🔍

Thirroul

NSW 2515 • Rest of NSW

6,348
Population (2021)
$50,648
Median Income
4.87 km²
Area
$540/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideCoastal VillageCreative CommunitySea ChangeTrain AccessHistoric

About Thirroul

Thirroul is a picturesque coastal village on the Illawarra escarpment, located approximately 70 km south of Sydney CBD in the Wollongong City LGA, with around 6,350 residents. Nestled between the Illawarra escarpment and the Tasman Sea, it is renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery, bohemian character, and strong artistic community. The suburb was famously home to D.H. Lawrence, who wrote 'Kangaroo' here in 1922, and continues to attract writers, artists, and creative professionals. Thirroul has grown in popularity as a sea-change destination for Sydneysiders seeking a slower pace without completely abandoning city connections.

The village centre along Lawrence Hargrave Drive offers excellent cafes, the beloved Headlands Hotel, a vibrant art gallery scene, and independent shops that define the suburb's creative character. The beach and rock pool are exceptional, and the coastal walk between Thirroul and Austinmer is among the most beautiful in the Illawarra. Thirroul attracts a mix of long-time locals, sea-changers from Sydney, and creative professionals who work remotely or commute to Wollongong. The community is close-knit, progressive, and fiercely proud of its village identity.

Thirroul falls under postcode 2515 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heathcote electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2515
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Heathcote
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.31°, 150.91°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.87 km²
Elevation
61m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Thirroul
0.4 km
5 min

Bus Services

  • 35, 37 — Wollongong, Bulli, Corrimal 10-25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
70 km
By Train
90 min to Central
By Car (Peak)
70-100 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60 min

🛣️ South Coast Line intercity service to Central; Wollongong CBD is 20 min by train

Walkability Very Walkable

Highly walkable within the village centre and along the stunning coastal strip; excellent for beach and café access

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Thirroul Village Plaza Lawrence Hargraves Drive Thirroul 2515 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Thirroul, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Thirroul Railway Station Group
Illawarra railway, Thirroul • SHR #01269

🔍 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 Thirroul by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Thirroul Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$540
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,600
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.9%

18 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,083
Census 2021
6,348
▲ 4.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$41,548
Income 2021
$50,648
▲ 21.9% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,092
Born Overseas 1,087

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 381
  • 2. New Zealand 110
  • 3. Scotland 49
  • 4. United States 44
  • 5. Germany 42
  • 6. South Africa 40
  • 7. Ireland 28
  • 8. Canada 26
  • 9. Italy 21
  • 10. Netherlands 20

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,831
Australian 2,362
Irish 1,004
Scottish 898
German 278
Italian 260
Dutch 135
Australian Aboriginal 123
Welsh 104
New Zealander 80

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,671
Both parents born in Australia
1,419
Both parents born overseas
1,038
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.3%
Christianity
43.8%
Buddhism
1.1%
Islam
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
390 (6.1%)
5-14 years
876 (13.8%)
15-19 years
372 (5.9%)
20-24 years
295 (4.6%)
25-34 years
562 (8.9%)
35-44 years
848 (13.4%)
45-54 years
901 (14.2%)
55-64 years
920 (14.5%)
65-74 years
723 (11.4%)
75-84 years
337 (5.3%)
85+ years
137 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which train line serves Thirroul? +

Thirroul is served by the South Coast Line intercity service, with trains to Central Station taking approximately 90 minutes. Wollongong CBD is accessible in about 20 minutes by train.

What is the median rent in Thirroul? +

The median weekly rent in Thirroul is approximately $540 per week, reflecting its desirability as a stunning coastal village with a creative community and beach lifestyle.

Which council/LGA covers Thirroul? +

Thirroul is part of Wollongong City Council, the third-largest city in New South Wales, covering the broader Illawarra region south of Sydney.

What is Thirroul known for? +

Thirroul is famous for its exceptional coastal scenery, the D.H. Lawrence connection (he wrote 'Kangaroo' here in 1922), a thriving arts and creative community, excellent cafes and the Headlands Hotel, and its position as one of the Illawarra's most sought-after sea-change destinations.