. The listing on the Australian property site Domain describes the pink structure as a “perfect summer sanctuary,” despite it featuring no bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, or plumbing.
The outrage among Australians is palpable, as many expressed disbelief over the asking price for what amounts to a storage hut near the beach. Comments on the listing quickly flooded in, with one individual quipping, “That’s it – a perfect house for first home buyers – bring a mattress to sleep on.” Another remarked, “Who’s buying this for $300,000? Are you joking me?” Such sentiments reflect a broader frustration with the escalating housing prices in Australia.
The beach box, officially known as Beach Box 15 at Earimil North Beach, is situated just an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s Central Business District. It was purchased by its current owners in 2010, when the property market was more favorable to buyers. The original purchase price remains unclear, but many locals see the current listing as a stark reminder of how detached property prices have become from reality.
Critics assert that the structure is not a property but rather a “garden shed,” questioning the value proposition. “It’s not even air-conditioned. What are you going to use this for that’s worth $300,000?” one commenter pointed out. Others highlighted how dramatically property prices have increased over the years, with one noting that similar beach boxes were priced between $35,000 and $40,000 back in the early 2000s.
The listing description paints an idyllic picture of “slow, sun-drenched days by the sea” and “carefree Peninsula summers,” emphasizing its proximity to the shoreline, which allows for easy storage of recreational items like paddleboards and kayaks. While these features are attractive, they feel like a mere consolation to many Australians struggling to save for a traditional home.
Australia’s housing market currently faces severe affordability challenges, as confirmed by recent data from property analytics firm Cotality. According to their Housing Affordability Report, home values have surged by 47.3 percent since March 2020, raising the median dwelling price to $872,500. Over the same period, median household incomes only increased by 15 percent, creating a widening gap between wages and property prices.
Eliza Owen, head of research at Cotality, stated, “For first home buyers, the metrics are pretty disappointing. There’s this real disparity between where incomes are and where property prices are that shows a kind of structural shift in who can access the market.” Currently, three out of four key affordability measures have reached record highs, further complicating the situation for prospective homebuyers.
While Melbourne has provided some degree of relief compared to Sydney, the listing of the beach box underscores that affordability pressures are infiltrating even the most modest segments of the property market. The median dwelling value in Melbourne now stands at 7.1 times the average income, compared to a multiple of 10 in Sydney. Yet, even this relative affordability is wearing thin for many.
The demand for housing continues to outstrip supply, with over one million new households formed nationwide since 2020, while only 880,000 new dwellings were completed. This ongoing shortfall is pushing prices higher and contributing to the perception that property ownership is increasingly out of reach for many Australians.
The Mount Eliza beach box has emerged as a symbol of the frustrations surrounding the current housing climate, with many viewing it as a sign of the troubling trajectory of the market. Once a humble seaside convenience, it has morphed into a status symbol priced well beyond the reach of first-time buyers aspiring to achieve the so-called Great Australian Dream.
