🔍

Sanctuary Point

NSW 2540 • Rest of NSW

7,874
Population (2021)
$55,536
Median Household Income
5.99 km²
Area
$360/wk
Median Rent
LakesideCoastalAffordableFamily-FriendlyQuiet

About Sanctuary Point

Sanctuary Point is a lakeside suburb on the NSW South Coast, located on the northern shores of St Georges Basin within the Shoalhaven City Council area, approximately 180 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of 7,874, the suburb has a median age of 47 and a strong proportion of long-term residents, including a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of around 682 people. The suburb is low-lying at approximately 15 metres above sea level and covers nearly 6 square kilometres of residential and foreshore land.

Life in Sanctuary Point revolves around the water, with St Georges Basin providing boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities right at residents' doorsteps. The suburb is primarily residential with a relaxed, coastal village character that appeals to retirees, fishing enthusiasts, and families seeking affordable housing on the South Coast. Median household incomes are modest, reflecting the area's working-class and retirement demographic, while local schools, community clubs, and the nearby Sussex Inlet Road shopping precinct cater to everyday needs.

Sanctuary Point falls under postcode 2540 and is governed by Shoalhaven Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the South Coast electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2540
Urban Area
Shoalhaven
LGA / Council
Shoalhaven
Federal Electorate
Gilmore
State Electorate
South Coast
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.10°, 150.63°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
5.99 km²
Elevation
15m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$700K
294 sales · ▲ 0.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$645K
15 sales · ▼ 0.8% 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)
$360
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,545
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1%

13 state housing + 20 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bomaderry
45 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • South Coast Connect — Nowra / Bomaderry 45-60 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
190 km
By Train
No direct train; drive to Bomaderry then train
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min-3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 15 min

🛣️ Jervis Bay coastal community; car essential; Nowra is main service centre 45 min away

Walkability Car-Dependent

Scattered coastal community; car essential for all errands and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Hive Shipwreck
Bherwerre Beach, Wreck Bay • SHR #01812

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
223.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.6%
Motor vehicle theft
175.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.2%
Non-DV assault
461.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
245.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
View all 62 offence types for Shoalhaven →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,225
Census 2021
7,874
▲ 9.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,660
Personal Income 2021
$29,016
▲ 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
$29,016 / yr
$558/wk
Household
$55,536 / yr
$1068/wk
Family
$68,900 / yr
$1325/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,283
Born Overseas 1,032

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 342
  • 2. New Zealand 91
  • 3. Philippines 54
  • 4. Germany 48
  • 5. Scotland 43
  • 6. Greece 34
  • 7. Croatia 30
  • 8. United States 25
  • 9. Italy 22
  • 10. Malta 22

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,354
Australian 3,295
Irish 800
Scottish 777
Australian Aboriginal 634
German 292
Italian 218
Greek 89
Maltese 82
Dutch 77

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,126
Both parents born in Australia
1,360
Both parents born overseas
853
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.1%
No Religion
43.9%
Buddhism
0.6%
Islam
0.4%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
418 (5.3%)
5-14 years
873 (11.1%)
15-19 years
436 (5.5%)
20-24 years
380 (4.8%)
25-34 years
820 (10.4%)
35-44 years
834 (10.6%)
45-54 years
885 (11.2%)
55-64 years
1,101 (14.0%)
65-74 years
1,252 (15.9%)
75-84 years
709 (9.0%)
85+ years
180 (2.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sanctuary Point known for? +

Sanctuary Point is a lakeside suburb on the NSW South Coast, located on the northern shores of St Georges Basin within the Shoalhaven City Council area, approximately 180 kilometres south of Sydney.

How far is Sanctuary Point from Sydney CBD? +

Sanctuary Point is a rural locality in NSW. Access to the nearest CBD requires a private vehicle, as public transport options are very limited.

Does Sanctuary Point have public transport? +

Sanctuary Point has no public transport services. A private vehicle is essential for all travel in this area.

What is the population of Sanctuary Point? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sanctuary Point has a population of approximately 7,874 residents.

Is Sanctuary Point a good place to live? +

Sanctuary Point 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 Sanctuary Point? +

The postcode for Sanctuary Point in NSW is 2540.

What is the average income in Sanctuary Point? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sanctuary Point is about $558 per week (around $29,000 per year). The median household income is $1,068 per week and the median family income is $1,325 per week.

What is the median house price in Sanctuary Point? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $700,000, up 0.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $645,000, down 0.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Sanctuary Point? +

The median age in Sanctuary Point is 47. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,252 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sanctuary Point a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sanctuary Point is part of the Shoalhaven 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 Sanctuary Point? +

In Sanctuary Point, the median weekly rent is $360, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,545 (2021 Census).