🔍

Salamander Bay

NSW 2317 • Rest of NSW

4,991
Population (2021)
$57,564
Median Household Income
8.56 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirement-FriendlyFamily-FriendlyTourist AreaPort Stephens

About Salamander Bay

Salamander Bay is a coastal suburb in the Port Stephens local government area, located approximately 210 kilometres north of Sydney on the shores of Port Stephens. Named after the convict ship Salamander from the Third Fleet, which was the first European vessel to enter Port Stephens in 1791, the suburb had a population of 4,991 at the 2021 census. The community is predominantly owner-occupied (71%), with a high proportion of retirees and families attracted by the coastal lifestyle.

The suburb is anchored by Salamander Bay Shopping Centre, which serves as the commercial hub for the wider Tomaree Peninsula. Residents enjoy easy access to stunning beaches including Shoal Bay and Dutchies Beach, along with excellent fishing and boating on Port Stephens. The area is popular with whale-watching enthusiasts and dolphin-cruise visitors. Salamander Bay attracts retirees seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle, families wanting safe streets and outdoor living, and workers in the local tourism and service industries.

Salamander Bay falls under postcode 2317 and is governed by Port Stephens Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Stephens electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2317
Urban Area
Nelson Bay
LGA / Council
Port Stephens
Federal Electorate
Paterson
State Electorate
Port Stephens
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.73°, 152.09°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
8.56 km²
Elevation
9m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.11M
81 sales · ▲ 1.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$685K
39 sales · ▲ 6.6% 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)
$380
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
57 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.2%

29 state housing + 40 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 130, 131, 132 — Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Anna Bay 10-20 min
  • 130 — Newcastle (via Raymond Terrace) 1h 30min - 2h

Commute to Sydney

Distance
210 km
By Bus
4h+ (bus to Newcastle then train)
By Car (Peak)
2h 45min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h 15min

🛣️ No train service on Tomaree Peninsula; nearest station is Newcastle Interchange (~65 km). Most residents work locally or commute to Raymond Terrace/Newcastle.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Shopping centre and surrounding streets walkable; car essential for beaches and wider area

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Salamander Bay Salamander Bay 2317 NSW
  • Woolworths
    2 Town Centre Circuit Salamander Bay 2317 NSW

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
164.8 / 100k
2yr Down 30.1% 10yr Down 11.1%
Motor vehicle theft
197.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
353.6 / 100k
2yr Down 22.3% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.9 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
249.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.0%
View all 62 offence types for Port Stephens →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,815
Census 2021
4,991
▲ 3.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,768
Personal Income 2021
$31,200
▲ 12.4% 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
$31,200 / yr
$600/wk
Household
$57,564 / yr
$1107/wk
Family
$76,232 / yr
$1466/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,952
Born Overseas 744

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 275
  • 2. New Zealand 66
  • 3. Scotland 36
  • 4. South Africa 34
  • 5. Germany 28
  • 6. United States 19
  • 7. Philippines 18
  • 8. India 17
  • 9. Italy 17
  • 10. Thailand 17

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,391
Australian 1,910
Irish 646
Scottish 638
German 209
Australian Aboriginal 165
Italian 104
Dutch 67
Maltese 50
Welsh 45

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,258
Both parents born in Australia
902
Both parents born overseas
546
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
57.0%
No Religion
35.1%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
154 (3.1%)
5-14 years
484 (9.7%)
15-19 years
246 (4.9%)
20-24 years
182 (3.6%)
25-34 years
360 (7.2%)
35-44 years
397 (8.0%)
45-54 years
539 (10.8%)
55-64 years
725 (14.5%)
65-74 years
848 (17.0%)
75-84 years
767 (15.4%)
85+ years
292 (5.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Salamander Bay known for? +

Salamander Bay is a coastal suburb in the Port Stephens local government area, located approximately 210 kilometres north of Sydney on the shores of Port Stephens.

How far is Salamander Bay from Sydney? +

Salamander Bay is approximately 210 kilometres from Sydney. The drive takes around 2h 45min during peak hour and 2h 15min off-peak.

Does Salamander Bay have public transport? +

Salamander Bay is served by bus routes (130, 131, 132) connecting to Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Anna Bay with a travel time of approximately 10-20 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Salamander Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Salamander Bay has a population of approximately 4,991 residents.

Is Salamander Bay a good place to live? +

Salamander Bay 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 Salamander Bay? +

The postcode for Salamander Bay in NSW is 2317.

What is the average income in Salamander Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Salamander Bay is about $600 per week (around $31,200 per year). The median household income is $1,107 per week and the median family income is $1,466 per week.

What is the median house price in Salamander Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,115,000, up 1.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $685,000, up 6.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Salamander Bay? +

The median age in Salamander Bay is 57. The largest age group is 65–74 (848 residents, around 17%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 38% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Salamander Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Salamander Bay is part of the Port Stephens 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 Salamander Bay? +

In Salamander Bay, the median weekly rent is $380, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).