Fern Bay
NSW 2295 · Port Stephens
4,046 (2021) → 4,453 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth
Part of the Port Stephens local government area (est. 79,727 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Fern Bay is a moderate growth suburb in Port Stephens, NSW 2295, about 126km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $986K is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 26/100, and is right by the coast. Fern Bay has an overall score of 39/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 93/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2295 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (3.98%), New Zealand (1.24%), Philippines (0.59%), South Africa (0.49%), Ireland (0.4%)
Top languages: Afrikaans (0.37%), Spanish (0.37%), Mandarin (0.3%), Korean (0.27%), Cantonese (0.25%)
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 1033 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Fern Bay Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1002
Nearby (within 10km)
- Stockton Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6kmICSEA 1000
- St Peter's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 6.3kmICSEA 1053
- Mayfield East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.9kmICSEA 1044
- Carrington Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7kmICSEA 996
- St Dominic's Catholic CollegeCombined · Catholic · 7.3kmICSEA 966
- San Clemente Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 7.4kmICSEA 1038
- Tighes Hill Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.6kmICSEA 1104
- St Columban's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 7.6kmICSEA 1034
- Hunter Christian SchoolCombined · Independent · 7.6kmICSEA 1061
- Newcastle Grammar Bolton Street CampusSecondary · Independent · 7.8km
- Newcastle Grammar SchoolCombined · Independent · 7.9kmICSEA 1181
- Indie School NewcastleSecondary · Independent · 8km
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.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
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 · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Population & Growth
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Port Stephens
Compare Fern Bay with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Fern Bay
Is Fern Bay safe?
Fern Bay has a residential safety score of 93/100, 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 2,496 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Fern Bay?
In Fern Bay, the median house price is $986K and the median unit price is $698K. Median weekly house rent is $780.
How far is Fern Bay from Sydney CBD?
Fern Bay is about 125.5 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Fern Bay?
Fern Bay has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 1002 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Fern Bay?
Fern Bay has a transport score of 26/100 and 18 bus stops.