Batemans Bay

NSW 2536 • Rest of NSW

1,573
Population (2021)
$28,028
Median Income
33.23 km²
Area
$285/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirementTourismRegional CentreFamily-Friendly

About Batemans Bay

Batemans Bay is a coastal town on the South Coast of New South Wales, situated where the Clyde River meets the southern Pacific Ocean approximately 280 kilometres south of Sydney and 151 kilometres east of Canberra. Administered by Eurobodalla Shire, the town serves as the region's principal commercial and service hub, with a population of around 1,573 in the town locality and over 17,500 across the wider urban area as of 2021. The median age of 53 reflects a significant retiree population, though the town also draws families, sea-changers, and a growing younger demographic attracted by improved remote work options. Batemans Bay sits on the Princes Highway and is framed by the Clyde River estuary, lake systems, and Murramarang National Park.

Batemans Bay offers an appealing blend of coastal lifestyle, natural beauty, and regional services, with Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, a hospital, schools, and a broad range of local businesses. The town is renowned for its fresh seafood, particularly oysters harvested from the pristine Clyde River, and the local waterfront precinct is a popular destination for dining and recreational boating. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy access to spectacular beaches, surf breaks, national parks, and the Clyde River for fishing and kayaking. Canberra's proximity makes Batemans Bay a favourite weekend escape for the ACT, and infrastructure improvements including the new Clyde River bridge have strengthened connectivity to the capital.

Batemans Bay falls under postcode 2536 and is governed by Eurobodalla Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2536
Urban Area
Batemans Bay
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.71°, 150.16°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
33.23 km²
Elevation
25m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach — Canberra / Nowra / Sydney ~2 h to Canberra, ~4.5 h to Sydney
  • Priors Bus Service — Moruya / Ulladulla local routes ~30–45 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
N/A – no rail; NSW TrainLink coach from Batemans Bay to Sydney (~4.5–5 h) or to Nowra then train
By Bus
NSW TrainLink coach to Sydney ~4.5–5 h; to Canberra ~2 h
By Car (Peak)
~3 h 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~3 h

🛣️ Canberra (151 km, ~1 h 45 min drive) is the nearest major city. The Princes Highway connects north to Sydney and south to Melbourne.

Walkability Car Dependent

Some walkability in the town centre with shops, cafes, and the waterfront accessible on foot. Outer residential areas and beaches require a car. Flat terrain around the estuary is good for cycling.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Perry Street Batemans Bay 2536 NSW
  • Woolworths
    9-13 Clyde Street Batemans Bay 2536 NSW

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Batemans Bay by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Batemans Bay Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Batemans Bay" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$285
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
53 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
12.4%

64 state housing + 32 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,530
Census 2021
1,573
2.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$23,868
Income 2021
$28,028
17.4% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,151
Born Overseas 261

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 76
  • 2. New Zealand 27
  • 3. Nepal 17
  • 4. India 14
  • 5. South Africa 10
  • 6. Scotland 9
  • 7. Indonesia 7
  • 8. Netherlands 7
  • 9. Philippines 6
  • 10. Poland 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 636
Australian 593
Irish 197
Scottish 142
Australian Aboriginal 139
German 54
Dutch 24
Chinese 15
Filipino 13
Croatian 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

946
Both parents born in Australia
314
Both parents born overseas
163
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.5%
No Religion
35.9%
Hinduism
1.8%
Buddhism
1.4%
Sikhism
0.9%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
73 (4.6%)
5-14 years
111 (7.1%)
15-19 years
46 (2.9%)
20-24 years
68 (4.3%)
25-34 years
175 (11.1%)
35-44 years
133 (8.5%)
45-54 years
205 (13.0%)
55-64 years
235 (14.9%)
65-74 years
255 (16.2%)
75-84 years
205 (13.0%)
85+ years
71 (4.5%)

Nearby Suburbs