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Macleay Island suburb profile

Macleay Island is a relaxed bay island in southern Moreton Bay with a distinctly maritime character, where mangrove-lined creeks, sandy foreshore reserves and open water shape daily life. The island has a small village centre with basic shops and community facilities, while a mix of older holiday cottages and more recent low-rise homes sit on quiet streets and waterfront blocks. Residents tend to be a mix of long-term locals, sea-change families and weekenders who value boating, fishing, kayaking and bushland walks. Regular vehicle and passenger ferry links connect the island to the mainland, so specialist services and larger shopping centres are a short trip away.

Macleay Island property market performance

There are relatively few recent unit sales, so there isn't enough data to publish a reliable median unit price. The median house price is $555,000, up sharply 17.2% over the last 12 months.

In the last 3 months 29 houses were sold. Over the last 12 months houses sold in a median of 73 days.

The rental market in Macleay Island saw house rents average $490 a week, up a modest 3.6% over the last 12 months.

HousesUnits
Median price
Past 3 months
$555KN/A
Change in value
Past 12 months
17.2%N/A
Sold
Past 3 months
29N/A
Median days on market
Past 12 months
73N/A
Average rent
Past 12 months
$490N/A
Change in rent
Past 12 months
3.6%N/A

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Macleay Island demographics

Macleay Island is a community of 3,193 people, with a median age of 62 and a median household income of $755 a week, roughly $39,260 a year.

Families on the island are largely couples: 64.5% are couple families without children and 16.5% are couple families with children, together accounting for about four in five family households. One-parent families make up 16.9% of families and other families 2.0%.

Homes in Macleay Island are mostly owner-occupied: 53.3% are owned outright and a further 23.9% are owned with a mortgage, giving an owner-occupied share of 77.2%. Rented dwellings account for 22.9% of homes.

Macleay Island infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities

Macleay Island is seeing a series of public transport and foreshore works. The Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals upgrade has delivered a new pontoon at the Macleay Island ferry terminal, and the foreshore marine landing precinct has been upgraded with a dedicated ferry terminal, public boat ramp, floating walkway, pontoon and improved parking. Redland City Council is also preparing upgrades to parking amenities for personal mobility devices at the SMBI ferry terminals, including Macleay Island.

Council has proposed a Southern Moreton Bay Islands community and youth centre on Macleay Island, and the Queensland 2025–26 budget included a $1 million allocation toward a multi-purpose youth and community centre. State budget and parliamentary materials also record funding for a new playground at Macleay Island State School.

Suburbs near Macleay Island

Some popular suburbs near Macleay Island include:

  • Lamb Island: A small island with sheltered beaches and a laid-back, holiday feel.
  • Coochiemudlo Island: Popular for its sandy foreshore, walking tracks and village atmosphere.
  • Russell Island: Larger island community with mangroves, coastal reserves and local services.
  • Redland Bay: Semi-rural coastal suburb with hobby farms and riverfront mangrove areas.
  • Victoria Point: Well-established bayside suburb, marinas and waterfront parks along the bay.

Common questions about Macleay Island

  • Is Macleay Island a nice place to live?

    Macleay Island has a distinctly maritime, relaxed feel — mangrove-lined creeks, sandy foreshore reserves and open water shape everyday life. The island’s small village centre provides basic shops and community facilities, while a mix of older holiday cottages and more recent low-rise homes sit on quiet streets and waterfront blocks. Residents include long-term locals, sea-change families and weekenders who value boating, fishing, kayaking and bushland walks, and regular vehicle and passenger ferry links make specialist services and larger shopping centres a short trip away.

    The community is older on average, with a median age of 62, and homes are mostly owner-occupied (77.2%). Recent foreshore and ferry-terminal upgrades have improved marine access, and there is allocated funding and proposals for a multi-purpose youth and community centre and a new playground at the local state school. Whether Macleay Island suits you will depend on how much you want an island lifestyle shaped around water and outdoor recreation.

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  • Is it expensive to live in Macleay Island?

    On the figures, renting a house on Macleay Island would take about 65% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, with house rents at $490 a week against a Census household income of $755 a week.

    Buying is even more stretched: the median house price of $555,000 works out to about 14.1 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which sits well above local incomes. For someone renting the rent share is the most relevant number; for a buyer the price multiple is the measure to watch.

    Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

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  • Is Macleay Island a good place to invest?

    House values in Macleay Island climbed 17.2% over the past 12 months, a strong rise in what houses are worth. House rents increased 3.6% over the same period, a modest gain, so on the figures for houses capital growth outpaced rental growth this year. Whether that balance suits your plans depends on your own goals and circumstances.

    This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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