🔍

Bar Beach

NSW 2300 • Rest of NSW

1,292
Population (2021)
$119,600
Median Household Income
0.51 km²
Area
$393/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideAffluentInner CityFamily-Friendly

About Bar Beach

Bar Beach is a small, sought-after coastal suburb in Newcastle's inner city, situated between Merewether and The Hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Home to around 1,292 residents, it occupies just 0.5 km² of prime real estate on the NSW coast. The suburb is anchored by the popular Bar Beach itself — a patrolled surf beach beloved by locals for swimming, bodyboarding and evening clifftop walks. Its elevated coastal setting offers dramatic ocean views that make it one of Newcastle's most desirable addresses.

Bar Beach attracts a mix of young professionals, established families and long-time locals who value its walkable beach-village feel within easy reach of Newcastle CBD. The Newcastle Coastal Walk links the suburb to Merewether and Newcastle Beach, and the Bathers Way clifftop path is a daily ritual for many residents. Cafes, the Newcastle Surfhouse and proximity to Darby Street in Cooks Hill make everyday life effortlessly convenient. Above-average household incomes and strong property demand reflect the enduring appeal of this compact beachside enclave.

Bar Beach falls under postcode 2300 and is governed by Newcastle Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Newcastle electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2300
Urban Area
Newcastle - Inner City
LGA / Council
Newcastle
Federal Electorate
Newcastle
State Electorate
Newcastle
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.94°, 151.77°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
0.51 km²
Elevation
23m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Bar Beach for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$2.81M
8 sales · vs 2024 n/a
🏢Unit / Apartment
$800K
12 sales · ▼ 22% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$393
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,700
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.3%

54 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Newcastle Interchange
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 102, 103 — Newcastle Interchange / Hunter Street 10-15 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
2.5 km
By Train
N/A — nearest station Newcastle Interchange (2.5 km)
By Car (Peak)
10-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 min

🛣️ Bus links to Newcastle Interchange and light rail. Easy cycle via Bathers Way coastal path.

Walkability Very Walkable

Beach, cafes and parks within easy walking distance; good footpaths throughout.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Newcastle Local Government Area, which contains Bar Beach. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
553 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
413.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 5.3%
Non-DV assault
677.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
30 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
961.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.2%
View all 62 offence types for Newcastle →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,256
Census 2021
1,292
▲ 2.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$45,084
Personal Income 2021
$62,192
▲ 37.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$62,192 / yr
$1196/wk
Household
$119,600 / yr
$2300/wk
Family
$188,188 / yr
$3619/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,055
Born Overseas 183

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 48
  • 2. New Zealand 22
  • 3. South Africa 12
  • 4. India 9
  • 5. Italy 7
  • 6. United States 7
  • 7. Ireland 6
  • 8. Netherlands 6
  • 9. Scotland 5
  • 10. Vietnam 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 601
Australian 456
Irish 221
Scottish 182
German 66
Italian 49
Greek 27
Indian 23
Chinese 19
Polish 19

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

817
Both parents born in Australia
224
Both parents born overseas
182
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.1%
Christianity
43.3%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
1.0%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
44 (3.4%)
5-14 years
116 (9.0%)
15-19 years
81 (6.3%)
20-24 years
124 (9.6%)
25-34 years
189 (14.6%)
35-44 years
141 (10.9%)
45-54 years
205 (15.9%)
55-64 years
195 (15.1%)
65-74 years
122 (9.4%)
75-84 years
62 (4.8%)
85+ years
15 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bar Beach patrolled by lifeguards? +

Yes, Bar Beach is a patrolled surf beach managed by Surf Life Saving NSW. Flags are typically set on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays.

How far is Bar Beach from Newcastle CBD? +

Bar Beach is approximately 2.5 km south of Newcastle CBD, around a 10-minute drive or a pleasant 30-minute walk along the Bathers Way coastal path.

What is the median weekly rent in Bar Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in Bar Beach is approximately $393.

What schools are near Bar Beach? +

Nearby schools include Newcastle East Public School (primary, government) and secondary schools in the wider Newcastle 2300 postcode, including Hunter School of the Performing Arts.

What is the population of Bar Beach? +

Bar Beach has a population of approximately 1,292 residents according to the 2021 Census.

What is the average income in Bar Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bar Beach is about $1,196 per week (around $62,200 per year). The median household income is $2,300 per week and the median family income is $3,619 per week.

What is the median house price in Bar Beach? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $2,812,500, and the median unit/apartment price is $800,000, down 22% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bar Beach? +

The median age in Bar Beach is 41. The largest age group is 45–54 (205 residents, around 16%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bar Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bar Beach is part of the Newcastle LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Bar Beach? +

In Bar Beach, the median weekly rent is $393, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,700 (2021 Census).