🔍

Bowraville

NSW 2449 • Rest of NSW

1,157
Population (2021)
$49,244
Median Household Income
27.78 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralArts CommunityIndigenous HeritageAffordable Living

About Bowraville

Bowraville is a small historic town on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, situated 17 kilometres inland from Nambucca Heads in the Nambucca Valley. With a population of around 1,160 residents, the town has a distinctive character shaped by its rich timber-getting heritage and significant Aboriginal community, with 24% of residents identifying as Indigenous Australians. Set at a low elevation surrounded by lush subtropical hinterland, Bowraville retains a charming rural village atmosphere with heritage buildings lining its main street.

The town punches above its weight culturally, with the beautifully restored Bowraville Theatre (a 1930s cinema), a folk museum, and war memorial museum drawing visitors from across the region. The main street features a handful of cafes, artisan shops, and the iconic pub, giving it a creative country-town feel that attracts tree-changers and artists alongside farming families. Bowraville is the gateway to spectacular hiking in the surrounding Nambucca State Forest and offers a peaceful, affordable lifestyle for retirees, creative types, and families who prefer village living close to the coast.

Bowraville falls under postcode 2449 and is governed by Nambucca Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2449
Urban Area
Bowraville
LGA / Council
Nambucca
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.64°, 152.86°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
27.78 km²
Elevation
10m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$535K
25 sales · ▲ 10.3% 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)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,040
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.9%

10 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Macksville
13 km
NSW TrainLink North Coast Line (limited stops)
Nambucca Heads
17 km
NSW TrainLink North Coast Line

Bus Services

  • S323 — Bowraville to Nambucca Heads via Macksville 25-35 min
  • 357 — Macksville to Bowraville loop 15-20 min
  • 360 — Macksville to Coffs Harbour via Nambucca Heads (connecting) 1h 15min

Commute to Sydney

Distance
486 km
By Train
7h+ (from Nambucca Heads/Macksville via NSW TrainLink XPT)
By Car (Peak)
5h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5h

🛣️ Most residents commute locally to Macksville or Nambucca Heads (15-20 min drive); Coffs Harbour regional centre is 50 min away

Walkability Car-Dependent

Village centre is compact and walkable with shops and services on the main street; car essential for reaching Macksville, Nambucca Heads, and schools outside town

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Bowraville, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Homewood - Childhood Home of 'Slim Dusty'
1279 Nulla Nulla Creek Road Nulla Nulla Creek • SHR #01870

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,122
Census 2021
1,157
▲ 3.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$22,880
Personal Income 2021
$27,092
▲ 18.4% 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
$27,092 / yr
$521/wk
Household
$49,244 / yr
$947/wk
Family
$61,516 / yr
$1183/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 913
Born Overseas 92

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 38
  • 2. Nepal 17
  • 3. Philippines 10
  • 4. Thailand 7
  • 5. Germany 6
  • 6. Scotland 6
  • 7. New Zealand 4
  • 8. India 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 480
English 459
Australian Aboriginal 157
Scottish 114
Irish 113
German 31
Italian 20
Filipino 9
Dutch 8
Greek 6

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

815
Both parents born in Australia
102
Both parents born overseas
96
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
42.5%
Christianity
39.0%
Hinduism
1.3%
Buddhism
1.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
67 (5.8%)
5-14 years
152 (13.1%)
15-19 years
83 (7.2%)
20-24 years
66 (5.7%)
25-34 years
96 (8.3%)
35-44 years
103 (8.9%)
45-54 years
140 (12.1%)
55-64 years
200 (17.3%)
65-74 years
145 (12.5%)
75-84 years
75 (6.5%)
85+ years
23 (2.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bowraville known for? +

The town punches above its weight culturally, with the beautifully restored Bowraville Theatre (a 1930s cinema), a folk museum, and war memorial museum drawing visitors from across the region.

How far is Bowraville from Sydney CBD? +

Bowraville is approximately 486 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 5h 30min in peak hour and 5h off-peak.

Does Bowraville have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Macksville (13 km away, approximately null walk) on the NSW TrainLink North Coast Line (limited stops). Bus services include S323, running to Bowraville to Nambucca Heads via Macksville in approximately 25-35 min.

What is the population of Bowraville? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bowraville has a population of 1,157 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Bowraville a good place to live? +

Bowraville is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The main street features a handful of cafes, artisan shops, and the iconic pub, giving it a creative country-town feel that attracts tree-changers and artists alongside farming families.

What is the postcode for Bowraville? +

The postcode for Bowraville is 2449. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Bowraville? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bowraville is about $521 per week (around $27,100 per year). The median household income is $947 per week and the median family income is $1,183 per week.

What is the median house price in Bowraville? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $535,000, up 10.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Bowraville? +

The median age in Bowraville is 46. The largest age group is 55–64 (200 residents, around 17%). Around 26% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Bowraville? +

In Bowraville, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,040 (2021 Census).