West Nowra
NSW 2541 • Rest of NSW
About West Nowra
West Nowra is a small urban locality on the western fringe of the Nowra urban area, nestled within the Shoalhaven City Council area of the South Coast of New South Wales. Home to approximately 1,504 residents according to the 2021 Census, the suburb sits at around 68 metres elevation along the Shoalhaven River corridor, roughly 160 kilometres south of Sydney. The community has a notably high indigenous population, with Aboriginal Australians making up around 15% of residents, reflecting the deep Yuin cultural heritage of the broader Shoalhaven region. With a compact footprint of just 3.6 square kilometres, West Nowra retains a close-knit neighbourhood feel on the urban edge.
West Nowra offers an affordable lifestyle within easy reach of all the services Nowra has to offer, including supermarkets, hospitals, schools, and the Nowra town centre just a short drive east. The suburb's median weekly rent of around $350 makes it one of the more accessible addresses in the Shoalhaven, attracting young families, single-parent households, and long-term local residents. Community ties are strong, bolstered by local schools, parks, and access to the natural beauty of the Shoalhaven River and nearby Morton National Park. Residents enjoy proximity to the South Coast's beaches, bushwalking trails, and the agricultural hinterland that defines life along the NSW South Coast.
West Nowra falls under postcode 2541 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kiama electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- Shoalhaven Transit local routes — Nowra CBD 10 min
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Most residents drive to Nowra; South Coast Line has limited direct services to Sydney
Car required for most trips; basic footpaths to local schools and parks
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Corner Bunberra & Princes Highway
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Bomaderry High School ICSEA 955Cambewarra Rd
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Bomaderry Public School ICSEA 908Cambewarra Rd
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Nowra East Public School ICSEA 784Jervis St
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Illaroo Road Public School ICSEA 992Illaroo Rd
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North Nowra Public School ICSEA 908Judith Drive
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Nowra High School ICSEA 944Moss St
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Nowra Hill Public School ICSEA 986Naval Air Station
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Nowra Public School ICSEA 904Plunkett St
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Shoalhaven High School ICSEA 862Park Rd
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Havenlee School ICSEA 84975 Judith Drive
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194 Old Southern Road
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near West Nowra, 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 West Nowra by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View West Nowra Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "West Nowra" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
11 state housing + 20 community housing dwellings (ABS 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 40
- 2. New Zealand 14
- 3. Philippines 12
- 4. India 7
- 5. Scotland 5
- 6. Malaysia 4
- 7. North Macedonia 4
- 8. South Africa 3
- 9. Thailand 3
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)