Vaucluse is an eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Vaucluse is located 8 kilometres (5 mi) north-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government areas of Waverley Council and the Municipality of Woollahra.

Vaucluse is located on the South Head peninsula, with Sydney Harbour on the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east. The Sydney Harbour side of the suburb commands views across the harbour to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The adjacent suburbs are Watsons Bay, to the north and Rose Bay and Dover Heights to the south.

Vaucluse is a mainly residential suburb. For many years, it was the most affluent suburb in Sydney and in terms of houses and properties is still in the top five most expensive suburbs. Tahiti, a Hawaiian-style residence in tropical gardens above Hermit Bay, set Australian residential record when it sold to a trio of South Africans (the Krok brothers) for more than $29 million in September 2007.[2]

Renowned as one of Sydney?s most salubrious old-money addresses, distinguished Vaucluse is home to some of our most impressive estates and waterfront homes. Spanning from the harbour back over to the dramatic oceanfront clifftops, many homes in Vaucluse capture stunning water views.

Garnering multi-million dollar prices, they are traditionally set on generous parcels of land, discretely hidden by lush gardens. They range from traditional turn of the century residences and grand examples of 1920s and ?30s architecture to cutting edge contemporary masterpieces. Named after the bay that it overlooks, the oceanside enclave known as Diamond Bay is home to many of the suburb?s apartment blocks, including a prominent 10-storey Harry Seidler building.

Several historic buildings remain in the area, many of which form part of the former Wentworth Estate, once the home of William Charles Wentworth, father of the Australian Constitution. Vaucluse House is a stately l9th century sandstone mansion surrounded by 27 acres of gardens, also encompassing the Vaucluse House Tearooms.

Vaucluse is particularly well known for its boutique beaches. Lined with a canopy of Moreton Bay fig trees, the idyllic Nielsen Park is home to a gorgeous waterfront caf? with magical views. Parsley Bay Reserve is a popular family park and sheltered beach which includes an enclosed swimming area, picnic facilities and a children?s playground. There is also a short bushland circuit which takes you to a waterfall at the head of the gully.

There are plenty of schools near Vaucluse, reflecting the family nature of the area. These include the prestigious private girls? schools Ascham, Kambala and Kincoppal Rose Bay, the co-ed private school Reddam House, the local government high school Rose Bay Secondary College and the private boys? schools Scots College and Cranbrook.

Located 10km east of the CBD, Vaucluse is well serviced by bus transport to and from the CBD and Edgecliff Station.

Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaucluse,_New_South_Wales