🔍

Pambula

NSW 2549 • Rest of NSW

1,002
Population (2021)
$58,084
Median Household Income
8.54 km²
Area
$313/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricRetiree-FriendlyRegionalSapphire Coast

About Pambula

Pambula is a charming historic town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, located in the Bega Valley Shire approximately 454 kilometres south of Sydney via the Princes Highway. Sitting between Eden and Merimbula, the town had a population of around 1,002 at the 2021 census, with a notably older demographic reflected in a median age of 54. The area was originally home to the Thaua Aboriginal people and features several State-listed heritage properties including Oaklands and the historic New Buildings Bridge over the Towamba River.

Pambula offers a relaxed coastal village lifestyle with easy access to Pambula Beach and Merimbula Lake, popular for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The town has a small but characterful main street with cafes, art galleries, and local produce, and benefits from proximity to Merimbula's broader services including an airport, hospital, and shopping. It attracts retirees, artists, and those seeking a slower pace of life on the far south coast, with significant heritage character and natural beauty as its hallmarks.

Pambula falls under postcode 2549 and is governed by Bega Valley Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bega electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2549
Urban Area
Bega - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Bega Valley
Federal Electorate
Eden-monaro
State Electorate
Bega
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.93°, 149.88°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
8.54 km²
Elevation
9m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$670K
18 sales · ▼ 30.9% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$533K
10 sales · ▲ 0.9% 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)
$313
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
54 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

4 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Bega Valley Coaches — Merimbula / Bega 10–15 min to Merimbula
  • NSW TrainLink Coach — Canberra / Sydney (via Eden/Bega) Canberra ~3 hrs, Sydney ~6 hrs

Commute to Merimbula

Distance
8 km
By Train
No direct train — NSW TrainLink coach to Canberra connects with rail
By Bus
10–15 min to Merimbula by local bus
By Car (Peak)
10 min to Merimbula, 25 min to Bega
By Car (Off-Peak)
10 min to Merimbula, 25 min to Bega

🛣️ Merimbula Airport offers regional flights to Sydney (~1 hr). Sydney CBD is approximately 6 hrs by road via Princes Highway.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The historic town centre is walkable for local errands, but most services require a car or short drive to Merimbula.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Pambula, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

New Buildings Bridge over Towamba River
Wyndham (south west) Wyndham • SHR #01477
Oaklands
Princes Highway, Pambula • SHR #01686

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Bega Valley Local Government Area, which contains Pambula. 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
970
Census 2021
1,002
▲ 3.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,052
Personal Income 2021
$26,364
▲ 1.2% 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
$26,364 / yr
$507/wk
Household
$58,084 / yr
$1117/wk
Family
$73,996 / yr
$1423/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 832
Born Overseas 119

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 45
  • 2. New Zealand 11
  • 3. Scotland 9
  • 4. France 6
  • 5. South Korea 6
  • 6. Ireland 5
  • 7. Germany 4
  • 8. Singapore 4
  • 9. Netherlands 3
  • 10. Philippines 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 457
English 439
Irish 123
Scottish 117
German 46
Australian Aboriginal 32
Dutch 21
Italian 15
Chinese 12
Maltese 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

677
Both parents born in Australia
158
Both parents born overseas
121
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.0%
Christianity
44.2%
Buddhism
1.2%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
46 (4.6%)
5-14 years
104 (10.4%)
15-19 years
58 (5.8%)
20-24 years
37 (3.7%)
25-34 years
81 (8.1%)
35-44 years
70 (7.0%)
45-54 years
106 (10.6%)
55-64 years
167 (16.7%)
65-74 years
156 (15.6%)
75-84 years
98 (9.8%)
85+ years
79 (7.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pambula known for? +

Pambula is a charming historic town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, located in the Bega Valley Shire approximately 454 kilometres south of Sydney via the Princes Highway.

How far is Pambula from Merimbula? +

Pambula is approximately 8 kilometres from Merimbula. The drive takes around 10 min to Merimbula, 25 min to Bega during peak hour and 10 min to Merimbula, 25 min to Bega off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately No direct train — NSW TrainLink coach to Canberra connects with rail.

Does Pambula have public transport? +

Pambula is served by bus routes (Bega Valley Coaches) connecting to Merimbula / Bega with a travel time of approximately 10–15 min to Merimbula. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Pambula? +

According to the 2021 Census, Pambula has a population of approximately 1,002 residents.

Is Pambula a good place to live? +

Pambula 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 Pambula? +

The postcode for Pambula in NSW is 2549.

What is the average income in Pambula? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Pambula is about $507 per week (around $26,400 per year). The median household income is $1,117 per week and the median family income is $1,423 per week.

What is the median house price in Pambula? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $670,000, down 30.9% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $532,500, up 0.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Pambula? +

The median age in Pambula is 54. The largest age group is 55–64 (167 residents, around 17%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 33% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Pambula a safe area? +

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

In Pambula, the median weekly rent is $313, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).