🔍

Shoalhaven Heads

NSW 2535 • Rest of NSW

3,248
Population (2021)
$31,824
Median Income
3.93 km²
Area
$365/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetireesBeachsideAffordable

About Shoalhaven Heads

Shoalhaven Heads is a small coastal town on the South Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 149 kilometres south of Sydney within the City of Shoalhaven local government area. Situated at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River where it meets the Tasman Sea, the town enjoys a stunning natural setting with beaches, river frontage, and surrounding farmland. With a population of around 3,000 residents, Shoalhaven Heads has a peaceful, village-like character that attracts retirees, holiday-makers, and those seeking a quieter coastal lifestyle.

Life in Shoalhaven Heads centres on its beautiful natural surroundings — from the surf beach and river mouth to the walking trails and birdwatching opportunities within nearby Seven Mile Beach National Park. The town has a small local shopping village, a surf club, and a primary school, with the regional centre of Nowra providing broader services about 19 kilometres to the west. The area is particularly popular with retirees and weekenders escaping Sydney, drawn by the affordable property prices, relaxed pace, and stunning Shoalhaven coast scenery.

Shoalhaven Heads falls under postcode 2535 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kiama electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2535
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
Kiama
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.85°, 150.74°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.93 km²
Elevation
11m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bomaderry Station
22 km
Not walkable

Bus Services

  • Nowra Bus Company local services — Nowra / Bomaderry 30–40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
149 km
By Train
~2 hrs 20 min from Bomaderry to Central Station
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs–2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min

🛣️ South Coast Line from Bomaderry (~22 km away); Princes Motorway (M1) by car

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre and beach are walkable for locals, but most services require a drive to Nowra; no local train access

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 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 Shoalhaven Heads by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Shoalhaven Heads Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$365
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,059
Census 2021
3,248
▲ 6.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$26,936
Income 2021
$31,824
▲ 18.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,592
Born Overseas 431

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 180
  • 2. New Zealand 42
  • 3. Germany 19
  • 4. Netherlands 19
  • 5. Scotland 15
  • 6. United States 12
  • 7. Philippines 10
  • 8. China 9
  • 9. South Africa 9
  • 10. Malaysia 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,527
Australian 1,278
Irish 428
Scottish 380
German 122
Australian Aboriginal 108
Italian 62
Dutch 50
New Zealander 31
Maltese 27

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,158
Both parents born in Australia
541
Both parents born overseas
352
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.0%
No Religion
41.6%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
156 (4.8%)
5-14 years
315 (9.7%)
15-19 years
121 (3.7%)
20-24 years
85 (2.6%)
25-34 years
255 (7.9%)
35-44 years
316 (9.7%)
45-54 years
333 (10.3%)
55-64 years
475 (14.6%)
65-74 years
639 (19.7%)
75-84 years
422 (13.0%)
85+ years
129 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What beach is at Shoalhaven Heads? +

Shoalhaven Heads has a surf beach at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River, and is adjacent to Seven Mile Beach which stretches south along the coast within a national park.

How far is Shoalhaven Heads from Sydney? +

Shoalhaven Heads is approximately 149 kilometres south of Sydney, roughly a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour drive via the Princes Motorway.

What is the nearest town to Shoalhaven Heads? +

Berry is the nearest town at about 11 kilometres to the north, while Nowra (Shoalhaven's regional centre) is 19 kilometres to the west and provides hospitals, shopping centres, and major services.

Is Shoalhaven Heads good for families? +

Shoalhaven Heads has a government primary school and a family-friendly beach environment, though secondary school students typically travel to Nowra. The town is especially popular with retirees and holiday-home owners.