🔍

Bellara

QLD 4507 • Greater Brisbane

3,278
Population (2021)
$45,968
Median Household Income
2.12 km²
Area
$320/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetireesFamily-FriendlyHistoric

About Bellara

Bellara is a quiet coastal suburb on the southern end of Bribie Island, located approximately 65 kilometres north of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay Region. With a population of around 3,278 residents, it occupies just over two square kilometres of the island and is connected to the mainland via the Bribie Island Bridge at Sandstone Point. The suburb has a distinct island character defined by its proximity to Pumicestone Passage and the surrounding national park, making it a haven for those who value natural beauty and a slower pace of life.

Bellara's demographic profile skews older, with a median age of 59, reflecting its strong appeal among retirees and sea-changers seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle away from city pressures. Local amenities include small shops, cafés, and the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, while residents enjoy easy access to beaches, fishing spots, and the Bribie Island National Park. The community is close-knit and welcoming, with a strong voluntary sector and regular markets and events that bring the island together.

Bellara falls under postcode 4507 and is governed by Moreton Bay Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Pumicestone electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4507
Urban Area
Caboolture
LGA / Council
Moreton Bay
Federal Electorate
Longman
State Electorate
Pumicestone
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.06°, 153.15°
Statistical Area
Greater Brisbane
Area
2.12 km²
Elevation
4m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$320
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,394
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
59 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.3%

71 state housing + 13 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Caboolture Station
18.5 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • 640, 641 — Caboolture Station 30 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
70 km
By Train
~1 hr 30 min via Caboolture Station to Central
By Car (Peak)
80-100 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-70 min

🛣️ Drive to Caboolture then North Coast Line to Brisbane Central

Walkability Car-Dependent

Island layout requires a car for most errands; pleasant walking near the foreshore

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Moreton Bay Local Government Area, which contains Bellara. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
402.8 / 100k
2yr Down 28.9% 10yr Down 44.2%
Motor vehicle theft
187.2 / 100k
2yr Down 17.8% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
687.9 / 100k
2yr Down 19.0% 10yr Up 104.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
16.3 / 100k
2yr Down 27.3% 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
409.4 / 100k
2yr Down 13.9% 10yr Down 18.0%
View all offence categories for Moreton Bay →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,225
Census 2021
3,278
▲ 1.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,920
Personal Income 2021
$26,364
▲ 10.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$26,364 / yr
$507/wk
Household
$45,968 / yr
$884/wk
Family
$59,072 / yr
$1136/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,390
Born Overseas 635

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 222
  • 2. New Zealand 162
  • 3. South Africa 21
  • 4. Philippines 20
  • 5. Netherlands 17
  • 6. Scotland 17
  • 7. Ireland 14
  • 8. Sri Lanka 13
  • 9. Germany 12
  • 10. Croatia 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,549
Australian 1,109
Scottish 435
Irish 421
German 189
Australian Aboriginal 129
New Zealander 59
Italian 53
Dutch 47
Welsh 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,985
Both parents born in Australia
736
Both parents born overseas
336
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.6%
No Religion
39.8%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
73 (2.2%)
5-14 years
244 (7.4%)
15-19 years
124 (3.8%)
20-24 years
101 (3.1%)
25-34 years
215 (6.6%)
35-44 years
270 (8.2%)
45-54 years
384 (11.7%)
55-64 years
564 (17.2%)
65-74 years
699 (21.3%)
75-84 years
453 (13.8%)
85+ years
148 (4.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bellara located? +

Bellara is on the southern tip of Bribie Island in the Moreton Bay Region, QLD, approximately 65 km north of Brisbane.

How do you get to Bellara from Brisbane? +

You can drive via the Bruce Highway and cross the Bribie Island Bridge at Sandstone Point, about a 60–70 minute drive off-peak. Alternatively, take a Citytrain to Caboolture and connect via bus service 640 or 641.

What is the median rent in Bellara? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in Bellara is $320.

Is Bellara a good place to retire? +

Yes — Bellara is very popular with retirees thanks to its relaxed island lifestyle, coastal scenery, and proximity to national park walking tracks and fishing spots.

What schools are near Bellara? +

Bribie Island State School and Bribie Island State High School are located nearby on Bribie Island, serving Bellara residents.

What is the average income in Bellara? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bellara is about $507 per week (around $26,400 per year). The median household income is $884 per week and the median family income is $1,136 per week.

What is the age profile of Bellara? +

The median age in Bellara is 59. The largest age group is 65–74 (699 residents, around 21%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 40% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bellara a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bellara is part of the Moreton Bay LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Bellara? +

Bellara had a population of 3,278 at the 2021 Census, up 1.6% from 3,225 in 2016.

How much is rent in Bellara? +

In Bellara, the median weekly rent is $320, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,394 (2021 Census).