suburb.guide

NSW · Wollongong Council

Helensburgh, 2508

Current weather

16.5°CClear sky

46% humidity · 15.8 km/h wind · 20.5° / 12.8° today · 2.1 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

61.2/100
Good

Top 13% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • Excellent transport
  • Cycling
What Helensburgh is known for: Green suburb, High desirability, Excellent transport, Cycling

Suburb profile

Set among the hills of Wollongong, Helensburgh is a mid-sized suburb with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. The capital is reachable when needed, but everyday life stays firmly rooted in the surrounding region. Elevated streets and bushland backdrops bring a sense of fresh country air to daily life.

Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood.

Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. 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 housing affordability and growth momentum, while local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.

Population

Population
6,576
Median age
38
Median household income / week
$2,490
Dwelling vacancy
3.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
88 of 2,255
Median monthly mortgage
$2,500
Employment rate
67.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
118 / 61 / 302

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)
$795

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

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
222
Against the person
70
Against property
69
Rate per 1,000 residents
33.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 94 residents
State safety percentile
10th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+7.5%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Breach Apprehended Violence Order28
  • Domestic Violence Related Assault19
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment40
  • Malicious Damage To Property27
  • Steal From Motor Vehicle19

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
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,064
  • Helensburgh Public SchoolPrimary
  • Holy Cross Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

135 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Helensburgh Station
  • LFT Carpark
  • STR Carpark
  • STR/LFT To Carpark
  • 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).

260 planning-related records

2026· 21 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    12 HUME DRIVE HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Industrial development; Erection of a new structure
    199 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    70 PRINCES HIGHWAY HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    155 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    6 HEATHCOTE STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    55 THE CRESCENT HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    5 PARK AVENUE HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies
    2B ROBERTSON STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

  • April 2026

  • Subdivision
    83-85 THE RIDGE HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    58 OLD QUARRY CIRCUIT HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

  • March 2026

  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    20 OLD FARM ROAD HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    79 THE RIDGE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    28 THE RIDGE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool
    221 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    19 POSTMANS TRACK HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

  • February 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Animal boarding or training establishment
    7-11 LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    107 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

  • January 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    22A OLD STATION ROAD HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Subdivision
    94 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space
    30 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Additional Information Requested
  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Vehicle body repair workshop; Vehicle repair station; Vehicle Sales or Hire Premises
    159 WALKER STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Under Assessment
2025· 19 proposals

  • November 2025

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision
    11 OLD STATION ROAD HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Demolition; Subdivision
    46-48 PARK AVENUE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    7 ROBERTSON STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    7 TABRATONG ROAD HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

  • October 2025

  • Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    94 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Temporary building, structure or use; Function centre
    100 BAINES PLACE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    6A COWPER LANE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    3 LAURINA AVENUE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

  • September 2025

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
    17 HAY STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Minor building alterations (internal)
    11 TABRATONG ROAD HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    9 EAST STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    5 HALLS ROAD HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Transport depot
    151 PRINCES HIGHWAY HELENSBURGH 2508Additional Information Requested

  • August 2025

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    28 THE RIDGE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    19 HUME DRIVE HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Demolition; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    4 CAMP CREEK LANE HELENSBURGH 2508Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    199 PARKES STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; 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
    16 ROBERTSON STREET HELENSBURGH 2508Determined
  • Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)
    8 THE CRESCENT HELENSBURGH 2508Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

39 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bike Lockers - Helensburgh Station, Tunnel RdBicycle Parking
  • Bulgo Rd at Whitty RdBus stop
  • Bus stop
  • Charles Harper Park, Parkes StBus stop
  • Helensburgh StationBus stop
  • Holy Cross Primary School, Parkes StBus stop
  • Lilyvale St after Parkes StBus stop
  • Lilyvale St after Stuart StBus stop
  • Lilyvale St before Parkes StBus stop
  • Lilyvale St before Stuart 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

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Charles Harper ParkPark
  • Norm O'Brien ParkPark
  • Old Quarry ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
1
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Doctor's Surgerydoctor

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

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

Heritage

1 state heritage place

  • Helensburgh Railway Station groupTunnel Road, North Of, HelensburghSHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Happy Hearts Academy Early Learning CentrePrinces Highwaykindergarten

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)
10
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
61.2/100 — Good
State standing
Top 13% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
746th in Australia
State rank
267th in NSW
Peer rank
#20 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#38 among Country & regional 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

  • Australia Postamenitiespost_office
  • Bike Lockers - Helensburgh Station, Tunnel Rdamenitiesbicycle_parking
  • Bulgo Rd at Whitty Rdamenitiesbus_stop
  • Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
  • Charles Harper Park, Parkes Stamenitiesbus_stop
  • Colesamenitiessupermarket
  • Doctor's Surgeryamenitiesdoctors
  • Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
  • Helensburghamenitiestrain_station
  • Helensburgh Libraryamenitieslibrary

Data sources & freshness

More in Wollongong Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.