A comparative case study has been completed in two coastal local government areas located in New South Wales, Australia. Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie were selected due to the significant amount of residential property ‘at risk’ of expected consequences arising from increased flood, storm surge and coastal hazards. In addition, at the time this work was undertaken each had markedly contrasting policy positions on climate change adaptation. A predominately qualitative methodology was utilised to explore climate change adaptation in the context of the rule of law and place-based governance.