🔍

Bonnet Bay

NSW 2226 • Greater Sydney

2,238
Population (2021)
$160,524
Median Household Income
1.13 km²
Area
$700/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyLeafyAffluentWaterfrontBushland

About Bonnet Bay

Bonnet Bay is a small, tightly-held residential suburb in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, situated approximately 25 kilometres south of the CBD within the Sutherland Shire Council area. Spread across just 1.13 square kilometres, it is a compact enclave of 2,238 residents characterised by its elevated position on the northern shores of Port Hacking and its backdrop of dense bushland. The median household income of around $3,087 per week places Bonnet Bay firmly among Sydney's more affluent suburbs, reflected in its predominantly detached family homes and strong community character.

Bonnet Bay's greatest asset is its natural setting — bordered by Port Hacking waterways and within easy reach of the Royal National Park, residents enjoy exceptional access to water-based recreation, bushwalking, and wildlife. The suburb's quiet, secluded streets and lack of commercial activity create a peaceful, village-like atmosphere that is rare in Greater Sydney. Nearby Jannali and Como provide local shopping, cafes, and stations on the Illawarra Line (T4), while Sutherland's major town centre — with extensive retail, schools, and health services — is just a short drive away.

Bonnet Bay falls under postcode 2226 and is governed by Sutherland Shire Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Miranda electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2226
Urban Area
Sutherland Shire - West
LGA / Council
Sutherland Shire
Federal Electorate
Hughes
State Electorate
Miranda
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.01°, 151.05°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.13 km²
Elevation
45m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.7M
29 sales · ▲ 1.8% 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)
$700
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,000
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
44 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Jannali
1.8 km
22 min
Como
2.2 km
27 min

Bus Services

  • Route 978, local Sutherland Shire routes — Sutherland station / local connections 10-15 min to Sutherland

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
25 km
By Train
~50 min from Jannali to City Circle via T4 Illawarra Line
By Car (Peak)
45-65 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30-40 min

🛣️ Drive to Jannali or Como station recommended; Princes Highway and M5 Eastern Distributor provide road access

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A purely residential suburb with no shops or services on foot; car or bus to Jannali needed for all daily errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
82.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.2%
Motor vehicle theft
49.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.3%
Non-DV assault
243.5 / 100k
2yr Up 16.2% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
6.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
101.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 9.8%
View all 62 offence types for Sutherland Shire →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,262
Census 2021
2,238
▼ 1.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$49,868
Personal Income 2021
$57,408
▲ 15.1% 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
$57,408 / yr
$1104/wk
Household
$160,524 / yr
$3087/wk
Family
$164,788 / yr
$3169/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,734
Born Overseas 473

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 123
  • 2. New Zealand 33
  • 3. China 23
  • 4. Scotland 19
  • 5. South Africa 19
  • 6. United States 18
  • 7. Germany 16
  • 8. Ireland 12
  • 9. Philippines 12
  • 10. Chile 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 932
Australian 802
Irish 332
Scottish 261
Chinese 87
Italian 80
German 67
Greek 65
Dutch 45
New Zealander 35

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,225
Both parents born in Australia
623
Both parents born overseas
360
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
59.7%
No Religion
35.1%
Hinduism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
122 (5.5%)
5-14 years
296 (13.2%)
15-19 years
140 (6.3%)
20-24 years
113 (5.0%)
25-34 years
154 (6.9%)
35-44 years
310 (13.9%)
45-54 years
327 (14.6%)
55-64 years
307 (13.7%)
65-74 years
309 (13.8%)
75-84 years
136 (6.1%)
85+ years
23 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bonnet Bay known for? +

Bonnet Bay is known for its secluded, leafy character and enviable position on the northern shores of Port Hacking. The suburb is a hidden gem in the Sutherland Shire, prized for its quiet streets, family-friendly environment, and proximity to both waterways and the Royal National Park bushland.

How far is Bonnet Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Bonnet Bay is approximately 25 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, a drive of around 30–40 minutes off-peak via the M5 and Princes Highway. Train services from nearby Jannali station take approximately 50 minutes to the City Circle.

Does Bonnet Bay have public transport? +

Bonnet Bay itself has no train station, but is a short drive or bus ride from Jannali and Como stations on the T4 Illawarra Line. Local bus routes provide connections to Sutherland station and surrounding areas, though most residents rely on a car.

What is the population of Bonnet Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bonnet Bay has a population of 2,238 — a stable, close-knit community in a suburb of just 1.13 square kilometres.

Is Bonnet Bay a good place to live? +

Bonnet Bay is highly regarded for its peaceful ambiance, natural surroundings, and strong community feel. It suits families and professionals who value space, privacy, and access to waterways, and who don't mind a car-dependent lifestyle in exchange for a quieter, more secluded environment.

What is the postcode for Bonnet Bay? +

The postcode for Bonnet Bay, NSW is 2226.

What is the average income in Bonnet Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bonnet Bay is about $1,104 per week (around $57,400 per year). The median household income is $3,087 per week and the median family income is $3,169 per week.

What is the median house price in Bonnet Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,700,000, up 1.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bonnet Bay? +

The median age in Bonnet Bay is 44. The largest age group is 45–54 (327 residents, around 15%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bonnet Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bonnet Bay is part of the Sutherland Shire 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 Bonnet Bay? +

In Bonnet Bay, the median weekly rent is $700, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $3,000 (2021 Census).