suburb.guide

NSW · Port Stephens Council

Nelson Bay, 2315

Current weather

19.8°CClear sky

59% humidity · 14.4 km/h wind · 22.4° / 16.8° today · 1.2 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

42.3/100
Average

Top 46% of New South Wales' suburbs

82% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Nelson Bay is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

Life in Nelson Bay revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. Set on the coast at a distance from the capital, it trades city proximity for a slower, beach-led rhythm. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.

An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.

Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in parks and green space and growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
6,141
Median age
51
Median household income / week
$1,305
Dwelling vacancy
37.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,532 of 4,109
Median monthly mortgage
$1,842
Employment rate
47.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
204 / 536 / 497

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)
$560
Houses (January to March 2026)
$740
All types (January to March 2026)
$650
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
126

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)
435
Against the person
111
Against property
135
Rate per 1,000 residents
70.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 55 residents
State safety percentile
49.2th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+3.9%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Breach Bail Conditions95
  • Domestic Violence Related Assault88
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment86
  • Malicious Damage To Property99
  • Other Offences185

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
1,040
  • St Michael's Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

122 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Gan Gan Army Camp, Nelson Bay Rd
  • Nelson Bay Rd Opp Lily Hill Rd
  • St Michael's Primary School, Wahgunyah Rd
  • St Michael's Primary School, Wahgunyah Rd
  • Tomaree Community Hospital, Trevally St

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).

608 planning-related records

2026· 40 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    5 MOOROOBA CRESCENT NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    5 CATALINA CLOSE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    45 WOLLOMI AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    49 AJAX AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    54 GALOOLA DRIVE NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space
    34 BAY STREET NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    54 GALOOLA DRIVE NELSON BAY 2315Rejected
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
    4/-/DP1255684Determined

  • May 2026

  • Subdivision
    13 CHRISTMAS BUSH AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences
    122 GOVERNMENT ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    12 CHRISTMAS BUSH AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure
    1 YACAABA STREET NELSON BAY 2315Additional Information Requested
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    7 MOOROOBA CRESCENT NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Demolition
    61 PARKES STREET NELSON BAY 2315Withdrawn
  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    6 PIRRALEA PARADE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation
    5 BURBONG STREET NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    115 TALLEAN ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Determined

  • April 2026

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    23 ACHILLES STREET NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    3 KURRAWA CLOSE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)
    2 BEENONG CLOSE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    3 SHIMMER STREET NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    8A TINGARA ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure
    77 WALLAWA ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport
    11 MOOROOBA CRESCENT NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    18 MONTEVIDEO PARADE NELSON BAY 2315Determined

  • March 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Carport
    11 MONTEVIDEO PARADE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    6 PIRRALEA PARADE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool; Supporting Development
    46 THURLOW AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    5 CATALINA CLOSE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    90 MAGNUS STREET NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    SHOP 16 6 STOCKTON STREET NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    68 GALOOLA DRIVE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Subdivision
    36 TALLEAN ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation
    35 VICTORIA PARADE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    6 COLUMBIA CLOSE NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    9 TAREEBIN ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
    56 TALLEAN ROAD NELSON BAY 2315Determined
  • Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    25 NORBURN AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Residential flat building; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    37 CHRISTMAS BUSH AVENUE NELSON BAY 2315Withdrawn
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation area
    4/-/DP1195455Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

29 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • 103 Stockton StBus stop
  • All Saints Anglican Church, Church StBus stop
  • Church St opp All Saints Anglican ChurchBus stop
  • Galoola Dr at Bullawai AvBus stop
  • Galoola Dr at Yoolarai CresBus stop
  • Galoola Dr before Ullora ClBus stop
  • Galoola Dr opp Bullawai AvBus stop
  • Galoola Dr opp Ullora ClBus stop
  • Galoola Dr opp Yoolarai CresBus stop
  • Nelson Bay Road before Lily Hill RoadBus 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

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Tom Odwyer Memorial OvalPark
  • Tomaree Sports ComplexPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
2
Emergency department
On site
  • Hospitalhospital
  • Tomaree Community Hospitalhospital

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

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

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)
36
Parks (OSM)
20

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
42.3/100 — Average
State standing
Top 46% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
3070th in Australia
State rank
972nd in NSW
Peer rank
#40 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#103 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
82%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • 103 Stockton Stamenitiesbus_stop
  • All Saintsamenitiesplace_of_worship
  • All Saints Anglican Church, Church Stamenitiesbus_stop
  • Church St opp All Saints Anglican Churchamenitiesbus_stop
  • Coles Expressamenitiesfuel
  • Feet First Diveamenitiesdive_centre
  • Fountainamenitiesfountain
  • Galoola Dr at Bullawai Avamenitiesbus_stop
  • Galoola Dr at Yoolarai Cresamenitiesbus_stop
  • Galoola Dr before Ullora Clamenitiesbus_stop

Data sources & freshness

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.