🔍

Narooma

NSW 2546 • Rest of NSW

2,731
Population (2021)
$48,152
Median Household Income
120.23 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirementHoliday TownFishingNature

About Narooma

Narooma is a coastal town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 360 kilometres south of Sydney on the Princes Highway. With a population of around 2,731 (2021 census), it sits on the shores of Wagonga Inlet and is known for its pristine beaches, clear blue waters, and laid-back seaside atmosphere. The area falls under the Eurobodalla Shire Council and is a popular destination for retirees and sea-changers drawn to its natural beauty and quieter pace of life. The median age is notably higher than the national average, reflecting its appeal as a retirement and holiday destination.

Narooma offers excellent fishing, boating, surfing, and whale watching, along with Golf Club, Glasshouse Rocks Nature Reserve, and the iconic natural rock pool. The town has a modest main street with supermarkets, cafes, health services, and specialty shops serving the local and tourist population. It is a gateway to Montague Island Nature Reserve, a world-class dive site and seal colony. The relaxed lifestyle, spectacular scenery, and strong community spirit make Narooma particularly attractive to retirees, holiday-home owners, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Narooma falls under postcode 2546 and is governed by Eurobodalla Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2546
Urban Area
Narooma
LGA / Council
Eurobodalla
Federal Electorate
Eden-monaro
State Electorate
Bega
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.24°, 150.09°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
120.23 km²
Elevation
59m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$845K
38 sales · ▲ 7.1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$535K
31 sales · ▼ 2.7% 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)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
58 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.6%

55 state housing + 14 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Priors Bus Service — Batemans Bay / Moruya Approx 60–90 min
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Canberra / Sydney 4–5 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
360 km
By Train
No direct rail; NSW TrainLink coach connects to Bomaderry/Nowra rail
By Bus
Approx 5–6 hrs via coach
By Car (Peak)
4 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hr

🛣️ Nearest major regional centre is Batemans Bay (80 km north). Canberra is approx 3 hrs by car. The Princes Highway is the main arterial route.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is compact and walkable for locals, but a car is essential for most errands and to access neighbouring towns and services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Montague Island Lightstation
Montague Island • SHR #01000

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
228.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.4%
Motor vehicle theft
145.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
422.9 / 100k
2yr Down 20.2% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
2.4 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
226 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.7%
View all 62 offence types for Eurobodalla →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,605
Census 2021
2,731
▲ 4.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,428
Personal Income 2021
$28,652
▲ 12.7% 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
$28,652 / yr
$551/wk
Household
$48,152 / yr
$926/wk
Family
$67,548 / yr
$1299/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,124
Born Overseas 409

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 147
  • 2. New Zealand 35
  • 3. Germany 23
  • 4. India 17
  • 5. United States 16
  • 6. Scotland 14
  • 7. Netherlands 11
  • 8. Philippines 11
  • 9. Italy 10
  • 10. Vietnam 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,169
Australian 1,008
Irish 358
Scottish 324
Australian Aboriginal 150
German 120
Dutch 55
Italian 54
Maltese 30
Polish 18

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,784
Both parents born in Australia
487
Both parents born overseas
245
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.1%
Christianity
43.6%
Buddhism
1.5%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
93 (3.4%)
5-14 years
233 (8.5%)
15-19 years
118 (4.3%)
20-24 years
73 (2.7%)
25-34 years
192 (7.0%)
35-44 years
201 (7.4%)
45-54 years
312 (11.4%)
55-64 years
466 (17.1%)
65-74 years
677 (24.8%)
75-84 years
271 (9.9%)
85+ years
99 (3.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Narooma known for? +

Narooma is a coastal town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 360 kilometres south of Sydney on the Princes Highway.

How far is Narooma from Sydney CBD? +

Narooma is approximately 360 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 4 hr 30 min during peak hour and 4 hr off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately No direct rail; NSW TrainLink coach connects to Bomaderry/Nowra rail.

Does Narooma have public transport? +

Narooma is served by bus routes (Priors Bus Service) connecting to Batemans Bay / Moruya with a travel time of approximately Approx 60–90 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Narooma? +

According to the 2021 Census, Narooma has a population of approximately 2,731 residents.

Is Narooma a good place to live? +

Narooma 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 Narooma? +

The postcode for Narooma in NSW is 2546.

What is the average income in Narooma? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Narooma is about $551 per week (around $28,700 per year). The median household income is $926 per week and the median family income is $1,299 per week.

What is the median house price in Narooma? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $845,000, up 7.1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $535,000, down 2.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Narooma? +

The median age in Narooma is 58. The largest age group is 65–74 (677 residents, around 25%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 38% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Narooma a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Narooma is part of the Eurobodalla 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 Narooma? +

In Narooma, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,517 (2021 Census).