NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Cardiff, 2285
Current weather
16.9°CClear sky
67% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 20.8° / 13.8° today · 3.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Cardiff is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Lake Macquarie with everyday amenities close at hand. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 6,318
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,512
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 143 of 2,683
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 57.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 203 / 279 / 158
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)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 226
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)
- 462
- Against the person
- 113
- Against property
- 217
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 51.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -8.1%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud222
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment170
- Malicious Damage To Property232
- Steal From Motor Vehicle186
- Transport Regulatory Offences264
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,007
- Cardiff High SchoolSecondary
- Cardiff North Public SchoolPrimary
- Cardiff Public SchoolPrimary
- St Kevin's Primary 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
129 public transport stops in this suburb
- CCP Mary St N
- CCP Mary St S
- Cardiff Station
- FTB Mary St
- STR/LFT To P1/2
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).
332 planning-related records
2026· 33 proposals
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure29 JOHNSTONE STREET CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 HENDRICK STREET CARDIFF 2285Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 FLORENCE STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development4 PENDLEBURY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 LOVELL STREET CARDIFF 2285Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 CORONATION AVENUE CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Light industry16 PENDLEBURY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Group home; Group home (permanent)1 KELTON STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
April 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure167 MAIN ROAD CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Community facility40 ADA STREET CARDIFF 2285Additional Information Requested
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry39B MUNIBUNG ROAD CARDIFF 2285Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)121 MACQUARIE ROAD CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
March 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Automotive/truck premises; Truck depot99 MUNIBUNG ROAD CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 JOHNSTONE STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport30 WANSBECK VALLEY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 ALICE STREET CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 MAPLE STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support21 FERN VALLEY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Light industry29 PENDLEBURY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure29 RUSSELL STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation55 LACHLAN ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development52 JOHN STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Electricity generating facility (non-solar or wind)49 HARRISON STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Veterinary hospital26 HARRISON STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool100 MACQUARIE ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure12 HILL STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Subdivision25 FERN VALLEY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Light industry16 TORRENS AVENUE CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Light industry; Hours of operation and trading10 TORRENS AVENUE CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Attached dwelling; Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 BOSTON CLOSE CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 QUEENS AVENUE CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Advertising and signage; 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; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading280 MAIN ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)3 CARRICK CLOSE CARDIFF 2285Determined
2025· 7 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7 MAPLE STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision33 JOHN STREET CARDIFF 2285Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport30 WANSBECK VALLEY ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Subdivision6 NELSON ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Electricity generating facility (non-solar or wind)92 MITCHELL ROAD CARDIFF 2285Determined
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure29 RUSSELL STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Group home (permanent)1 CEDAR STREET CARDIFF 2285Determined
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
107 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- ATM
- Newcastle PermanentBank
- Bbq
- Bench
- Revolver BikesBicycle
Unit 4 300 Main Road, Cardiff
- Bus Station (2)
- Main Rd after Taylor StBus Station
- Cardiff Bowling Club, Myall RdBus stop
- Cardiff Station, Main RdBus stop
- Coronation Av after Park StBus 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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Wilkinson ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 13
- Emergency department
- On site
- ATUNE Health Centres - Cardiffyes
- Awabakal Medical Centre - Cardiff (Women and Children's Clinic)Kelton Streetclinic
- CatholicCare CardiffKelton Streetcounselling
- Chemmartpharmacy
- Dentistdentist
- Doctordoctor
- Doctordoctor
- Doctordoctor
- Laboratorylaboratory
- Main Road Medical Centredoctor
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
Childcare
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Bluebird Early Education Cardiffchildcare
- Cardiff Community Pre-Schoolkindergarten
- St Nicholas Early Education CardiffKelton Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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)
- 30
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 64.8/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 8% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 447th in Australia
- State rank
- 167th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #71 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #121 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- ATMamenitiesatm
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Bowling Green 2amenitiespitch
- Bus Stationamenitiesbus_station
- Bus Stationamenitiesbus_station
- Cardiffamenitiestrain_station
- Cardiff Bakehouseamenitiesfast_food
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.