🔍

Lake Cathie

NSW 2445 • Rest of NSW

4,296
Population (2021)
$66,300
Median Household Income
19.20 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirementGrowth SuburbLakesideFamily-Friendly

About Lake Cathie

Lake Cathie is a growing coastal town in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area of the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 15 minutes south of Port Macquarie. With a population of 4,296 at the 2021 census and a median age of 52, it covers 19.2 square kilometres. The town sits between a scenic coastal lake (Lake Cathie/Lake Innes) and the Pacific Ocean, on traditional Birpai country, and has experienced significant residential growth in recent decades.

Lake Cathie offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle centred around its beautiful lake, lagoon, and patrolled surf beach. The town has a Woolworths supermarket, tavern, bowling club, bakery, pharmacy, and various local shops. It is famous for the "World's Largest Bowl" sculpture and is a popular holiday destination and retirement haven. The town attracts retirees and sea-changers drawn to the affordable coastal living, mild climate, and natural beauty of the Mid-North Coast.

Lake Cathie falls under postcode 2445 and is governed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2445
Urban Area
Hastings
LGA / Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Port Macquarie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.55°, 152.84°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
19.20 km²
Elevation
-1m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$935K
112 sales · ▲ 5.6% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$650K
26 sales · ▲ 1.6% 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.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$380
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,850
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
52 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wauchope Station
20 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Busways 334 — Port Macquarie 20 min

Commute to Port Macquarie

Distance
15 km
By Train
N/A — drive to Wauchope for rail
By Bus
20 min (Busways)
By Car (Peak)
15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12 min

🛣️ Port Macquarie is the main service centre. Sydney is about 4.5 hours by car or train from Wauchope.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Local shops and beach within walking distance of town centre. Outer areas require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Lot 2 Ocean Drive Lake Cathie 2445 NSW

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
220.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
154.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Non-DV assault
487.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
208.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Port Macquarie-Hastings →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,494
Census 2021
4,296
▲ 23.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,480
Personal Income 2021
$34,216
▲ 34.3% 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
$34,216 / yr
$658/wk
Household
$66,300 / yr
$1275/wk
Family
$77,220 / yr
$1485/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,710
Born Overseas 459

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 188
  • 2. New Zealand 58
  • 3. Scotland 25
  • 4. Germany 19
  • 5. United States 17
  • 6. Netherlands 15
  • 7. Philippines 14
  • 8. Malta 12
  • 9. Canada 10
  • 10. Thailand 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,970
Australian 1,964
Scottish 562
Irish 509
Australian Aboriginal 194
German 183
Italian 98
Dutch 76
Maltese 36
Chinese 31

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,099
Both parents born in Australia
562
Both parents born overseas
491
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.5%
No Religion
38.4%
Buddhism
0.5%
Judaism
0.2%
Hinduism
0.1%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
174 (4.1%)
5-14 years
527 (12.3%)
15-19 years
229 (5.3%)
20-24 years
156 (3.6%)
25-34 years
271 (6.3%)
35-44 years
402 (9.4%)
45-54 years
539 (12.5%)
55-64 years
648 (15.1%)
65-74 years
817 (19.0%)
75-84 years
457 (10.6%)
85+ years
80 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake Cathie known for? +

Lake Cathie is a growing coastal town in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area of the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 15 minutes south of Port Macquarie. With a population of 4,296 at the 2021 census and a median age of 52, it covers 19.2 square kilometres.

How far is Lake Cathie from Port Macquarie? +

Lake Cathie is approximately 15 kilometres from Port Macquarie. The drive takes around 15 min during peak hour and 12 min off-peak.

Does Lake Cathie have public transport? +

Lake Cathie is served by Wauchope Station station (20 km, approximately N/A walk) on the North Coast Line (NSW TrainLink). Local bus services including Busways 334 also connect residents to Port Macquarie.

What is the population of Lake Cathie? +

According to the 2021 Census, Lake Cathie has a population of approximately 4,296 residents.

Is Lake Cathie a good place to live? +

Lake Cathie is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Lake Cathie? +

The postcode for Lake Cathie in NSW is 2445.

What is the average income in Lake Cathie? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Lake Cathie is about $658 per week (around $34,200 per year). The median household income is $1,275 per week and the median family income is $1,485 per week.

What is the median house price in Lake Cathie? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $935,000, up 5.6% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $650,000, up 1.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Lake Cathie? +

The median age in Lake Cathie is 52. The largest age group is 65–74 (817 residents, around 19%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Lake Cathie a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Lake Cathie is part of the Port Macquarie-Hastings 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 Lake Cathie? +

In Lake Cathie, the median weekly rent is $380, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,850 (2021 Census).