🔍

Macquarie Hills

NSW 2285 • Rest of NSW

3,605
Population (2021)
$116,532
Median Household Income
2.34 km²
Area
$473/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyLake ViewsAffordableSuburbanGrowth Suburb

About Macquarie Hills

Macquarie Hills is a residential suburb situated in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, approximately 15 kilometres west of Newcastle's CBD. Home to around 3,605 residents with a median age of 35, it is a predominantly young, family-oriented community nestled between Cardiff and Boolaroo near the northern shores of Lake Macquarie. The suburb covers 2.3 square kilometres of elevated terrain at around 48 metres above sea level, offering glimpses of the lake and surrounding bushland.

Macquarie Hills offers a quiet suburban lifestyle with easy access to Cardiff's shopping and services, including Cardiff train station for commuters heading to Newcastle. The suburb is popular with young families and tradespeople, reflected in its strong Christian community and above-average household size. Nearby Lake Macquarie provides boating, fishing and waterfront recreation, while Cardiff's commercial district covers everyday needs. The area has seen steady population growth and offers relatively affordable housing compared to Newcastle's inner suburbs.

Macquarie Hills falls under postcode 2285 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lake Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2285
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - North
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Lake Macquarie
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.95°, 151.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.34 km²
Elevation
48m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$910K
75 sales · ▲ 7.1% 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)
$473
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,000
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
35 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

6 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Cardiff
1.5 km
18 min
Boolaroo
2 km
25 min

Bus Services

  • 133, 140 — Cardiff / Charlestown / Newcastle 30-45 min to Newcastle

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
15 km
By Train
35-40 min (from Cardiff Station)
By Bus
45-55 min
By Car (Peak)
30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20 min

🛣️ Cardiff Station is the closest rail access; bus services connect to Charlestown and Newcastle

Walkability Car-Dependent

Primarily a residential suburb with limited local amenities on foot. Cardiff's shops and services are a short drive away.

🛒 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 Macquarie Hills. 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
3,304
Census 2021
3,605
▲ 9.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$40,872
Personal Income 2021
$50,336
▲ 23.2% 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
$50,336 / yr
$968/wk
Household
$116,532 / yr
$2241/wk
Family
$124,384 / yr
$2392/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,218
Born Overseas 323

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 53
  • 2. New Zealand 33
  • 3. Germany 22
  • 4. Philippines 21
  • 5. South Africa 17
  • 6. United States 13
  • 7. India 12
  • 8. Thailand 10
  • 9. Vietnam 9
  • 10. China 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,664
English 1,537
Scottish 434
Irish 390
Australian Aboriginal 187
German 167
Italian 86
Dutch 61
Filipino 53
Polish 45

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,649
Both parents born in Australia
447
Both parents born overseas
432
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.9%
No Religion
43.3%
Buddhism
1.0%
Islam
0.4%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
288 (8.0%)
5-14 years
512 (14.2%)
15-19 years
245 (6.8%)
20-24 years
186 (5.2%)
25-34 years
556 (15.4%)
35-44 years
543 (15.1%)
45-54 years
465 (12.9%)
55-64 years
348 (9.7%)
65-74 years
322 (8.9%)
75-84 years
122 (3.4%)
85+ years
18 (0.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Macquarie Hills known for? +

Macquarie Hills is a residential suburb situated in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, approximately 15 kilometres west of Newcastle's CBD.

How far is Macquarie Hills from Newcastle CBD? +

Macquarie Hills is approximately 15 kilometres from Newcastle CBD. The drive takes around 30 min during peak hour and 20 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 35-40 min (from Cardiff Station).

Does Macquarie Hills have public transport? +

Macquarie Hills is served by Cardiff station (1.5 km, approximately 18 min walk) on the Hunter Line (Sydney-Newcastle). Local bus services including 133, 140 also connect residents to Cardiff / Charlestown / Newcastle.

What is the population of Macquarie Hills? +

According to the 2021 Census, Macquarie Hills has a population of approximately 3,605 residents.

Is Macquarie Hills a good place to live? +

Macquarie Hills is considered a good place for families, with a suburban setting and access to schools, parks, and local services. Its community character makes it appealing to households at various life stages.

What is the postcode for Macquarie Hills? +

The postcode for Macquarie Hills in NSW is 2285.

What is the average income in Macquarie Hills? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Macquarie Hills is about $968 per week (around $50,300 per year). The median household income is $2,241 per week and the median family income is $2,392 per week.

What is the median house price in Macquarie Hills? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $910,000, up 7.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Macquarie Hills? +

The median age in Macquarie Hills is 35. The largest age group is 25–34 (556 residents, around 15%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Macquarie Hills a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Macquarie Hills 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 Macquarie Hills? +

In Macquarie Hills, the median weekly rent is $473, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,000 (2021 Census).