🔍

Forrest Beach

QLD 4850 • Rest of QLD

1,364
Population (2021)
$48,620
Median Household Income
45.46 km²
Area
$240/wk
Median Rent
CoastalTropicalFishingAffordableGreat Barrier Reef

About Forrest Beach

Forrest Beach is a laid-back coastal locality in the Shire of Hinchinbrook, North Queensland, situated approximately 16 kilometres southeast of Ingham and 85 kilometres northwest of Townsville. With a population of around 1,364, the town was established in 1925 and named after George Brownrigg Forrest, former manager of the nearby Victoria Sugar Mill. The locality covers 67 square kilometres and features long sandy beaches sheltered by the Orpheus and Palm Island groups, with Lady Elliot Reef of the Great Barrier Reef lying just 5 kilometres offshore. Forrest Beach has a distinctly tropical, unhurried character.

Life at Forrest Beach centres on fishing, swimming, and enjoying the tropical coastal environment, with the Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club a key community institution since 1927. The Cassady Beach area in the south and the main residential area along the northern beaches provide a relaxed seaside lifestyle. Palm Creek Conservation Park borders the locality, offering nature walks through tropical wetlands. The town has a state school and basic facilities, with most shopping and services accessed in Ingham. Forrest Beach attracts retirees, fishing enthusiasts, and families seeking an affordable tropical coastal lifestyle.

Forrest Beach falls under postcode 4850 and is governed by Hinchinbrook Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hinchinbrook electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4850
Urban Area
Hinchinbrook
LGA / Council
Hinchinbrook
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Hinchinbrook
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-18.72°, 146.27°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
45.46 km²
Elevation
4m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$240
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,192
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
57 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ingham
16 km
N/A - drive required

Bus Services

  • Chris Watson Travel / Ingham Travel — Ingham 20 min
  • Greyhound / Premier Motor Service — Townsville (via Ingham) 1h 30min from Ingham

Commute to Townsville

Distance
85 km
By Train
N/A direct - drive to Ingham then Spirit of Queensland
By Bus
2h via Ingham connection
By Car (Peak)
1h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 10min

🛣️ Most residents commute to Ingham (20 min drive) as the local service centre. Very limited public transport - car essential. Local bus runs Monday to Friday only

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small residential beachside community with minimal footpaths and no local shops. Car required for all services and amenities.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
553.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 29.5%
Motor vehicle theft
267.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 46.8%
Non-FV assault
2,052.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 378.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
214.1 / 100k
2yr Up 25.3% 10yr Down 38.2%
View all offence categories for Hinchinbrook →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,254
Census 2021
1,364
▲ 8.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,312
Personal Income 2021
$28,236
▲ 7.3% 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
$28,236 / yr
$543/wk
Household
$48,620 / yr
$935/wk
Family
$63,076 / yr
$1213/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,069
Born Overseas 166

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 57
  • 2. New Zealand 29
  • 3. Italy 12
  • 4. Canada 8
  • 5. China 8
  • 6. Netherlands 7
  • 7. Philippines 7
  • 8. Indonesia 6
  • 9. United States 6
  • 10. Thailand 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 556
Australian 458
Irish 186
Italian 177
Scottish 160
Australian Aboriginal 77
German 69
Dutch 25
New Zealander 15
Filipino 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

902
Both parents born in Australia
210
Both parents born overseas
133
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
58.6%
No Religion
29.9%
Buddhism
1.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
50 (3.7%)
5-14 years
142 (10.4%)
15-19 years
59 (4.3%)
20-24 years
39 (2.9%)
25-34 years
79 (5.8%)
35-44 years
99 (7.3%)
45-54 years
155 (11.4%)
55-64 years
277 (20.3%)
65-74 years
286 (21.0%)
75-84 years
142 (10.4%)
85+ years
39 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forrest Beach known for? +

Forrest Beach is known for its tropical beachside lifestyle, recreational fishing, and the Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club (operating since 1927). The area attracts retirees and families seeking affordable coastal living near Ingham's Italian heritage community.

How far is Forrest Beach from Townsville? +

Forrest Beach is approximately 85 kilometres north-west of Townsville, a drive of about an hour via the Bruce Highway and Ingham.

Does Forrest Beach have public transport? +

There is no regular public transport serving Forrest Beach. Ingham, about 16 kilometres away, has bus connections to Townsville. A private vehicle is needed for most travel.

What is the population of Forrest Beach? +

The 2021 Census recorded approximately 1,364 residents in Forrest Beach, an established coastal locality in Hinchinbrook Shire, North Queensland.

Is Forrest Beach a good place to live? +

Forrest Beach is an excellent choice for retirees and fishing enthusiasts seeking affordable tropical coastal living. The relaxed lifestyle, access to the Great Barrier Reef coastline, and Ingham's Italian-influenced culture nearby are notable drawcards.

What is the postcode for Forrest Beach? +

The postcode for Forrest Beach is 4850, covering the Ingham and Hinchinbrook coastal area of North Queensland.

What is the average income in Forrest Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Forrest Beach is about $543 per week (around $28,200 per year). The median household income is $935 per week and the median family income is $1,213 per week.

What is the age profile of Forrest Beach? +

The median age in Forrest Beach is 57. The largest age group is 65–74 (286 residents, around 21%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 34% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Forrest Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Forrest Beach is part of the Hinchinbrook 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 Forrest Beach? +

In Forrest Beach, the median weekly rent is $240, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,192 (2021 Census).