🔍

Callala Bay

NSW 2540 • Rest of NSW

2,234
Population (2021)
$67,028
Median Household Income
7.65 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
CoastalJervis BayRetirement-FriendlyBoatingSea-Change

About Callala Bay

Callala Bay is a charming coastal town situated on the northern shore of Jervis Bay on the South Coast of New South Wales, within the City of Shoalhaven. With a population of around 2,200, it sits approximately 132 kilometres south of Sydney and 16 kilometres southeast of the regional centre of Nowra. The town enjoys an elevation of about 13 metres and benefits from a mild coastal climate with average temperatures ranging from 13°C to 20°C. Callala Bay has a relaxed, close-knit community character that draws both retirees and families.

The town offers a small but well-equipped shopping centre with a supermarket, bakery, butcher, chemist, and café, along with a primary school and medical centre. Water-based activities are central to life here, with a safe harbour, boat ramp, sailing club, and direct access to the crystal-clear waters of Jervis Bay Marine Park. Walking trails around the headland provide stunning ocean views, while community groups for crafts, gardening, yoga, and bushcare foster a strong social fabric. Callala Bay particularly appeals to sea-changers, retirees, and families seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle away from the city.

Callala Bay falls under postcode 2540 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South Coast electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2540
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
South Coast
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.99°, 150.72°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
7.65 km²
Elevation
10m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$993K
58 sales · ▲ 8.8% 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)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,697
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.9%

4 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bomaderry
18 km
N/A - drive required

Bus Services

  • Route 120 — Nowra via Callala Beach 35 min

Commute to Sydney

Distance
132 km
By Train
3h 30min (drive to Bomaderry Station then train to Central)
By Bus
N/A - no direct bus to Sydney
By Car (Peak)
2h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h

🛣️ Most residents commute to Nowra (20 min drive) as the local regional centre. Bus service runs Monday to Saturday only, no Sunday services

Walkability Car-Dependent

Local shopping centre is walkable for nearby residents but a car is needed for most errands and commuting to Nowra or beyond.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
223.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.6%
Motor vehicle theft
175.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.2%
Non-DV assault
461.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
245.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
View all 62 offence types for Shoalhaven →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,196
Census 2021
2,234
▲ 1.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,948
Personal Income 2021
$33,540
▲ 29.3% 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
$33,540 / yr
$645/wk
Household
$67,028 / yr
$1289/wk
Family
$77,740 / yr
$1495/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,822
Born Overseas 323

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 117
  • 2. New Zealand 21
  • 3. Croatia 20
  • 4. Netherlands 12
  • 5. Scotland 12
  • 6. Germany 11
  • 7. Italy 10
  • 8. Chile 9
  • 9. Malta 9
  • 10. South Africa 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 964
Australian 879
Scottish 282
Irish 280
Australian Aboriginal 119
German 103
Italian 61
Dutch 55
Croatian 40
Maltese 28

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,429
Both parents born in Australia
430
Both parents born overseas
291
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.5%
No Religion
40.6%
Buddhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
93 (4.2%)
5-14 years
235 (10.5%)
15-19 years
129 (5.8%)
20-24 years
93 (4.2%)
25-34 years
200 (9.0%)
35-44 years
177 (7.9%)
45-54 years
302 (13.5%)
55-64 years
378 (16.9%)
65-74 years
371 (16.6%)
75-84 years
205 (9.2%)
85+ years
52 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Callala Bay known for? +

The town offers a small but well-equipped shopping centre with a supermarket, bakery, butcher, chemist, and café, along with a primary school and medical centre.

How far is Callala Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Callala Bay is approximately 132 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 2h 30min in peak hour and 2h off-peak.

Does Callala Bay have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Bomaderry (18 km away, approximately N/A - drive required walk) on the NSW TrainLink South Coast Line (terminus). Bus services include Route 120, running to Nowra via Callala Beach in approximately 35 min.

What is the population of Callala Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Callala Bay has a population of 2,234 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Callala Bay a good place to live? +

Callala Bay is well-suited to a range of residents, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Water-based activities are central to life here, with a safe harbour, boat ramp, sailing club, and direct access to the crystal-clear waters of Jervis Bay Marine Park.

What is the postcode for Callala Bay? +

The postcode for Callala Bay is 2540. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Callala Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Callala Bay is about $645 per week (around $33,500 per year). The median household income is $1,289 per week and the median family income is $1,495 per week.

What is the median house price in Callala Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $992,500, up 8.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Callala Bay? +

The median age in Callala Bay is 51. The largest age group is 55–64 (378 residents, around 17%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Callala Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Callala Bay is part of the Shoalhaven 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 Callala Bay? +

In Callala Bay, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,697 (2021 Census).