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Bundagen

NSW 2454 • New South Wales

96
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
23.63 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalRuralBushlandPeacefulSemi-Rural
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About Bundagen

Bundagen is a small rural locality on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, situated approximately 20 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour within the City of Coffs Harbour local government area. Covering around 23.6 square kilometres, the locality is notable as the home of the Bundagen Co-operative — an intentional community and wildlife sanctuary established in 1981 that has become one of Australia's most enduring land-sharing communities. With a 2021 Census population of 96 residents across 35 dwellings, Bundagen is a close-knit, alternative-lifestyle community bordered on all sides by Bongil Bongil National Park.

The Bundagen Co-operative was founded by local environmentalists concerned about the loss of valuable coastal forest and bushland to tourist development, and the community has since grown into a diverse group of approximately 110 on-site residents living across twelve villages on the property. The community operates independently of mains water, sewerage and electricity, relying instead on rainwater tanks, dams, solar power and composting toilets. Bundagen Head and its adjacent beach fall within Bongil Bongil National Park, and the locality includes areas of world-heritage rainforest. The postcode 2454 connects Bundagen with nearby coastal settlements including Sawtell, and the Pacific Highway provides the main road link to Coffs Harbour to the north.

Bundagen falls under postcode 2454 and is governed by the Coffs Harbour Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Cowper, while state elections fall under the Oxley electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2454
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Coffs Harbour
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.46°, 152.84°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
23.63 km²
Population Density
4 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2454

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2454, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$37,096
Median 2023–24
$45,385
▲ 22.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$58,728

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2454; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Busways Coffs Harbour routes — Coffs Harbour CBD / Sawtell Approx. 30–45 min to Coffs Harbour CBD

Commute to Coffs Harbour CBD

Distance
20 km
By Train
No direct train service; Coffs Harbour station approx. 22 km north
By Car (Peak)
20–30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15–20 min

🛣️ Pacific Highway is the main access route; Sawtell is the nearest town for local shopping

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No shops or services within the locality; Sawtell and Coffs Harbour require a car for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
96
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
419.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
304 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 6.6%
Non-DV assault
593.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
17.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
428.3 / 100k
2yr Down 20.4% 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Coffs Harbour →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bundagen known for? +

Bundagen is best known as the home of the Bundagen Co-operative, one of Australia's longest-running intentional communities, established in 1981 as a rural land-sharing co-operative and wildlife sanctuary. The community operates off-grid and is surrounded on all sides by Bongil Bongil National Park, including world-heritage rainforest and a coastal headland with beach access.

How far is Bundagen from Coffs Harbour? +

Bundagen is approximately 20 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour CBD, a 20 to 30 minute drive via the Pacific Highway. The nearby town of Sawtell is the closest service centre.

Does Bundagen have public transport? +

Public transport to Bundagen is very limited. The nearest train station is Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast Line, approximately 22 kilometres to the north. Busways operates services in the broader Coffs Harbour area, but a private vehicle is the most practical way to access the locality.

What is the population of Bundagen? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bundagen has a population of 96 residents across 35 dwellings. The Bundagen Co-operative hosts approximately 110 on-site residents across twelve villages, making it one of the most densely populated intentional communities in Australia relative to its size.

Is Bundagen a good place to live? +

Bundagen is well-suited to those who value an alternative, off-grid lifestyle in a close-knit community surrounded by coastal national parkland. Membership of the Bundagen Co-operative is currently closed; however, the locality offers an extraordinary natural setting for those already part of the community, with bushland, beach access and a strong ethic of environmental sustainability.

What is the postcode for Bundagen? +

The postcode for Bundagen, New South Wales is 2454.

Is Bundagen a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bundagen is part of the Coffs Harbour 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.