🔍

Thirlmere

NSW 2572 • Greater Sydney

4,986
Population (2021)
$40,664
Median Income
32.83 km²
Area
347m
Elevation
Railway HeritageSemi-RuralNational ParkFamily-FriendlyTree Change

About Thirlmere

Thirlmere is a charming semi-rural town nestled in the Wollondilly Shire, 89 kilometres southwest of Sydney's CBD in the Macarthur Region. With a population just under 5,000, this small community sits at 300 metres elevation, enjoying a temperate climate with genuine seasons including occasional winter frosts. The town is predominantly Australian-born with Anglo-Celtic heritage, and its character remains shaped by its rich railway history dating back to the 1880s.

Life in Thirlmere centres on its remarkable railway heritage—the NSW Rail Museum houses over 125 historic locomotives and rolling stock, including the famous 3801. The annual Festival of Steam in March transforms the town into a railway enthusiast's paradise, drawing 15,000 visitors. Beyond trains, residents enjoy proximity to Thirlmere Lakes National Park, perfect for bushwalking, kayaking, and picnics. The town attracts families and tree-changers seeking peaceful country living with weekend-friendly Sydney access.

Thirlmere falls under postcode 2572 and is governed by Wollondilly Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wollondilly electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2572
Urban Area
Wollondilly
LGA
Wollondilly
Federal Electorate
Hume
State Electorate
Wollondilly
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.21°, 150.55°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
32.83 km²
Elevation
347m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Picton
5 km
Southern Highlands Line to Campbelltown/Sydney

Bus Services

  • 912 — Picton via Buxton 15 min to Picton
  • 900 — Campbelltown via Narellan 50 min (from Picton)

Commute to Sydney

Distance
89 km
By Train
2h (via Picton + Campbelltown interchange)
By Bus
2h 30min (via Picton Buslines)
By Car (Peak)
1h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 10min

🛣️ Most residents drive to Campbelltown or Picton stations for city commutes

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small township with local shops; car essential for most errands and commuting

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Rail Paybus FP1
NSW Rail Transport Museum Barbour Road Thirlmere • SHR #01673

🏠 Housing Costs 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$420
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,300
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
38 years

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,046
Census 2021
4,986
▲ 23.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$34,216
Income 2021
$40,664
▲ 18.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,156
Born Overseas 522

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 188
  • 2. New Zealand 43
  • 3. Scotland 27
  • 4. Lebanon 26
  • 5. Philippines 18
  • 6. China 14
  • 7. Italy 14
  • 8. Germany 12
  • 9. Ireland 12
  • 10. Thailand 11
  • 11. Croatia 10
  • 12. South Africa 10
  • 13. France 8
  • 14. Malta 8
  • 15. Netherlands 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,221
English 2,008
Irish 510
Scottish 460
Australian Aboriginal 202
German 180
Italian 167
Maltese 115
Lebanese 103
Dutch 69

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,171
Both parents born in Australia
825
Both parents born overseas
655
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.9%
No Religion
35.6%
Islam
0.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
351 (7.0%)
5-14 years
619 (12.4%)
15-19 years
287 (5.8%)
20-24 years
327 (6.6%)
25-34 years
684 (13.7%)
35-44 years
533 (10.7%)
45-54 years
555 (11.1%)
55-64 years
568 (11.4%)
65-74 years
548 (11.0%)
75-84 years
336 (6.7%)
85+ years
171 (3.4%)

Nearby Suburbs