🔍

Kurnell

NSW 2231 • Greater Sydney

2,528
Population (2021)
$42,172
Median Income
19.20 km²
Area
$550/wk
Median Rent
HistoricCoastalFamily-FriendlySuburbanBushland

About Kurnell

Kurnell is a historic peninsula suburb at the southern edge of Botany Bay in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, approximately 30 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. With a population of 2,528 spread across nearly 20 square kilometres, the suburb has a strong family orientation — average household size of 3.1, median age of 38, and median household income of approximately $2,161 per week. The suburb's large land area and low-density character give it a spacious, semi-isolated feel defined by its unique geography on the Kurnell Peninsula, bordered by Botany Bay to the north and the Tasman Sea to the south.

Kurnell holds profound national significance as the site where Captain James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour made their first landfall on the east coast of Australia in April 1770; the Kamay Botany Bay National Park now preserves this history with interpretive walks, monuments, and bushland stretching to the ocean. The suburb also hosts a major fuel terminal operated by Viva Energy. Beyond its historical significance, Kurnell offers beaches, surf, and a tight-knit community atmosphere, though its peninsula position makes the area largely car-dependent, with limited bus connections via Captain Cook Drive.

Kurnell falls under postcode 2231 and is governed by Sutherland Shire Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cronulla electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2231
Urban Area
Sutherland Shire - East
LGA / Council
Sutherland Shire
Federal Electorate
Cook
State Electorate
Cronulla
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.02°, 151.19°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
19.20 km²
Elevation
1m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Route 987 — Cronulla Station 30-40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
30 km
By Train
No direct rail; bus to Cronulla then T4 Line to City (~1 hr 15 min total)
By Car (Peak)
40-60 min via Captain Cook Drive and Princes Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
30-40 min

🛣️ Peninsula location makes car essential; Captain Cook Drive is the only road in/out

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Kurnell's isolated peninsula location and low-density layout means a car is essential for virtually all daily tasks

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Kamay Botany Bay National Park and Towra Point Reserve
Cape Solander Drive Kurnell • SHR #01918

🔍 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 Kurnell by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Kurnell Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$550
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,600
Avg Household Size
3.1 people
Median Age
38 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,267
Census 2021
2,528
▲ 11.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$39,364
Income 2021
$42,172
▲ 7.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,141
Born Overseas 296

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 84
  • 2. New Zealand 40
  • 3. Scotland 10
  • 4. South Africa 10
  • 5. China 8
  • 6. Netherlands 8
  • 7. United States 8
  • 8. Canada 7
  • 9. Croatia 7
  • 10. Ireland 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,051
English 1,040
Irish 317
Scottish 228
Italian 113
Australian Aboriginal 99
German 85
Dutch 62
Greek 61
Maori 52

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,602
Both parents born in Australia
436
Both parents born overseas
389
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.6%
No Religion
41.7%
Buddhism
0.8%
Islam
0.7%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
195 (7.7%)
5-14 years
405 (16.0%)
15-19 years
199 (7.9%)
20-24 years
111 (4.4%)
25-34 years
243 (9.6%)
35-44 years
361 (14.3%)
45-54 years
368 (14.6%)
55-64 years
295 (11.7%)
65-74 years
209 (8.3%)
75-84 years
118 (4.7%)
85+ years
35 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kurnell known for? +

Kurnell is best known as the site where Captain James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour made their first landing on the east coast of Australia on 29 April 1770. The Kamay Botany Bay National Park commemorates this history with monuments, the Discovery Centre, and bushland walks along the peninsula.

How far is Kurnell from Sydney CBD? +

Kurnell is approximately 30 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, typically a 30–60 minute drive depending on traffic via Captain Cook Drive and the Princes Highway.

Does Kurnell have public transport? +

Public transport to Kurnell is limited. Bus Route 987 connects the suburb to Cronulla Station, where passengers can board the T4 Line train to Sydney CBD — a total journey of around 1 hour 15 minutes. There is no direct train service, and a car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Kurnell? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kurnell has a population of 2,528 residents, up from 2,267 in 2016. The suburb is family-oriented, with an average household size of 3.1 persons and a median age of 38.

Is Kurnell a good place to live? +

Kurnell offers a unique lifestyle combining historical significance, coastal access, and bushland tranquillity in a family-friendly community. Its peninsula isolation can be a drawback for those reliant on public transport, but the combination of beaches, national park, and spacious suburban living appeals to families and nature lovers who work in the broader Sutherland Shire or Sydney region.

What is the postcode for Kurnell? +

The postcode for Kurnell in New South Wales is 2231.