🔍

Surf Beach

NSW 2536 • Rest of NSW

1,934
Population (2021)
$31,824
Median Income
4.36 km²
Area
$330/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRetiree-HavenPeacefulRural

About Surf Beach

Surf Beach is a coastal residential suburb located on the New South Wales South Coast, approximately 220 kilometres south of Sydney within the Eurobodalla Council area. With a population of 1,934 and a median age of 53 years, it is a predominantly older community that has long attracted sea-changers and retirees seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle. The suburb covers 4.36 square kilometres at an elevation of 38 metres, set on a headland between Surf Beach itself and Batemans Bay.

Surf Beach offers direct access to its namesake beach, popular for swimming and surfing, along with scenic coastal walks and proximity to the Clyde River and Batemans Bay township just to the north. Batemans Bay's town centre provides shopping, dining, medical services, and community facilities for Surf Beach residents, all within a short drive. Public transport is limited to infrequent regional bus services, and most residents rely on private vehicles; the Princes Highway connects the area to Canberra (approximately 150 km) and Sydney. The suburb's relaxed pace, natural beauty, and sense of community make it a popular retirement and holiday destination.

Surf Beach falls under postcode 2536 and is governed by Eurobodalla Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2536
Urban Area
Batemans Bay
LGA / Council
Eurobodalla
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
Bega
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.76°, 150.20°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.36 km²
Elevation
38m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink Regional Coach — Canberra / Sydney (via Princes Highway) 2 hrs to Canberra / 4 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
220 km
By Train
No direct train service; regional coach to Sydney ~4 hrs
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min – 3 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 45 min

🛣️ Princes Highway is the main route; Canberra is ~150 km via Kings Highway — a popular alternative destination

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Beach and coastal walks are accessible on foot, but all shopping, services, and errands require a car to Batemans Bay

🛒 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 Surf Beach by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Surf Beach Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$330
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
53 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.9%

15 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,874
Census 2021
1,934
▲ 3.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$26,780
Income 2021
$31,824
▲ 18.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,432
Born Overseas 308

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 82
  • 2. New Zealand 40
  • 3. India 18
  • 4. Philippines 18
  • 5. Italy 15
  • 6. Germany 12
  • 7. Netherlands 7
  • 8. Papua New Guinea 6
  • 9. Scotland 6
  • 10. South Africa 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 787
Australian 680
Scottish 215
Irish 194
Australian Aboriginal 129
German 82
Italian 57
Dutch 35
Filipino 20
Croatian 18

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,166
Both parents born in Australia
390
Both parents born overseas
208
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.7%
No Religion
39.0%
Buddhism
0.8%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
79 (4.1%)
5-14 years
203 (10.5%)
15-19 years
89 (4.6%)
20-24 years
66 (3.4%)
25-34 years
139 (7.2%)
35-44 years
194 (10.0%)
45-54 years
251 (13.0%)
55-64 years
284 (14.7%)
65-74 years
372 (19.2%)
75-84 years
198 (10.2%)
85+ years
57 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Surf Beach NSW known for? +

Surf Beach is known for its beautiful namesake beach on the NSW South Coast and its relaxed, quiet lifestyle popular with retirees and sea-changers. The area offers coastal walks, swimming, and proximity to the Batemans Bay township and the Clyde River estuary.

How far is Surf Beach from Sydney? +

Surf Beach is approximately 220 kilometres south of Sydney CBD, a drive of around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours via the Princes Highway. It is also around 150 km from Canberra, making it accessible from both cities.

Does Surf Beach NSW have public transport? +

Public transport is very limited in Surf Beach. There is no local bus service or rail connection; the nearest intercity option is NSW TrainLink regional coaches running along the Princes Highway to Sydney and Canberra. A car is essential.

What is the population of Surf Beach NSW? +

According to the 2021 Census, Surf Beach has a population of 1,934 residents, with a high median age of 53 years reflecting its popularity with retirees and older sea-changers seeking a quiet coastal lifestyle.

Is Surf Beach NSW a good place to live? +

Surf Beach is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, nature-filled coastal lifestyle away from city pressures. It suits retirees and lifestyle seekers who value beach access and community spirit, though its remoteness means a car is essential and services are limited locally.

What is the postcode for Surf Beach NSW? +

The postcode for Surf Beach, New South Wales is 2536.