Benalla Street in Manly stands as more than just another suburban thoroughfare – it serves as a lasting tribute to Australia’s maritime military history and the brave souls who served during the Great War. This street of remembrance carries the legacy of HMAT A24 Benalla, one of His Majesty’s Australian Transport ships that played a crucial role in ferrying Australian Imperial Forces to overseas battlefields.
With 70% of properties being owner-occupied and residents staying an average of 16 years and 4 months, Benalla Street demonstrates strong community attachment and stability. This commitment to the area is reflected in the fact that 52% of residents have called Benalla Street home for more than a decade. The street’s property transaction history reveals the remarkable transformation of Manly’s real estate landscape, with 38 Benalla Street selling for $49,800 in January 1981 – a testament to the area’s evolution over the decades.
Remembrance: HMAT A24 Benalla
Benalla Street honours the memory of HMAT A24 Benalla, a vital component of Australia’s Great War naval transport fleet. This 11,118-tonne vessel, capable of cruising at 14 knots (26 kilometres per hour), was owned by the prestigious P&O Steam Navigation Company in London and leased by the Commonwealth government until 6 August 1917.
The HMAT fleet represented a crucial lifeline for Australian forces, with ships like the Benalla specifically leased to transport various Australian Imperial Force formations to their overseas destinations. When not engaged in military duties, these vessels carried commodity exports to Britain and France, supporting the war effort on multiple fronts. The fleet comprised both British ships and captured German vessels, symbolising the comprehensive nature of the Allied naval effort.
By naming this street after HMAT A24 Benalla, Manly ensures that the sacrifice and service of those who sailed aboard these transport ships – and the strategic importance of Australia’s maritime contribution to the Great War – remains forever etched in the community’s memory.
Benalla St, Manly Residents
NUMBER OF PROPERTIES: 42 (1 townhouse, 23 houses, 18 others)
% OF OWNER OCCUPIERS ON STREET: 70%
AVERAGE TIME FOR OWNER OCCUPIERS: 16 years, 4 months
% OF PEOPLE 10+ YEARS: 52%
Benalla St, Manly – As It Looked in 1936
SOME TYPICAL PROPERTY SALES ON BENALLA ST FROM YESTERYEAR
| Property Address | Sale Price | Sale Date |
| 38 Benalla Street, Manly | $49,800 | Jan 1981 |
| 2 Benalla Street, Manly | $45,000 | Mar 1985 |
| 8 Benalla Street, Manly | $110,000 | Jan 1989 |
SUBURB PROFILE
The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Manly in 2025 was $1,300,000
The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Manly in 2021 was $660,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 3-BEDROOM HOUSE IN MANLY SINCE 2021: $640,000
The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Manly in 2025 was $1,875,000
The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Manly in 2021 was $1,013,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 4-BEDROOM HOUSE IN MANLY SINCE 2021: $862,000
If you know Benalla St, Manly well and you have some anecdotes or details to add, please email us at editor@brisbanesuburbsonlinenews.com.au.
