Shellharbour
NSW 2529 • Rest of NSW
About Shellharbour
Shellharbour is a historic coastal suburb in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, approximately 100 km south of Sydney. With a population of around 3,500 and a median age of 46, it serves as the original township and cultural heart of the Shellharbour local government area. The suburb sits at just 2 metres elevation along the coast, centred around the historic Shellharbour Village.
The suburb offers a village atmosphere with boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants clustered around the harbour and Shellharbour Village shopping area. The nearby Shellharbour City Centre (Shell Cove) provides larger retail options. Popular beaches including Warilla Beach and the sheltered harbour pool make it ideal for swimming and fishing. The area attracts families and retirees who value the coastal lifestyle with convenient access to Wollongong and Sydney.
Shellharbour falls under postcode 2529 and is governed by Shellharbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Shellharbour electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- 34, 34A — Shellharbour Junction Station 10 min
- 34 — Wollongong 45 min
- 75 — Shell Cove 15 min
Commute to Sydney
🛣️ Train from Shellharbour Junction on South Coast Line to Sydney Central. Wollongong is 25 min by train.
The village centre is walkable with shops and beaches accessible on foot, but reaching the train station or larger shopping centres requires transport.
Supermarkets Nearby
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ColesShop 1201 Shellharbour Square Lake Entance Road Shellharbour 2529 NSW -
WoolworthsStoney Range Centre, New Lake Entrance Road Shellharbour 2529 NSW
Schools
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Shellharbour Road
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Flinders Public School ICSEA 1004Adam Murray Way
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Balarang Public School ICSEA 974Government Rd
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Cnr Industrial Rd & Moore St
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Oak Flats High School ICSEA 932The Esplanade
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Oak Flats Public School ICSEA 959Griffiths St
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Shell Cove Public School ICSEA 1049Cnr Killalea Drive & Strabroke Avenue
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3 Glider Avenue
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399 Shellharbour Road
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Shellharbour Public School ICSEA 999Mary St
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Wentworth Street
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 Shellharbour by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Shellharbour Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Shellharbour" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
81 state housing + 42 community housing dwellings (ABS 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 159
- 2. North Macedonia 44
- 3. New Zealand 42
- 4. Italy 23
- 5. Malta 18
- 6. Scotland 18
- 7. United States 18
- 8. South Africa 15
- 9. Germany 10
- 10. Ireland 10
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)