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 $1.43M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 44/100, 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
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2281 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
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 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
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 1019
- Swansea High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 972
Nearby (within 10km)
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1kmICSEA 1041
- Swansea Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.8kmICSEA 923
- Pelican Flat Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.6kmICSEA 981
- Blacksmiths Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.9kmICSEA 1004
- Nords Wharf Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.9kmICSEA 1023
- Marks Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.4kmICSEA 935
- Wangi Wangi Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.2kmICSEA 987
- Gwandalan Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.6kmICSEA 953
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.7kmICSEA 971
- St Francis Xavier's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 7.8kmICSEA 1048
- Coal Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.9kmICSEA 1065
- Belmont Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 8.6kmICSEA 956
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
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 · Updated June 2024
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 · 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 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 3,660 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Caves Beach?
In Caves Beach, the median house price is $1.43M and the median unit price is $1.14M. Median weekly house rent is $750.
How far is Caves Beach from Sydney CBD?
Caves Beach is about 94.4 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 245 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Caves Beach?
Caves Beach has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 996 (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 44/100 and 31 bus stops.