Clontarf
NSW 2093 • Greater Sydney
About Clontarf
Clontarf is a small, affluent harbourside suburb located 13 kilometres north-east of the Sydney CBD, nestled on a sheltered inlet of Middle Harbour within the Northern Beaches Council area. With a population of around 1,737, it is one of Sydney's most tightly held and exclusive waterfront communities, covering less than one square kilometre of elevated land and foreshore. The suburb takes its name from the Irish word meaning "meadow of the bull" and shares its name with the famous 1804 event that saw the first assassination attempt on an Australian governor. Clontarf sits between the leafy suburbs of Seaforth and Balgowlah Heights, with its character defined by waterfront houses, native bushland and the iconic Spit Bridge.
Life in Clontarf revolves around the water — the suburb's sandy beach features a tidal swimming enclosure, a marina, barbecue facilities, playgrounds and reserve land that draws visitors from across the Northern Beaches. Castle Rock and Grotto Point offer popular bushwalking tracks with harbour views, connecting to the Manly Scenic Walkway. There are no schools within Clontarf itself, with children attending neighbouring Balgowlah or Seaforth schools. The community is predominantly owner-occupied, with a mix of established families and professionals who value the rare combination of waterfront access and proximity to Manly's café strip and Warringah Mall.
Clontarf falls under postcode 2093 and is governed by Northern Beaches Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Manly electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- 136, 139 — Manly / Wynyard via Spit Bridge 20–40 min
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Spit Bridge opening times can add 10–15 min during peak periods. Ferry from Manly to Circular Quay is the scenic alternative.
Clontarf is compact but hilly with limited shops. A car or bus is needed for supermarkets, schools and most services. The foreshore reserve is easily walkable.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Balgowlah Heights Public School ICSEA 11779948 2225 Lewis St
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Manly West Public School ICSEA 11479948 2257 Griffiths St
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Maretimo St
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Wanganella Street
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Manly Vale Public School ICSEA 11299907 9672 Sunshine St
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Campbell Pde & Quirk Rd
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63 Gordon Street
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Balgowlah North Public School ICSEA 11699949 4499 10 Manning Street
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9 Bardoo Avenue
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Clontarf, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
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 Clontarf by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Clontarf Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Clontarf" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 195
- 2. China 53
- 3. New Zealand 34
- 4. South Africa 28
- 5. United States 25
- 6. Italy 18
- 7. Canada 15
- 8. France 15
- 9. Scotland 15
- 10. Hong Kong 14
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)
