Catherine Hill Bay
NSW 2281 · Lake Macquarie
943 (2021) → 990 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.
Catherine Hill Bay is a moderate growth suburb in Lake Macquarie, NSW 2281, about 90km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.37M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has no schools recorded, a transport score of 26/100, and is right by the coast. Catherine Hill Bay has an overall score of 32/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 40/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
Top countries of birth: England (2.76%), New Zealand (2.12%), Italy (0.64%), Germany (0.53%), Singapore (0.53%)
Top languages: French (1.06%), Mandarin (0.64%), Spanish (0.64%), Hindi (0.42%), Portuguese (0.42%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q4 2025
Residential Safety
Small population (under 3,000) — crime rates may be volatile due to low sample size.
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 983 (below the national average of 1000).
No schools inside the suburb boundary — the schools below are in adjoining suburbs (counted within 10km for the education score).
Nearby (within 10km)
- Nords Wharf Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.2kmICSEA 1032
- Gwandalan Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.2kmICSEA 952
- Swansea High SchoolSecondary · Government · 5kmICSEA 974
- Caves Beach Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.1kmICSEA 1028
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 5.8kmICSEA 1067
- St Brendan's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 6.4kmICSEA 1005
- St Brigid's Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 6.4kmICSEA 1002
- Lake Munmorah Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.5kmICSEA 961
- Lake Munmorah High SchoolSecondary · Government · 6.5kmICSEA 938
- Swansea Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.2kmICSEA 922
- Mannering Park Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 8.3kmICSEA 933
- Pelican Flat Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 8.4kmICSEA 973
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
Some green space
Around the national average — a reasonable amount of parks and outdoor space nearby.
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
Solid scene
Well above average for licensed venues — you won't struggle for a night out or a good meal.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW
Population & Growth
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Lake Macquarie
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Frequently asked questions about Catherine Hill Bay
Is Catherine Hill Bay safe?
Catherine Hill Bay has a residential safety score of 40/100, 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 3,924 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Catherine Hill Bay?
In Catherine Hill Bay, the median house price is $1.37M. Median weekly house rent is $710.
How far is Catherine Hill Bay from Sydney CBD?
Catherine Hill Bay is about 89.5 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Catherine Hill Bay?
Catherine Hill Bay has 0 schools. Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Catherine Hill Bay?
Catherine Hill Bay has a transport score of 26/100 and 18 bus stops.