NSW · Coffs Harbour Council
Arrawarra Headland, 2456
Current weather
18.7°CMainly clear
77% humidity · 15.3 km/h wind · 21.6° / 14.7° today · 0.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- National parks
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Life in Arrawarra Headland revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community 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.
Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally. 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 below average, pulled down chiefly by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access relative to similar coastal suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 615
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,605
- Dwelling vacancy
- 15.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 40 of 255
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,625
- Employment rate
- 58.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 20 / 4 / 4
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
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $545
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $665
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 124
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)
- 42
- Against the person
- 11
- Against property
- 17
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 68.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 46.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +13.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order88
- Breach Bail Conditions76
- Domestic Violence Related Assault88
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment113
- Malicious Damage To Property102
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
Public transport
14 public transport stops in this suburb
- Arrawarra Rd After Ocean View Rd
- Arrawarra Rd At Connor Cl
- Arrawarra Rd At Headland Rd
- Arrawarra Rd At Ocean View Rd
- Arrawarra Rd Opp Ocean View Rd
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).
58 planning-related records
2025· 8 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah17 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
October 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 HEADLAND ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space51 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Carport56 OCEAN VIEW ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
March 2025
- Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure2274 SOLITARY ISLANDS WAY ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)1 THIRD AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 SECOND AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
2024· 12 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Minor building alterations (internal); Privacy screens18 SECOND AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 OCEAN VIEW ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool5 BEACH ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 HEADLAND ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport51 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 SECOND AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation12 SECOND AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 HEADLAND ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure53 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure14 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
2023· 10 proposals
August 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Other19 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing2/38 Arrawarra Road, Arrawarra HeadlandWithdrawn
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Shed26 HEADLAND ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
July 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing19 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Dwelling16 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Withdrawn
- Pools / decks / fencing21 OCEAN VIEW ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
May 2023
- Dual occupancy2274 SOLITARY ISLANDS WAY ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
March 2023
- Shed16 FULLER STREET ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
February 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces54 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
January 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Shed26 HEADLAND ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
2022· 9 proposals
October 2022
- Dwelling16 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
September 2022
- Dwelling27 FULLER STREET ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
July 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spaces34 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Dwelling42 OCEAN VIEW ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
June 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces3-5 FULLER STREET ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
February 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development14 FULLER STREET ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing10 THIRD AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
January 2022
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development; Subdivision of land8 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
- Dwelling19 ARRAWARRA ROAD ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
2021· 1 proposal
December 2021
- Demolition17 FIRST AVENUE ARRAWARRA HEADLAND 2456Determined
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
11 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Cowboy's CoffeeCoffee
Arrawarra Road
- Drinking water
- Parking (2)
- Playground
- Public toilets
- Shower
- Swimming pool (3)
- Telephone
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Garby Nature ReserveNature reserve
- Mullaway ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 25.6/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5986th in Australia
- State rank
- 1867th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #107 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #180 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Cowboy's CoffeeamenitiesArrawarra Roadcoffee
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Public toiletsamenitiestoilets
- Showeramenitiesshower
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Coffs Harbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.