🔍

Fern Bay

NSW 2295 • Rest of NSW

4,046
Population (2021)
$74,620
Median Household Income
8.35 km²
Area
$510/wk
Median Rent
CoastalGrowth SuburbBeachfrontNewcastle RegionFamily-Friendly

About Fern Bay

Fern Bay is a rapidly growing coastal suburb in the Port Stephens local government area, situated on a peninsula just north of Stockton. With a population exceeding 4,000, it's uniquely positioned where Stockton Beach meets the Hunter River, surrounded by Worimi National Park and its famous sand dunes. Despite being only 6km direct from Newcastle CBD, the need to cross the Hunter River makes it 16km by road.

Fern Bay offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with excellent beach access, proximity to Newcastle Golf Club, and close connections to Nelson Bay's attractions. The suburb is undergoing significant residential expansion on former military land, attracting young families and professionals seeking beachside living near Newcastle. Residents enjoy sandboarding on Stockton Dunes, fishing, surfing, and 4WD adventures, while Newcastle Airport is just minutes away. The area appeals to those wanting coastal living with reasonable city access.

Fern Bay falls under postcode 2295 and is governed by Port Stephens Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Newcastle electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2295
Urban Area
Port Stephens - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Port Stephens
Federal Electorate
Paterson
State Electorate
Newcastle
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.86°, 151.82°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
8.35 km²
Elevation
13m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$965K
71 sales · ▲ 1% 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)
$510
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,299
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

5 state housing + 6 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 130, 131 — Newcastle via Stockton Ferry 40-50 min
  • Local buses — Nelson Bay 20-25 min

Commute to Newcastle

Distance
16 km
By Bus
40-50 min (includes ferry)
By Car (Peak)
25-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-25 min

🛣️ Stockton ferry connects to Newcastle; no train; Newcastle Airport 5 min drive

Walkability Car-Dependent

Beach and local amenities walkable; most shopping requires driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
164.8 / 100k
2yr Down 30.1% 10yr Down 11.1%
Motor vehicle theft
197.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
353.6 / 100k
2yr Down 22.3% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.9 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
249.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.0%
View all 62 offence types for Port Stephens →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,763
Census 2021
4,046
▲ 46.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,288
Personal Income 2021
$38,220
▲ 35.1% 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
$38,220 / yr
$735/wk
Household
$74,620 / yr
$1435/wk
Family
$109,408 / yr
$2104/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,369
Born Overseas 480

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 161
  • 2. New Zealand 50
  • 3. Philippines 24
  • 4. South Africa 20
  • 5. Ireland 16
  • 6. Scotland 15
  • 7. South Korea 13
  • 8. Germany 12
  • 9. United States 11
  • 10. Wales 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,762
Australian 1,653
Irish 496
Scottish 440
Australian Aboriginal 205
German 169
Italian 81
Welsh 71
Dutch 60
Chinese 43

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,772
Both parents born in Australia
624
Both parents born overseas
448
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.6%
No Religion
38.4%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
271 (6.7%)
5-14 years
534 (13.2%)
15-19 years
166 (4.1%)
20-24 years
148 (3.7%)
25-34 years
433 (10.7%)
35-44 years
548 (13.5%)
45-54 years
346 (8.6%)
55-64 years
387 (9.6%)
65-74 years
700 (17.3%)
75-84 years
418 (10.3%)
85+ years
97 (2.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fern Bay known for? +

Fern Bay offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with excellent beach access, proximity to Newcastle Golf Club, and close connections to Nelson Bay's attractions.

How far is Fern Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Fern Bay is approximately 16 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 25-35 min in peak hour and 20-25 min off-peak.

Does Fern Bay have public transport? +

Bus services include 130, 131, running to Newcastle via Stockton Ferry in approximately 40-50 min.

What is the population of Fern Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Fern Bay has a population of 4,046 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Fern Bay a good place to live? +

Fern Bay is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The suburb is undergoing significant residential expansion on former military land, attracting young families and professionals seeking beachside living near Newcastle.

What is the postcode for Fern Bay? +

The postcode for Fern Bay is 2295. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Fern Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Fern Bay is about $735 per week (around $38,200 per year). The median household income is $1,435 per week and the median family income is $2,104 per week.

What is the median house price in Fern Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $965,000, up 1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Fern Bay? +

The median age in Fern Bay is 43. The largest age group is 65–74 (700 residents, around 17%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 30% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Fern Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Fern Bay is part of the Port Stephens 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 Fern Bay? +

In Fern Bay, the median weekly rent is $510, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,299 (2021 Census).