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Patonga

NSW 2256 • New South Wales

235
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
18.10 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideQuietHistoricTourist Hub
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About Patonga

Patonga is a small and secluded coastal village on the southern edge of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, located near the mouth of the Hawkesbury River on Brisk Bay approximately 94 kilometres north of Sydney. The locality is part of the Central Coast Council local government area and is surrounded by the Brisbane Water National Park, giving it an exceptionally scenic and naturally isolated setting. With a population of 235 according to the 2021 Census, Patonga occupies a narrow sandy spit and is one of the most intimate and unspoilt waterfront communities on the NSW Central Coast.

Patonga is renowned for its charm as a fishing and holiday village, with the historic Boathouse Hotel a popular destination for day-trippers and weekenders from Sydney. The village offers beach access, safe swimming, watercraft hire, and proximity to the Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the nearby Hawkesbury River. There is no road access through the national park, so Patonga has a wonderfully quiet character despite being relatively accessible by ferry from Palm Beach. It appeals strongly to holiday-makers, retirees, and those seeking a genuine coastal escape far from suburban sprawl.

Patonga falls under postcode 2256 and is governed by the Central Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Robertson, while state elections fall under the Gosford electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2256
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Coast
Federal Electorate
Robertson
State Electorate
Gosford
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.48°, 151.33°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
18.10 km²
Population Density
13 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.83M
5 sales · ▲ 33.5% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2256

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2256, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$44,904
Median 2023–24
$54,020
▲ 20.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$69,489

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2256; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Palm Beach Ferry (seasonal) — Palm Beach (Sydney Northern Beaches) Approx. 30-40 min by ferry

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
94 km
By Train
No direct train; ferry to Palm Beach then bus/road connections, or drive via Gosford/Woy Woy (1.5-2 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.25-1.5 hr

🛣️ Accessible by car via Pacific Motorway (M1) to Gosford then local roads, or by seasonal ferry from Palm Beach; road through the national park is not available

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Very limited local shops; the village pub and a small store serve basic needs, but a car or ferry is required for grocery shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
235
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
208 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.9%
Motor vehicle theft
171.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 2.5%
Non-DV assault
430.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
14.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
336 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.3%
View all 62 offence types for Central Coast →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Patonga known for? +

Patonga is known as one of the most secluded and picturesque waterfront villages on the NSW Central Coast. It is famous for the historic Boathouse Hotel, its sandy beach and calm bay waters, access to the Brisbane Water National Park, and proximity to the Broken Bay Pearl Farm on the Hawkesbury River.

How far is Patonga from Sydney CBD? +

Patonga is approximately 94 kilometres north of Sydney CBD, typically a 1.5 to 2 hour drive. Alternatively, it can be reached by seasonal ferry from Palm Beach, which takes around 30 to 40 minutes.

Does Patonga have public transport? +

Patonga is not served by train or regular bus routes. A seasonal ferry service connects Patonga to Palm Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The nearest train station is Woy Woy on the Central Coast Line, approximately 12 kilometres away by road. A car is the most practical way to access the village year-round.

What is the population of Patonga? +

According to the 2021 Census, Patonga has a population of 235 residents. It is a very small community occupying a narrow sandy spit, and its permanent population is boosted significantly by holiday-makers and weekenders throughout the year.

Is Patonga a good place to live? +

Patonga is a wonderful place for those seeking a quiet, nature-immersed coastal lifestyle. Its isolation within the Brisbane Water National Park and lack of through traffic make it exceptionally peaceful, while the beach, river access, and community pub give it a genuine village charm that is rare so close to Sydney.

What is the postcode for Patonga? +

The postcode for Patonga, New South Wales is 2256.

What is the median house price in Patonga? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,835,000, up 33.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is Patonga a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Patonga is part of the Central Coast 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.