🔍

Shoal Bay

NSW 2315 • Rest of NSW

1,815
Population (2021)
$32,396
Median Income
4.02 km²
Area
$338/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideRetiree-HavenTourist HubCoastalPrestigious

About Shoal Bay

Shoal Bay is a picturesque beachside suburb at the tip of the Tomaree Peninsula in Port Stephens, New South Wales, approximately 215 kilometres north of Sydney and 50 kilometres north-east of Newcastle. The suburb forms part of the Nelson Bay–Port Stephens urban area within the Port Stephens local government area, occupying 4 square kilometres at an average elevation of just 17 metres above sea level. With a population of 1,815 and a median age of 59, Shoal Bay is a popular retirement and holiday community, with many residents drawn by the pristine beaches, calm waters, and relaxed holiday lifestyle of Port Stephens.

Shoal Bay Beach is one of Port Stephens' most celebrated coastal destinations, renowned for its crystal-clear water, gentle surf, and the backdrop of Tomaree National Park and Tomaree Head — site of significant Second World War fortifications listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. The suburb is popular for swimming, dolphin-watching cruises, whale watching, and water sports in the sheltered bay. Cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops serve both permanent residents and the large influx of holiday visitors throughout summer. The suburb is well placed for walks up to the summit of Tomaree Head, which offers one of the finest panoramic views on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Shoal Bay falls under postcode 2315 and is governed by Port Stephens Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Stephens electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2315
Urban Area
Nelson Bay
LGA / Council
Port Stephens
Federal Electorate
Paterson
State Electorate
Port Stephens
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.72°, 152.18°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.02 km²
Elevation
17m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Port Stephens Coaches — Nelson Bay / Newcastle 10 min to Nelson Bay; 90 min to Newcastle

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
215 km
By Train
No direct train; drive to Newcastle (~50km) then train to Sydney (~2.5 hr)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min - 3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 15 min

🛣️ Nelson Bay is the main service hub 5km west. Pacific Motorway and Pacific Highway connect south. Primarily a holiday and retirement destination; most residents drive.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The beachside village is walkable for cafes, the beach and local shops; car needed for major shopping in Nelson Bay

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Shoal Bay, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Tomaree Head Fortifications
2 Shoal Bay Road Shoal Bay • SHR #01821
Tomaree Holiday Lodge
Shoalhaven Road, Shoal Bay • SHR #00835

🔍 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 Shoal Bay by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Shoal Bay Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$338
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,700
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
59 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.3%

0 state housing + 27 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,864
Census 2021
1,815
▼ 2.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,508
Income 2021
$32,396
▲ 17.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,381
Born Overseas 336

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 96
  • 2. New Zealand 34
  • 3. Nepal 26
  • 4. Scotland 20
  • 5. Germany 19
  • 6. Italy 16
  • 7. India 11
  • 8. Canada 9
  • 9. Philippines 9
  • 10. Thailand 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 736
Australian 618
Irish 240
Scottish 193
German 85
Australian Aboriginal 58
Italian 57
Greek 25
Polish 19
Filipino 15

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,018
Both parents born in Australia
366
Both parents born overseas
213
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.2%
No Religion
33.7%
Hinduism
1.3%
Buddhism
1.0%
Islam
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
50 (2.8%)
5-14 years
160 (8.8%)
15-19 years
72 (4.0%)
20-24 years
72 (4.0%)
25-34 years
131 (7.2%)
35-44 years
143 (7.9%)
45-54 years
185 (10.2%)
55-64 years
269 (14.8%)
65-74 years
304 (16.7%)
75-84 years
263 (14.5%)
85+ years
182 (10.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shoal Bay NSW known for? +

Shoal Bay is known for its stunning, sheltered beach with crystal-clear water, the heritage-listed Tomaree Head fortifications, and the superb views from the summit of Tomaree Head in Tomaree National Park. The area is also famous for dolphin-watching and whale-watching cruises operating from nearby Nelson Bay.

How far is Shoal Bay from Sydney? +

Shoal Bay is approximately 215 kilometres north of Sydney CBD, typically a 2.5–3 hour drive via the Pacific Motorway and Nelson Bay Road.

Does Shoal Bay have public transport? +

Shoal Bay is served by Port Stephens Coaches bus services connecting to Nelson Bay and Newcastle. There is no passenger train service to Port Stephens; residents and visitors travelling to Newcastle or Sydney must connect to rail at Maitland or Newcastle (approximately 50–60 km away).

What is the population of Shoal Bay NSW? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shoal Bay has a population of 1,815 residents. With a median age of 59, it is predominantly a retirement and holiday community.

Is Shoal Bay a good place to live? +

Shoal Bay is an excellent choice for those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle, particularly retirees and sea-changers drawn by the beautiful beach, safe swimming, proximity to Tomaree National Park, and the vibrant holiday community atmosphere of Port Stephens.

What is the postcode for Shoal Bay? +

The postcode for Shoal Bay, NSW is 2315.