🔍

Stanwell Tops

NSW 2508 • New South Wales

517
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
4.69 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalRuralHistoricRetirees
Advertisement

About Stanwell Tops

Stanwell Tops is a small, scenic hilltop locality perched on the Illawarra Escarpment in New South Wales, approximately 50 kilometres south of Sydney and 20 kilometres north of Wollongong. With a population of around 517 residents, the village sits at the northern end of the iconic Lawrence Hargrave Drive and is best known for Bald Hill Lookout, one of Australia's premier hang-gliding and paragliding launch sites. The suburb falls within the Wollongong City area and is nestled within Royal National Park's southern edge, offering residents a rare bush-meets-escarpment lifestyle.

Stanwell Tops draws nature lovers, aerial sports enthusiasts, and those seeking a quiet escape close to Sydney's metro fringe. The Bald Hill Lookout provides sweeping panoramic views down the Illawarra coastline and is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. Residents rely largely on private vehicles to access shops and services in nearby Helensburgh, though the train station at Helensburgh (T4 Illawarra Line) provides a connection to Wollongong and Sydney. The community is tight-knit and values its natural surroundings, with bushwalking, cycling, and coastal access forming the backbone of daily life.

Stanwell Tops falls under postcode 2508 and is governed by the Wollongong Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Cunningham, while state elections fall under the Heathcote electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2508
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wollongong
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Heathcote
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.23°, 150.97°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
4.69 km²
Population Density
110 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.55M
5 sales · ▼ 13.9% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2508

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2508, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$55,662
Median 2023–24
$67,481
▲ 21.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$87,641

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2508; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Helensburgh Station
3.5 km
N/A (car required)

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Helensburgh / Wollongong Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
50 km
By Train
~75 min from Helensburgh to Central
By Car (Peak)
60-80 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
50 min

🛣️ Drive to Helensburgh Station, then T4 Illawarra Line. Princes Motorway (M1) provides car access north to Sydney.

Walkability Car Dependent

Minimal local services. Residents drive to Helensburgh for shops, schools, and rail access.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
517
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Stanwell Tops. 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 5.9%
Motor vehicle theft
190.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
342.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
11.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
371.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.5%
View all 62 offence types for Wollongong →

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

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stanwell Tops famous for? +

Stanwell Tops is internationally renowned for Bald Hill Lookout, a world-class hang-gliding and paragliding launch site offering spectacular views of the Illawarra coastline and beaches below.

How far is Stanwell Tops from Sydney? +

Stanwell Tops is approximately 50 kilometres south of Sydney, accessible via the F1/M1 Princes Motorway and Lawrence Hargrave Drive, with a typical drive time of 50-80 minutes depending on traffic.

What train station is nearest to Stanwell Tops? +

Helensburgh Station on the T4 Illawarra Line is the nearest station, approximately 3.5 km away. Trains run to Wollongong and Central Station (Sydney) from here.

Is Stanwell Tops good for families? +

Stanwell Tops suits families and nature lovers who prefer a quiet, bush lifestyle. Schools are located in Helensburgh, and the surrounding Royal National Park provides excellent outdoor recreation.

What is the median house price in Stanwell Tops? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,550,000, down 13.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is Stanwell Tops a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Stanwell Tops is part of the Wollongong 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 Stanwell Tops? +

Stanwell Tops had a population of 517 at the 2021 Census.