Great Mackerel Beach crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
8 recorded in this period, compared with 4 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Great Mackerel Beach
Great Mackerel Beach is a secluded coastal locality situated on the western shores of Pittwater, within the Northern Beaches local government area of New South Wales, carrying the postcode 2108. Accessible primarily by watercraft or ferry, the area is geographically defined by its bushland setting, steep surrounding sandstone escarpments, and a distinct lack of road access to the broader Sydney road network. Due to its isolated nature and limited housing stock, the locality maintains a small permanent population, supplemented significantly by holiday homeowners and weekend visitors.
Local life at Great Mackerel Beach is characterized by a quiet, community-focused environment with minimal commercial infrastructure. The locality lacks standard suburban amenities such as retail shops, paved roads, and vehicular traffic, relying instead on walking tracks, a public wharf, and community-maintained facilities. Residents and visitors depend on regular ferry and water taxi services connecting to Palm Beach for commuting, schooling, and provisioning. The natural surrounds support a range of low-impact outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, and bushwalking within the adjacent Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Historically, the area was traditionally inhabited by the Guringai Aboriginal people, who left behind numerous heritage sites, including rock engravings and midden deposits. Following European settlement, the land was utilized for timber-getting, citrus orcharding, and eventually as a weekend camping and holiday destination during the 20th century. Over decades, the settlement evolved from a collection of temporary shacks into a tightly knit community of permanent and semi-permanent residences, while retaining strict local planning controls to preserve its unique isolation and natural landscape.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Malicious damage to property | 2 | 3 |
| Other offences | 2 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 0 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 1 | 0 |
| Other theft | 1 | 1 |
| Trespass | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 50 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.