🔍

Coledale

NSW 2515 • Rest of NSW

1,372
Population (2021)
$52,052
Median Income
2.10 km²
Area
$600/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideFamily-FriendlyHistoric

About Coledale

Coledale is a small coastal suburb in the Wollongong local government area, situated on the Illawarra escarpment approximately 15 kilometres north of Wollongong CBD and 65 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of 1,372 across 2.1 square kilometres, Coledale is wedged between the dramatic cliffs of the Illawarra Escarpment and the Tasman Sea, giving it one of the most spectacular natural settings of any Sydney-region suburb. The suburb is part of a string of northern Illawarra villages — alongside Austinmer, Thirroul, and Scarborough — that share a distinctive character of coastal living beneath towering rainforest-clad cliffs.

Coledale has a strong community of families and professionals drawn to its surf beach, saltwater rock pool, and access to the Illawarra Escarpment's bushwalking trails. The suburb is served by Coledale railway station on the South Coast Line, making it popular with Sydney commuters seeking an affordable sea-change. The local hotel and cafes along the Lawrence Hargrave Drive strip serve the village well. With high proportions of children (5–14) and owner-occupiers, and median household incomes of $2,586 per week, Coledale punches above its size in both desirability and community spirit.

Coledale falls under postcode 2515 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heathcote electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2515
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Heathcote
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.29°, 150.94°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.10 km²
Elevation
78m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coledale Station
0.3 km
4 min

Bus Services

  • 35 — Wollongong via coastal villages 25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
65 km
By Train
~1 hr 15 min to Central via South Coast Line
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 30 min via M1 and Lawrence Hargrave Drive
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-65 min

🛣️ Coledale Station is a well-used commuter stop on the South Coast Line. Direct trains run to Central and Town Hall. Wollongong CBD is about 20 minutes south by train.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village centre, beach, and station are all walkable. The suburb is linear along the coast with easy walking between local amenities.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Coledale, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Scarborough Railway Station group
First Street, Scarborough • SHR #01241

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 5 parks and reserves in Coledale.

🔍 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 Coledale by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Coledale Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$600
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,600
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
42 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,260
Census 2021
1,372
▲ 8.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$43,160
Income 2021
$52,052
▲ 20.6% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,117
Born Overseas 203

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 55
  • 2. New Zealand 26
  • 3. United States 12
  • 4. Scotland 11
  • 5. Chile 10
  • 6. Germany 9
  • 7. France 6
  • 8. Ireland 6
  • 9. Canada 5
  • 10. Singapore 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 552
Australian 519
Irish 232
Scottish 209
German 64
Dutch 42
Australian Aboriginal 38
Italian 35
Chinese 19
New Zealander 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

819
Both parents born in Australia
267
Both parents born overseas
229
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
54.8%
Christianity
37.7%
Judaism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
59 (4.3%)
5-14 years
223 (16.3%)
15-19 years
100 (7.3%)
20-24 years
71 (5.2%)
25-34 years
113 (8.2%)
35-44 years
166 (12.1%)
45-54 years
215 (15.7%)
55-64 years
219 (16.0%)
65-74 years
153 (11.2%)
75-84 years
49 (3.6%)
85+ years
14 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Coledale have a train station? +

Yes — Coledale Station is on the South Coast Line and provides direct trains to Wollongong (about 20 min) and Sydney Central Station (about 75 min).

What is Coledale known for? +

Coledale is known for its surf beach, saltwater ocean pool, the dramatic Illawarra Escarpment backdrop, and its village atmosphere. It is part of the sought-after 'northern villages' strip between Sydney and Wollongong.

How far is Coledale from Sydney CBD? +

Coledale is approximately 65 kilometres south of Sydney CBD. By train it takes about 1 hour 15 minutes; by car about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic.

What is the median rent in Coledale? +

The median weekly rent in Coledale is $600, according to the 2021 Census.

What LGA is Coledale in? +

Coledale is part of the Wollongong City Council local government area.