🔍

Garden Island

WA 6168 • Western Australia

772
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
12.41 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalMilitaryIslandRestricted Access
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About Garden Island

Garden Island is a narrow limestone island approximately 10 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide, lying about 5 kilometres off the Western Australian coast near Rockingham, south of Perth. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway and bridge, and is dominated by Fleet Base West — better known as HMAS Stirling — the Royal Australian Navy's largest fleet base in Australia. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 772, the majority of whom are Navy personnel and defence staff stationed at the base.

Given its status as an active naval installation, Garden Island is not a conventional residential suburb and access to most of the island is restricted to defence personnel and authorised visitors. The island is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List for its natural values, and the southern portion features undisturbed coastal vegetation and limestone landscapes typical of the Shoalwater area. The nearby city of Rockingham, just minutes across the causeway, provides all civilian services including shops, schools, transport, and recreational facilities for those based at the island.

Garden Island falls under postcode 6168 and is governed by the Rockingham Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Brand, while state elections fall under the Rockingham (South Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6168
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Rockingham
Federal Electorate
Brand
State Electorate
Rockingham (South Metropolitan)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-32.28°, 115.76°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
12.41 km²
Population Density
62 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 6168

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 6168, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,560
Median 2023–24
$59,061
▲ 24.2% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$72,374

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 6168; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Rockingham Station
8 km
N/A (car or shuttle required)

Bus Services

  • Defence shuttles / limited civilian access — Rockingham 15–20 min

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
47 km
By Train
Approx. 55 min from Rockingham Station via Mandurah Line
By Car (Peak)
45–65 min via Kwinana Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
35–45 min

🛣️ Civilian access to the island is restricted; personnel typically use causeway road link to Rockingham

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

The island has no civilian retail or services; a car is required to access the mainland via causeway for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
772
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Garden Island known for? +

Garden Island is best known as the home of HMAS Stirling (Fleet Base West), the Royal Australian Navy's largest fleet base in Australia. The island is also heritage-listed for its natural limestone coastal values.

How far is Garden Island from Perth CBD? +

Garden Island is approximately 47 kilometres south of Perth CBD, a drive of around 35–45 minutes off-peak via the Kwinana Freeway through Rockingham.

Can civilians access Garden Island WA? +

Most of Garden Island is an active naval base and access is restricted to defence personnel and authorised visitors. The causeway connects the island to Rockingham on the mainland, but civilian access to the base areas is not permitted.

What is the population of Garden Island WA? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 772 on Garden Island, the majority of whom are Royal Australian Navy personnel and defence staff stationed at HMAS Stirling.

Is Garden Island WA a residential suburb? +

Garden Island is not a conventional residential suburb — it functions primarily as a naval base. Families of personnel typically reside in nearby Rockingham, which offers all civilian services, schools, and amenities.

What is the postcode for Garden Island WA? +

The postcode for Garden Island, Western Australia is 6168.

What is the population of Garden Island? +

Garden Island had a population of 772 at the 2021 Census.