🔍

Terranora

NSW 2486 • Rest of NSW

3,365
Population (2021)
$110,240
Median Household Income
11.79 km²
Area
$540/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlySemi-RuralHinterlandBorder TownScenic

About Terranora

Terranora is a semi-rural town on the far northern coast of New South Wales, located within the Tweed Shire near the Queensland border. With a population of around 3,365 and a median age of 42, the suburb has a family-oriented character with strong Australian and English heritage — over 82% of residents were born in Australia. Set on elevated terrain with scenic hinterland views, Terranora offers a peaceful alternative to the busier coastal towns of Tweed Heads and the Gold Coast.

Terranora attracts families seeking a quieter lifestyle with easy access to both the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast beaches. The suburb is home to Terranora Public School and the senior campus of Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School. Residents enjoy large blocks, a semi-rural atmosphere, and proximity to the Terranora Creek and surrounding bushland. Notable for its connection to children's author Hesba Fay Brinsmead, the area offers a relaxed, community-minded environment with local sporting fields and nature walks.

Terranora falls under postcode 2486 and is governed by Tweed Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Tweed electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2486
Urban Area
Tweed Heads
LGA / Council
Tweed
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Tweed
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.24°, 153.51°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
11.79 km²
Elevation
150m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.25M
88 sales · ▲ 6.1% 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)
$540
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.5%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 601 — Tweed Heads via Bilambil Heights 15 mins
  • 605 — Coolangatta / Gold Coast Airport 20 mins

Commute to Tweed Heads

Distance
10 km
By Bus
15-25 mins
By Car (Peak)
10-15 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-12 mins

🛣️ No train service in the region; Gold Coast light rail accessible from Broadbeach (30 min drive). Most residents drive.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Semi-rural area with limited footpaths; a car is essential for daily errands and commuting

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
182.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
202.4 / 100k
2yr Down 30.1% 10yr Up 2.5%
Non-DV assault
416.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 4.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
9 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
359.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Tweed →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,926
Census 2021
3,365
▲ 15.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,176
Personal Income 2021
$43,212
▲ 30.3% 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
$43,212 / yr
$831/wk
Household
$110,240 / yr
$2120/wk
Family
$115,960 / yr
$2230/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,768
Born Overseas 464

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 133
  • 2. New Zealand 82
  • 3. India 20
  • 4. South Africa 14
  • 5. Canada 13
  • 6. Philippines 13
  • 7. United States 13
  • 8. Netherlands 11
  • 9. Thailand 11
  • 10. Ireland 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,552
Australian 1,389
Irish 480
Scottish 418
German 152
Australian Aboriginal 115
Italian 109
Dutch 60
New Zealander 42
Indian 41

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,187
Both parents born in Australia
548
Both parents born overseas
502
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.8%
No Religion
41.4%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
169 (5.0%)
5-14 years
546 (16.2%)
15-19 years
226 (6.7%)
20-24 years
178 (5.3%)
25-34 years
268 (8.0%)
35-44 years
428 (12.7%)
45-54 years
495 (14.7%)
55-64 years
454 (13.5%)
65-74 years
375 (11.1%)
75-84 years
156 (4.6%)
85+ years
63 (1.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Terranora known for? +

Terranora is a semi-rural town on the far northern coast of New South Wales, located within the Tweed Shire near the Queensland border.

How far is Terranora from Tweed Heads? +

Terranora is approximately 10 kilometres from Tweed Heads. The drive takes around 10-15 mins during peak hour and 8-12 mins off-peak.

Does Terranora have public transport? +

Terranora is served by bus routes (601) connecting to Tweed Heads via Bilambil Heights with a travel time of approximately 15 mins. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Terranora? +

According to the 2021 Census, Terranora has a population of approximately 3,365 residents.

Is Terranora a good place to live? +

Terranora offers a rural lifestyle in NSW. The area suits those looking for a quieter setting away from major urban centres.

What is the postcode for Terranora? +

The postcode for Terranora in NSW is 2486.

What is the average income in Terranora? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Terranora is about $831 per week (around $43,200 per year). The median household income is $2,120 per week and the median family income is $2,230 per week.

What is the median house price in Terranora? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,252,500, up 6.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Terranora? +

The median age in Terranora is 42. The largest age group is 5–14 (546 residents, around 16%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Terranora a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Terranora is part of the Tweed 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 Terranora? +

In Terranora, the median weekly rent is $540, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).