🔍

Kawungan

QLD 4655 • Rest of QLD

5,460
Population (2021)
$59,696
Median Household Income
5.66 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirementFamily-FriendlyShopping Hub

About Kawungan

Kawungan is a residential suburb of Hervey Bay in Queensland's Fraser Coast Region, located approximately 3 km south-east of Pialba and 298 km north of Brisbane. Covering 5.7 km², the suburb recorded a population of 5,460 in the 2021 Census with a median age of 50, reflecting Hervey Bay's well-established reputation as a popular retirement destination. The area falls within the Fraser Coast Regional Council local government area.

Kawungan offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with convenient access to the Hervey Bay waterfront, shopping precincts, and services. The suburb is home to Stockland Hervey Bay Shopping Centre, one of the region's major retail hubs, and benefits from proximity to Fraser Island (K'gari) ferry terminals and whale-watching operations. Residents enjoy a tight-knit community atmosphere, with the suburb particularly popular among retirees and families seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle away from major capital cities.

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

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4655
Urban Area
Hervey Bay
LGA / Council
Fraser Coast
Federal Electorate
Hinkler
State Electorate
Hervey Bay
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.31°, 152.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
5.66 km²
Elevation
27m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,408
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

42 state housing + 15 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Fraser Coast Transit Route 1,Route 3 — Hervey Bay CBD / Maryborough ~15 min to Hervey Bay CBD
  • Greyhound / NSW TrainLink coach — Brisbane ~4 hr to Brisbane

Commute to Brisbane

Distance
298 km
By Train
No direct rail — train from Maryborough West station (~36 km away)
By Bus
Greyhound coach ~4 hr to Brisbane
By Car (Peak)
~3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~3 hr 15 min

🛣️ Hervey Bay does not have a passenger rail station. The nearest station is Maryborough West, served by Queensland Rail's Cairns Tilt Train and Spirit of Queensland.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Kawungan has good access to Stockland Hervey Bay shopping centre and local services. Most errands can be done on foot or by bicycle within the suburb, though a car is needed for wider connections.

🛒 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 Kawungan. 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
4,816
Census 2021
5,460
▲ 13.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,168
Personal Income 2021
$28,600
▲ 13.6% 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
$28,600 / yr
$550/wk
Household
$59,696 / yr
$1148/wk
Family
$70,564 / yr
$1357/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,279
Born Overseas 898

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 249
  • 2. New Zealand 192
  • 3. Philippines 50
  • 4. Germany 33
  • 5. South Africa 32
  • 6. Scotland 30
  • 7. Netherlands 22
  • 8. Thailand 16
  • 9. Papua New Guinea 14
  • 10. Sri Lanka 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,505
Australian 2,047
Scottish 624
Irish 544
German 400
Australian Aboriginal 228
Italian 107
Dutch 78
Filipino 70
New Zealander 42

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,481
Both parents born in Australia
1,097
Both parents born overseas
585
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.1%
No Religion
41.6%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
216 (4.0%)
5-14 years
637 (11.7%)
15-19 years
300 (5.5%)
20-24 years
214 (3.9%)
25-34 years
462 (8.5%)
35-44 years
551 (10.1%)
45-54 years
591 (10.8%)
55-64 years
727 (13.3%)
65-74 years
869 (15.9%)
75-84 years
577 (10.6%)
85+ years
326 (6.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kawungan known for? +

Kawungan is a well-established residential suburb in Fraser Coast, QLD, with a population of approximately 5,460 residents. The suburb is valued for its range of local schools, parks, and shopping facilities.

How far is Kawungan from Brisbane CBD? +

Kawungan is approximately 241 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. The drive typically takes ~3 hr 15 min outside peak hours, though most residents use local regional centres rather than commuting to the capital CBD.

Does Kawungan have public transport? +

Public transport in Kawungan is very limited. There is no rail service, and bus connections to major centres are infrequent or unavailable. A private vehicle is strongly recommended.

What is the population of Kawungan? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kawungan has a population of approximately 5,460 residents.

Is Kawungan a good place to live? +

Kawungan offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with access to local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $40,038, it attracts a broad demographic mix. Like most QLD suburbs, its appeal depends on proximity to work and preferred amenities.

What is the postcode for Kawungan? +

The postcode for Kawungan, QLD is 4655.

What is the average income in Kawungan? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kawungan is about $550 per week (around $28,600 per year). The median household income is $1,148 per week and the median family income is $1,357 per week.

What is the age profile of Kawungan? +

The median age in Kawungan is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (869 residents, around 16%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kawungan a safe area? +

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

In Kawungan, the median weekly rent is $340, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,408 (2021 Census).