NSW · Port Stephens Council
Salamander Bay, 2317
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
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Salamander Bay wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Set on the coast at a distance from the capital, it trades city proximity for a slower, beach-led rhythm. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with education options woven into the neighbourhood. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. 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.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment against similar coastal suburbs, even with parks and green space and growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 4,991
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,107
- Dwelling vacancy
- 14.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 360 of 2,518
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 40.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 128 / 677 / 107
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)
- $785
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 33
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)
- 308
- Against the person
- 94
- Against property
- 120
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 61.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 53 residents
- State safety percentile
- 39.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.3%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault39
- Fraud40
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment46
- Malicious Damage To Property40
- Other Offences44
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)
- 975.5
- St Philip's Christian College - Port StephensCombined
- St Philip's Christian College GilibaaPrimary
- Tomaree High SchoolSecondary
- Tomaree 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
103 public transport stops in this suburb
- St Phillips Christian College, School Grounds
- St Phillips Christian College, School Grounds
- Tomaree Education Centre, Bays 1-3
- Tomaree Education Centre, Bays 4-8
- Tomaree Primary School
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).
327 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 WARATAH AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Advertising and signage; 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 tradingLot 6 SP3811 3 Town Centre Circuit SALAMANDER BAYUnder Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure44 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation103 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 MARTY AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)70 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 KEMP STREET SALAMANDER BAY 2317Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah203 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah157 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure195 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 WANDA AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Withdrawn
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 COMPASS CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Swimming pool2B GILCHRIST ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space81 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
January 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure17 YACHTSMAN CRESCENT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure15 BAGNALL BEACH ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)38 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 KESTREL AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dual occupancy; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation219 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure231 SANDY POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool2 NINOX CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 COMPASS CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)186 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development237 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Industrial development; 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 Australia336 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 WARDS WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation140 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure174 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 THE JIB SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 JACKSON CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure405 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 SANDERLING CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96A FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 RANDALL DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah59 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)53 FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96A FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool131 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah83 FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
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
47 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- AE1Bench
- AE2Bench
- Bicycle Parking
- D & L CanvasBoat
- 117 Salamander WayBus stop
- 118a Salamander WayBus stop
- 133 Salamander WayBus stop
- 138 Salamander WayBus stop
- 174a Salamander WayBus stop
- 28 Mariner CresBus 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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bob Cairns ReservePark
- Boronia GardensPark
- George ReservePark
- Mambo Wetlands ReserveNature reserve
- Sandpiper ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · 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
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)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
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
- 51.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 27% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1801st in Australia
- State rank
- 573rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #22 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #66 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 117 Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 118a Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 133 Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 138 Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 174a Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 28 Mariner Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- 64 Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 84 Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- 85 Salamander Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- AE1amenitiesbench
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.