Great Lakes vs Port Stephens

Great Lakes and Port Stephens are two coastal New South Wales areas located about 50 km apart. They differ mostly in how residents get around and access services. Port Stephens has far more homes within a short walk of public transport (83.7%) and parks (83.3%), and it has a far higher street connectivity score. In contrast, Great Lakes is far better for walking to groceries (53.8%) and health services (40.1%). Port Stephens also has a far larger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, with 4,896 people compared to 2,267 in Great Lakes.

Both areas are regarded as somewhat walkable, a measure where they sit near the national figure. They also share similar terrain slopes and a similar share of people who speak a First Nations language. While both have First Nations communities, there are clear differences between them: typical incomes and Year 12 completion rates for First Nations people are well higher in Port Stephens, while First Nations residents are noticeably older in Great Lakes.