Why Nowra property trends showcase Shoalhaven’s appeal
A quick look at Nowra property trends reveal a bigger story about the whole Shoalhaven region. A story about how the region has grown into one of regional NSW’s thriving regional centres.
Nowra’s property trends highlight excellent value given its proximity to major urban centres, tourist hotspots and strong industry centres.
Nowra is the hub for the City of Shoalhaven. It’s a bustling region of thriving towns straddling the lower reaches of the Shoalhaven River.
With the area known for tourism, dairy farming and a large navy base, there are plenty of reasons why people have moved here in recent years. So what do Nowra property trends reveal for someone looking to invest in property?
City of Shoalhaven profile
Say it quietly, but the City of Shoalhaven isn’t actually a city. Instead, it became an area formed between the merger of several smaller towns and boroughs. Since the region was founded in 1949, the population has skyrocketed to more than 100,000 people, making it one of the larger regional areas in New South Wales.
Most of the activity of the Shoalhaven region is found in the town of Nowra. This town has grown tremendously in recent years starting as a small dairy town. However, its popularity as a tourism hub and increasing presence for new industries has seen the city grow to a population of 33,000. It also has excellent links to Sydney and Canberra by road and rail.
This growth has come not just to strong infrastructure though. The stationing of HMAS Albatross gives Nowra attention (and jobs) from the defence industry. Meanwhile, the popularity of nearby beaches and picturesque towns make the wider region a booming tourism hotspot. It has turned other towns such as Ulladulla, Sussex Inlet and Jervis Bay into thriving seaside towns.
Shoalhaven Key Details
Population: 109,895 (2023)
Dwellings: 58,695
Households: 45,896
Average Age: 48
Nowra Property Trends Revealed
As mentioned above, Nowra is the focal point of the area. With a population of 33,000, Nowra is comfortably the largest town in the region and continues to enjoy steady growth year on year. The town sits on the Princes Highway allowing for quick access to bigger cities like Sydney and Wollongong.
One of the most surprising things about Nowra property trends is the affordable value. The average house price in Nowra is $640,000. This comes despite the town being just over two hours from Sydney, where a $640k property is virtually unheard of. Units are also extremely good value, selling for an average of $430,000.
Nowra property details
Population: 33,583
Average house value: $640,000 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average unit value: $430,000 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (house): $520 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (unit): $420 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Bomaderry
Sitting opposite Nowra across the Shoalhaven River is Bomaderry. Long considered an extension of Nowra, Bomaderry is a sprawling town that has grown with local industries. The population of 8,000 sits at the end of the Illawarra Line giving direct rail access to Sydney. Bomaderry is one of the busiest trade hubs in the area because of its long-standing dairy industry.
What this means is that Bomaderry’s active presence helps boost overall Nowra property trends and numbers. The town’s property market has had a slight dip in the last year, but still boasts average house prices of almost $700,000 while units in Bomaderry are almost $500k.
Bomaderry property details
Population: 8,718
Average house value: $697,500 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average unit value: $492,500 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (house): $550 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (unit): $430 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Shoalhaven Heads
Just a short drive east of Nowra is Shoalhaven Heads. Once a small fishing village, the town has grown to become a thriving tourist hotspot with more than 3,000 residents. Its location on the mouth of the river has made it popular with retirees looking to settle down as well as those wanting to capitalise on the tourism boom.
This can be easily seen by some of the highest property values in the region. The average price for homes in Shoalhaven Heads is over a million, rising around $100k in the last year. The average unit price in Shoalhaven Heads is $680k, higher than many of the houses in the nearby towns.
Shoalhaven Heads property details
Population: 3,254
Average house value: $1,060,000 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average unit value: $680,000 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (house): $600 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (unit): $470 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Culburra Beach
There are few places in the region quite like Culburra Beach. This small town of 3,500 has always been a rich tourism draw thanks to its beautiful coast which is just as popular with kids and sunbathers as it is with surfers. As one of more than 100 beaches in the area, Culburra stands out as something that little bit special.
However, the town’s location makes it one of the most sought-after properties in the Shoalhaven area. This is proven by the average house costing $965,000. That marks a 7% increase and the first continued rise in prices since March 2022. This means even a standard 3-bedroom home would set you back $913,300 – significantly higher than in bigger towns like Nowra.
Culburra Beach Details
Property: 3,582
Average house value: $958,750 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average unit value: $696,500 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (house): $550 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (unit): $480 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
© Shoalhaven City Council
Sussex Inlet
South of Nowra, Sussex Inlet acts as the gateway to Jervis Bay. Backing onto some of the South Coast’s best beaches, the town has become an important hub for tourists and locals alike. The town not only has a tranquil feel but is one of the most developed areas with links to both the Princes Highway and Nowra itself.
Despite its stunning location, Sussex Inlet is surprisingly affordable compared to some neighbouring towns. Sussex Inlet has an average house value just over $750k – an increase of 5% over the last year. Units in the town have grown in popularity and price, with an average price of $470k.
Sussex Inlet Details
Population: 4,694
Average house value: $754,500 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average unit value: $470,000 (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (house): $500 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Average rent (unit): $400 p/w (RealEstate.com.au, July 2025)
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a lot to look at when investigating Nowra property trends. The larger towns have some of the cheapest properties but remain in demand for families looking for work. People looking to move to the area with a higher borrowing capacity may prefer smaller towns like Culburra Beach or Shoalhaven Heads. Either way, the region continues to grow and Shoalhaven property trends get stronger and stronger each year.
To seek out the best options for purchasing a home, speak to a Wisebuy Home Lender for guidance. Our property experts can give you all the advice you need to work out the best way to get on the property ladder.
