🔍

Smiths Lake

NSW 2428 • Rest of NSW

1,332
Population (2021)
$62,920
Median Household Income
15.46 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
CoastalLakeHoliday DestinationNature LoversSea Change

About Smiths Lake

Smiths Lake is a tranquil coastal village on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 275 kilometres north of Sydney within the Mid-Coast Council area. The village sits beside its namesake lake, which forms part of the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park and is connected to the broader Myall Lakes system. With a population of around 1,300 residents, it attracts a mix of permanent sea-changers and holiday-home owners drawn to its pristine natural setting.

The village is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering boating and fishing on Smiths Lake, Myall Lakes and Wallis Lake, as well as easy access to several stunning beaches including Cellito, Blueys, Boomerang and Elizabeth beaches. The nearby Seal Rocks and Myall Lakes National Park provide excellent bushwalking and wildlife spotting. Smiths Lake has a small township with a general store and café, with more services available at Pacific Palms and Forster–Tuncurry about 25 kilometres north.

Smiths Lake falls under postcode 2428 and is governed by Mid-Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Myall Lakes electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2428
Urban Area
Bulahdelah
LGA / Council
Mid-Coast
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Myall Lakes
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.38°, 152.49°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
15.46 km²
Elevation
0m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$825K
60 sales · ▲ 3.1% 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)
$1,473
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
49 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Busways route (on-demand) — Forster / Taree ~40–60 min to Forster

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
275 km
By Train
No direct train. Nearest station is Taree (~70 km, then NSW TrainLink to Sydney ~4 hrs)
By Bus
NSW TrainLink coach from Forster to Sydney ~4.5 hrs
By Car (Peak)
~3–3.5 hrs via Pacific Motorway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~3 hrs

🛣️ Car is most practical. The Pacific Motorway (M1/Pacific Hwy) is accessible via The Lakes Way from the village.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Village character with limited walkable amenities. A car is essential for groceries and services, though the lake and beach walks are excellent.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Sugarloaf Point Light Station Group
Seal Rocks Road, Myall Lakes National Park, Seal Rocks • SHR #02025

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
286.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
Motor vehicle theft
215 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.8%
Non-DV assault
445.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
196.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.8%
View all 62 offence types for Mid-Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,235
Census 2021
1,332
▲ 7.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,428
Personal Income 2021
$31,980
▲ 25.8% 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
$31,980 / yr
$615/wk
Household
$62,920 / yr
$1210/wk
Family
$71,604 / yr
$1377/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,051
Born Overseas 165

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 53
  • 2. New Zealand 18
  • 3. Ireland 9
  • 4. Scotland 8
  • 5. Germany 7
  • 6. Indonesia 6
  • 7. South Africa 6
  • 8. Netherlands 5
  • 9. Chile 4
  • 10. Philippines 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 609
Australian 553
Irish 184
Scottish 131
Australian Aboriginal 55
German 55
Italian 32
Dutch 22
Polish 17
French 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

872
Both parents born in Australia
198
Both parents born overseas
159
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
50.8%
Christianity
37.8%
Hinduism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.7%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
60 (4.5%)
5-14 years
177 (13.3%)
15-19 years
58 (4.4%)
20-24 years
45 (3.4%)
25-34 years
104 (7.8%)
35-44 years
144 (10.8%)
45-54 years
169 (12.7%)
55-64 years
231 (17.3%)
65-74 years
214 (16.1%)
75-84 years
104 (7.8%)
85+ years
13 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smiths Lake known for? +

Smiths Lake is a tranquil coastal village on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales, located approximately 275 kilometres north of Sydney within the Mid-Coast Council area.

How far is Smiths Lake from Sydney CBD? +

Smiths Lake is approximately 275 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around ~3–3.5 hrs via Pacific Motorway during peak hour and ~3 hrs off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately No direct train. Nearest station is Taree (~70 km, then NSW TrainLink to Sydney ~4 hrs).

Does Smiths Lake have public transport? +

Smiths Lake is served by bus routes (Busways route (on-demand)) connecting to Forster / Taree with a travel time of approximately ~40–60 min to Forster. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Smiths Lake? +

According to the 2021 Census, Smiths Lake has a population of approximately 1,332 residents.

Is Smiths Lake a good place to live? +

Smiths Lake 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 Smiths Lake? +

The postcode for Smiths Lake in NSW is 2428.

What is the average income in Smiths Lake? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Smiths Lake is about $615 per week (around $32,000 per year). The median household income is $1,210 per week and the median family income is $1,377 per week.

What is the median house price in Smiths Lake? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $825,000, up 3.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Smiths Lake? +

The median age in Smiths Lake is 49. The largest age group is 55–64 (231 residents, around 17%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Smiths Lake a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Smiths Lake is part of the Mid-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 Smiths Lake? +

In Smiths Lake, the median weekly rent is $380, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,473 (2021 Census).