🔍

Tin Can Bay

QLD 4580 • Rest of QLD

2,293
Population (2021)
$38,168
Median Household Income
235.30 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
Fishing VillageRetirement-FriendlyEco-TourismCoastal RetreatWildlife

About Tin Can Bay

Tin Can Bay is a peaceful coastal town in Queensland's Wide Bay–Burnett region, located on a peninsula between Snapper Creek and the Great Sandy Strait facing Fraser Island. With approximately 2,300 residents, this former timber and fishing port has evolved into a quiet retirement and holiday destination. The area holds Ramsar Convention wetland status and is an Important Bird Area of Australia, reflecting its ecological significance.

The town is famous for its wild dolphin feeding experience, where Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins visit the shore daily. Recreational fishing—particularly for prawns—remains central to local life, with boat ramps providing access to the Great Sandy Strait. The community has a distinctly relaxed pace with basic shopping, a library, and the historic Tin Can Bay State School (Prep-10). The area attracts retirees, fishing enthusiasts, and those seeking an affordable, unhurried coastal lifestyle away from urban pressures.

Tin Can Bay falls under postcode 4580 and is governed by Gympie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gympie electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4580
Urban Area
Cooloola
LGA / Council
Gympie
Federal Electorate
Wide Bay
State Electorate
Gympie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.88°, 152.94°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
235.30 km²
Elevation
39m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
65 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

25 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Gympie-Tin Can Bay — Gympie (connections to rail) 60-70 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
220 km
By Bus
Bus to Gympie + train to Brisbane (3-4 hours total)
By Car (Peak)
3-3.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5-3 hours

🛣️ Very limited public transport; once-daily bus to Gympie on weekdays only. Car essential for most trips.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre walkable but car needed for most activities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
565 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 51.2%
Motor vehicle theft
340.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 116.8%
Non-FV assault
646.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 47.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.5 / 100k
2yr Down 56.6% 10yr Up 328.2%
Steal from vehicle
406.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 74.9%
View all offence categories for Gympie →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,242
Census 2021
2,293
▲ 2.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$22,100
Personal Income 2021
$23,712
▲ 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
$23,712 / yr
$456/wk
Household
$38,168 / yr
$734/wk
Family
$48,620 / yr
$935/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,758
Born Overseas 310

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 134
  • 2. New Zealand 55
  • 3. Germany 17
  • 4. Philippines 15
  • 5. Scotland 14
  • 6. South Africa 12
  • 7. United States 8
  • 8. Fiji 5
  • 9. Netherlands 5
  • 10. Papua New Guinea 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,077
Australian 844
Scottish 285
Irish 274
German 152
Australian Aboriginal 61
Filipino 24
Italian 23
Dutch 22
French 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,509
Both parents born in Australia
359
Both parents born overseas
212
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.6%
No Religion
41.3%
Buddhism
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
32 (1.4%)
5-14 years
111 (4.8%)
15-19 years
65 (2.8%)
20-24 years
43 (1.9%)
25-34 years
80 (3.5%)
35-44 years
107 (4.7%)
45-54 years
210 (9.2%)
55-64 years
466 (20.3%)
65-74 years
702 (30.6%)
75-84 years
376 (16.4%)
85+ years
102 (4.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tin Can Bay known for? +

Tin Can Bay is a peaceful coastal town in Queensland's Wide Bay–Burnett region, located on a peninsula between Snapper Creek and the Great Sandy Strait facing Fraser Island. With approximately 2,300 residents, this former timber and fishing port has evolved into a quiet retirement and holiday destination.

How far is Tin Can Bay from Brisbane CBD? +

Tin Can Bay is approximately 220 km from Brisbane CBD. By car, the journey takes around 2.5-3 hours off-peak and 3-3.5 hours during peak hours.

Does Tin Can Bay have public transport? +

Tin Can Bay is served by bus routes connecting to Gympie (connections to rail), though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Tin Can Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tin Can Bay has a population of approximately 2,293 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Gympie (Regional Council).

Is Tin Can Bay a good place to live? +

Tin Can Bay offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Tin Can Bay? +

The postcode for Tin Can Bay, QLD is 4580.

What is the average income in Tin Can Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Tin Can Bay is about $456 per week (around $23,700 per year). The median household income is $734 per week and the median family income is $935 per week.

What is the age profile of Tin Can Bay? +

The median age in Tin Can Bay is 65. The largest age group is 65–74 (702 residents, around 31%). Around 9% of residents are under 20 and about 51% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Tin Can Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Tin Can Bay is part of the Gympie 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 Tin Can Bay? +

In Tin Can Bay, the median weekly rent is $260, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).