🔍

Craignish

QLD 4655 • Rest of QLD

2,190
Population (2021)
$83,304
Median Household Income
14.19 km²
Area
$383/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenFamily-FriendlyQuietSemi-Rural

About Craignish

Craignish is a coastal residential suburb in the Fraser Coast region of Queensland, situated approximately 5 kilometres south of the Hervey Bay CBD within the Fraser Coast Regional Council area. With a population of 2,190 and an area of 14 square kilometres at an elevation of just 4 metres above sea level, the suburb has a low-lying, semi-coastal character typical of the Hervey Bay area. The community has a mature profile with a median age of 47, and the strong growth from 1,827 residents in 2016 to 2,190 in 2021 reflects Hervey Bay's appeal as a lifestyle and retirement destination.

Craignish benefits from its proximity to the Hervey Bay waterfront, beaches, and the gateway to the Great Sandy Strait and K'gari (Fraser Island) — one of Australia's premier natural destinations. Local amenities include parks, sporting grounds, and easy access to the Stockland Hervey Bay shopping centre and Hervey Bay CBD. The suburb is car-dependent with limited public transport, but the lifestyle appeal — calm waters, whale-watching season, fishing, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere — draws retirees, families, and sea-changers from across Queensland and beyond.

Craignish falls under postcode 4655 and is governed by Fraser Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Maryborough electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4655
Urban Area
Fraser Coast
LGA / Council
Fraser Coast
Federal Electorate
Hinkler
State Electorate
Maryborough
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.28°, 152.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
14.19 km²
Elevation
4m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$383
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
47 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Fraser Coast Transit — Hervey Bay CBD and surrounding suburbs 10-20 min

Commute to Hervey Bay CBD (Pialba)

Distance
5 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest QR station is Maryborough West (~30km away)
By Car (Peak)
8-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-10 min

🛣️ Bruce Highway access via Maryborough provides road connections south to Brisbane (~290km, ~3h drive)

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

The suburb is spread across a large area with limited footpath infrastructure; a car is essential for almost all errands and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
481 / 100k
2yr Down 53.5% 10yr Down 34.0%
Motor vehicle theft
244.5 / 100k
2yr Down 26.2% 10yr Up 144.4%
Non-FV assault
932 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 100.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
15.4 / 100k
2yr Down 21.1% 10yr Up 58.4%
Steal from vehicle
432.4 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Up 20.3%
View all offence categories for Fraser Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,827
Census 2021
2,190
▲ 19.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,560
Personal Income 2021
$33,956
▲ 23.2% 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
$33,956 / yr
$653/wk
Household
$83,304 / yr
$1602/wk
Family
$88,296 / yr
$1698/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,775
Born Overseas 338

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 94
  • 2. New Zealand 74
  • 3. Scotland 24
  • 4. Germany 17
  • 5. Netherlands 15
  • 6. Wales 15
  • 7. South Africa 13
  • 8. Philippines 11
  • 9. Canada 9
  • 10. Italy 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,037
Australian 823
Scottish 279
Irish 239
German 167
Australian Aboriginal 87
Italian 49
Dutch 44
Welsh 31
New Zealander 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,436
Both parents born in Australia
407
Both parents born overseas
258
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.8%
No Religion
43.7%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
86 (3.9%)
5-14 years
294 (13.4%)
15-19 years
142 (6.5%)
20-24 years
67 (3.1%)
25-34 years
169 (7.7%)
35-44 years
256 (11.7%)
45-54 years
345 (15.8%)
55-64 years
358 (16.3%)
65-74 years
322 (14.7%)
75-84 years
147 (6.7%)
85+ years
6 (0.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Craignish known for? +

Craignish is known for its coastal lifestyle in the Hervey Bay area, close to the departure point for K'gari (Fraser Island) — one of Australia's most iconic natural wonders. The broader Hervey Bay region is famous for whale watching between July and November, fishing, and the calm, sheltered waters of Hervey Bay.

How far is Craignish from Hervey Bay? +

Craignish is approximately 5 kilometres south of the Hervey Bay CBD (Pialba), typically a 5–15 minute drive. The suburb sits within the Greater Hervey Bay urban area.

Does Craignish have public transport? +

Craignish is served by Fraser Coast Transit bus services connecting to Hervey Bay CBD and neighbouring suburbs. There is no train service to Craignish; the nearest Queensland Rail station is Maryborough West, approximately 30 kilometres away. A car is strongly recommended for daily travel.

What is the population of Craignish? +

According to the 2021 Census, Craignish has a population of 2,190 residents, a significant increase from 1,827 in 2016. This strong growth of around 20% reflects Hervey Bay's growing appeal as a lifestyle and retirement destination.

Is Craignish a good place to live? +

Craignish is well-suited to retirees, families, and sea-changers seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle at an affordable price point relative to major cities. The proximity to Hervey Bay's beaches, the Great Sandy Strait, and K'gari makes it attractive for those who love the outdoors, fishing, and waterfront living. A car is essential, and employment opportunities locally are limited compared to major urban centres.

What is the postcode for Craignish? +

The postcode for Craignish, Queensland is 4655.

What is the average income in Craignish? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Craignish is about $653 per week (around $34,000 per year). The median household income is $1,602 per week and the median family income is $1,698 per week.

What is the age profile of Craignish? +

The median age in Craignish is 47. The largest age group is 55–64 (358 residents, around 16%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Craignish a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Craignish is part of the Fraser Coast 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.

How much is rent in Craignish? +

In Craignish, the median weekly rent is $383, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).