NSW · Port Stephens Council
Anna Bay, 2316
Current weather
19.8°CClear sky
59% humidity · 14.4 km/h wind · 22.4° / 16.8° today · 1.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Anna Bay revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. Coastal living here comes with genuine distance from the capital, a self-contained pace with the sea at its heart. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker schools and education and community and employment against similar coastal suburbs, even with growth momentum and parks and green space holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 4,221
- Median age
- 52
- Median household income / week
- $1,189
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 223 of 1,934
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 45.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 128 / 232 / 8
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $740
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 187
- Against the person
- 60
- Against property
- 78
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 44.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 70 residents
- State safety percentile
- 20.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -4.3%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Fraud29
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment31
- Malicious Damage To Property29
- Other Offences19
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 962
- Anna Bay Public SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
103 public transport stops in this suburb
- 4556 Nelson Bay Rd
- 4738 Nelson Bay Rd
- Big Peach, Port Stephens Dr
- Ocean Av At Argyle Av
- Ocean Av Before Pacific Av
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
342 planning-related records
2026· 26 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development13 PRENTICE PLACE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park4296 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool20 ARGYLE AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4107 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure254 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Service station; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink146 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 ARGYLE AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Caravan park23 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 CROMARTY CRESCENT ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
- Demolition; Residential Accommodation109 OLD MAIN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Kiosk; Take away food and drink144 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development42 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 BUNGWALL CLOSE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
February 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure248 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure250 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)41A GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure19 BELLMOUNT CLOSE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool14 PACIFIC AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah43 ESSINGTON WAY ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)32 CAMPBELL AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure9 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool20 ANGLERS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure184 OLD MAIN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Ancillary commercial development2/-/519594Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park70 LATITUDE DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)4091 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah251 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure48 MORNA POINT ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)57 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Ancillary commercial development134 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)5 FROST ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Demolition; Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure119 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 PEPPER LANE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation11 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)28 HANSON AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia150 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure39 PACIFIC AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
- Secondary dwelling27 MORNA POINT ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
59 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Anna Bay TavernAlcohol
Gan Gan Road
- You CellarAlcohol
Gan Gan Road
- Anna Bay Hot BreadBakery
Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
- Bench (13)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- 31 Gan Gan RdBus stop
- 67 Gan Gan RdBus stop
- Anna Bay Village, Nelson Bay RdBus stop
- Big Peach, Port Stephens DrBus stop
- David Grahams Golf Complex, Nelson Bay RdBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Anna Bay ParkPark
- Campbell Avenue ReservePark
- Hannah Grove ReservePark
- Robinson ReservePark
- Scott Street Succulent GardenPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 5
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Anna Bay Denture ClinicGan Gan Roaddentist
- Anna Bay PharmacyGan Gan Roadpharmacy
- Anna Bay Specialist RoomGan Gan Roaddoctor
- Douglass Hanly MoirGan Gan Roadsample_collection
- Providence Medical Shoal Bay & Anna BayGan Gan Roaddoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 10
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 55.3/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 21% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1335th in Australia
- State rank
- 436th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #13 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #53 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 31 Gan Gan Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 67 Gan Gan Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Anna Bay Denture ClinicamenitiesUnit 3 134 Gan Gan Road, Anna Baydentist
- Anna Bay Free Range Quality MeatsamenitiesGan Gan Road, Anna Baybutcher
- Anna Bay Hot BreadamenitiesGan Gan Road, Anna Baybakery
- Anna Bay PharmacyamenitiesGan Gan Road, Anna Baypharmacy
- Anna Bay Post Officeamenities118 Gan Gan Road, Anna Baypost_office
- Anna Bay Specialist RoomamenitiesGan Gan Road, Anna Baydoctors
- Anna Bay TavernamenitiesGan Gan Roadalcohol
- Anna Bay Thaiamenities125 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bayrestaurant
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Port Stephens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.