🔍

Shelly Beach

NSW 2261 • Greater Sydney

1,313
Population (2021)
$85,592
Median Household Income
1.16 km²
Area
$423/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachesRetirementFamily-FriendlyCentral Coast

About Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is a small coastal suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, located within the Central Coast Council area near The Entrance and Toowoon Bay. With a population of 1,313 at the 2021 census and a median age of 47, it covers 1.2 square kilometres at 27 metres elevation. The suburb is a quiet residential area perched on headlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean, known for its sheltered beach and rock pools.

Shelly Beach offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with direct access to its namesake sheltered beach, popular for swimming, snorkelling, and rock-pool exploration. The suburb is within walking distance of The Entrance's shops, restaurants, and the pelican feeding at the channel. It attracts retirees, families, and weekenders drawn to the affordable Central Coast beachside living, mild climate, and natural beauty of this stretch of coastline.

Shelly Beach falls under postcode 2261 and is governed by Central Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the The Entrance electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2261
Urban Area
Wyong - South-West
LGA / Council
Central Coast
Federal Electorate
Dobell
State Electorate
The Entrance
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.37°, 151.48°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.16 km²
Elevation
27m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.62M
27 sales · ▲ 6.9% 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)
$423
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,200
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
47 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Tuggerah Station
10 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Red Bus 23, 25 — The Entrance to Tuggerah Station 25 min to Tuggerah

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
1 hr 40 min (bus to Tuggerah then train)
By Bus
25 min to Tuggerah
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min

🛣️ The Entrance (5 min) is the local centre. M1 Motorway provides access to Sydney.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Beach and The Entrance shops within walking distance. Good for daily walks but car needed for broader services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Central Coast Local Government Area, which contains Shelly Beach. 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)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,318
Census 2021
1,313
▼ 0.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,696
Personal Income 2021
$41,652
▲ 23.6% 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
$41,652 / yr
$801/wk
Household
$85,592 / yr
$1646/wk
Family
$111,592 / yr
$2146/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,096
Born Overseas 122

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 46
  • 2. New Zealand 15
  • 3. Germany 11
  • 4. Netherlands 9
  • 5. China 5
  • 6. India 4
  • 7. Italy 4
  • 8. Japan 4
  • 9. South Africa 4
  • 10. United States 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 579
English 546
Irish 210
Scottish 122
Australian Aboriginal 49
German 47
Italian 30
Dutch 29
Chinese 16
French 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

931
Both parents born in Australia
165
Both parents born overseas
125
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
60.2%
No Religion
30.2%
Buddhism
0.8%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
58 (4.4%)
5-14 years
140 (10.7%)
15-19 years
77 (5.9%)
20-24 years
62 (4.7%)
25-34 years
119 (9.1%)
35-44 years
158 (12.0%)
45-54 years
165 (12.6%)
55-64 years
198 (15.1%)
65-74 years
181 (13.8%)
75-84 years
101 (7.7%)
85+ years
63 (4.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shelly Beach known for? +

Shelly Beach is a small coastal suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, located within the Central Coast Council area near The Entrance and Toowoon Bay. With a population of 1,313 at the 2021 census and a median age of 47, it covers 1.2 square kilometres at 27 metres elevation.

How far is Shelly Beach from Sydney CBD? +

Shelly Beach is approximately 100 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 1 hr 30 min during peak hour and 1 hr 10 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 1 hr 40 min (bus to Tuggerah then train).

Does Shelly Beach have public transport? +

Shelly Beach is served by Tuggerah Station station (10 km, approximately N/A walk) on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line. Local bus services including Red Bus 23, 25 also connect residents to The Entrance to Tuggerah Station.

What is the population of Shelly Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shelly Beach has a population of approximately 1,313 residents.

Is Shelly Beach a good place to live? +

Shelly Beach 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 Shelly Beach? +

The postcode for Shelly Beach in NSW is 2261.

What is the average income in Shelly Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Shelly Beach is about $801 per week (around $41,700 per year). The median household income is $1,646 per week and the median family income is $2,146 per week.

What is the median house price in Shelly Beach? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,620,000, up 6.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Shelly Beach? +

The median age in Shelly Beach is 47. The largest age group is 55–64 (198 residents, around 15%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 26% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Shelly Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shelly Beach 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.

How much is rent in Shelly Beach? +

In Shelly Beach, the median weekly rent is $423, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,200 (2021 Census).