🔍

Tathra

NSW 2550 • Rest of NSW

1,527
Population (2021)
$38,792
Median Income
20.76 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideHistoricRetireesRural

About Tathra

Tathra is a charming seaside town on the Sapphire Coast in the Bega Valley Shire of New South Wales, situated approximately 424 km south-west of Sydney and 18 km east of Bega. With a population of around 1,527 residents as of the 2021 Census, the town occupies a headland between Tathra Beach to the south and Bournda National Park to the north. The iconic Tathra Wharf — one of the last remaining coastal steamship wharves on the Australian mainland — is a State Heritage-listed landmark that speaks to the town's rich maritime history.

Tathra attracts sea-changers, retirees and nature lovers drawn to its uncrowded beaches, pristine national parks and relaxed pace of life; the median age of 56 reflects its appeal to semi-retirees and older lifestyle seekers. The township offers a supermarket, cafés, restaurants, medical services and a surf life saving club, while Bournda National Park and Mimosa Rocks National Park provide world-class bushwalking, snorkelling and kayaking on the doorstep. Nearby Bega provides broader shopping, a hospital and further schooling options for the town's families.

Tathra falls under postcode 2550 and is governed by Bega Valley Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2550
Urban Area
Bega - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Bega Valley
Federal Electorate
Eden-monaro
State Electorate
Bega
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.74°, 149.97°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
20.76 km²
Elevation
83m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bega (no rail — nearest XPT stop)
18 km
Drive only

Bus Services

  • Sapphire Coast Coaches / NSW TrainLink coach — Bega / Merimbula 25–40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
424 km
By Train
No direct rail — NSW TrainLink XPT to Bega then coach (~7 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
4.5–5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hrs via Princes Highway

🛣️ Tathra is a remote coastal town; most residents rely on private vehicles for daily travel

Walkability Car-Dependent

Compact township centre is walkable; access to parks and beach is good on foot, but a car is essential for most errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Tathra, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Ness Property
Reserve Road, Wapengo • SHR #00519
Tathra Wharf and building
Wharf Road, Tathra • SHR #00405
Baronda
Nelson Lake Road, Nelson Lagoon, Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja • SHR #01915
Penders
Haighs Road (within Minosa Rocks National Park), Tanja • SHR #01913

🔍 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 Tathra by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Tathra Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,603
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.4%

0 state housing + 10 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,675
Census 2021
1,527
▼ 8.8% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$34,112
Income 2021
$38,792
▲ 13.7% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,288
Born Overseas 177

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 45
  • 2. New Zealand 20
  • 3. Germany 12
  • 4. Canada 9
  • 5. India 9
  • 6. Sri Lanka 8
  • 7. United States 8
  • 8. Nepal 7
  • 9. Philippines 7
  • 10. Scotland 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 713
Australian 625
Irish 279
Scottish 185
German 90
Dutch 25
Chinese 24
Australian Aboriginal 22
Italian 22
Polish 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,100
Both parents born in Australia
201
Both parents born overseas
164
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.3%
Christianity
42.2%
Buddhism
1.4%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
42 (2.8%)
5-14 years
122 (8.0%)
15-19 years
64 (4.2%)
20-24 years
47 (3.1%)
25-34 years
126 (8.3%)
35-44 years
132 (8.6%)
45-54 years
178 (11.7%)
55-64 years
301 (19.7%)
65-74 years
308 (20.2%)
75-84 years
153 (10.0%)
85+ years
61 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tathra known for? +

Tathra is renowned for its historic wharf — one of the last remaining coastal steamship wharves in Australia — along with Tathra Beach, Bournda National Park and access to Mimosa Rocks National Park on the Sapphire Coast.

How far is Tathra from Sydney? +

Tathra is approximately 424 km south-west of Sydney, about a 4–4.5 hour drive via the Princes Highway or Kings Highway through Canberra.

Is there a train to Tathra? +

There is no direct rail service to Tathra. The closest rail-connected point is via the NSW TrainLink Sapphire Coast coach route through Bega, which is about 18 km away.

What is the median rent in Tathra? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in Tathra is approximately $320, reflecting its coastal location and semi-rural character.

What schools are near Tathra? +

Tathra Public School is the local government primary school. Secondary students typically attend Bega High School or South East Education Centre in nearby Bega, about 18 km away.