Mount Kembla
NSW 2526 • Rest of NSW
About Mount Kembla
Mount Kembla is a small, scenic village nestled in the Illawarra escarpment, approximately 12 kilometres west of Wollongong in New South Wales. With a population of around 800, it sits at the base of Mount Kembla (534m) within the Wollongong local government area. The village has a poignant history, most notably the 1902 Mount Kembla mine disaster, which claimed 96 lives and remains one of Australia's worst mining tragedies. Today it is a quiet, close-knit community with a mix of long-term residents and newer arrivals drawn by the natural setting.
Mount Kembla offers a peaceful, semi-rural lifestyle surrounded by lush rainforest and walking trails leading into the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area. The village has a general store, a heritage-listed miners' cottage precinct, and the popular Mount Kembla Village Hotel. Residents enjoy easy access to Wollongong's beaches, university, and shopping while retreating to a tranquil, leafy environment. The area attracts nature lovers, families, and professionals who appreciate the blend of village charm and proximity to urban amenities.
Mount Kembla falls under postcode 2526 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Keira electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- 37 — Wollongong via Unanderra 25 mins
Commute to Wollongong CBD
🛣️ Most residents drive to Unanderra or Wollongong; Sydney CBD ~90 mins by train from Unanderra
Small village with a pub and general store; car needed for most shopping and services
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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4 Tyalla Place
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Unanderra Public School ICSEA 992Derribong Drive
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Waples Road
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Mount Kembla Public School ICSEA 1050Cordeaux Rd
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Farmborough Road Public School ICSEA 961Farmborough Rd
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2-10 Cummins Street
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Mount Kembla, 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 Mount Kembla by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Mount Kembla Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Mount Kembla" 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 51
- 2. New Zealand 16
- 3. India 13
- 4. Ireland 9
- 5. Italy 7
- 6. Canada 6
- 7. North Macedonia 6
- 8. Scotland 6
- 9. United States 6
- 10. Germany 5
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)