Great Mackerel Beach
NSW 2108 • New South Wales
About Great Mackerel Beach
Great Mackerel Beach is a unique and exclusive small coastal community on Pittwater in northern Sydney, accessible only by ferry and situated within the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on the western shore of Pittwater. Covering just 0.12 square kilometres, it is one of Sydney's most distinctive waterfront localities, with a 2021 Census population of approximately 50 residents and a median income well above the Sydney average. The settlement comprises a collection of houses perched on the steep, bush-clad hillside above the sheltered Pittwater waterway.
With no road access, residents rely on the Pittwater Ferry Service for connections to Palm Beach, which provides the nearest shops, cafes, and services, and onward public transport connections to Sydney's Northern Beaches. The combination of national park bushland, Pittwater's sheltered waters, and the community's proximity to yet isolation from Sydney creates a unique lifestyle experience coveted by those who can access it. Great Mackerel Beach is among Sydney's most unusual and sought-after residential enclaves, offering an extraordinary balance of wilderness, waterfront, and proximity to the city.
Great Mackerel Beach falls under postcode 2108 and is governed by the Northern Beaches Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Mackellar, while state elections fall under the Pittwater electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 2108
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2108, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2108; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Pittwater Ferry Service — Palm Beach Wharf 15-25 min
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ The only access is by ferry from Palm Beach; Palm Beach to Sydney CBD is approximately 55 km by road
Great Mackerel Beach has no road access and no local shops; all supplies must be brought in by ferry, making it an extremely unique and self-sufficient community.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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1264 Mountain Highway
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest 2025 rates for the Northern Beaches Local Government Area, which contains Great Mackerel Beach. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.
Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)