Cardiff
NSW 2285 · Lake Macquarie
6,318 (2021) → 6,531 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.
Cardiff is a moderate growth suburb in Lake Macquarie, NSW 2285, about 112km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $877K is more affordable than the NSW average. The suburb has 4 schools, a transport score of 91/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Cardiff has an overall score of 75/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 51/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2285 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (2.14%), New Zealand (1.09%), India (0.78%), Philippines (0.65%), Germany (0.55%)
Top languages: Spanish (0.38%), Tagalog (0.35%), Arabic (0.32%), Hindi (0.3%), Vietnamese (0.27%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
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 March 2026
Schools
Strong school options
Well above average — good-quality schools within reach and a healthy range of options to choose from.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1013 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- St Kevin's Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1071
- Cardiff North Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1014
- Cardiff Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1000
- Cardiff High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 986
Nearby (within 10km)
- Cardiff South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1017
- Glendale East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.6kmICSEA 956
- Newcastle Waldorf SchoolCombined · Independent · 1.9kmICSEA 1072
- Holy Cross Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2.1kmICSEA 1036
- Macquarie CollegeCombined · Independent · 2.2kmICSEA 1110
- Garden Suburb Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.3kmICSEA 1045
- Glendale Technology High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.3kmICSEA 946
- Alesco Secondary College - Northlakes CampusSecondary · Independent · 2.6km
- Argenton Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.7kmICSEA 934
- Newcastle Junior SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 940
- New Lambton Heights Infants SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 1100
- Wallsend South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 1083
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
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.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Limited cultural access
Below average — fewer cultural venues nearby.
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
A few good options
A handful of local venues to choose from — nothing epic, but you're not driving far either.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Outstanding childcare access
Top 20% nationally for childcare service density and quality — an excellent suburb for families with young children.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Lake Macquarie
Compare Cardiff with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Cardiff
Is Cardiff safe?
Cardiff has a residential safety score of 51/100, 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 9,338 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Cardiff?
In Cardiff, the median house price is $877K and the median unit price is $731K. Median weekly house rent is $720.
How far is Cardiff from Sydney CBD?
Cardiff is about 111.7 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 192 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Cardiff?
Cardiff has 4 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1018 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Cardiff?
Cardiff has a transport score of 91/100, including 1 train station and 61 bus stops.