🔍

Dondingalong

NSW 2440 • New South Wales

712
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
83.06 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietRemote
Advertisement

About Dondingalong

Dondingalong is a large rural locality in Kempsey Shire in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, situated approximately 14 kilometres south-west of the town of Kempsey. Covering an expansive 83 square kilometres of hilly bushland, farming land, and creek country, the locality has a population of 712 residents with a low median household income of $39,686, reflecting its agricultural and rural-residential character. The area falls within Kempsey Shire Council and is governed federally by the Division of Cowper.

Despite its rural setting, Dondingalong has a distinctive local identity built around its community institutions and recreational activities. The Dondingalong Off-Road Circuit, operated by the Kempsey Macleay Off Road Club off Gowings Hill Road, is a popular motorsport venue in the region. The Pipers Creek Grove, also known as Dondingalong Organic Bushfoods, operates a native bushfood plantation in the area. Dondingalong Public School has served the community since 1865, and the Dondingalong Multi-Purpose Centre at the Kalateenee Recreational Reserve provides a local gathering point. Kempsey — approximately 14 kilometres to the north-east — provides the full range of shops, medical services, and schools that residents depend on, with private transport essential for daily life.

Dondingalong falls under postcode 2440 and is governed by the Kempsey 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
2440
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Kempsey
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Oxley
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.38°, 153.02°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
83.06 km²
Population Density
9 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$680K
21 sales · ▼ 17.6% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2440

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2440, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$39,686
Median 2023–24
$48,150
▲ 21.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$54,886

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2440; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kempsey
14 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Very limited regional bus services — Kempsey 20-30 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
430 km
By Train
Drive to Kempsey station (~14km); long-distance NSW TrainLink service to Sydney (~6 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
4.5-5.5 hrs via Pacific Highway / M1
By Car (Off-Peak)
4-4.5 hrs via Pacific Highway / M1

🛣️ Car essential; Kempsey is the nearest service centre (~14km); Port Macquarie is 55km south for broader retail and medical

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Fully rural locality with no walkable amenities; all daily needs require driving to Kempsey

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
712
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
781.9 / 100k
2yr Down 26.6% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
539.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 8.2%
Non-DV assault
687.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
12.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
353.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Kempsey →

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

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dondingalong known for? +

Dondingalong is known for its rural character in Kempsey Shire and is home to the Dondingalong Off-Road Circuit (operated by the Kempsey Macleay Off Road Club), a popular motorsport venue. The area also hosts Dondingalong Organic Bushfoods, a native bushfood plantation, and has one of the oldest public schools in the region, established in 1865.

How far is Dondingalong from Kempsey? +

Dondingalong is approximately 14 kilometres south-west of Kempsey, which is typically a 15–25 minute drive along rural roads.

Does Dondingalong have public transport? +

Public transport in Dondingalong is extremely limited. There is no local bus service to speak of; Kempsey station (14km away) has long-distance NSW TrainLink services on the North Coast Line. A private vehicle is essential for all travel.

What is the population of Dondingalong? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dondingalong has a population of approximately 712 residents across its large 83 square kilometre area in Kempsey Shire, giving it a very low population density.

Is Dondingalong a good place to live? +

Dondingalong suits those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle in the NSW Mid North Coast hinterland. The area offers space, bushland, and a tight-knit community with longstanding local institutions, though residents must travel to Kempsey or Port Macquarie for shopping, medical services, and schools.

What is the postcode for Dondingalong? +

The postcode for Dondingalong NSW is 2440, shared with Kempsey and several other surrounding localities on the Mid North Coast.

What is the median house price in Dondingalong? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $680,000, down 17.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is Dondingalong a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dondingalong is part of the Kempsey 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.