🔍

Bonnells Bay

NSW 2264 • Rest of NSW

4,066
Population (2021)
$75,920
Median Household Income
3.28 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
WaterfrontFamily-FriendlyRetiree-FriendlyAffordable

About Bonnells Bay

Bonnells Bay is a lakeside suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, situated on a peninsula extending into Lake Macquarie about 118 kilometres north of Sydney and 47 kilometres south-west of Newcastle. Established in 1886, the suburb covers approximately 2.2 square kilometres and had a population of around 4,066 at the 2021 census. The area is characterised by a relaxed waterfront atmosphere with a mix of long-term residents, retirees, and families drawn to affordable lake-side living. Its peninsular geography gives most streets a strong connection to the water, lending Bonnells Bay a distinctive lakeside village feel.

Bonnells Bay offers a quiet, community-oriented lifestyle centred on the lake, with boating, fishing, and swimming popular year-round. The suburb is close to the Morisset town centre (about 4 km west) for shopping and services, and the nearby Lake Macquarie shoreline provides parks and reserves. Families appreciate the local primary school and relatively affordable housing compared to Sydney, while retirees are drawn by the peaceful environment and strong community networks. The suburb also serves as a gateway to the broader Lake Macquarie region, known for its natural beauty.

Bonnells Bay falls under postcode 2264 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lake Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2264
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - West
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Hunter
State Electorate
Lake Macquarie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.11°, 151.52°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.28 km²
Elevation
18m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$876K
102 sales · ▲ 4.6% 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)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,820
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.8%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Morisset
4.5 km
Hunter Line (Sydney–Newcastle)

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Morisset Station 10–15 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
118 km
By Train
~1h 20min from Morisset to Central Station
By Car (Peak)
~1h 45min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~1h 30min

🛣️ Newcastle CBD reachable in ~45–50 min by car. Morisset Station is the nearest rail hub.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Bonnells Bay is car-dependent for most errands. The peninsular layout and limited local retail mean a car is essential, though waterfront areas are pleasant for leisure walks.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Fishery Point Road Bonnells Bay 2264 NSW

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.6%
Motor vehicle theft
229.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
376.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.1%
View all 62 offence types for Lake Macquarie →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,578
Census 2021
4,066
▲ 13.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,692
Personal Income 2021
$35,620
▲ 20.0% 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
$35,620 / yr
$685/wk
Household
$75,920 / yr
$1460/wk
Family
$89,908 / yr
$1729/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,388
Born Overseas 529

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 115
  • 2. New Zealand 80
  • 3. Philippines 22
  • 4. Scotland 22
  • 5. Netherlands 19
  • 6. South Africa 19
  • 7. Germany 15
  • 8. Mauritius 15
  • 9. United States 15
  • 10. Thailand 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,804
English 1,733
Scottish 461
Irish 426
Australian Aboriginal 249
German 151
Italian 77
Dutch 63
Chinese 41
Maltese 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,762
Both parents born in Australia
629
Both parents born overseas
508
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.3%
No Religion
40.8%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
249 (6.1%)
5-14 years
508 (12.5%)
15-19 years
230 (5.7%)
20-24 years
226 (5.6%)
25-34 years
463 (11.4%)
35-44 years
467 (11.5%)
45-54 years
454 (11.2%)
55-64 years
522 (12.8%)
65-74 years
521 (12.8%)
75-84 years
347 (8.5%)
85+ years
85 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bonnells Bay known for? +

Bonnells Bay offers a quiet, community-oriented lifestyle centred on the lake, with boating, fishing, and swimming popular year-round.

How far is Bonnells Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Bonnells Bay is approximately 118 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately ~1h 45min in peak hour and ~1h 30min off-peak.

Does Bonnells Bay have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Morisset (4.5 km away, approximately null walk) on the Hunter Line (Sydney–Newcastle). Bus services include Local bus services, running to Morisset Station in approximately 10–15 min.

What is the population of Bonnells Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bonnells Bay has a population of 4,066 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Bonnells Bay a good place to live? +

Bonnells Bay is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The suburb is close to the Morisset town centre (about 4 km west) for shopping and services, and the nearby Lake Macquarie shoreline provides parks and reserves.

What is the postcode for Bonnells Bay? +

The postcode for Bonnells Bay is 2264. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Bonnells Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bonnells Bay is about $685 per week (around $35,600 per year). The median household income is $1,460 per week and the median family income is $1,729 per week.

What is the median house price in Bonnells Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $875,800, up 4.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bonnells Bay? +

The median age in Bonnells Bay is 42. The largest age group is 55–64 (522 residents, around 13%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bonnells Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bonnells Bay is part of the Lake Macquarie 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 Bonnells Bay? +

In Bonnells Bay, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,820 (2021 Census).