🔍

Rathmines

NSW 2283 • Rest of NSW

2,076
Population (2021)
$78,884
Median Household Income
4.06 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRetireesFamily-FriendlyAffordable

About Rathmines

Rathmines is a lakeside suburb on the western shores of Lake Macquarie in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated approximately 22 kilometres south-west of Newcastle within the City of Lake Macquarie. With a population of around 2,076, the suburb is historically significant as the site of the RAAF Rathmines Seaplane Base — a major flying boat base that operated from 1939 to 1952 during World War II, and whose remaining heritage precinct is now listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. The lakeside setting, quiet streets, and elevated hinterland offer a relaxed lifestyle with striking water views.

Rathmines today appeals to families, retirees, and tradies who value the peaceful lakeside environment while remaining within commuting distance of Newcastle. The suburb has strong Anglo-Australian demographics and a noticeable Aboriginal community presence, reflecting long Indigenous connections to the Lake Macquarie area. Everyday services are accessed in nearby Toronto, while residents enjoy the waterfront parks, boat ramps, and walking tracks along the lake foreshore. Median rent of $400 per week makes it one of the more affordable waterside addresses in the Hunter Region.

Rathmines falls under postcode 2283 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lake Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2283
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - West
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Hunter
State Electorate
Lake Macquarie
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.04°, 151.58°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.06 km²
Elevation
43m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$870K
37 sales · ▼ 0.3% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$642K
5 sales · vs 2024 n/a

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)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
47 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 285, 286 — Toronto and Morisset Station 15-25 min to Toronto
  • 284 — Charlestown via Belmont 35 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
22 km
By Train
Bus to Morisset or Toronto then train; allow 60-75 min total
By Car (Peak)
30-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ No direct train station; Morisset Station (Hunter Line) is the nearest at ~15 km

Walkability Car-Dependent

Quiet lakeside suburb; walkable near the foreshore but vehicle needed for shops and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Rathmines Park, former RAAF Seaplane Base
Dorrington Road, Rathmines • SHR #01740

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, which contains Rathmines. 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
1,905
Census 2021
2,076
▲ 9.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,888
Personal Income 2021
$37,856
▲ 22.6% 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
$37,856 / yr
$728/wk
Household
$78,884 / yr
$1517/wk
Family
$94,068 / yr
$1809/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,754
Born Overseas 235

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 58
  • 2. New Zealand 31
  • 3. Netherlands 15
  • 4. Scotland 11
  • 5. China 10
  • 6. Germany 9
  • 7. United States 9
  • 8. Ireland 8
  • 9. Bangladesh 7
  • 10. Philippines 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 951
Australian 870
Scottish 286
Irish 234
German 97
Australian Aboriginal 83
Welsh 38
Dutch 34
Chinese 30
Italian 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,452
Both parents born in Australia
287
Both parents born overseas
249
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.8%
No Religion
41.0%
Buddhism
1.2%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
104 (5.0%)
5-14 years
263 (12.7%)
15-19 years
118 (5.7%)
20-24 years
115 (5.5%)
25-34 years
177 (8.5%)
35-44 years
209 (10.1%)
45-54 years
260 (12.5%)
55-64 years
309 (14.9%)
65-74 years
337 (16.2%)
75-84 years
142 (6.8%)
85+ years
42 (2.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rathmines NSW known for? +

Rathmines is known for its former RAAF Seaplane Base, which was Australia's major flying boat base during World War II. The heritage precinct at Rathmines Park is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Where is Rathmines NSW located? +

Rathmines is located on the western shores of Lake Macquarie, approximately 22 kilometres south-west of Newcastle in the City of Lake Macquarie LGA.

Is there public transport in Rathmines? +

Rathmines is served by local bus routes connecting to Toronto and Morisset Station, where residents can catch trains on the Hunter Line to Newcastle and Sydney. A car is recommended for most trips.

What schools are in Rathmines? +

Rathmines Public School is located within the suburb. Secondary students typically attend Toronto High School in nearby Toronto, with other options including Charlton Christian College in Fassifern.

What is the median rent in Rathmines? +

The median weekly rent in Rathmines is $400 according to the 2021 Census, making it one of the more affordable lakeside suburbs in the Hunter Region.

What is the average income in Rathmines? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Rathmines is about $728 per week (around $37,900 per year). The median household income is $1,517 per week and the median family income is $1,809 per week.

What is the median house price in Rathmines? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $870,000, down 0.3% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $642,000. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Rathmines? +

The median age in Rathmines is 47. The largest age group is 65–74 (337 residents, around 16%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Rathmines a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rathmines 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.

What is the population of Rathmines? +

Rathmines had a population of 2,076 at the 2021 Census, up 9.0% from 1,905 in 2016.

How much is rent in Rathmines? +

In Rathmines, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).