🔍

Freshwater

NSW 2096 • Greater Sydney

9,186
Population (2021)
$70,460
Median Income
1.78 km²
Area
$600/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideFamily-FriendlyAffluentHistoric

About Freshwater

Freshwater is a coastal suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches, located approximately 17 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD. Nestled between Manly to the south and Curl Curl to the north, it is home to around 7,500 residents and is renowned for its relaxed seaside character. The suburb centres on the historic Freshwater Beach, one of Australia's most celebrated surf beaches and the site of Duke Kahanamoku's landmark 1914 surfing demonstration.

Life in Freshwater revolves around the beach, with a vibrant café and dining strip along Oliver Street catering to locals and visitors alike. The suburb attracts young professionals, families, and long-time locals who value the tight-knit community feel and easy access to both surf and bushland. Excellent primary schools, strong sporting clubs, and a walkable village centre make Freshwater one of the Northern Beaches' most sought-after addresses.

Freshwater falls under postcode 2096 and is governed by Northern Beaches Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Manly electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2096
Urban Area
Manly - Warringah
LGA / Council
Northern Beaches
Federal Electorate
Warringah
State Electorate
Manly
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.78°, 151.28°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.78 km²
Elevation
18m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Manly Ferry Wharf
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 139 — Manly 10 min
  • 136, 137 — Chatswood 45 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
17 km
By Train
Bus to Manly then ferry ~50 min total
By Car (Peak)
40-60 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min

🛣️ No direct train; bus to Manly + Manly Ferry is the popular commuter route

Walkability Very Walkable

Flat village centre with good footpaths, easy beach and café access on foot

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 7 parks and reserves in Freshwater.

🔍 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 Freshwater by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Freshwater Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$600
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,055
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.2%

35 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,866
Census 2021
9,186
▲ 3.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$57,044
Income 2021
$70,460
▲ 23.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

⚖️ Compare Freshwater With

🏘️Manly
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,213
Born Overseas 2,715

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 835
  • 2. New Zealand 200
  • 3. United States 152
  • 4. Brazil 132
  • 5. South Africa 109
  • 6. Ireland 78
  • 7. Scotland 78
  • 8. Germany 73
  • 9. Canada 66
  • 10. Italy 66

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 4,025
Australian 3,057
Irish 1,280
Scottish 1,099
Italian 460
German 418
Dutch 172
French 149
Chinese 144
New Zealander 122

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,972
Both parents born in Australia
3,351
Both parents born overseas
1,565
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.1%
Christianity
42.5%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
604 (6.6%)
5-14 years
1,125 (12.2%)
15-19 years
478 (5.2%)
20-24 years
416 (4.5%)
25-34 years
1,594 (17.4%)
35-44 years
1,475 (16.1%)
45-54 years
1,374 (15.0%)
55-64 years
965 (10.5%)
65-74 years
678 (7.4%)
75-84 years
362 (3.9%)
85+ years
114 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freshwater NSW known for? +

Freshwater is famous for its historic surf beach where Duke Kahanamoku first demonstrated surfing in Australia in 1914. It's one of Sydney's most beloved coastal suburbs with a vibrant café strip and strong community feel.

How far is Freshwater from Sydney CBD? +

Freshwater is approximately 17 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD. By car off-peak the trip takes around 25 minutes; by public transport (bus to Manly then ferry) expect around 50 minutes.

What schools are in Freshwater? +

Freshwater has Freshwater Public School (government primary) and Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus (government secondary).

Is Freshwater good for families? +

Yes — Freshwater is very popular with families due to its safe beach, good schools, walkable village centre, and strong sporting clubs including surf lifesaving and football.