Five charming old banks for sale around Australia
There’s something about old bank buildings that are downright charming. They’re grand, they’re beautiful and they’re chock-full of character.
Whilst some old banks are still used for their original purpose, others have been repurposed for something entirely different — a coffee shop, a B&B, even a family home.
Here are some of the best old banks currently up for sale around Australia.
1. North Sydney, NSW
Occupying a prominent corner position, this landmark North Sydney building combines striking interwar architecture with high-exposure positioning. Built in 1931 as a Bank of New South Wales branch, the property retains its distinctive curved facade and arched windows, now complemented by a flexible layout and existing income stream from a ground-floor tenant. With strong pedestrian traffic, proximity to the Victoria Cross Metro and immediate access to the Pacific Highway, the former bank presents a compelling opportunity for investors wanting to get into one of Sydney’s tightly held corridors.
2. Swansea, TAS
This character-filled former bank in Swansea, on Tasmania’s east coast, has been reimagined as a thriving cafe and restaurant, just moments from the town’s waterfront. Set on a 693-square-metre elevated site, the circa-1912 building blends historic charm with a flexible layout, featuring a main dining area, private dining room, commercial kitchen and a generous courtyard.
3. Tamworth, NSW
Constructed circa 1874 as Tamworth’s original National Australia Bank, this grand building has long stood as a symbol of the city’s commercial growth.
The two-storey heritage property occupies a prominent corner on Peel Street and has been meticulously restored, combining its grand facade and soaring ceilings with modern amenities and services. Its light-filled, largely open-plan interior provides about 849 square metres of floor space.
Set on 597 square metres with wide dual-street frontages, the property could accommodate a single occupier or multiple tenants. It is being offered for sale with the price available on application.
4. Lithgow, NSW
One of the most recognisable CBD landmarks in this Blue Mountains gateway town, this former National Australia Bank building is set across three levels on a 1230-square-metre site. It retains many original features, including ornate plaster ceilings, timber finishes and the original teller counters. With a flexible layout comprising retail or commercial space below and a self-contained apartment above, the building presents a rare opportunity to reimagine a grand historic asset in the heart of the revitalising town.
5. Molong, NSW
Officially opened in 1876, this former Commercial Banking Company of Sydney branch served the Molong community for more than a century.
Designed by the Mansfield Brothers in the Italianate style, the two-storey building retains arched windows, cast-iron lacework verandahs, ornate cornices, seven fireplaces and its original bank vault, now used as a library. After standing vacant for more than a decade, it was meticulously restored as a residence with four bedrooms and an office.
The 2023-square-metre property also includes renovated brick stables, a large shed and dual-street frontage. It is listed for between $1.2 million and $1.32 million
