NSW · Port Stephens Council
Fern Bay, 2295
Current weather
17.6°CClear sky
64% humidity · 11.4 km/h wind · 22.4° / 13.5° today · 1.7 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Fern Bay revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. The coast is the anchor, with regional towns nearby for markets, dining and weekend exploring. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime. 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.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 4,046
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,435
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 79 of 1,725
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,299
- Employment rate
- 48.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 110 / 26 / 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
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $780
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 44
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)
- 245
- Against the person
- 74
- Against property
- 110
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 60.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 55 residents
- State safety percentile
- 38th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +19.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order37
- Domestic Violence Related Assault38
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment43
- Malicious Damage To Property44
- Steal From Motor Vehicle46
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
- 1,002
- Fern 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
33 public transport stops in this suburb
- 1073 Nelson Bay Rd
- Nelson Bay Rd At Taylor Rd
- Nelson Bay Rd Before Vardon Rd
- Nelson Bay Rd Opp 1073
- Nelson Bay Rd Opp Taylor 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).
169 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies7 FULLERTON STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah27 IRONBARK DRIVE FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Sewage reticulation system1146 NELSON BAY ROAD FERN BAY 2295Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 BRAID ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Subdivision18 TUCKEROO CIRCUIT FERN BAY 2295Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Caravan park1126 NELSON BAY ROAD FERN BAY 2295Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool19 VARDON ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Subdivision93 NORFOLK STREET FERN BAY 2295Under Assessment
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool22 PLOVER STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Subdivision25 NORFOLK STREET FERN BAY 2295Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool26 URALLA STREET FERN BAY 2295Withdrawn
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 RANKIN ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 OIMARA STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport14 TOOROONG ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah14 OIMARA STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers15 BOTANICA AVENUE FERN BAY 2295Determined
2025· 15 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1033 NELSON BAY ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool31 FOXTAIL STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
November 2025
- Demolition10 RANKIN ROAD FERN BAY 2295Under Assessment
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport20 PLOVER STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space4 ROSEMARY STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)3A DUNE DRIVE FERN BAY 2295Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)51 DUNE DRIVE FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 ROSEMARY STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool38 POPPLEWELL ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool20 FOXTAIL STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 WATER STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool24 PIPER STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool43 PAPERBARK COURT FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure19 BRAID ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Residential Accommodation3 FOXTAIL STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
2024· 9 proposals
December 2024
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (attached)7 SANDCASTLE STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
November 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure39 SEASIDE BOULEVARD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool1 OIMARA STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
October 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure15 VARDON ROAD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah18 DIURIS STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 WINDSURF CIRCUIT FERN BAY 2295Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool137 NORFOLK STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7A SEASIDE BOULEVARD FERN BAY 2295Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool85 NORFOLK STREET FERN BAY 2295Determined
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
22 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Banksia Park, Seaside BvdBus stop
- Nelson Bay Rd before Seaside BvdBus stop
- Nelson Bay Rd opp Fullerton Cove RdBus stop
- Seaside Bvd before Ironbark DrBus stop
- Seaside Bvd opp Windsurf CctBus stop
- Parking
- Picnic Table (4)
- Playground (4)
- Shelter (5)
- Sports field
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
- Banksia ParkPark
- Waratah ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Seaside Medical CentreDune Drivedoctor
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)
- 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- childcarechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 43.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 44% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2946th in Australia
- State rank
- 936th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #50 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #99 among Coastal & beach 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
- Banksia Park, Seaside Bvdamenitiesbus_stop
- Nelson Bay Rd before Seaside Bvdamenitiesbus_stop
- Nelson Bay Rd opp Fullerton Cove Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
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.