🔍

Dundowran Beach

QLD 4655 • Rest of QLD

2,299
Population (2021)
$85,852
Median Household Income
8.71 km²
Area
$418/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideRetiree-HavenCoastalQuietSea-Change

About Dundowran Beach

Dundowran Beach is a coastal urban locality in the Hervey Bay area, located on Queensland's Fraser Coast approximately 290 kilometres north of Brisbane. Administered by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, the suburb occupies a low-lying beachside position at just 5 metres elevation and covers around 8.7 square kilometres of coastal land. With a population of 2,299 and a median age of 51, Dundowran Beach has a strong retiree and sea-change character, consistent with the broader Hervey Bay region's appeal as a relaxed lifestyle destination for older Australians.

The suburb's primary drawcard is its proximity to Hervey Bay's calm, sheltered beaches along the eastern edge of the Great Sandy Strait — waters renowned as a premier humpback whale-watching destination each year from July to November. Residents enjoy a quiet coastal lifestyle with access to shopping, cafes, and services in nearby Urangan and Pialba, while the Fraser Coast Rail Trail and local cycle paths provide recreational options. Public transport is limited and most residents rely on private vehicles; the nearest train connection is at Maryborough West, around 30 kilometres away, on the Queensland Rail Tilt Train route between Brisbane and Rockhampton.

Dundowran Beach 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°, 152.77°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
8.71 km²
Elevation
5m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$418
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,764
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
51 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Maryborough West
30 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • TransLink bus routes (Fraser Coast services) — Hervey Bay CBD (Pialba) and Maryborough 15-30 min to Hervey Bay CBD

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
290 km
By Train
No direct service; connect at Maryborough West then ~3.5h to Brisbane Roma Street
By Car (Peak)
3h – 3h 30min via Bruce Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h 45min – 3h

🛣️ Most residents rely on private vehicles; Hervey Bay Airport offers flights to Brisbane (~1h)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Dundowran Beach is a quiet coastal neighbourhood where most errands require a car, though beach access is easy on foot for nearby residents

🛒 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 Dundowran Beach. 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
2,079
Census 2021
2,299
▲ 10.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,392
Personal Income 2021
$36,192
▲ 27.5% 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
$36,192 / yr
$696/wk
Household
$85,852 / yr
$1651/wk
Family
$91,520 / yr
$1760/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,742
Born Overseas 477

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 174
  • 2. New Zealand 83
  • 3. South Africa 28
  • 4. Germany 23
  • 5. Scotland 15
  • 6. Netherlands 11
  • 7. United States 11
  • 8. Philippines 10
  • 9. France 7
  • 10. Wales 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,120
Australian 858
Scottish 256
Irish 250
German 164
Australian Aboriginal 70
Italian 68
Dutch 51
South African 32
New Zealander 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,376
Both parents born in Australia
574
Both parents born overseas
252
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.3%
No Religion
41.2%
Hinduism
0.3%
Buddhism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
82 (3.6%)
5-14 years
288 (12.5%)
15-19 years
115 (5.0%)
20-24 years
53 (2.3%)
25-34 years
153 (6.7%)
35-44 years
228 (9.9%)
45-54 years
340 (14.8%)
55-64 years
439 (19.1%)
65-74 years
385 (16.7%)
75-84 years
182 (7.9%)
85+ years
30 (1.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dundowran Beach known for? +

Dundowran Beach is known for its relaxed beachside lifestyle along Hervey Bay's sheltered coastline, which is one of Australia's premier whale-watching destinations. Each year from July to November, humpback whales enter the bay, drawing visitors from across the country.

How far is Dundowran Beach from Brisbane CBD? +

Dundowran Beach is approximately 290 kilometres north of Brisbane CBD, making it around a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Bruce Highway. Hervey Bay Airport also offers regular flights to Brisbane, taking approximately one hour.

Does Dundowran Beach have public transport? +

Public transport options in Dundowran Beach are limited. TransLink bus services connect the Hervey Bay area to nearby centres, but the nearest train station is Maryborough West, approximately 30 kilometres away. Most residents rely on private vehicles.

What is the population of Dundowran Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dundowran Beach has a population of 2,299 residents, up from 2,079 in 2016. The suburb has a high median age of 51, reflecting its popularity as a retirement and sea-change destination.

Is Dundowran Beach a good place to live? +

Dundowran Beach is an excellent choice for those seeking a peaceful coastal lifestyle away from city pressures. It particularly suits retirees and sea-changers who value proximity to calm beaches, a quiet community atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the Fraser Coast region.

What is the postcode for Dundowran Beach? +

The postcode for Dundowran Beach is 4655, shared with Hervey Bay and surrounding localities on Queensland's Fraser Coast.

What is the average income in Dundowran Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Dundowran Beach is about $696 per week (around $36,200 per year). The median household income is $1,651 per week and the median family income is $1,760 per week.

What is the age profile of Dundowran Beach? +

The median age in Dundowran Beach is 51. The largest age group is 55–64 (439 residents, around 19%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 26% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Dundowran Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dundowran Beach 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 Dundowran Beach? +

In Dundowran Beach, the median weekly rent is $418, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,764 (2021 Census).