🔍

Fennell Bay

NSW 2283 • Rest of NSW

1,780
Population (2021)
$71,500
Median Household Income
2.72 km²
Area
$368/wk
Median Rent
LakesideAffordableQuietFamily-FriendlyEstablished

About Fennell Bay

Fennell Bay is a quiet lakeside suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, part of Greater Newcastle in New South Wales. Located on the north-western shore of Lake Macquarie, approximately 3 kilometres north of Toronto, it has a population of around 1,780. The median age of 45 reflects an older, established community with strong Australian and English heritage. Established in 1882, the suburb retains a relaxed, semi-rural character with modest housing on generous blocks.

Fennell Bay offers a peaceful lakeside lifestyle with foreshore reserves and waterfront access for fishing, boating, and birdwatching on Lake Macquarie. The suburb is primarily residential with a close-knit community feel, relying on nearby Toronto and Fassifern for shopping, schools, and services. Local parks and the proximity to the lake provide excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. The area appeals to families, retirees, and those seeking affordable housing within reach of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

Fennell Bay falls under postcode 2283 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lake Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2283
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - West
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Hunter
State Electorate
Lake Macquarie
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.98°, 151.60°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.72 km²
Elevation
66m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$840K
27 sales · ▲ 15.2% 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)
$368
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,734
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Fassifern
2 km
24 mins
Teralba
2.5 km
30 mins

Bus Services

  • 274 — Toronto to Fassifern Station 8 mins
  • 270 — Newcastle Interchange via Toronto 50 mins

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
26 km
By Train
40-50 mins (from Fassifern)
By Bus
50-60 mins
By Car (Peak)
35-45 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 mins

🛣️ Fassifern station is the closest rail option; Toronto bus interchange also nearby

Walkability Car-Dependent

Residential area with limited local amenities; Toronto and Fassifern provide nearest shops and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.6%
Motor vehicle theft
229.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
376.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.1%
View all 62 offence types for Lake Macquarie →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,613
Census 2021
1,780
▲ 10.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,184
Personal Income 2021
$36,400
▲ 29.2% 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
$36,400 / yr
$700/wk
Household
$71,500 / yr
$1375/wk
Family
$94,328 / yr
$1814/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,497
Born Overseas 180

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 37
  • 2. New Zealand 23
  • 3. Scotland 16
  • 4. Malaysia 10
  • 5. Germany 9
  • 6. Netherlands 9
  • 7. Philippines 8
  • 8. South Africa 8
  • 9. United States 8
  • 10. Croatia 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 780
Australian 756
Scottish 214
Irish 198
Australian Aboriginal 137
German 77
Italian 31
Dutch 22
Welsh 19
Filipino 18

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,251
Both parents born in Australia
229
Both parents born overseas
194
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.1%
No Religion
41.7%
Buddhism
1.3%
Islam
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
87 (4.9%)
5-14 years
172 (9.7%)
15-19 years
92 (5.2%)
20-24 years
126 (7.1%)
25-34 years
214 (12.0%)
35-44 years
193 (10.8%)
45-54 years
215 (12.1%)
55-64 years
249 (14.0%)
65-74 years
237 (13.3%)
75-84 years
142 (8.0%)
85+ years
47 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fennell Bay known for? +

Fennell Bay offers a peaceful lakeside lifestyle with foreshore reserves and waterfront access for fishing, boating, and birdwatching on Lake Macquarie.

How far is Fennell Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Fennell Bay is approximately 26 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 35-45 mins in peak hour and 25-30 mins off-peak.

Does Fennell Bay have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Fassifern (2 km away, approximately 24 mins walk) on the Hunter Line (Newcastle to Maitland). Bus services include 274, running to Toronto to Fassifern Station in approximately 8 mins.

What is the population of Fennell Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Fennell Bay has a population of 1,780 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Fennell Bay a good place to live? +

Fennell Bay is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The suburb is primarily residential with a close-knit community feel, relying on nearby Toronto and Fassifern for shopping, schools, and services.

What is the postcode for Fennell Bay? +

The postcode for Fennell Bay is 2283. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Fennell Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Fennell Bay is about $700 per week (around $36,400 per year). The median household income is $1,375 per week and the median family income is $1,814 per week.

What is the median house price in Fennell Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $840,000, up 15.2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Fennell Bay? +

The median age in Fennell Bay is 45. The largest age group is 55–64 (249 residents, around 14%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Fennell Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Fennell Bay is part of the Lake Macquarie 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 Fennell Bay? +

In Fennell Bay, the median weekly rent is $368, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,734 (2021 Census).