Nelson Bay
NSW 2315 · Port Stephens
6,141 (2021) → 6,207 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.
Nelson Bay is a moderate growth suburb in Port Stephens, NSW 2315, about 153km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.15M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 28/100, and is right by the coast. Nelson Bay has an overall score of 47/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 43/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2315 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (5.03%), New Zealand (1.51%), Philippines (0.88%), Nepal (0.85%), USA (0.78%)
Top languages: Nepali (0.8%), Greek (0.7%), Italian (0.6%), Croatian (0.47%), Mandarin (0.44%)
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
- St Michael's Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1040
- Alesco Secondary College - Tomaree CampusSecondary · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Tomaree Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 981
- Tomaree High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 970
- St Philip's Christian College - Port StephensCombined · Independent · 2.7kmICSEA 1072
- St Philip's Christian College Dynamic Learning - Port StephensCombined · Independent · 2.7km
- St Philip's Christian College GilibaaPrimary · Independent · 2.8kmICSEA 763
- Edmondson Park CollegePrimary · Independent · 2.8km
- Shoal Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.3kmICSEA 962
- Anna Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.5kmICSEA 962
- Soldiers Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.5kmICSEA 992
- Tea Gardens Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.7kmICSEA 934
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
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
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 · 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
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 Port Stephens
Compare Nelson Bay with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Nelson Bay
Is Nelson Bay safe?
Nelson Bay has a residential safety score of 43/100, 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 8,679 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Nelson Bay?
In Nelson Bay, the median house price is $1.15M and the median unit price is $690K. Median weekly house rent is $730.
How far is Nelson Bay from Sydney CBD?
Nelson Bay is about 153.3 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Nelson Bay?
Nelson Bay has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1040 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Nelson Bay?
Nelson Bay has a transport score of 28/100 and 64 bus stops.