🔍

Towradgi

NSW 2518 • Rest of NSW

3,241
Population (2021)
$37,700
Median Income
1.43 km²
Area
$350/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideCoastalFamily-FriendlyCommuter BeltEstablished

About Towradgi

Towradgi is a compact coastal suburb in the City of Wollongong, located approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney CBD along the Illawarra coast. With a population of 3,241 spread across just 1.4 square kilometres, it is a relatively dense urban locality with a median age of 42 and a median household income of $1,572 per week. The suburb sits between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a scenic hillside-meets-beach character typical of the northern Wollongong suburbs. Housing is predominantly established freestanding homes and units, with a notably strong Catholic and European heritage community — Italian ancestry is particularly prominent.

Towradgi Beach is a patrolled surf beach popular with local families and swimmers, and the suburb's foreshore park and coastal walking track connect it to the broader Wollongong coastal pathway network. Towradgi railway station, on the South Coast Line, provides direct rail access to Wollongong city (around 5 minutes) and to Sydney's Central Station (approximately 90 minutes), making it viable as a commuter suburb for Sydney workers. The suburb is also served by local bus routes, and nearby Fairy Meadow and Wollongong city centre offer supermarkets, restaurants, and major retail options within a short drive or ride. The combination of surf beach, easy train access, and a tight-knit established community makes Towradgi particularly popular with families and long-term residents.

Towradgi falls under postcode 2518 and is governed by Wollongong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollongong electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2518
Urban Area
Wollongong
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Wollongong
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.38°, 150.91°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.43 km²
Elevation
11m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Towradgi
0.6 km
8 min

Bus Services

  • Transport NSW routes (Fairy Meadow interchange) — Wollongong CBD and Fairy Meadow 5-15 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
Approx 90 min from Towradgi to Sydney Central via South Coast Line (change possible at Wollongong)
By Car (Peak)
90-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
70-85 min

🛣️ Direct train to Wollongong ~5 min; Princes Highway and M1/F6 provide road access to Sydney; local buses connect to Wollongong centre

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Walkable to the beach, train station, and local shops; Wollongong city centre nearby for full retail and dining options

🛒 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 Towradgi by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Towradgi Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$350
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,300
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
9.7%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,127
Census 2021
3,241
▲ 3.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$31,304
Income 2021
$37,700
▲ 20.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,505
Born Overseas 600

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 132
  • 2. Italy 76
  • 3. New Zealand 27
  • 4. United States 24
  • 5. Chile 23
  • 6. Philippines 20
  • 7. Scotland 20
  • 8. South Africa 19
  • 9. Germany 13
  • 10. Vietnam 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,181
Australian 1,164
Irish 361
Italian 342
Scottish 312
German 127
Dutch 80
Australian Aboriginal 76
Chinese 42
Greek 42

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,779
Both parents born in Australia
867
Both parents born overseas
446
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.6%
No Religion
36.4%
Islam
1.0%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
157 (4.8%)
5-14 years
341 (10.5%)
15-19 years
211 (6.5%)
20-24 years
228 (7.0%)
25-34 years
387 (11.9%)
35-44 years
377 (11.6%)
45-54 years
423 (13.1%)
55-64 years
445 (13.7%)
65-74 years
330 (10.2%)
75-84 years
239 (7.4%)
85+ years
89 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Towradgi known for? +

Towradgi is known for its patrolled surf beach, scenic location between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, and its convenient direct rail link to both Wollongong city centre and Sydney. It has a strong Italian heritage community and established residential character.

How far is Towradgi from Sydney CBD? +

Towradgi is approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney CBD, a drive of 70-85 minutes off-peak, or around 90 minutes by train on the South Coast Line.

Does Towradgi have public transport? +

Yes — Towradgi railway station on the South Coast Line is within easy walking distance of most of the suburb, providing direct trains to Wollongong (around 5 minutes) and to Sydney Central (approximately 90 minutes). Local bus services also connect the area.

What is the population of Towradgi? +

Towradgi had a population of 3,241 at the 2021 Census, making it a relatively compact and well-established suburb within the Wollongong metropolitan area.

Is Towradgi a good place to live? +

Towradgi offers a highly attractive lifestyle for those who want beach access, rail connectivity to Sydney or Wollongong, and a genuine community feel — it is particularly well-suited to families, professionals commuting to Wollongong, and those seeking an affordable coastal alternative to Sydney.

What is the postcode for Towradgi? +

The postcode for Towradgi is 2518, shared with neighbouring suburbs including Fairy Meadow and Wollongong North.