🔍

Thirlmere

NSW 2572 • Greater Sydney

4,986
Population (2021)
$88,816
Median Household Income
32.83 km²
Area
$420/wk
Median Rent
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 / Council
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

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$975K
129 sales · ▲ 5.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$730K
22 sales · vs 2024 n/a

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)
$420
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,300
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.9%

8 state housing + 25 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 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

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
83.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.6%
Motor vehicle theft
128.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
195.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
110.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.2%
View all 62 offence types for Wollondilly →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

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

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,216
Personal Income 2021
$40,664
▲ 18.8% 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
$40,664 / yr
$782/wk
Household
$88,816 / yr
$1708/wk
Family
$106,808 / yr
$2054/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 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

🧬 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thirlmere known for? +

Thirlmere is a charming semi-rural town nestled in the Wollondilly Shire, 89 kilometres southwest of Sydney's CBD in the Macarthur Region.

How far is Thirlmere from Sydney? +

Thirlmere is approximately 89 kilometres from Sydney. The drive takes around 1h 30min during peak hour and 1h 10min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 2h (via Picton + Campbelltown interchange).

Does Thirlmere have public transport? +

Thirlmere is served by Picton station (5 km, approximately null walk) on the Southern Highlands Line to Campbelltown/Sydney. Local bus services including 912 also connect residents to Picton via Buxton.

What is the population of Thirlmere? +

According to the 2021 Census, Thirlmere has a population of approximately 4,986 residents.

Is Thirlmere a good place to live? +

Thirlmere 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 Thirlmere? +

The postcode for Thirlmere in NSW is 2572.

What is the average income in Thirlmere? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Thirlmere is about $782 per week (around $40,700 per year). The median household income is $1,708 per week and the median family income is $2,054 per week.

What is the median house price in Thirlmere? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $975,000, up 5.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $730,000. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Thirlmere? +

The median age in Thirlmere is 38. The largest age group is 25–34 (684 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Thirlmere a safe area? +

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

In Thirlmere, the median weekly rent is $420, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,300 (2021 Census).