Bonnells Bay
NSW 2264 · Lake Macquarie
4,066 (2021) → 4,304 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth
Part of the Lake Macquarie local government area (est. 222,310 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Bonnells Bay is a moderate growth suburb in Lake Macquarie, NSW 2264, about 90km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $890K is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 53/100, and is about 11km inland. Bonnells Bay has an overall score of 45/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 75/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
Top countries of birth: England (2.83%), New Zealand (1.97%), Philippines (0.54%), Scotland (0.54%), Netherlands (0.47%)
Top languages: French (0.47%), Mandarin (0.3%), Filipino (0.27%), Nepali (0.25%), Spanish (0.25%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q4 2025
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated 2025
Schools
Limited school choices
Below average for school access — fewer schools nearby, and families may need to travel for preferred options.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 981 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Bonnells Bay Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 935
Nearby (within 10km)
- Brightwaters Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · 1.8kmICSEA 985
- Heritage College Lake MacquarieCombined · Independent · 2kmICSEA 1012
- Morisset Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.4kmICSEA 918
- Morisset High SchoolSecondary · Government · 3.5kmICSEA 926
- St John Vianney's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 3.6kmICSEA 974
- Dora Creek Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.1kmICSEA 946
- Mannering Park Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.1kmICSEA 933
- Gwandalan Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.1kmICSEA 952
- Wangi Wangi Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.6kmICSEA 979
- Avondale SchoolCombined · Independent · 7.6kmICSEA 1047
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.7kmICSEA 966
- Nords Wharf Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 8.1kmICSEA 1032
Source: ACARA 2023
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap
Fitness
Few fitness options
Very few fitness facilities in and around this suburb.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Mostly urban
Very little parkland or outdoor recreation in and around this suburb.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
No data
No cultural venues matched to this suburb.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register
Population & Growth
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Lake Macquarie
Compare Bonnells Bay with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Bonnells Bay
Is Bonnells Bay safe?
Bonnells Bay has a residential safety score of 75/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 5,288 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Bonnells Bay?
In Bonnells Bay, the median house price is $890K and the median unit price is $644K. Median weekly house rent is $650.
How far is Bonnells Bay from Sydney CBD?
Bonnells Bay is about 89.9 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Bonnells Bay?
Bonnells Bay has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 935 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Bonnells Bay?
Bonnells Bay has a transport score of 53/100 and 31 bus stops.