Smiths Lake
NSW 2428 • Rest of NSW
About Smiths Lake
Smiths Lake is a tranquil coastal village on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 275 kilometres north of Sydney within the Mid-Coast Council area. The village sits beside its namesake lake, which forms part of the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park and is connected to the broader Myall Lakes system. With a population of around 1,300 residents, it attracts a mix of permanent sea-changers and holiday-home owners drawn to its pristine natural setting.
The village is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering boating and fishing on Smiths Lake, Myall Lakes and Wallis Lake, as well as easy access to several stunning beaches including Cellito, Blueys, Boomerang and Elizabeth beaches. The nearby Seal Rocks and Myall Lakes National Park provide excellent bushwalking and wildlife spotting. Smiths Lake has a small township with a general store and café, with more services available at Pacific Palms and Forster–Tuncurry about 25 kilometres north.
Smiths Lake falls under postcode 2428 and is governed by Mid-Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Myall Lakes electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Busways route (on-demand) — Forster / Taree ~40–60 min to Forster
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Car is most practical. The Pacific Motorway (M1/Pacific Hwy) is accessible via The Lakes Way from the village.
Village character with limited walkable amenities. A car is essential for groceries and services, though the lake and beach walks are excellent.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
-
Pacific Palms Public School ICSEA 10076554 0249 91 Boomerang Dr
-
Forster Public School ICSEA 9346555 6766 102 Head St
-
Great Lakes College Forster Campus ICSEA 936Cape Hawke Drive
-
41 Lake Street Forst
-
Northern Parkway
-
Northern Parkway
-
Tuncurry Public School ICSEA 9306554 6463 22 Tuncurry St
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Smiths Lake, 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 Smiths Lake by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Smiths Lake Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Smiths Lake" 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 53
- 2. New Zealand 18
- 3. Ireland 9
- 4. Scotland 8
- 5. Germany 7
- 6. Indonesia 6
- 7. South Africa 6
- 8. Netherlands 5
- 9. Chile 4
- 10. Philippines 4
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)