All Suburbs

Thirroul

NSW 2515LGA: City of Wollongong

Investment Score

78

/100

AI Intelligence Summary

Thirroul is a premium coastal suburb located 70km south of Sydney in the Illawarra region, offering an exceptional beachside lifestyle with strong transport connectivity to the city. With a population of 5,800 and median age of 42, the suburb attracts affluent professionals and families seeking a sea change without sacrificing urban accessibility. The property market has experienced robust growth, with median house prices reaching $1,350,000, driven by the suburb's coastal location, quality amenities, and direct rail link to Sydney. Thirroul Beach is a major drawcard for residents and visitors, providing excellent surfing and swimming conditions with patrolled areas. The community is well-educated with 42% holding university qualifications and a median household income of $95,000. Local amenities include boutique cafes and shops along Lawrence Hargrave Drive, quality schools, and strong community groups. The suburb benefits from low crime rates, excellent walkability, and proximity to both Royal National Park and the Illawarra escarpment. Investment prospects remain strong despite recent rapid growth, supported by ongoing demand from Sydney buyers and limited housing supply.

Strengths

  • Premium beachfront location with patrolled swimming and surfing beach
  • Direct train connection to Sydney CBD (90 minutes) via Thirroul Railway Station
  • Strong property price growth with median house prices at $1,350,000
  • Highly educated population (42% university educated) with above-average incomes

Opportunities

  • Growing demand from Sydney buyers seeking lifestyle change
  • Potential for unit development given coastal location and transport access
  • Tourism and short-term rental market growth
  • Infrastructure improvements in broader Illawarra region

Considerations

  • High property prices creating affordability barriers for first-time buyers
  • Limited housing stock with only 185 sales in the past 12 months
  • Dependence on single rail line for Sydney commuting
  • Limited major shopping and employment opportunities within the suburb

Property Market

Median House

$1.35M

+8.5% 1yr

Median Unit

$750K

+6.2% 1yr

Median Townhouse

$950K

Rent (House)

$850/wk

Rent (Unit)

$580/wk

Days on Market

32

Vacancy Rate

1.8%

Auction Clearance

72.0%

Price Growth

Type1 Year3 Year5 Year
House+8.5%+28.2%+45.8%
Unit+6.2%+22.5%+38.4%

Rental Yields

House Yield

3.2%

Unit Yield

4.8%

Townhouse Yield

3.8%

Investment Scorecard

Overall Investment Score78/100
Growth Potential75/100
Cashflow Score65/100
Risk Score (lower = safer)65/100
Affordability Index45/100

Demand/Supply Ratio: 1.80

Demand exceeds supply — favourable for sellers

Tax & Financial Intelligence

CPA-grade analysis for Thirroul at median house price

Standard transfer
$56,640
First Home Buyer
$56,640
Foreign buyer surcharge
$108,000

+8% surcharge

Annual rent income
$44,200

$850/wk

Interest (80% LVR @ 6.5%)
-$70,200
Other expenses (~2.5%)
-$33,750
Net rental position
-$59,750

Negatively geared

Tax benefit (39% MTR)
+$23,303

Reduces taxable income

After-tax holding cost
$36,448/yr

~$701/week

Based on 9.2% p.a. growth (from 5-year trend), 50% CGT discount, 39% MTR

5-Year Hold

Est. value
$2.09M
Capital gain
$679,042
After discount
$339,521
CGT payable
$132,413

10-Year Hold

Est. value
$3.24M
Capital gain
$1.83M
After discount
$914,887
CGT payable
$356,806

Investor Quick Summary

Entry cost (stamp duty)

$56,640

After-tax yield

1.95%

Weekly holding cost

$701/wk

10yr CGT (est.)

$356,806

Estimates based on FY2025 NSW rates at median house price. Assumes 80% LVR, 6.5% interest rate, 39% marginal tax rate ($135K-$190K bracket). Individual circumstances vary. This is general information only and not personal financial advice. Consult your CPA before making investment decisions. Local Knowledge Pty Ltd — Registered Tax Agent.

Demographics

Population

5,800

Median Age

42

Median Income

$95K

per annum

Family Households

68.0%

Professionals

45.0%

University Educated

42.0%

Unemployment

4.2%

Born Overseas

28.0%

Dwelling Mix

Houses: 75%Units: 18%Townhouses: 7%Total: 2,400

Lifestyle & Community

Walkability75/100
Public Transport8/10
Schools Rating8/10
Safety8/10
Family Friendly9/10
Cafes & Restaurants

15

Parks

8

Hospitals

1

Distance to CBD

70.0 km

Nearest Station: Thirroul Railway Station

Beach-focused lifestyle with surfing, swimming, coastal walks, boutique dining, and easy access to natural attractions and Sydney.

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Data sourced from multiple sources. Last updated 29 March 2026.

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