Caves Beach
NSW 2281 · Lake Macquarie
4,016 (2021) → 4,218 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.
Caves Beach is a moderate growth suburb in Lake Macquarie, NSW 2281, about 94km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.37M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 43/100, and is right by the coast. Caves Beach has an overall score of 50/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 47/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
Top countries of birth: England (3.51%), New Zealand (1.2%), Scotland (0.5%), Germany (0.4%), Philippines (0.4%)
Top languages: Mandarin (0.37%), Japan (0.35%), Spanish (0.25%), Macedon (0.22%), Thai (0.22%)
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
Reasonable school mix
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 992 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Caves Beach Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1028
- Swansea High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 974
Nearby (within 10km)
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1kmICSEA 1067
- Swansea Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 922
- Pelican Flat Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.6kmICSEA 973
- Blacksmiths Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.9kmICSEA 991
- Nords Wharf Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.9kmICSEA 1032
- Marks Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.4kmICSEA 924
- Wangi Wangi Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.2kmICSEA 979
- Gwandalan Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.6kmICSEA 952
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.7kmICSEA 966
- St Francis Xavier's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 7.8kmICSEA 1051
- Coal Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.9kmICSEA 1051
- Belmont Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 8.6kmICSEA 959
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
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
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 Caves Beach with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Caves Beach
Is Caves Beach safe?
Caves Beach has a residential safety score of 47/100, 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 4,158 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Caves Beach?
In Caves Beach, the median house price is $1.37M and the median unit price is $941K. Median weekly house rent is $710.
How far is Caves Beach from Sydney CBD?
Caves Beach is about 94.4 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Caves Beach?
Caves Beach has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1001 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Caves Beach?
Caves Beach has a transport score of 43/100 and 31 bus stops.