Narooma

NSW 2546 • Rest of NSW

2,731
Population (2021)
$28,652
Median Income
120.23 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirementHoliday TownFishingNature

About Narooma

Narooma is a coastal town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 360 kilometres south of Sydney on the Princes Highway. With a population of around 2,731 (2021 census), it sits on the shores of Wagonga Inlet and is known for its pristine beaches, clear blue waters, and laid-back seaside atmosphere. The area falls under the Eurobodalla Shire Council and is a popular destination for retirees and sea-changers drawn to its natural beauty and quieter pace of life. The median age is notably higher than the national average, reflecting its appeal as a retirement and holiday destination.

Narooma offers excellent fishing, boating, surfing, and whale watching, along with Golf Club, Glasshouse Rocks Nature Reserve, and the iconic natural rock pool. The town has a modest main street with supermarkets, cafes, health services, and specialty shops serving the local and tourist population. It is a gateway to Montague Island Nature Reserve, a world-class dive site and seal colony. The relaxed lifestyle, spectacular scenery, and strong community spirit make Narooma particularly attractive to retirees, holiday-home owners, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Narooma falls under postcode 2546 and is governed by Eurobodalla Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2546
Urban Area
Narooma
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.24°, 150.09°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
120.23 km²
Elevation
59m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Priors Bus Service — Batemans Bay / Moruya Approx 60–90 min
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Canberra / Sydney 4–5 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
360 km
By Train
No direct rail; NSW TrainLink coach connects to Bomaderry/Nowra rail
By Bus
Approx 5–6 hrs via coach
By Car (Peak)
4 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hr

🛣️ Nearest major regional centre is Batemans Bay (80 km north). Canberra is approx 3 hrs by car. The Princes Highway is the main arterial route.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is compact and walkable for locals, but a car is essential for most errands and to access neighbouring towns and services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Montague Island • SHR #01000

🔍 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 Narooma by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Narooma Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
58 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.6%

55 state housing + 14 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,605
Census 2021
2,731
4.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$25,428
Income 2021
$28,652
12.7% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,124
Born Overseas 409

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 147
  • 2. New Zealand 35
  • 3. Germany 23
  • 4. India 17
  • 5. United States 16
  • 6. Scotland 14
  • 7. Netherlands 11
  • 8. Philippines 11
  • 9. Italy 10
  • 10. Vietnam 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,169
Australian 1,008
Irish 358
Scottish 324
Australian Aboriginal 150
German 120
Dutch 55
Italian 54
Maltese 30
Polish 18

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,784
Both parents born in Australia
487
Both parents born overseas
245
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.1%
Christianity
43.6%
Buddhism
1.5%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
93 (3.4%)
5-14 years
233 (8.5%)
15-19 years
118 (4.3%)
20-24 years
73 (2.7%)
25-34 years
192 (7.0%)
35-44 years
201 (7.4%)
45-54 years
312 (11.4%)
55-64 years
466 (17.1%)
65-74 years
677 (24.8%)
75-84 years
271 (9.9%)
85+ years
99 (3.6%)

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