Salamander Bay
NSW 2317 · Port Stephens
4,991 (2021) → 5,045 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.
Salamander Bay is a moderate growth suburb in Port Stephens, NSW 2317, about 151km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.16M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 6 schools, a transport score of 31/100, and is right by the coast. Salamander Bay has an overall score of 42/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 73/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2317 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (5.51%), New Zealand (1.32%), Scotland (0.72%), South Africa (0.68%), Germany (0.56%)
Top languages: Italian (0.48%), German (0.38%), Spanish (0.34%), Croatian (0.3%), French (0.3%)
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
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 984 (below the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- St Philip's Christian College - Port StephensCombined · IndependentICSEA 1072
- Tomaree Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 981
- Tomaree High SchoolSecondary · GovernmentICSEA 970
- St Philip's Christian College GilibaaPrimary · IndependentICSEA 763
- St Philip's Christian College Dynamic Learning - Port StephensCombined · Independent
- Edmondson Park CollegePrimary · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Soldiers Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.5kmICSEA 992
- St Michael's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 4.4kmICSEA 1040
- Anna Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.8kmICSEA 962
- Alesco Secondary College - Tomaree CampusSecondary · Independent · 6.1km
- Shoal Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.8kmICSEA 962
- Tanilba Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.9kmICSEA 901
- Bobs Farm Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 8.3kmICSEA 979
- Tea Gardens Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 9.6kmICSEA 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
Limited facilities
Below average — fewer fitness options nearby, so you may need to travel to a gym or pool.
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
Strong options nearby
Well above average for childcare services — good choice and quality, with most families finding a place without a long drive.
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 Port Stephens
Compare Salamander Bay with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Salamander Bay
Is Salamander Bay safe?
Salamander Bay has a residential safety score of 73/100, 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 5,811 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Salamander Bay?
In Salamander Bay, the median house price is $1.16M and the median unit price is $689K. Median weekly house rent is $785.
How far is Salamander Bay from Sydney CBD?
Salamander Bay is about 151.0 km from Sydney CBD.
What schools are in Salamander Bay?
Salamander Bay has 6 schools, with an average ICSEA of 947 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Salamander Bay?
Salamander Bay has a transport score of 31/100 and 52 bus stops.