Empire Bay
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Empire Bay, NSW 2257.
About Empire Bay
Welcome to Empire Bay
Empire Bay sits on the northern shores of Brisbane Water on the Central Coast, about 90 minutes' drive north of Sydney depending on traffic through the M1. It's a quiet, water-oriented pocket bordered by Daleys Point, Davistown, St Huberts Island, Kincumber South and Booker Bay, all part of the same peninsula of coves, boat ramps and bushland reserves that locals simply call "the waterways."
This is a suburb for people who want space, water views and a slower pace without giving up on Sydney entirely. With a population of around 2,522 and a median age of 42, Empire Bay tends to attract established families, retirees and downsizers rather than share-house renters or first-home buyers chasing units — largely because there aren't any units to chase.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Empire Bay revolves around the water. Boating, fishing and kayaking on Brisbane Water are part of the everyday rhythm rather than a weekend novelty, and many homes are positioned to make the most of the outlook. For dining and coffee runs, residents typically head to the cafes and takeaway spots scattered around neighbouring Davistown and Kincumber, or further afield to the larger cafe and restaurant strips at Erina and Avoca Beach, both a short drive away.
It's a low-key social scene by design. The appeal here is quiet mornings on the water, backyard barbecues and being close enough to the Coast's beaches and bushland to fill a weekend without ever needing to fight traffic on the M1.
Getting around
Empire Bay is car-dependent, and most residents plan around that. There's no train line running directly through the suburb, so the nearest connections to the Central Coast rail line are typically made via Woy Woy or Gosford stations, both reachable by car in around 15 to 20 minutes. From there it's a straightforward run down to Sydney or up to Newcastle.
Local bus services connect Empire Bay to Kincumber, Erina and Gosford for those without a car, but the peninsula's winding waterfront roads mean travel times can stretch out compared to as-the-crow-flies distances. Many residents also keep a boat on the water as a genuine, if unofficial, second mode of transport around Brisbane Water.
Schools & families
Empire Bay Public School serves as the local primary school and is a real focal point for family life in the suburb, drawing children from Empire Bay itself and pockets of the surrounding waterway suburbs. For high school, families typically look to the broader Kincumber and Erina areas, where the Central Coast's public and independent secondary options are concentrated.
The suburb's demographic profile, with a median age of 42, points to a strong base of settled families and older couples rather than a heavy churn of young renters, which tends to translate into a stable, familiar school community.
Parks & recreation
The waterfront is the main recreational asset here, with reserves, boat ramps and foreshore walking tracks lining Brisbane Water. Bushland pockets throughout the peninsula offer walking trails that link Empire Bay to Daleys Point and St Huberts Island, and the calm, protected waters make it a popular spot for stand-up paddleboarding and swimming away from the surf beaches.
For those wanting the ocean, Killcare and Wagstaffe beaches are a short drive away on the eastern side of the peninsula, rounding out a recreational lifestyle that mixes flat water, surf and bush in a fairly compact area.
Housing & architecture
Every current listing in Empire Bay is a house — there's no unit or townhouse stock to speak of, which says a lot about the suburb's character. Blocks tend to be larger than the Sydney norm, and many properties are built to capture water views or easy water access, with boat sheds and jetties a common feature along the foreshore streets.
Architecturally it's a mix of older Central Coast fibro and brick homes alongside more substantial contemporary rebuilds, reflecting decades of gradual renewal as the suburb's waterfront appeal has drawn steady buyer interest.
The property market
The median house price in Empire Bay currently sits at $1.28 million, a figure that reflects the premium buyers place on the suburb's waterfront position and larger blocks relative to much of the Central Coast. Recent growth has been flat at 0.0%, suggesting the market has settled into a period of price stability after previous gains, rather than pulling back sharply.
With listings made up entirely of houses, buyers looking for something more affordable or lower-maintenance will need to look to neighbouring suburbs such as Kincumber South or Booker Bay, which offer a broader mix of dwelling types. For those specifically after house-and-water-access living, though, Empire Bay remains a tightly held and fairly specialised corner of the Central Coast market.
Market snapshot
Empire Bay property market
Median sale price
$1.28m
House · 4 bed
Median rent
—
per week
Gross rental yield
—
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$978k
Median
$1.28m
Premium
$1.68m
Days on market
39
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
14
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +1.5% / yr over 4 yrs
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Empire Bay, NSW 2257.
Population
2,522
residents (2021)
Median age
42
years
Household income
$1,884
median, per week
Median rent
$410
per week
Median mortgage
$2,165
per month
Mortgage / income
27%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Empire Bay
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Empire Bay
$1.35m
218 Empire Bay Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$1.25m
41 Sorrento Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.15m
22A Hillcrest Road
Sold ~June 2026
$630k
2 Awinya Close
Sold ~June 2026
$1.20m
12 Rosella Road
Sold ~June 2026
$1.15m
68 Shelly Beach Road
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Empire Bay
Compare the area
Price map around Empire Bay
Every listing for sale near Empire Bay, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Common questions
Empire Bay suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Empire Bay?
The median house price in Empire Bay, NSW is $1.28m for a 4-bedroom home.
Is Empire Bay a good place to live?
Empire Bay is a suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Empire Bay is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 2,522 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Empire Bay?
Empire Bay has a population of 2,522 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 42.
What schools are in Empire Bay?
There is 1 school in or near Empire Bay, including Empire Bay Public School.
How long do homes take to sell in Empire Bay?
Properties in Empire Bay take around 39 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Empire Bay?
Entry-level properties in Empire Bay start around $978k, while premium homes reach $1.68m.
What suburbs are near Empire Bay?
Suburbs near Empire Bay include Daleys Point, Davistown, St Huberts Island, Kincumber South and Booker Bay.
Available now
Properties in Empire Bay
Bay Side Gardens
Charming Coastal Cottage in the Heart of Empire Bay
Wake Up to Water Views. Walk to the Village. Live the Lifestyle.
A Landmark Luxury Waterfront Sanctuary
