Smiths Lake
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Smiths Lake, NSW 2428.
About Smiths Lake
Welcome to Smiths Lake
Smiths Lake sits on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, part of the Great Lakes area roughly midway between Newcastle and Port Macquarie and a few hours' drive north of Sydney. Named for the shallow, sparkling lake at its centre, this is a place built around water — boating, fishing and lazy afternoons on the shoreline are simply part of daily life here rather than occasional treats.
It's a small, quiet community of around 1,332 people, with a median age of 49 that hints at its appeal to retirees, tree-changers and holidaymakers rather than young families chasing city commutes. Neighbouring Charlotte Bay, Tarbuck Bay, Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach round out a cluster of lakeside and coastal settlements that together give the area a relaxed, low-density character, with proper beaches only a short drive away.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Smiths Lake revolves around the water. Locals launch tinnies and kayaks straight from the lake's edge, cast a line for bream and whiting, or simply watch the pelicans go about their business. For a bigger night out or a proper café fix, Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach are close by and have developed a reputation well beyond their size for good coffee, casual dining and surf. It's the kind of lifestyle that suits people who value space and quiet over convenience — long walks, birdwatching and unhurried weekends are the main drawcards.
Shopping
Smiths Lake itself keeps things simple, with day-to-day needs generally covered by a short trip to nearby villages such as Blueys Beach or Tarbuck Bay. For a wider range of retail, supermarkets and services, residents typically head further into the Great Lakes region, treating shopping as an occasional outing rather than an everyday errand — part and parcel of the area's low-key, unhurried pace.
Getting around
Smiths Lake is best explored by car, with the Pacific Highway providing the main route in and out of the area and onward connections north to Port Macquarie or south to Newcastle and Sydney. There's no train line through the village, so a vehicle is close to essential for reaching larger centres, schools or medical services. Within the immediate area, distances between Smiths Lake and its neighbours — Charlotte Bay, Tarbuck Bay, Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach — are short, making local trips quick even if the wider region takes longer to cross.
Parks & recreation
The lake is the main attraction, offering swimming, paddling, sailing and some of the more reliable fishing spots on this stretch of coast. Bushland and coastal reserves surround the village, feeding into walking trails that link through to the beaches at Boomerang Beach and Blueys Beach, both popular for surfing and rock fishing. The nearby Booti Booti National Park and broader Great Lakes coastline add to the appeal for anyone who wants national park bushwalks, lookouts and pristine beaches within easy reach.
Housing & architecture
Housing in Smiths Lake is dominated by low-set houses designed to make the most of the lake and bush outlook, with the current mix of listings running 68% houses, 29% land and just 3% apartments or units. That land component is notable — it points to an area where building a new home or holiday retreat remains genuinely achievable, rather than one that's been fully built out. Architecturally, expect a mix of established fibro and brick cottages alongside newer, more contemporary coastal builds.
The property market
Smiths Lake's median house price currently sits at $816,000, having climbed 10.3% recently — solid growth for a small lakeside market and a sign that demand for this kind of low-density, water-oriented lifestyle hasn't let up. Median rent of $590 a week reflects healthy ongoing interest from both permanent residents and the holiday-letting market that's common across this part of the coast. With land making up close to a third of current listings, buyers have a genuine choice between an established home and building their own, which helps keep the market varied for a suburb of this size.
Market snapshot
Smiths Lake property market
Median sale price
$816k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$590
per week
Gross rental yield
3.8%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$627k
Median
$816k
Premium
$1.08m
Days on market
55
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
35
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +3.2% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Smiths Lake by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Smiths Lake, NSW 2428.
Population
1,332
residents (2021)
Median age
49
years
Household income
$1,210
median, per week
Median rent
$380
per week
Median mortgage
$1,473
per month
Mortgage / income
28%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Recent results
Recently sold in Smiths Lake
$859k
86 Amaroo Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$899k
10 Fourth Ridge Road
Sold ~June 2026
$695k
23 The Jack
Sold ~June 2026
$369k
152 Amaroo Drive
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 Smiths Lake
Compare the area
Price map around Smiths Lake
Every listing for sale near Smiths Lake, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Smiths Lake suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Smiths Lake?
The median house price in Smiths Lake, NSW is $816k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 10.3%.
How much is rent in Smiths Lake?
The median weekly rent in Smiths Lake is around $590 per week.
Is Smiths Lake a good place to live?
Smiths Lake is a small village in the Mid North Coast region of Pacific Palms, located within the Mid-Coast Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Smiths Lake is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 1,332.
What is the population of Smiths Lake?
Smiths Lake has a population of 1,332 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 49.
How long do homes take to sell in Smiths Lake?
Properties in Smiths Lake take around 55 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Smiths Lake?
Entry-level properties in Smiths Lake start around $627k, while premium homes reach $1.08m.
What suburbs are near Smiths Lake?
Suburbs near Smiths Lake include Charlotte Bay, Tarbuck Bay, Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach.
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