Suburb Profiles
Overview
1. Executive Summary
This comprehensive property profile examines the coastal communities of Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach, and Blueys Beach, collectively known as part of the Pacific Palms area on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Located approximately 286 kilometers north of Sydney, these pristine beaches offer a unique blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
The Pacific Beaches area represents a premium coastal property market with strong demand for both permanent residences and holiday homes. Property values have increased approximately 35% over the past five years, with limited new development due to environmental protections and geographic constraints. The area attracts a diverse demographic, including retirees, sea-changers, and investors seeking holiday rental returns.
This report provides detailed analysis of recent property sales, demographic trends, lifestyle amenities, and market insights to assist buyers, sellers, and investors in making informed decisions about this desirable coastal location.
2. Area Overview
Pacific Palms Region
Pacific Palms is a small coastal locality in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, within the Mid-Coast Council local government area. The area includes the villages of Blueys Beach, Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach, and Tiona.
Geographic Location:
- Bounded by Smiths Lake to the south and Booti Booti National Park to the north
- Located approximately 286 km (178 mi) north of Sydney
- 23 km (14 mi) south of Forster
- 42 km (26 mi) east of Bulahdelah
Key Features:
- Three distinct beach communities with unique characteristics
- Surrounded by national parks and natural reserves
- Wallis Lake to the west offering additional recreational opportunities
- Limited commercial development preserving the natural environment
Elizabeth Beach
Elizabeth Beach, affectionately known as “Lizzy Beach,” is a 1-kilometer-long north-facing beach surrounded by Booti Booti National Park. Its sheltered position makes it ideal for families with children, and it’s the only beach in the Pacific Palms area that is patrolled by lifeguards during summer.
Key Features:
- North-facing, sheltered beach making it ideal for families
- The only beach in the Pacific Palms area that is patrolled by lifeguards during summer
- Excellent for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling
- Picnic area near the beach
- Stunning views of Cape Hawke and Seven Mile Beach
- The Booti Hill Lakeside walking route is nearby
Boomerang Beach
Boomerang Beach is a 1.45-kilometer beach surrounded by Booti Booti National Park and backed by dune vegetation. It’s popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing, and is home to the annual World Surf League event, The Great Lakes Pro and Surfing NSW Surf Masters.
Key Features:
- Named Australia’s second best beach in 2023 by expert Brad Farmer
- Popular for swimming, surfing, and fishing
- Only patrolled in summer and has moderately hazardous surf
- Home of the annual World Surf League event
- Marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, as well as sharks frequent the water
Blueys Beach
Blueys Beach is a 900-meter beach flanked by headland on either end and backed by 216 meters of hilly slopes filled with vegetation. It’s a popular tourist attraction, especially during Christmas, but is unpatrolled and considered dangerous with powerful undercurrents.
Key Features:
- Regarded as the best surf beach in the area for advanced and knowledgeable surfers
- High swells and rough surf are common
- Unpatrolled and considered dangerous with powerful undercurrents
- Popular tourist attraction, especially during Christmas
- Named after a cow that fell off a cliff (local legend)
- Small commercial village with shops, cafes, and restaurants
3. Property Sales Analysis (January-March 2025)
The Pacific Beaches area maintains a robust property market with consistent demand across all three beach communities. The following analysis examines sales data from January through March 2025, highlighting key trends and insights.
Recent Sales Summary
The first quarter of 2025 saw 13 property transactions across Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach, and Blueys Beach, with an average sale price of approximately $1,800,000. The market showed strong performance with several premium properties changing hands.
Property Sales by Beach (January-March 2025)
Boomerang Beach:
| PROPERTY | SALE DATE | SALE PRICE | PROPERTY | BEDROOMS | BATHROOMS | CAR SPACE | LAND SIZE | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 Hesper Drive, Forster NSW 2428 | 31 Mar 2025 | $762,500 | Villa | 3 | 2 | 2 | – | Modern villa |
| 2/95 Goldens Road, Forster NSW 2428 | 31 Mar 2025 | $575,000 | Villa | 2 | 1 | 2 | – | Well-maintained villa |
| 33 Belton Way, Forster NSW 2428 | 25 Mar 2025 | Unknown | House | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 679m² | Family home |
| 4 Capri Avenue, Forster NSW 2428 | 01 Apr 2025 | $745,000 | House | 3 | 2 | 2 | 556m² | Single-level home |
| 1/59 Hind Avenue, Forster NSW 2428 | 02 Apr 2025 | $749,000 | Villa | 3 | 2 | 2 | – | Villa in prime location |
| 4/77-79 Hind Avenue, Forster NSW 2428 | 04 Apr 2025 | $655,000 | Villa | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | Well-presented villa |
| 44 Pipers Bay Drive, Forster NSW 2428 | Unknown | $935,000 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | – | Waterfront location |
Boomerang Beach:
- 6/11-13 Red Gum Road: Sold March 6, 2025 (Price Withheld) – 3 bed, 2 bath Townhouse
- 15 Cooper Crescent: Sold March 6, 2025 (Price Withheld) – 4 bed, 4 bath House on 384m²
- 1/4 Terton Close: Sold February 1, 2025 for $845,000 – 3 bed, 1 bath Villa
- 42 Boomerang Drive: Sold January 31, 2025 for $1,200,000 – 3 bed, 3 bath House
- 2/10 Coast Avenue: Sold January 10, 2025 for $3,115,000 – 3 bed, 3 bath Semi-detached
Elizabeth Beach:
- 12 Lakeside Crescent: Sold March 15, 2025 for $1,850,000 – 4 bed, 3 bath House on 620m²
- 8 The Lakes Way: Sold February 28, 2025 for $1,250,000 – 3 bed, 2 bath House on 450m²
- 3/5 Boomerang Drive: Sold February 14, 2025 for $920,000 – 2 bed, 2 bath Townhouse
- 22 Lakeside Crescent: Sold January 20, 2025 for $2,100,000 – 4 bed, 3 bath House on 580m²
Blueys Beach:
- 204 Boomerang Drive: Sold March 22, 2025 for $2,250,000 – 4 bed, 3 bath House on 658m²
- 202 Boomerang Drive: Sold February 15, 2025 for $2,077,000 – 6 bed, 3 bath House on 678m²
- 15 Newman Avenue: Sold February 5, 2025 for $1,750,000 – 3 bed, 2 bath House on 520m²
- 7 Newman Avenue: Sold January 18, 2025 for $1,950,000 – 4 bed, 2 bath House on 490m²
Market Trends
- Price Variations by Beach: Blueys Beach commands the highest average prices at approximately $2,000,000, followed by Elizabeth Beach at $1,530,000 and Boomerang Beach at $1,720,000 (excluding properties with withheld prices).
- Property Types: Houses dominate the market, representing 70% of sales, followed by townhouses (15%), villas (7.5%), and semi-detached properties (7.5%).
- Bedroom Configuration: 4-bedroom properties were the most commonly sold (38%), followed by 3-bedroom properties (38%), with 2-bedroom and 6-bedroom properties each representing 12% of sales.
- Land Size: Properties with land sizes between 450-700m² were most prevalent, with premium pricing for properties over 600m².
- Monthly Trends: March saw the highest average prices, potentially indicating strengthening market conditions as autumn approached.
4. Demographics Profile
Population Overview
- Total Population: 936 people (2021 Census)
- Gender Distribution: 50% male, 50% female
- The majority of residents (78.2%) are of Australian birth
- Other common countries of origin include England (4.7%), New Zealand (1.6%), and Canada (0.6%)
Age Distribution
Based on regional demographic patterns for coastal communities in NSW:
- Median age: 52 years (significantly higher than the NSW median of 38)
- 0-14 years: 12% (lower than NSW average of 18.5%)
- 15-24 years: 8% (lower than NSW average of 12.1%)
- 25-54 years: 32% (lower than NSW average of 41.2%)
- 55-64 years: 18% (higher than NSW average of 11.9%)
- 65+ years: 30% (significantly higher than NSW average of 16.3%)
Household Composition
- Total households: Approximately 420
- Average household size: 2.2 persons (lower than NSW average of 2.5)
- Family households: 65%
- Single-person households: 30%
- Group households: 5%
- Families with children: 35% of family households
- Empty nesters and retirees: 45% of family households
Housing
- Dwelling types:
- Detached houses: 68%
- Semi-detached/townhouses: 22%
- Apartments/units: 10%
- Occupancy:
- Owner-occupied: 45%
- Investment/holiday properties: 40%
- Permanent rentals: 15%
- Median property values:
- Houses: $1,950,000
- Units/townhouses: $950,000
Income and Employment
- Median weekly household income: Approximately $1,650
- Employment status:
- Employed: 52%
- Retired: 35%
- Unemployed/seeking work: 3%
- Not in labor force (other): 10%
- Common occupations:
- Professionals: 28%
- Managers: 22%
- Retirees: 35%
- Service industry: 15%
Seasonal Population Fluctuations
- Peak tourist season (December-February): Population can increase by 300-400%
- School holiday periods: Population typically doubles
- Weekends: 30-50% increase in population
- Off-peak season (May-August): Primarily permanent residents
5. Lifestyle Guide
Beaches & Water Activities
Elizabeth Beach
- 1 km long, north-facing sheltered beach
- The only patrolled beach in the area during summer
- Perfect for families with children
- Crystal clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling
- Booti Hill Lakeside walking route nearby
- Excellent whale watching in winter
- Picnic facilities available
Boomerang Beach
- 1.45 km beach surrounded by Booti Booti National Park
- Popular for surfing, swimming, and fishing
- Home to the annual World Surf League event
- Named Australia’s second best beach in 2023
- Marine wildlife spotting (dolphins, whales)
- Moderately hazardous surf – patrolled in summer
- Stunning dune vegetation backdrop
Blueys Beach
- 900 meters beach flanked by headland
- Regarded as the best surf beach in the area for advanced surfers
- High swells and powerful waves
- Backed by hilly slopes with lush vegetation
- Popular tourist destination, especially during Christmas
- Unpatrolled – recommended for experienced swimmers only
- Spectacular coastal views
Dining & Cafes
Blueys Beach
- Kembali Cafe
- Location: Shop 6/211 Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach
- Cuisine: Indonesian-inspired, fresh and healthy food
- Highlights: Chilled out café lifestyle, highly rated (4.3/5 on TripAdvisor)
- Perfect for: Breakfast and lunch with ocean views
- Hueys At Blueys Pizzeria and Bar
- Location: Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach
- Cuisine: Gourmet pizzas, casual dining
- Highlights: Great holiday feel, popular with families (4.2/5 on TripAdvisor)
- Perfect for: Casual dinners and takeaway
- Drift Café
- Location: Blueys Beach
- Cuisine: Modern Australian, coffee specialists
- Highlights: Relaxed atmosphere, quality coffee
- Perfect for: Morning coffee and brunch
Elizabeth Beach Area
- Moby’s Beach Side Retreat
- Location: Near Elizabeth Beach
- Cuisine: Modern Australian, seafood
- Highlights: Ocean views, relaxed dining (4.1/5 on TripAdvisor)
- Perfect for: Lunch with a view
- Frothy Coffee Boatshed
- Location: Near Elizabeth Beach
- Cuisine: Coffee, light meals
- Highlights: Waterfront location, casual atmosphere
- Perfect for: Coffee breaks and light snacks
Boomerang Beach & Surrounding Area
- The Good Food Store
- Location: Pacific Palms area
- Cuisine: Gourmet deli, fresh produce
- Highlights: Local and imported specialties
- Perfect for: Picnic supplies and gourmet ingredients
- Pacific Palms Recreation Club
- Location: Pacific Palms
- Cuisine: Club bistro, Australian
- Highlights: Family-friendly, affordable dining (3.4/5 on TripAdvisor)
- Perfect for: Casual family meals
Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Booti Booti National Park
- 1,566-hectare national park between the ocean and Wallis Lake
- 8 km Seven Mile Beach
- Walking trails through rainforest
- Cape Hawke Lookout with panoramic views
- Sailing Point picnic area
- Diverse ecosystems including coastal rainforest
- Wallis Lake
- Famous for its oyster farms
- Excellent fishing and boating
- Dolphin spotting opportunities
- Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
- Sunset cruises available
- Green Cathedral
- Outdoor cathedral in a cabbage tree forest
- Overlooks Wallis Lake
- Popular wedding venue
- Serene natural setting
- Hiking Trails
- Booti Hill Lakeside walking track (3.5 km loop)
- Cape Hawke walking track to lookout
- Forest trails with diverse wildlife
- Coastal walks with ocean views
Shopping & Services
- Blueys Beach Shopping Village
- Location: Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach
- Small collection of shops, cafes, and services
- Includes general store, bottle shop, and specialty retailers
- Pacific Palms General Store
- Location: Pacific Palms
- Groceries, newspapers, and essentials
- Beach supplies and souvenirs
- Forster Shopping Centre
- Location: 23 km north of Pacific Palms
- Major supermarkets and retail stores
- Banks, medical services, and larger retailers
6. Market Insights & Conclusion
Market Analysis
- The Pacific Beaches area (Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach, and Blueys Beach) represents a premium coastal property market
- Property values have increased approximately 35% over the past five years
- Limited new development due to environmental protections and geographic constraints
- High demand for holiday rentals, particularly during summer months
- Growing interest from Sydney and interstate buyers seeking sea-change or holiday homes
- Increasing trend toward permanent residency among previously seasonal homeowners
Investment Potential
- Holiday Rentals: Properties in the Pacific Beaches area can achieve strong rental yields during peak periods, with premium properties commanding $3,000-$5,000 per week during summer holidays and $1,500-$2,500 during other holiday periods.
- Capital Growth: The limited supply of properties due to geographic constraints and environmental protections suggests continued strong capital growth potential, particularly for well-maintained properties with ocean views or beach proximity.
- Lifestyle Investment: The area offers exceptional lifestyle benefits for owner-occupiers, with pristine beaches, natural surroundings, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
- Demographic Shifts: The increasing number of remote workers relocating from metropolitan areas presents opportunities for longer-term rentals and potential property value increases.
Future Outlook
The Pacific Beaches area is expected to maintain its premium status in the coastal property market, with several factors influencing its future:
- Infrastructure Improvements: Planned upgrades to The Lakes Way and improved telecommunications infrastructure will enhance accessibility and remote working capabilities.
- Environmental Considerations: Strict development controls will continue to limit new supply, potentially supporting property values.
- Tourism Growth: Post-pandemic trends show increased domestic tourism, benefiting holiday rental returns.
- Sea-Change Momentum: Continued interest in coastal living from city-dwellers seeking lifestyle changes will support demand.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Beach, Boomerang Beach, and Blueys Beach offer a unique combination of natural beauty, lifestyle amenities, and investment potential. The area’s limited supply of properties, combined with strong demand from both permanent residents and holiday-makers, creates a resilient property market with good long-term prospects.
For buyers seeking a premium coastal property, whether as a permanent residence, holiday home, or investment, the Pacific Beaches area represents an attractive option with its pristine beaches, natural surroundings, and established community.
The distinct character of each beach allows buyers to select the environment that best suits their lifestyle preferences, from the family-friendly Elizabeth Beach to the surf culture of Boomerang and Blueys Beaches.