🔍

Pialba

QLD 4655 • Rest of QLD

4,151
Population (2021)
$48,464
Median Household Income
4.95 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
Retiree-HavenCoastalAffordableSuburbanTourist Hub

About Pialba

Pialba is the commercial and retail heart of Hervey Bay, located within the Fraser Coast Regional Council area approximately 260 kilometres north of Brisbane on Queensland's southern coast. Positioned at a low elevation of 13 metres overlooking the calm waters of Hervey Bay, it serves as the primary shopping and services hub for the wider urban area. The suburb's population of 4,151 skews significantly older, with a median age of 50 and a median household income of around 32 per week, reflecting a large retired and semi-retired population who have made Hervey Bay one of Australia's most popular retiree destinations.

Pialba hosts the Pialba Plaza Shopping Centre (anchored by a Coles supermarket), medical centres, restaurants, and a broad range of retail that serves the greater Hervey Bay community. The Hervey Bay Esplanade is close by, offering waterfront dining and access to the bay's famously calm waters — internationally recognised as a staging ground for humpback whales during their annual migration season between July and November. The proximity to Fraser Island (K'gari), the world's largest sand island, adds to the area's appeal as a tourist and lifestyle destination. A relaxed pace, affordable housing, and warm climate make Pialba and broader Hervey Bay an enduring drawcard for retirees from across Australia.

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

📰 Featured In

📰 Queensland Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 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
-25.28°, 152.83°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
4.95 km²
Elevation
13m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.8%

123 state housing + 20 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Fraser Coast Routes — Hervey Bay surrounds / Maryborough 15-45 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
260 km
By Train
No direct service; nearest station Maryborough West (~35 km away)
By Car (Peak)
3–3.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.75–3 hrs

🛣️ Hervey Bay Airport offers flights to Brisbane (~55 min); Bruce Highway is the main road route

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

As Hervey Bay's main commercial hub, Pialba has good local walkability to shops and services within the centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Pialba Plaza Shopping Centre Main Street Pialba 4655 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Fraser Coast Local Government Area, which contains Pialba. 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
3,678
Census 2021
4,151
▲ 12.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,556
Personal Income 2021
$27,508
▲ 16.8% 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
$27,508 / yr
$529/wk
Household
$48,464 / yr
$932/wk
Family
$62,296 / yr
$1198/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,069
Born Overseas 778

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 215
  • 2. New Zealand 155
  • 3. Philippines 36
  • 4. Scotland 31
  • 5. South Africa 28
  • 6. Germany 27
  • 7. India 18
  • 8. Netherlands 18
  • 9. Nepal 12
  • 10. Thailand 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,790
Australian 1,529
Irish 473
Scottish 419
German 289
Australian Aboriginal 249
Italian 94
New Zealander 56
Dutch 50
Filipino 49

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,490
Both parents born in Australia
924
Both parents born overseas
436
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.0%
No Religion
41.3%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.7%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
172 (4.1%)
5-14 years
448 (10.8%)
15-19 years
210 (5.1%)
20-24 years
192 (4.6%)
25-34 years
419 (10.1%)
35-44 years
361 (8.7%)
45-54 years
496 (11.9%)
55-64 years
594 (14.3%)
65-74 years
707 (17.0%)
75-84 years
438 (10.6%)
85+ years
113 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pialba known for? +

Pialba is the main commercial centre of Hervey Bay, home to the Stockland Hervey Bay shopping centre, and close to Urangan Marina — the primary departure point for tours to K'gari (Fraser Island) and whale watching cruises. Hervey Bay is internationally recognised as one of the best locations in the world to observe humpback whales.

How far is Pialba from Brisbane? +

Pialba is approximately 260 kilometres north of Brisbane, about a 3–3.5 hour drive via the Bruce Highway. Hervey Bay Airport (within the Hervey Bay region) offers flights to Brisbane (approximately 55 minutes).

Does Pialba have public transport? +

Pialba is served by Wide Bay Transit bus routes connecting the Hervey Bay area. The nearest Queensland Rail station is Maryborough West (approximately 35 km). A car is practical for most daily needs, though local buses cover key routes.

What is the population of Pialba? +

According to the 2021 Census, Pialba has a population of approximately 4,151 residents, with the broader Hervey Bay urban area being one of Queensland's major coastal cities.

Is Pialba a good place to live? +

Pialba offers an excellent coastal lifestyle as the commercial centre of Hervey Bay, with easy access to beaches, whale watching, Fraser Island tours, and the full range of city services. It is particularly popular with retirees and families drawn to the warm climate and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

What is the postcode for Pialba? +

The postcode for Pialba, QLD is 4655.

What is the average income in Pialba? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Pialba is about $529 per week (around $27,500 per year). The median household income is $932 per week and the median family income is $1,198 per week.

What is the age profile of Pialba? +

The median age in Pialba is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (707 residents, around 17%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 30% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Pialba a safe area? +

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

In Pialba, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).