🔍

Merimbula

NSW 2548 • Rest of NSW

3,821
Population (2021)
$59,592
Median Household Income
18.07 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalTourist TownRetirementSapphire CoastFishing

About Merimbula

Merimbula is a picturesque coastal town on the Sapphire Coast of far south New South Wales, situated around Merimbula Lake approximately 450 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of nearly 4,000, it serves as a major tourist destination and regional centre for the Bega Valley. The town sits at the meeting point of ocean, lake and bushland, with palaeontologically significant rock formations at Merimbula Point.

Life in Merimbula revolves around the water and natural beauty. Residents enjoy pristine beaches, world-class oyster farming, excellent fishing, and whale watching in season. The town offers quality dining, local markets, and attractions like Magic Mountain theme park and Potoroo Palace wildlife sanctuary. It attracts retirees, sea-changers, and tourism workers who appreciate the laid-back coastal lifestyle with good access to both Sydney and Melbourne via the local airport.

Merimbula falls under postcode 2548 and is governed by Bega Valley Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2548
Urban Area
Bega - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Bega Valley
Federal Electorate
Eden-monaro
State Electorate
Bega
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.90°, 149.90°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
18.07 km²
Elevation
0m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$900K
61 sales · ▲ 1.1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$495K
115 sales · ▼ 5.9% 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)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
54 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Flexibus On-Demand — Tura Beach, Pambula, Eden On-demand booking
  • Regional coaches — Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne Daily services

Commute to Sydney

Distance
450 km
By Bus
7-8 hours (coach)
By Car (Peak)
5.5-6 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-5.5 hours

🛣️ Regional town with airport (QantasLink/Rex to Sydney/Melbourne). Canberra is 3 hours drive. Local Flexibus on-demand service available.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is compact and walkable; car recommended for broader area

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    111 Main Street Merimbula 2548 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Merimbula, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Courunga
Monaro Street, Merimbula • SHR #00235

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
106.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
Motor vehicle theft
84.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Non-DV assault
311.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
136.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 12.3%
View all 62 offence types for Bega Valley →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,544
Census 2021
3,821
▲ 7.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,160
Personal Income 2021
$36,816
▲ 22.1% 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
$36,816 / yr
$708/wk
Household
$59,592 / yr
$1146/wk
Family
$89,804 / yr
$1727/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,933
Born Overseas 627

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 214
  • 2. New Zealand 47
  • 3. Netherlands 30
  • 4. Germany 28
  • 5. India 26
  • 6. Thailand 26
  • 7. South Africa 25
  • 8. Philippines 23
  • 9. Scotland 21
  • 10. United States 17

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,760
Australian 1,350
Irish 519
Scottish 441
German 177
Italian 102
Dutch 100
Australian Aboriginal 75
Chinese 37
Welsh 35

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,407
Both parents born in Australia
752
Both parents born overseas
419
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.5%
Christianity
42.1%
Buddhism
1.3%
Hinduism
0.7%
Judaism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
129 (3.4%)
5-14 years
320 (8.4%)
15-19 years
133 (3.5%)
20-24 years
162 (4.2%)
25-34 years
409 (10.7%)
35-44 years
329 (8.6%)
45-54 years
427 (11.2%)
55-64 years
640 (16.7%)
65-74 years
660 (17.3%)
75-84 years
430 (11.3%)
85+ years
174 (4.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Merimbula known for? +

Merimbula is a picturesque coastal town on the Sapphire Coast of far south New South Wales, situated around Merimbula Lake approximately 450 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of nearly 4,000, it serves as a major tourist destination and regional centre for the Bega Valley.

How far is Merimbula from Sydney? +

Merimbula is approximately 450 kilometres from Sydney. The drive takes around 5.5-6 hours during peak hour and 5-5.5 hours off-peak.

Does Merimbula have public transport? +

Merimbula is served by bus routes (Flexibus On-Demand) connecting to Tura Beach, Pambula, Eden with a travel time of approximately On-demand booking. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Merimbula? +

According to the 2021 Census, Merimbula has a population of approximately 3,821 residents.

Is Merimbula a good place to live? +

Merimbula 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 Merimbula? +

The postcode for Merimbula in NSW is 2548.

What is the average income in Merimbula? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Merimbula is about $708 per week (around $36,800 per year). The median household income is $1,146 per week and the median family income is $1,727 per week.

What is the median house price in Merimbula? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $900,000, up 1.1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $495,000, down 5.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Merimbula? +

The median age in Merimbula is 54. The largest age group is 65–74 (660 residents, around 17%). Around 15% of residents are under 20 and about 33% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Merimbula a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Merimbula is part of the Bega Valley 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 Merimbula? +

In Merimbula, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,517 (2021 Census).