Bundanoon

NSW 2578 • Rest of NSW

2,869
Population (2021)
$34,528
Median Income
58.88 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
RuralHeritageRetiree-HavenPeacefulHistoric

About Bundanoon

Bundanoon is a charming highland village in the Wingecarribee Local Government Area of the Southern Highlands, sitting at an elevation of 638 metres approximately 130 kilometres south-west of Sydney. With a population of 2,869 and a notably high median age of 59, Bundanoon is a popular destination for retirees and tree-changers seeking a cooler climate and a relaxed village lifestyle. The township features a mix of heritage cottages, established family homes, and rural properties spread across its expansive 58.9 square kilometre area.

Bundanoon is celebrated for its natural beauty and community spirit — it is famously the world's first town to ban the sale of bottled water, and hosts the Bundanoon Highland Gathering, one of Australia's most beloved Scottish festivals. The village enjoys access to Morton National Park and the spectacular Bundanoon Glow Worm Glen, a hidden gorge illuminated by native glow worms. The town is served by CountryLink and NSW TrainLink services on the Main South Line, offering a practical rail connection to Sydney for day-trippers and weekenders. Boutique cafes, galleries, antique shops, and a strong arts scene round out the lifestyle appeal.

Bundanoon falls under postcode 2578 and is governed by Wingecarribee Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Goulburn electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2578
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.67°, 150.29°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
58.88 km²
Elevation
638m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bundanoon Station
0.5 km
7 min

Bus Services

  • Local community bus services — Moss Vale, Bowral 20-30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
Approx. 2h to Sydney Central via NSW TrainLink Southern Highlands line
By Car (Peak)
1h 45 min – 2h 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 30 min – 1h 50 min

🛣️ Train access via Bundanoon Station; Hume Highway (M31) provides road access to Sydney and Canberra

Walkability Car-Dependent

The village centre with cafes and a small supermarket is walkable, but most shopping and services require travel to Moss Vale or Bowral

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Bundanoon, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Main Southern railway Bundanoon • SHR #01104
Railway Parade Wingello • SHR #01288

🔍 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 Bundanoon by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Bundanoon Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,820
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
59 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,729
Census 2021
2,869
5.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$30,264
Income 2021
$34,528
14.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,117
Born Overseas 639

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 266
  • 2. New Zealand 49
  • 3. Germany 27
  • 4. South Africa 21
  • 5. United States 21
  • 6. Scotland 20
  • 7. Canada 15
  • 8. Italy 15
  • 9. Netherlands 15
  • 10. Ireland 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,368
Australian 1,046
Scottish 470
Irish 399
German 138
Italian 90
Dutch 51
Australian Aboriginal 37
Welsh 37
Greek 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,579
Both parents born in Australia
741
Both parents born overseas
417
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.9%
No Religion
40.5%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.5%
Judaism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
87 (3.0%)
5-14 years
237 (8.3%)
15-19 years
138 (4.8%)
20-24 years
76 (2.6%)
25-34 years
164 (5.7%)
35-44 years
226 (7.9%)
45-54 years
306 (10.7%)
55-64 years
469 (16.3%)
65-74 years
655 (22.8%)
75-84 years
374 (13.0%)
85+ years
138 (4.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bundanoon known for? +

Bundanoon is known for the annual Bundanoon Highland Gathering — one of Australia's premier Scottish festivals — as well as the stunning Glow Worm Glen in Morton National Park and its distinction as the first town in the world to ban the sale of bottled water.

How far is Bundanoon from Sydney CBD? +

Bundanoon is approximately 130 kilometres south-west of Sydney CBD, roughly a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour 15 minute drive, or about 2 hours by train from Sydney Central Station.

Does Bundanoon have public transport? +

Yes — Bundanoon has its own railway station served by NSW TrainLink on the Southern Highlands/South Coast line, providing direct rail access to Sydney Central. Local bus services also connect the village to Moss Vale and Bowral.

What is the population of Bundanoon? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 2,869 in Bundanoon, with a notably high median age of 59 reflecting its popularity as a retirement and sea-change destination.

Is Bundanoon a good place to live? +

Bundanoon is ideal for retirees, artists, and those seeking a cool-climate village lifestyle with access to stunning natural scenery, a tight-knit community, and the convenience of a train line to Sydney. It is less suited to those needing daily CBD commutes.

What is the postcode for Bundanoon? +

The postcode for Bundanoon is 2578.