NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Forresters Beach, 2260
Current weather
16.1°CClear sky
58% humidity · 14.3 km/h wind · 21.8° / 13.6° today · 4.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Life in Forresters Beach revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. Coastal character runs through daily life, with the wider region offering extra trips and outings when you want them. 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 plenty of young families in the mix. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by housing affordability and growth momentum, while local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 3,354
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $1,758
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 106 of 1,351
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,171
- Employment rate
- 55.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 73 / 226 / 16
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)
- $690
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $875
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $800
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 185
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)
- 120
- Against the person
- 43
- Against property
- 50
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 35.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 78 residents
- State safety percentile
- 11.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -0.6%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault72
- Fraud99
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment112
- Malicious Damage To Property98
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault84
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
62 public transport stops in this suburb
- Central Coast Hwy After Bellevue Rd
- Central Coast Hwy At Crystal St
- Central Coast Hwy Before Maas Pde
- Kalakau Av At Boos Rd
- Kalakau Av Opp Henrys 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).
191 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure49 LOWANNA AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
April 2026
- Subdivision15 FORRESTERS BEACH ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 YUMBOOL CLOSE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool40 HOPETOUN STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 YAKALOO CRESCENT FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Shipping containers; Supporting Development25 FORRESTERS BEACH ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Rejected
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation50 HOPETOUN STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool2 PACIFIC VIEW STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
February 2026
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool11 LAVINIA STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure29 LOWANNA AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 ALISTAIR AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 NORTH SCENIC ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space65 BOOS ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Swimming pool50 HOPETOUN STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45 MALKANA AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool1C HOPETOUN STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool1B HOPETOUN STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 MALKANA AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure41 MALKANA AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 KALAKAU AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure27 BOOS ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Landscaping structures; Minor building alterations (external)19 SOUTH SCENIC ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool9 KALAKAU AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 PACIFIC VIEW STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool23 SPOON BAY ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport97 MISTVIEW CIRCUIT FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
September 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 YUMBOOL CLOSE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 NORTH SCENIC ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 KALAKAU AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)44 KALAKAU AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Under Assessment
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure25 BOOS ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 SOUTH SCENIC ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 LAVINIA STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers13 MALKANA AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure27 BOOS ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool32 LAVINIA STREET FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport97 MISTVIEW CIRCUIT FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 KALAKAU AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah39 KALAKAU AVENUE FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)3 SOUTH SCENIC ROAD FORRESTERS BEACH 2260Determined
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
35 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Brown Sugar BakeryBakery
- Central Coast Hwy after Alistair AvBus stop
- Central Coast Hwy after Bellevue RdBus stop
- Central Coast Hwy at Bakali RdBus stop
- Central Coast Hwy at Bellevue RdBus stop
- Central Coast Hwy at Crystal StBus stop
- Central Coast Hwy before Maas PdeBus stop
- Central Coast Hwy opp Forresters Beach RdBus stop
- Crystal St at Kalakau AvBus stop
- Crystal St opp Malkana AvBus 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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Albatross ParkPark
- Archibold ParkPark
- Lavinia Street ReserveNature reserve
- Pacific View Street ReserveNature reserve
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
- Forresters Beach Pharmacypharmacy
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)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
- 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)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- 61.7/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 12% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 694th in Australia
- State rank
- 254th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #21 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #38 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 74%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Brown Sugar Bakeryamenitiesbakery
- Central Coast Hwy after Alistair Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Central Coast Hwy after Bellevue Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Central Coast Hwy at Bakali Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Central Coast Hwy at Bellevue Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Central Coast Hwy at Crystal Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Central Coast Hwy before Maas Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- Central Coast Hwy opp Forresters Beach Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Crystal St at Kalakau Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Crystal St opp Malkana Avamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Central Coast (NSW) Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.