Tony Abbott has thanked the people of Australia as he prepared to move out of Kirribilli House.

The former prime minister flew into Sydney on Friday afternoon following a dramatic week in Canberra in which he was ousted by Malcolm Turnbull in a leadership ballot on Monday night.

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“Shortly, Margie and I will be driving out of Kirribilli House as residents,” he told reporters outside the prime minister’s Sydney home.

“I just want to say in a very heartfelt way to the people of Australia, it has been a tremendous honour to be your prime minister and I thank you very much indeed.”

After two years at Kirribilli House, with its charming period setting and stunning harbour views, the Abbotts are set to return to their suburban home in the northern beaches suburb of Forestville.